WordGarden.ioglossy
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ɡlˈɒsi/
US
- /ˈɡlɔsi/
Meanings
Adjective
smooth and shiny in appearance
attractive and polished but possibly superficial
Noun
a glossy magazine or printed photograph
Beyond the definition
Think of the pages in a fashion magazine: smooth, shiny, and made to catch the light. That is the main idea of glossy. It usually describes something with a bright, smooth surface, such as polished wood, a freshly waxed car, or healthy hair. It is also often used for magazines, photos, and printed pages that have a shiny finish. In a broader sense, glossy can describe something that looks stylish and impressive on the outside, sometimes in a way that feels more about appearance than substance.
The word glossy usually describes something with a smooth, shiny surface that reflects light. It is commonly used for paper, magazines, photographs, paint, furniture, hair, and other things that look polished or well-finished. A glossy page, for example, has a coated surface that feels sleek and often makes colors look richer and brighter.
The word can also be used in a more figurative way. A glossy image, campaign, or presentation may look stylish, modern, and attractive, but it can sometimes suggest that the appearance is more impressive than the reality. In this sense, the word may carry a slightly critical tone, especially when someone wants to say that something seems polished on the outside but lacks depth.
Most of the time, though, the meaning is simple and visual: shiny, smooth, and attractive to the eye. Depending on context, glossy can be purely positive, as in "glossy hair" or "a glossy finish," or slightly negative, as in "a glossy sales pitch" that looks good but hides problems.
Examples
- 1
Interior finish
The kitchen cabinets have a glossy white finish.
- 2
Hair
Her hair looked smooth and glossy in the sunlight.
- 3
Magazine
He picked up a glossy fashion magazine at the airport.
- 4
Travel brochure
The hotel sent us a glossy brochure with photos of the pool and beach.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Public image
The company had a glossy image online, but the service itself was disappointing.
- Phraseglossy image
polished and attractive in a way that may hide problems
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- glossynounadjective
Forms
- glossiespluralnounadjective