Definition Definition

gloss - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'gloss' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Gloss [ n.]
- Brightness or luster of a body proceeding from a smooth surface; polish; as, the gloss of silk; cloth is calendered to give it a gloss.
- A specious appearance; superficial quality or show.
- A foreign, archaic, technical, or other uncommon word requiring explanation.
- An interpretation, consisting of one or more words, interlinear or marginal; an explanatory note or comment; a running commentary.
- A false or specious explanation.
2 . Gloss [ v. i.]
- To make comments; to comment; to explain.
- To make sly remarks, or insinuations.
3 . Gloss [ v. t.]
- To give a superficial luster or gloss to; to make smooth and shining; as, to gloss cloth.
- To render clear and evident by comments; to illustrate; to explain; to annotate.
- To give a specious appearance to; to render specious and plausible; to palliate by specious explanation.

Meaning of 'gloss' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . gloss [ n]
Meaning (1):
- an outward or token appearance or form that is deliberately misleading
Example in sentence:
  • he hoped his claims would have a semblance of authenticity;
  • he tried to give his falsehood the gloss of moral sanction;
  • the situation soon took on a different color
2 . gloss [ v]
Meaning (2):
- give a deceptive explanation or excuse for
Example in sentence:
  • color a lie
Meaning (3):
- provide interlinear explanations for words or phrases
Example in sentence:
  • He annotated on what his teacher had written