varnish

[US]/'vɑːnɪʃ/
[UK]/'vɑrnɪʃ/
Frequency: Very High

Translation

n. decoration; glossy surface
vt. to decorate or coat with varnish

Phrases & Collocations

apply varnish

wood varnish

remove varnish

glossy varnish

baking varnish

nail varnish

gloss varnish

Example Sentences

an outward varnish of civilization.

spread varnish on the steps.

The varnish was slightly chipped.

a varnish made from copal.

rub the varnish down when it's hard.

put a coat of varnish over the woodwork.

He applied varnish to the table.

This varnish provides a durable finish.

coats of varnish prevent the dye leac- hing out.

the varnishes are available in gloss, satin, and matt.

we stripped the floor and varnished it.

Spread the varnish thin if you don't want it to wrinkle.

The varnish protected the table from being damaged.

Stain the table before you varnish it.

Apply the varnish evenly over the whole surface.

She covers her selfishness with a varnish of good manners.

A soft varnish and an insufficient undercoating have a tendency to deaden heavily the sound of a violin.

Scrape the old paint off, sand the surface down, and then varnish over it.

The study suggests that the chlorhexidine varnish system is effective of anticaries and can maintain microflora balance in oral bacteria.

Real-world Examples

Slowly dissolving the varnish, the conservator uncovered crisp colors below.

Source: Bilingual Edition of TED-Ed Selected Speeches

Now, possibly the most satisfying method of art restoration is cleaning off yellowed varnish with some careful chemistry.

Source: Scishow Selected Series

He tried using it as a varnish and a water-proofing material.

Source: Vox opinion

To recover the original, the conservator began removing the outer varnish coat.

Source: Bilingual Edition of TED-Ed Selected Speeches

But this synthetic varnish will not change in color as it grows old.

Source: VOA Special March 2014 Collection

It was likely just a glass or tin drop varnished to look like a pearl.

Source: TED-Ed (video version)

It was a poor job, unsteady, the patches of wood-filler showing through, and the varnish heavy and uneven.

Source: Flowers for Algernon

They went on with their work of sanding or varnishing the newly finished benches, but they didn't talk.

Source: Flowers for Algernon

But the natural varnishes past restorers applied eventually darkened, which is what gives older paintings that aged, yellowy look.

Source: Bilingual Edition of TED-Ed Selected Speeches

First, they'll slowly wipe away the old varnish using a chemical like acetone, a carbon-based molecule that's great at dissolving resin.

Source: Scishow Selected Series

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