Skip to main content
varnished

varnished

4.7
Having a shiny clear layer that protects things like wood or furniture
  • adjective
  • /ˈvɑrnɪʃt/
translation icon : barnizado
  • The artist applied a varnished coating to the painting to protect it from dust.

Examples

  • And you're going to see it when it's varnished, which we don't want.

  • Varnished primer replaced the metal plate.

    Academic text (2000)
  • PREPARE TO BE VARNISHED!

  • The old table looked beautiful after it was varnished, reflecting the sunlight.

  • She chose a varnished finish for the wooden cabinets to enhance their appearance.

Synonyms

polished
vsvarnished
26 2.1

A shiny, smooth surface after being rubbed or cleaned

forms a protective surface by adding a coating rather than by rubbing
oiled
vsvarnished
4 3.7

Having a thin, slippery liquid on the surface to protect or make smooth

uses a cured protective film rather than a loose liquid layer
burnished
vsvarnished
1 6.5

Has a smooth shiny surface after polishing

creates a protective shiny layer by applying a coating rather than polishing
enameled
vsvarnished
  • US
1 4.2

Having a smooth, hard, shiny surface for protection or decoration

forms a protective shiny layer that is often less hard than that coating
coated
vsvarnished
1 3.4

Covered by a thin layer of another substance for protection or decoration

refers to one specific kind of protective shiny layer rather than any covering
waxed
vsvarnished
3.2

Covered with a thin shiny layer to make a smooth surface

uses a thin hard protective film applied as a liquid to protect surfaces
japanned
vsvarnished
  • Archaic
8.6

Covered with a shiny black paint like Japanese lacquer

is a general protective shiny layer rather than a specific dark decorative finish
glazed
vsvarnished
3.5

Having a smooth shiny surface, often on pottery or tiles

is a protective shiny layer used on various materials rather than mainly ceramics
to pearlized
vsvarnished
  • US
6.7

To give a surface a shiny, pearl-like finish

produces a protective shiny layer rather than an ornamental iridescent sheen

Antonyms

1 6.0

Wood left without a coat of varnish or polish

How Shiny

glossy
34 2.6
varnished
4.7
uncoated
  • Specialized
1 4.2

Surface Forms

varnished positive

Morphology

varnished = varnish (transparent) = varnish + ed

Formed from the verb 'varnish' with the regular adjectival/past-participle suffix '-ed', so learners who know 'varnish' can infer the meaning.

Etymology

Varnished comes from an old word vernix, which gave us varnish and meant 'resin' or 'sticky sap' used to make things shiny. So to be varnished is to be covered with a clear, shiny coat that protects the surface and makes it glow.