gloss

A smooth shine on the surface of something.

• The paint has a high gloss.
• Polishing restored the gloss of the table.
• Her hair had a healthy gloss.

Similar words: shine, sheen, lustre

Opposites: dullness

Common phrases: high gloss, gloss finish, natural gloss

An attractive outer appearance that can hide problems or make something seem better than it is.

• The glossy brochure gave the scheme a gloss of respectability.
• The gloss of success hid his personal troubles.
• A new logo added a superficial gloss to the struggling business.

How to use it: a gloss of something (The elegant offices gave the company a gloss of success.)

Similar words: veneer, facade

Common phrases: gloss of success, superficial gloss, gloss of respectability

A short note explaining a difficult word or giving its translation.

• The gloss explains an unfamiliar word.
• A short gloss appears beside each technical term.
• The manuscript includes glosses in another language.

How to use it: a gloss on something (The editor added a gloss on the unfamiliar expression.)

Similar words: explanatory note, annotation

Common phrases: gloss on something, marginal gloss, short gloss

To make a surface shine by putting a shiny coating on it.

• They gloss the wood after sanding it.
• She glossed the table with a clear coating.
• The workers are glossing the new panels.

Similar words: polish

Common phrases: gloss a surface, gloss the wood, gloss the table