glossy

1 of 2

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 2

noun

plural glossies

1

: a photograph printed on smooth shiny paper

2

chiefly British : slick sense 5

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

Editor’s Letter For every glossy star that graces the screen, there are hundreds of artists toiling away in dark editing rooms and squinting at computer screens to make movie magic possible. —Entertainment Weekly, 5 Dec. 2025

Her makeup featured such highlights as bold brows, a smoky eye and a glossy neutral lip. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 4 Dec. 2025

Noun

Mise En Scene Perfect Serum Magic Straight Trio K-beauty doesn’t limit a glassy look to just skin—the Mise En Scène Perfect Serum Magic Straight Trio gives your hair the same glossy, mirror-like finish. —Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 2 Dec. 2025

Grande wore her now-ashy brunette hair in an elegant braided bun with wispy side pieces, with a slick of eyeliner and black mascara, her glam finished by a glossy, rose pink lip. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 8 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

gloss entry 1 + -y entry 1

Noun

derivative of glossy entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1556, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

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