gloss 1 of 2

noun

ˈgläs How to pronounce gloss (audio)
Definition of glossnext
1
as in facade
a deceptively attractive external appearance used a computer to give her astrological predictions the gloss of real science

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in gleam
brightness created by light reflected from a surface the surface has such a high gloss, you can see your face reflected in it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

gloss

2 of 2

verb

as in to polish
to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure the action of the water will serve to gloss the seal's coat

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of gloss
Noun
Despite the American 1980s reputation for high-gloss, high-glam aesthetics, Gerber found a happy medium between paying homage to the decade while also incorporating timeless elements throughout her look. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 28 July 2026 Historic ceiling beams were painted white to lighten the atmosphere, while high-gloss wood paneling pairs with handblown glass light fixtures from Vetreria Venier in Murano. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 25 July 2026
Verb
Silky bluefin tuna is glossed with a sunflower salsa and avocado cream. — John Mariani, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2026 The easy-to-use glossing treatment, which should be applied to damp hair and followed by a blow dryer to activate the frizz-fighting alpha acids, is a semi-permanent smoothing spray that basically creates a water-resistant shield to prevent flyaways—even in the most humid of places. — Eva Thomas, InStyle, 9 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gloss
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gloss
  1. facade
  2. gleam
  3. polish
  4. veneer
  5. glare
  6. rub
  7. sheen
  8. smooth
Noun
  • Upon closer inspection, the facade and interiors alike have details that are unexpectedly progressive.
    — Kathryn O’Shea-Evans, Robb Report, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Hirshman said the Center currently has $5 million in its building fund to fix up West-Park Church’s facade and roof.
    — Lincoln Anderson, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of facade
Noun
  • Meanwhile, Tucuma-seed and buriti oils soften the skin and boost its radiance for a subtle, youthful gleam.
    — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 17 July 2026
  • In other words, there is no recapturing the mythological—and curiously innocent—gleam of earlier World Cup eras.
    — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 17 July 2026
Definition of gleam
Verb
  • Under this law, employers are required to take steps to protect workers, such as providing protective respirators and using water to suppress dust, when employees are cutting, grinding or polishing slabs.
    — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Firestar operated a large factory inside Surat’s Special Economic Zone, a duty-free enclave that allowed the company to cut, polish and manufacture jewelry for export markets.
    — Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of polish
Noun
  • Plans call for a trash enclosure designed to match Beermann Plaza’s existing aesthetic, including decorative brick veneer, tile wall caps, landscaping, metal benches and a new sidewalk.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The gold standard for veneers is porcelain, a glass-like material that ceramicists shape layer by layer.
    — Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of veneer
Noun
  • Then there was the harsh glare of the British media, where Hilton’s reputation as a shoeless spin doctor inspired a character in a fictional TV series.
    — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The water around the device and the rock above it shield the detector from the glare of cosmic radiation, allowing the flickers of less common particle interactions to shine through.
    — James Dinneen, Quanta Magazine, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of glare
Verb
  • Brush or rub about one-quarter of the sauce all over the chicken and corn.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Dampen a cotton swab with the alcohol and gently rub the ink stain.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of rub
Noun
  • Glass hair is exactly that—shiny, soft lengths with that unmistakable mirror-like sheen.
    — Selvaggia Germani, Vogue, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Chrome For a touch of flair, this manicure features a soft pink polish finished with an iridescent chrome sheen, giving the nails a glazed effect.
    — Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of sheen
Verb
  • The self-tan wipes are easy to apply and contain exfoliating acids that smooth the skin, plus encapsulated DHA (the ingredient that stains the skin) to leave behind a radiant tan.
    — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Both iterations are formulated with smoothing honey extract, strawberry, blueberry, and papaya extracts, plus milk proteins to fortify and condition strands.
    — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of smooth

Phrases Containing gloss

Browse Nearby Words

glorying (in)
gloss
glossaries
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Gloss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gloss. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on gloss

Nglish: Translation of gloss for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All