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unvarnished

unvarnished

1 6.0
Wood left without a coat of varnish or polish
  • adjective
  • /ʌnˈvɑrnɪʃt/
translation icon : sin barnizar
  • His nose rubbed against the unvarnished oak as he gazed through the knot and lined up the scene below.
  • unvarnished wood

Examples

  • So I'm here in my completely unvarnished state, straight out of the forest.

  • On this side, there is no ceiling really, only naked wood, the unvarnished belly of the first floor.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • The furniture is dark and elegant, unvarnished, and waxed.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Ike tapped on the unvarnished wood door.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • The plate was blackened and then set over embers, the unvarnished surface facing the heat.

    Academic text (1995)
  • The table was made of unvarnished wood, showing its natural grain and color.

  • He appreciated the unvarnished beauty of the rustic cabin, untouched by modern finishes.

  • They crafted their furniture from unvarnished oak, allowing the wood's texture to shine through.

Synonyms

unfinished
vsunvarnished
7 3.8

Wooden things like tables that have no paint or varnish

is the simple term for absence of such a surface on wood
unpolished
vsunvarnished
4 4.4

Rough in behavior, skill, or looks and awkward in social situations

refers to absence of a protective decorative surface rather than style
unstained
vsunvarnished
1 3.7

Not covered in paint or varnish

refers to wood lacking any protective decorative surface
uncoated
vsunvarnished
  • Specialized
1 4.2

Without a thin layer of another material on it

relates specifically to missing a protective decorative surface
unglazed
vsunvarnished
1 6.2

A surface such as pottery or tiles that has no shiny coating

suggests lack of protective decorative surface rather than glassy covering
unlacquered
vsunvarnished
6.6

A surface that is not covered with a shiny protective layer

is the general absence of a protective decorative surface
unburnished
vsunvarnished
9.1

Not made shiny by rubbing or polishing

emphasizes missing a protective decorative surface, not loss of shine

Antonyms

finished
  • Specialized
1 1.0

Made and ready to use or sell, often with a smooth surface

4.7

Having a shiny clear layer that protects things like wood or furniture

Compounds

A very honest and direct view that does not try to sound nicer

Very direct and truthful speech that does not soften the facts

A clear honest description that shows facts without hiding them

How Finished

sealed
2.5
varnished
4.7
stained
1 2.6
unvarnished
1 6.0
bare
217 2.2

Surface Forms

unvarnished positive

Morphology

unvarnished = varnished (transparent) = un + varnish + ed

Standard negative prefixation of 'un-' to the participial adjective 'varnished' yields the literal meaning 'not varnished'.

Etymology

The word unvarnished comes from un- 'not' and varnish 'a shiny coating for wood'. So an unvarnished surface is simply wood left without a protective or shiny layer, often rough and natural.