gloss
gloss Lexical Profile
gloss Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A bright, smooth surface luster or shine, or a paint or cosmetic product that imparts such a finish.
"A coat of clear varnish gave the wooden table an attractive gloss."
A superficially attractive appearance that conceals a less favorable reality.
"Beneath the sophisticated gloss of the company's marketing, its finances were in disarray."
A brief explanatory note, translation, or commentary added to a text, especially in the margin or between the lines.
"The medieval manuscript contained numerous Latin glosses written by monastic scribes."
• verb
To treat a mistake, problem, or embarrassing fact briefly or dishonestly in order to minimize or conceal it (usually followed by "over").
"The official report tried to gloss over the serious safety violations at the plant."
To provide an explanatory note, translation, or commentary for a difficult or foreign word or passage.
"The editor chose to gloss the archaic terms at the bottom of each page."
To give a bright, smooth, or shiny finish to a surface.
"The potter will gloss the ceramic vase before the final firing."
Word Nuance & Usage
"Gloss" represents two historically distinct words: one referring to surface shine or deceptive polish, and the other (from Greek "glossa") referring to a marginal translation or explanatory note. In modern usage, the phrasal verb "gloss over" specifically means to treat a flaw or difficulty superficially to conceal it.
• Rhymes for gloss
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The sense relating to shine dates to the 16th century, likely of Scandinavian origin akin to Icelandic "glossi" (spark, blaze). The textual sense derives via Latin from Ancient Greek "glōssa" (tongue or language), originally referring to an obsolete or foreign word requiring explanation.