glossy

1 of 3

adjective

ˈglä-sē 

ˈglȯ-

glossier; glossiest

1

: having a surface luster or brightness

rich glossy leather

glossy paper

2

: attractive in an artificially opulent, sophisticated, or smoothly captivating manner : slick

lots of glossy and phony chatter

glossily

ˈglä-sə-lē 

ˈglȯ-

adverb

glossiness

ˈglä-sē-nəs 

ˈglȯ-

noun

glossy

2 of 3

noun (1)

plural glossies

1

: a photograph printed on smooth shiny paper

2

chiefly British : slick sense 5

glossiness

3 of 3

noun (2)

glos·​si·​ness

-sin-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being glossy

Synonyms of glossy

Adjective

• polished
• sleek
• glistening
• satin

Choose the Right Synonym for glossy

sleek, slick, glossy mean having a smooth bright surface or appearance.

sleek suggests a smoothness or brightness resulting from attentive grooming or physical conditioning.

a sleek racehorse

slick suggests extreme smoothness that results in a slippery surface.

slipped and fell on the slick floor

glossy suggests a highly reflective surface.

photographs having a glossy finish

Examples of glossy in a Sentence

Adjective

a plant with glossy green leaves

the glossy finish on the gym floor

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The wax and sealant not only restores your chrome wheels’ glossy shine but also protects them by actively repelling brake dust, road salt and other debris. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2026

Infiniti’s slingbacks were crafted from glossy red patent leather and balanced on 100mm stiletto heels. —Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 14 June 2026

Noun

Under the lead of editor in chief Emanuele Farneti, D magazine is publishing three glossies, sold in a bundle, for a total of 750 pages, its largest issue ever. —Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 20 May 2026

One of six Grande Suites on the train (each inspired by and named after a European city), Prague is tricked out in garnet reds, maroons, and gold, the wood glossy and the marquetry intricate. —Rebekah Peppler, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

gloss entry 1 + -y entry 1

Noun (1)

derivative of glossy entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1556, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

1928, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for glossy

• aussie
• basi
• bossy
• fossae
• khasi
• lossy
• masi
• mossy
• posse
• quasi
• saucy
• bagasse

Kids Definition

glossy

adjective

ˈgläs-ē, 

ˈglȯs-

glossier; glossiest

: having a surface luster or brightness

glossiness noun