Gloss Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

💫

Add to dictionary

gloss

[ɡlɒs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in a cosmetic context

A shiny or reflective surface on a fabric or garment, often produced by applying a coating of a glossy substance.

Synonyms

luster, polish, sheen, shine.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
gloss	Gloss is often used when talking about a smooth, shiny surface, especially for paints, paper, and cosmetics. The paint had a high gloss finish The magazine pages have a nice gloss
shine	Shine is the most general term among these and can be used to describe any surface that reflects light brightly, including figurative use such as someone excelling. The sun shines brightly She shines in her new role at work
sheen	Sheen generally indicates a soft, glowing light, often used to describe surfaces like hair, fabric, or water. Her hair had a healthy sheen The car's paint had a beautiful sheen after waxing
luster	Luster is commonly associated with the gentle sheen or soft glow, often used in contexts such as jewelry, metals, and fabrics. The luster of the silk was exquisite Gold has a natural luster
polish	Polish typically refers to the act of making something smooth and shiny as well as the state of being shiny due to cleaning or rubbing. It can also imply a high level of refinement. He polished the silverware until it gleamed The marble floors had a high polish

Examples of usage

The gloss on her new dress caught the sunlight and sparkled beautifully.
The glossy finish on the leather jacket made it stand out.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

in a linguistic context

An explanation or interpretation of a difficult or obscure word or expression.

Synonyms

clarification, explanation, interpretation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
gloss	Often used in the context of providing a brief description or explanation, typically for a word or phrase. It might be used in educational or literary settings. She included a gloss for each difficult term in the passage. The dictionary offered a quick gloss of the term 'ephemeral'.
explanation	Applies to a detailed account that makes an idea, concept, or situation clear. It often involves describing something in depth to help others understand. The teacher's explanation of the scientific theory helped the students grasp the concept. He offered a thorough explanation for his behavior at the party.
interpretation	Used when explaining the meaning of something based on one's understanding or perspective. This term is often used in relation to art, literature, or complex texts. Her interpretation of the poem gave it an entirely different meaning. The lawyer's interpretation of the law differed from that of the judge.
clarification	Used when there is a need to make a statement, situation, or idea clear or easier to understand, especially if it previously caused confusion. After the meeting, he sent an email for further clarification of the new policy. She asked for clarification on the instructions because they were not clear.

Examples of usage

The gloss at the end of the chapter helped the students understand the complex text.
The teacher provided a gloss for the term 'onomatopoeia' to clarify its meaning.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Art

In art and design, surfaces are often treated with gloss finishes to enhance colors and protect against wear.
Gloss varnish in painting not only adds shine but also enriches the depth of colors, making artwork more visually striking.
Artists often use gloss mediums in acrylic painting to achieve a reflective sheen, creating a modern aesthetic.

Literature

In literary studies, a 'gloss' can refer to commentary or annotations provided alongside a text to clarify its meaning.
Some ancient manuscripts were accompanied by glossaries, helping readers understand difficult vocabulary from the text.
Glossing over information means to cover up or provide a superficial explanation without going into depth.

Business

In marketing, 'glossing up' a product involves making it look more appealing to customers through attractive packaging and presentations.
Companies may use glossing in branding to enhance their image, indicating quality and reliability.
In financial reports, gloss can sometimes pertain to the way figures are presented to make the company's performance look better than it is.

Psychology

Cognitive glossing refers to oversimplifying information, which can lead to misunderstandings or misinterpretations.
People often gloss over complex topics to make them easier to discuss but risk losing important details.
The tendency to gloss over certain details can be influenced by cognitive biases, where individuals focus on positive over negative information.

Origin of 'gloss'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the Latin 'glossa', which means 'tongue' or 'language', reflecting its connection to explaining or clarifying something.
In Middle English, 'glos' referred to a shining surface, deriving from the Old French word 'glosse'.
The term has evolved to encompass both shiny surfaces and explanations of terms in texts.

The word 'gloss' originated from the Old French word 'glos', which in turn came from Latin 'glossa' meaning 'obsolete or foreign word'. It has been used in English since the 14th century with various meanings evolving over time. From the sense of 'explanation of a word' to 'shiny appearance', 'gloss' has become a versatile term in both cosmetic and linguistic contexts.

See also: glossary, glossier, glossiness, glossy.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #12,757, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.

...
12754 levee
12755 multimedia
12756 entrepreneur
12757 gloss
12758 branded
12759 shutting
12760 gelatin
...