gloss 1 of 2

noun

ˈgläs How to pronounce gloss (audio)
Definition of glossnext
1
as in facade
a deceptively attractive external appearance used a computer to give her astrological predictions the gloss of real science

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in gleam
brightness created by light reflected from a surface the surface has such a high gloss, you can see your face reflected in it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

gloss

2 of 2

verb

as in to polish
to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure the action of the water will serve to gloss the seal's coat

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of gloss
Noun
Each gloss comes in a different translucent hue and is formulated with nourishing ingredients, including Fenugreek seed extract to soften, plump, and hydrate, and seaweed extract to support lip volume and definition. — Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 3 Nov. 2026 Plus, most glosses can be touched up in your shower every four to six weeks. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 3 Nov. 2026
Verb
The latest edition may be glossed up with star power, but there’s no resonance. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 18 June 2026 The Illinois native further glossed up his Curriculum Vitae in Europe with the German national team. — Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for gloss
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gloss
  1. facade
  2. gleam
  3. polish
  4. veneer
  5. glare
  6. rub
  7. sheen
  8. smooth
Noun
  • Three years after his dad’s death, Dane continued to put on a facade — especially when finding out what really happened to his father.
    — Shelby Stivale, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The 14,000-square-foot Dutch Colonial was built in 1928 and has a limestone façade that matches the State Capitol building two blocks away.
    — Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of facade
Noun
  • The music resolves and smoke rolls into the gallery before the screen opens up and the real Endeavour gleams in the distance, spotlighted like a mirage in the dark.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
  • The singer-songwriter’s seventh album is their wackiest and funniest to date, with a madcap gleam coursing through its synth-pop portraits of lovable weirdos and suburban dread.
    — Zach Schonfeld, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of gleam
Verb
  • Despite a surface that often feels — after two developmental runs, at Virginia’s Signature Theatre and at Paper Mill Playhouse — polished to a commercial, salable gloss, the production began as a distinctly personal story.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2026
  • The brand aimed to strike a balance between cozy and polished with shearling silhouettes spanning flats, suede loafers, mules and winter boots.
    — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 9 Nov. 2026
Definition of polish
Noun
  • For months, Riyadh maintained a veneer of business as usual despite the war, but this has become harder to sustain with the city postponing events, from tennis tournaments to conferences, and now doing a U-turn on schools.
    — Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The Democratic Party has lately been understood as an aging, defensive entity, with a nursing-home veneer.
    — Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of veneer
Noun
  • The crew switched on spotlights to mimic the glare of the blast.
    — Matt Alt, New Yorker, 8 Nov. 2026
  • There’s also a nano-texture glass option to fight glare, though that will set you back another $150.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of glare
Verb
  • For small spots and stains, gently rub them with an art gum eraser.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 5 Nov. 2026
  • The simplest answer to how to wash fruits and veggies is to start with clean hands, then rinse produce under cool running water while rubbing it for about 20 seconds.
    — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of rub
Noun
  • Made from buttery-soft organic cotton sateen with a subtle sheen, the set includes a duvet cover and two matching shams.
    — Jacorey Moon, Architectural Digest, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Buyers in rubber boots moved briskly between the rows, using hooks and flashlights to inspect the fat marbling and ruby-red sheen of each tail cross-section before the rapid-fire hand-signal bidding began.
    — Liam Hess, Vogue, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of sheen
Verb
  • The relaxed legs offer plenty of room to move, while the elegant pleats create a flattering drape that helps smooth visible lines.
    — Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Unlike a traditional body lotion, the moisturizer’s lightweight, milky texture softens skin, smooths rough patches, and relieves dryness sans the greasy film.
    — Madison San Miguel, Allure, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of smooth

Phrases Containing gloss

Browse Nearby Words

glorying (in)
gloss
glossaries
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Gloss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gloss. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of impertinent

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Nov. 13

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
speech-bubble-untangle
Simplify The Convoluted Expression Quiz A quiz that’s as “uncomplicated as a round de...
See All