varnish
Glossy protective coat
Varnish is a clear or tinted liquid coating applied to wood, metal, or other surfaces to protect them and give them a glossy finish.
The verb varnish means to apply this coating.
Figuratively, to varnish something is to make it appear more attractive or acceptable than it really is, glossing over flaws or unpleasant truths: The memoir varnishes what was actually a troubled childhood.
This sense connects to the literal one—both involve applying a smooth, shiny surface to hide what's underneath.
Soft surface luster
- lacquerGlossy protective coating
- shellacResinous wood coating
- polishSmooth by rubbing
- satinGlossy-surfaced woven cloth
matte · gloss · luster · patina · urethane · polyurethane · sealant · topcoat
Lasting surface discoloration
- sandingFriction-smoothing a surface
- shellacResinous wood coating
- polyurethaneVersatile synthetic resin compound
- veneerDecorative outer layer
hardwood · furniture · cabinetmaking · brushwork · wiping
Gap-blocking substance
- coatingApplied surface covering
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
- preservationMaintaining something's condition
- waterproofingMaking impervious to moisture
film · hardness · durability
Removing dirt and mess
- retouchingPost-capture image enhancement
- yellowingBecoming pale gold-brown
- blanchingBriefly boiling then cooling
- inpaintingReconstructing missing image regions
conservator · mastic · reversibility · aging · discoloration · oxidation
Shine or annotation
- shineEmit or reflect light
- lusterSoft reflected light
- sheenSoft surface luster
- brillianceExceptional intelligence or luster
radiance · gleam · reflectiveness · smoothness · clarity · depth · richness · semi-gloss
Deceptive outward appearance
- veneerDecorative outer layer
- cover-upHiding wrongdoing from public
- disguiseIdentity-concealing alteration
- embellishmentDecorative addition or exaggeration
whitewash · sugarcoat · concealment · superficiality · pretense · smokescreen · spin · mask
sheen
Soft surface luster
satin · matte · gloss · luster · patina · urethane · polyurethane · sealant · topcoat · clearcoat
stain
Lasting surface discoloration
- sandingFriction-smoothing a surface
- shellacResinous wood coating
- polyurethaneVersatile synthetic resin compound
veneer · hardwood · furniture · cabinetmaking · brushwork · wiping
sealant
Gap-blocking substance
- coatingApplied surface covering
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
- preservationMaintaining something's condition
waterproofing · film · hardness · durability
cleaning
Removing dirt and mess
- retouchingPost-capture image enhancement
- yellowingBecoming pale gold-brown
- blanchingBriefly boiling then cooling
inpainting · conservator · mastic · reversibility · aging · discoloration · oxidation
gloss
Shine or annotation
brilliance · radiance · gleam · reflectiveness · smoothness · clarity · depth · richness · semi-gloss · high-gloss
facade
Deceptive outward appearance
- veneerDecorative outer layer
- cover-upHiding wrongdoing from public
- disguiseIdentity-concealing alteration
embellishment · whitewash · sugarcoat · concealment · superficiality · pretense · smokescreen · spin · mask · polish
- chemicalschemicals, compounds, acids, reagents, solutions
- oil paintingoil painting, oil paints, oil paint, canvas, stretched canvas
- boat carewaxing, polishing, boat cover, winterizing, antifouling
- coatingspaint, enamel, primer, glaze, lacquer
- decorative finishesfaux finish, faux finishes, glazing, patina, staining
- historical art materialspigment, gesso, tempera, linseed oil, ochre
- nail varnishFingernail coating liquid
- nail varnishesColored liquid for fingertips
- varnish removerSolvent for dried coatings
- varnish techniquesApproaches to applying protective coats
unvarnished, varnished, varnishing, varnishes, revarnished, revarnish, varnishers, revarnishing