lacquer

noun

lac·quer | \ ˈla-kər

Definition of lacquer

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a spirit varnish (such as shellac)

b : any of various durable natural varnishes especially : a varnish obtained from an Asian sumac (Rhus verniciflua)

— called also Japanese lacquer

2 : any of various clear or colored synthetic organic coatings that typically dry to form a film by evaporation of the solvent especially : a solution of a cellulose derivative (such as nitrocellulose)

lacquer

verb

lacquered; lacquering\ ˈla-k(ə-)riŋ

Definition of lacquer (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to coat with or as if with lacquer

2 : to give a smooth finish or appearance to : make glossy lacquered her hair

Other Words from lacquer More Example Sentences Learn More about lacquer

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Examples of lacquer in a Sentence

Noun

Many coats of lacquer were applied to the table.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The rich, liquidy sheen of a lacquer-like finish bounces light around a dark room. — Hadley Mendelsohn, House Beautiful, "A Paint Expert's Simple Guide to Choosing the Right Paint Finish," 4 Mar. 2019 Next came confident colors and flourishes: a foyer in creamy lacquer, a wall of ocean-blue grass cloth, a swiveling, disco-era brass cocktail table. — Vanessa Gregory, ELLE Decor, "A Recently Renovated Mid-Century Home in Knoxville, Tennessee," 7 Feb. 2019 Softer brushes, like this one, are better for stains and clear finishes, like varnish, spar varnish, shellac, and brushing lacquers. — Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, "The 4 Biggest Painting Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)," 16 Jan. 2019 For this young family's TV room (on the right), a vintage James Mont credenza in a high-gloss Chinese red lacquer makes a daring, modern statement. — Sarah Bray, House Beautiful, "How To Reimagine Vintage Pieces in a Contemporary Space," 3 Mar. 2014 Lucite’ acrylic lacquer—the same paints used on General Motors automobiles. — Henry Robertson, Popular Mechanics, "Can Guitar Paint Affect Your Tone?," 31 Dec. 2018 And the gold, the geezer look of it, and that little bit of burgundy lacquer, that really drove me crazy. — Rory Satran, WSJ, "10 Stylish Women on Essential Investment-Fashion Pieces," 27 Sep. 2018 Jenna's own brand of lacquers, along with Jinsoon's, RGB's, Zoya's, and Sally Hansen's come formulated without those common culprits. — Zoë Weiner, Teen Vogue, "Gel Nails: 12 Things You Need To Know About Gel Manicures," 17 July 2018 This beautiful model from 1948, finished in sunburst lacquer, is in excellent condition. — WSJ, "Creative Director Magnus Berger’s Holiday Gift Guide: Fine Design," 18 Dec. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

However, when lacquered or varnished, the material is just fine for general purposes. — Taysha Murtaugh, Country Living, "Butcher-Block Countertops: Pros, Cons, and Everything Else You Should Know," 15 Jan. 2019 There's also a healthy dose of sparkly surfaces — metallic accents, lacquered walls — that have a glamorous, fashion-forward air about them. — Hilary Robertson, House Beautiful, "Ashley Whittaker on Making Colors Flow Effortlessly," 30 Oct. 2014 Bright lips and sparkles were daytime mainstays, the latter framed by model Xie Chaoyu’s lacquered baby bangs, a dusting of silver glitter still twinkling in the corners of her eyes from Simone Rocha’s hauntingly romantic show at Lancaster House. — Vogue, "The Best Street Style Beauty at London Fashion Week," 18 Sep. 2018 Continue to grill, turning often and basting with remaining sauce, until lacquered and lightly charred in places, 6–8 minutes longer. — Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit, "Grilled Chicken Drumsticks with Savory Caramel," 28 May 2018 About a decade ago, her son took over, carving the space into eight rentable apartments filled with midcentury furniture (Hans Wegner armchairs, lacquered coffee tables) and contemporary art. — Gisela Williams, New York Times, "Where to Shop (and Eat) in São Miguel, Portugal," 9 May 2018 An impromptu transportation strike has shut down the vaporettos, so today the Grand Canal is the province of snappy motorboats and lacquered black gondolas. — Jean Bond Rafferty, Town & Country, "Dispatches from the Renaissance," 17 Dec. 2012 Richard Ouellette, president of Canadian firm Les Ensembliers, lacquered a Montreal passageway obsidian black, focusing attention the way a horse’s blinders might on a view of the city through a distant window. — Kathryn O’shea-evans, WSJ, "The Big Decorating Mistake: Forgetting Your Hallways," 24 May 2018 As the couple gives a barefoot tour, Jackson pads from the windowed walk-in master closet to the entry, where the interior of the coat closet is lacquered a brilliant orange, a joking reference to Princeton, which Roth attended. — Bob Morris, ELLE Decor, "HOUSE TOUR: A Glamorous West Village Loft That's Made For Entertaining," 22 Nov. 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lacquer.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.