shellac

1 of 2

noun

shel·​lac shə-ˈlak 

1

: purified lac usually prepared in thin orange or yellow flakes by heating and filtering and often bleached white

2

: a preparation of lac dissolved usually in alcohol and used chiefly as a wood filler and finish

3

a

: a composition containing shellac formerly used for making phonograph records

b

: an old 78 rpm phonograph record

shellac

2 of 2

verb

shellacked; shellacking

transitive verb

1

: to coat or otherwise treat with shellac or a shellac varnish

2

: to defeat decisively

Synonyms of shellac

Verb

• wax
• cream
• overcome
• bomb
• whip
• skin
• paste
• bury
• trim
• dust
• rout
• smoke
• master
• upset
• blow away
• flatten
• throw
• smother

Examples of shellac in a Sentence

Verb

the local football team was shellacked 35-0 in their final outing for the season

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The canvas incorporates oil, emulsion, shellac, earth, and twigs, giving the work a heavily textured surface. — News Desk, Artforum, 20 Oct. 2026

Natural sources include beeswax, carnauba wax derived from a Brazilian palm, candelilla wax sourced from desert shrubs, and a food-grade shellac secreted by the lac bug, a small insect native to Asia. — Natalia Vela, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2026

Verb

Indiana, winners of nothing, shellacked Alabama, winners of everything. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026

Bedard’s team lost six of seven games before the Winter Games, closing the stretch with a 4-0 road shellacking against the Columbus Blue Jackets. — Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

shell entry 1 + lac

First Known Use

Noun

1704, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for shellac

• aback
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback
• cutback

Kids Definition

shellac

1 of 2 noun

shel·​lac shə-ˈlak 

1

: purified lac

2

: a preparation of lac dissolved in alcohol and used as a wood filler or finish

shellac

2 of 2 verb

shellacked; shellacking

: to coat or treat with shellac