varnish

American  

[vahr-nish] / ˈvɑr nɪʃ /

noun

1. a preparation consisting of resinous matter, as copal or lac, dissolved in an oil oil varnish or in alcohol spirit varnish or other volatile liquid. When applied to the surface of wood, metal, etc., it dries and leaves a hard, more or less glossy, usually transparent coating.

2. the sap of certain trees, used for the same purpose natural varnish.

3. any of various other preparations similarly used, as one having India rubber, pyroxylin, or asphalt as its chief constituent.

4. a coating or surface of varnish.

5. something resembling or suggesting a coat of varnish; gloss.

6. superficial polish or external show, especially to conceal some defect or inadequacy.

   The play has a varnish of witty dialogue.

7. British. nail polish.

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verb (used with object)

1. to apply varnish to; coat or cover with varnish.

2. to give a glossy appearance to.

3. to give an improved appearance to; adorn.

4. to give a superficially pleasing appearance to, especially in order to deceive.

   to varnish the truth.

   Synonyms:

   disguise, gild

varnish British  

/ ˈvɑːnɪʃ /

noun

1. Also called: oil varnish.  a preparation consisting of a solvent, a drying oil, and usually resin, rubber, bitumen, etc, for application to a surface where it polymerizes to yield a hard glossy, usually transparent, coating

2. a similar preparation consisting of a substance, such as shellac or cellulose ester, dissolved in a volatile solvent, such as alcohol. It hardens to a film on evaporation of the solvent See also spirit varnish

3. Also called: natural varnish.  the sap of certain trees used to produce such a coating

4. a smooth surface, coated with or as with varnish

5. an artificial, superficial, or deceptively pleasing manner, covering, etc; veneer

6. another word for nail polish

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verb

1. to cover with varnish

2. to give a smooth surface to, as if by painting with varnish

3. to impart a more attractive appearance to

4. to make superficially attractive

Other Word Forms

• revarnish verb (used with object)
• varnisher noun
• varnishy adjective
• well-varnished adjective

Etymology

Origin of varnish

1300–50; Middle English varnisch < Middle French vernis, verniz < Medieval Latin vernicium sandarac < Medieval Greek bernī́kē, syncopated variant of Greek Berenī́kē, city in Cyrenaica

Explanation

Varnish is a shiny coating that's painted on a floor or piece of furniture and then dries clear and luminous. After refinishing an old oak chair, you might apply a coat of varnish. (Just don't sit on it until it's dry.) Varnish gives artwork, furniture, and other objects a finished, glossy look, and it also protects the surface. Most varnish is made from oil, solvent, and resin. You can also use the word as a verb, meaning "to coat with varnish." Many people decide to varnish their wood floors or their wooden kitchen counters. The Medieval Latin root word is vernix, "odorous or fragrant resin."

Example Sentences

Nonfarmale’s transfer was deemed perfectly done, but discolored varnish was removed, holes and cracks were repaired, and, as is modern practice, restored areas were made congruent with the rest by delicate watercolor cross-hatching.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026

“I did my best to strip the varnish away,” Sheff writes.

From Salon • Mar. 28, 2025

The artwork was coated with a dark varnish and accumulated dirt over the years, giving the false impression it depicts a night scene.

From BBC • Nov. 12, 2024

By mixing this material with varnish, it could be applied as a paint.

From Science Daily • May 2, 2024

He stretched sheer silk fabric over the stern and bow sections and painted the silk with varnish.

From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown

Related Words

• gild
• lacquer