lacquer

1 of 2

noun

lac·​quer ˈla-kər 

1

a

: a spirit varnish (such as shellac)

b

: any of various durable natural varnishes

especially : a varnish obtained from an Asian sumac (Toxicodendron vernicifluum synonym 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

2 of 2

verb

lacquered; lacquering ˈla-k(ə-)riŋ 

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

lacquerer

ˈla-kər-ər 

noun

Examples of lacquer in a Sentence

Noun

Many coats of lacquer were applied to the table.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Tintype photographs, also known as a ferrotype, was a process by which a thin sheet of iron, painted with a dark enamel or lacquer, was placed wet into a camera to expose the plate as the photographer captured the image. — Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

To help out with that legibility, the hour and minutes hands are coated in Super-LumiNova, alongside touches of white lacquer in the 30-minute counter and the small second hand. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 20 Aug. 2026

Verb

For a spell in the last few years, he became known for cartoonishly long nail extensions, lacquered and bejeweled. — Abigail Sylvor Greenberg, Vanity Fair, 18 Aug. 2026

Return the ribs to the grill uncovered for 15–30 minutes, allowing the glaze to caramelize and become sticky and lacquered. — Staff, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Portuguese lacré sealing wax, from laca lac, from Arabic lakk, from Persian lak — more at lac

First Known Use

Noun

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1688, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing lacquer

• Japanese lacquer

Rhymes for lacquer

• acker
• backer
• blacker
• cracker
• hacker
• packer
• slacker
• stacker
• thacker
• tracker
• attacker
• backpacker

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