gloss

¹

[ glos, glaws ]

noun

1. a superficial luster or shine; glaze:

   the gloss of satin.

2. a false or deceptively good appearance.

   Synonyms: facade, veneer, front

3. Also . a cosmetic that adds sheen or luster, especially one for the lips.

verb (used with object)

1. to put a gloss upon.
2. to give a false or deceptively good appearance to:

   to gloss over flaws in the woodwork.

gloss

²

[ glos, glaws ]

noun

1. an explanation or translation of a foreign, technical, or unusual word or expression in a text.

   Synonyms: annotation, comment

2. a series of verbal interpretations of a text.

   Synonyms: explication, exegesis, critique, commentary

3. a glossary.
4. an artfully misleading interpretation.

verb (used with object)

1. to insert glosses on; annotate.

   Synonyms: explicate, analyze, interpret, explain

2. to place (a word) in a gloss.
3. to give a specious interpretation of; explain away (often followed by over or away ):

   to gloss over a serious problem with a pat solution.

verb (used without object)

1. to make glosses.

gloss.

³

abbreviation for

1. glossary.

gloss.

¹

abbreviation for

1. glossary

gloss

²

/ ɡlɒs /

noun

1. a short or expanded explanation or interpretation of a word, expression, or foreign phrase in the margin or text of a manuscript, etc
2. an intentionally misleading explanation or interpretation
3. short for glossary

verb

1. to add glosses to

gloss

³

/ ɡlɒs /

noun

1. 1. lustre or sheen, as of a smooth surface
   2. ( as modifier )

      gloss paint

2. a superficially attractive appearance
3. See gloss paint
4. a cosmetic preparation applied to the skin to give it a faint sheen

   lip gloss

verb

1. to give a gloss to or obtain a gloss

Derived Forms

• ˈglosser, noun
• ˈglossingly, adverb
• ˈglosser, noun
• ˈglossless, adjective

Other Words From

• glossless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gloss¹

First recorded in 1530–40; probably akin to Dutch gloos “glowing,” Middle High German glosen “to glow, shine,” Swedish dialect glysa “to shine”

Origin of gloss²

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English noun glose, gloce, from Old French glose, from Medieval Latin glōsa, glōza, from Greek glôssa “word requiring explanation,” literally, “language, tongue”; gloze,

Word History and Origins

Origin of gloss¹

C16: from Latin glōssa unusual word requiring explanatory note, from Ionic Greek

Origin of gloss²

C16: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Icelandic glossi flame, Middle High German glosen to glow

Synonym Study

See polish.

Example Sentences

If he can finish his six-match run with that crucial win at Wembley on Sunday, suddenly the negativity that has characterised the latter part of his time will be replaced a more positive gloss when Tuchel finally arrives to begin his 18-month contract at the turn of the year.

From BBC

“The internet has always allowed us to participate in mass nostalgia,” Lorenz said, because “social media encourages us to gloss over the bad.”

From Slate

She said they tried to "gloss over" the problems and told her they would "look into it" but after 11 weeks told her they were not going to answer her questions.

From BBC

“Martha” doesn’t gloss over Stewart’s prickly, demanding personality, but it also makes the case that she was unfairly maligned — and ultimately prosecuted — because of her gender.

From Los Angeles Times

The super PAC’s Federal Election Commission paperwork was signed by May Mailman, a former Trump legal adviser and current director of the Independent Women’s Law Center, part of an umbrella organization that slaps a feminist gloss on its opposition to both abortion and transgender rights.

From Slate

Related Words

• glaze
• luster
• varnish
• veneer