unvarnished

adjective

un·​var·​nished ˌən-ˈvär-nisht How to pronounce unvarnished (audio)
1
a
: not adorned or glossed : plain, straightforward
told the unvarnished truth
b
: artless, frank
the unvarnished candor of old people and childrenJanet Flanner
2
: not coated with or as if with varnish : crude, unfinished

Examples of unvarnished in a Sentence

If you want my unvarnished opinion, the movie stinks. I'm telling the unvarnished truth.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This unvarnished approach hasn’t always been welcomed. Simon Mainwaring, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025 Low-key nude manicures have been trending for a minute now, but Barbaro’s nails appear truly unvarnished. Sam Reed, Glamour, 10 June 2025 Director: Jackie Jesko The Hook: An unvarnished look at the barrier-breaking journalist who interviewed everyone from the Kardashians to Castro, disarming her subjects with her charm before asking penetrating questions that were shocking in their directness (see this sit-down with Courtney Love). Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 4 June 2025 From Billy Joel to Miley, Tribeca Film Festival goes all in on music movies Culture Club always cultivated humor and drama Ellwood excels at highlighting people, regardless of their level of fame, in an unvarnished state. Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 7 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for unvarnished

Word History

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of unvarnished was in 1605

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Cite this Entry

“Unvarnished.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unvarnished. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

unvarnished

adjective
un·​var·​nished ˌən-ˈvär-nisht How to pronounce unvarnished (audio)
ˈən-
1
: not adorned or exaggerated : plain
the unvarnished truth
2
: not varnished
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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