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

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

It is used to make liquid shellac, a brush-on colorant and wood finish, and is found in shampoos, aluminum foil and lipstick. —Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026

Seal the wood with a topcoat of varnish, shellac, lacquer, or other wood finish, Marshall says. —Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 23 Jan. 2026

Verb

The result was a dispiriting 5-1 shellacking at the hands of a deeply mid Seattle Kraken side. —Thomas Drance, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026

Instead, the union got shellacked. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 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
• anzac
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback

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