1
a
: 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)
lacquered; lacquering
ˈla-k(ə-)riŋ 
1
: to coat with or as if with lacquer
2
: to give a smooth finish or appearance to : make glossy
lacquered her hair
Examples of lacquer in a Sentence
Noun
Many coats of lacquer were applied to the table.
Recent Examples on the Web
Anna Fixsen, ELLE Decor, 9 Aug. 2023
The spray scent comes in a refillable black lacquer glass bottle in 10-milliliter to 3.3-ounce sizes, and a 150-milliliter refill.
—Danielle Directo-Meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Aug. 2023
This model is instantly recognizable for its chrome blue dial, which is achieved through a process of applying multiple layers of blue lacquer, each of which is polished to a mirror finish before the next is applied.
—Cait Bazemore, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2023
He was being undercut on some bids by contractors willing to skip a coat of lacquer or build with particleboard.
—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 20 Sep. 2023
The Sheer Trend Instead, coconut milk nails hit the sweet spot between a bold lacquer and the type of neutral mani that instantly elongates your fingers and makes the tips look brighter.
—Fiona Embleton, Glamour, 12 Sep. 2023
Opening in 2021 after six years of intensive renovations, the dazzling decor blends an old-world spirit with more modish touches, from lavish bathrooms clad in Italian marble and French lacquer marquetry to contemporary artworks and a cutting-edge spa and fitness center.
—Vogue, 28 Sep. 2023
Dip your finger into the pot and give it a twist to dissolve even the deepest, darkest lacquer (plus there's a sponge attached to the cap for toes).
—Liana Schaffner, Allure, 21 Sep. 2023
There are two new models, one with a blue lacquer dial, a signature color for the collection, and a new gray color.
—Carol Besler, Robb Report, 31 Aug. 2023
Claire Brito, House Beautiful, 15 Aug. 2023
The camera orbits around his head just before a final shot of his crown: silky, voluminous waves lacquered with the aplomb of K-pop boy bands.
—Wilson Wong, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2023
Instead Sarah Mendel and Risa Emen of Cochineal Design converted the space into a functional showpiece of its own, with bold marble and cabinets lacquered in Farrow & Ball’s sultry Preference Red.
—Anna Fixsen, ELLE Decor, 7 Mar. 2023
The intense berried juiciness of grape jelly can also lacquer a rack of baby back ribs, yielding gleaming, tender batons that are ideal for watching the Super Bowl or just enjoying for dinner.
—Eric Kim, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2023
If baking soda in boiling water doesn’t work, lacquer thinner from a paint store almost certainly would.
—Washington Post, 10 Jan. 2022
And like a lot of hokum, Barry Levinson’s lacquered ode to the majesty of baseball — and Robert Redford — is still hard to resist.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2020
The book showcases photographs of 250 striking objects: lacquered chopsticks, bento boxes, stainless steel teapots, calligraphy brushes, Shoji sliding doors, Sori Yanagi butterfly stools, Issey Miyake kimonos, and Kikkoman soy sauce bottles.
—Ashlea Halpern, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2020
In the house on Bainbridge Island where Ms. Gooden lives with her husband, Bill LeMire, Ms. Gooden has Hisaye’s iron kettle, bamboo ladles and lacquered natsume (wooden canisters) for tea ceremony.
—Hannah Kirshner, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2019
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Noun
Here, the designer packed in plenty of additional storage and workspace and coated the cabinetry in a pleasing chocolate lacquer.
—Anna Fixsen, ELLE Decor, 9 Aug. 2023
The spray scent comes in a refillable black lacquer glass bottle in 10-milliliter to 3.3-ounce sizes, and a 150-milliliter refill.
—Danielle Directo-Meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Aug. 2023
This model is instantly recognizable for its chrome blue dial, which is achieved through a process of applying multiple layers of blue lacquer, each of which is polished to a mirror finish before the next is applied.
—Cait Bazemore, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2023
He was being undercut on some bids by contractors willing to skip a coat of lacquer or build with particleboard.
—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 20 Sep. 2023
The Sheer Trend Instead, coconut milk nails hit the sweet spot between a bold lacquer and the type of neutral mani that instantly elongates your fingers and makes the tips look brighter.
—Fiona Embleton, Glamour, 12 Sep. 2023
Opening in 2021 after six years of intensive renovations, the dazzling decor blends an old-world spirit with more modish touches, from lavish bathrooms clad in Italian marble and French lacquer marquetry to contemporary artworks and a cutting-edge spa and fitness center.
—Vogue, 28 Sep. 2023
Dip your finger into the pot and give it a twist to dissolve even the deepest, darkest lacquer (plus there's a sponge attached to the cap for toes).
—Liana Schaffner, Allure, 21 Sep. 2023
There are two new models, one with a blue lacquer dial, a signature color for the collection, and a new gray color.
—Carol Besler, Robb Report, 31 Aug. 2023
Verb
Rockmore lacquered a vintage leopard to become a black jaguar.
—Claire Brito, House Beautiful, 15 Aug. 2023
The camera orbits around his head just before a final shot of his crown: silky, voluminous waves lacquered with the aplomb of K-pop boy bands.
—Wilson Wong, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2023
Instead Sarah Mendel and Risa Emen of Cochineal Design converted the space into a functional showpiece of its own, with bold marble and cabinets lacquered in Farrow & Ball’s sultry Preference Red.
—Anna Fixsen, ELLE Decor, 7 Mar. 2023
The intense berried juiciness of grape jelly can also lacquer a rack of baby back ribs, yielding gleaming, tender batons that are ideal for watching the Super Bowl or just enjoying for dinner.
—Eric Kim, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2023
If baking soda in boiling water doesn’t work, lacquer thinner from a paint store almost certainly would.
—Washington Post, 10 Jan. 2022
And like a lot of hokum, Barry Levinson’s lacquered ode to the majesty of baseball — and Robert Redford — is still hard to resist.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2020
The book showcases photographs of 250 striking objects: lacquered chopsticks, bento boxes, stainless steel teapots, calligraphy brushes, Shoji sliding doors, Sori Yanagi butterfly stools, Issey Miyake kimonos, and Kikkoman soy sauce bottles.
—Ashlea Halpern, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2020
In the house on Bainbridge Island where Ms. Gooden lives with her husband, Bill LeMire, Ms. Gooden has Hisaye’s iron kettle, bamboo ladles and lacquered natsume (wooden canisters) for tea ceremony.
—Hannah Kirshner, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2019
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lacquer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing lacquer
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Cite this Entry
“Lacquer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lacquer. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
lacquer
noun
lac·quer
ˈlak-ər
: a material like varnish that dries quickly into a shiny layer (as on wood or metal)
lacquer
verb
More from Merriam-Webster on lacquer
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for lacquer
Nglish: Translation of lacquer for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lacquer
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