glossy
/'glɔsi/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective:
- Superficially attractive and stylish; suggesting wealth or expense: Having a polished, sophisticated, and often expensive appearance, but sometimes implying a lack of depth or substance.
- Reflecting light; smooth and shiny: Having a surface that is smooth and reflects light evenly, giving a lustrous appearance.
- (Of paper, fabric, leather) having a smooth, shiny surface produced by a calendering process: Specifically describing materials that have been made smooth and shiny through a mechanical pressing process.
Noun:
- A photograph printed on smooth, shiny paper: A type of photographic print with a reflective, smooth surface.
- A magazine printed on high-quality, shiny paper: Informally, a magazine known for its high-quality, shiny paper and often glamorous content.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- The advertisement presented a glossy image of a perfect lifestyle. (Here, 'glossy' describes something superficially attractive.)
- She brushed the horse's glossy coat until it shone. (Here, 'glossy' describes a physically shiny surface.)
- The brochure was printed on glossy stock. (Here, 'glossy' describes the type of paper.)
Noun:
- The photographer preferred glossies for the portfolio. (Here, 'glossy' is a noun meaning a shiny photograph.)
- She bought a fashion glossy at the airport. (Here, 'glossy' is an informal noun for a glossy magazine.)
Advanced Usage
"Glossy finish": A shiny, reflective surface on materials like paint, photographs, or printed materials.
- The business cards had a glossy finish that made the colors pop.
"Glossy vs. Matte": A common comparison, especially in photography and printing, where 'glossy' denotes a shiny finish and 'matte' a non-reflective, dull finish.
- For vibrant colors, choose glossy prints; for a classic look, choose matte.
Variants and Related Words
Gloss (noun/verb): The shine or luster on a surface (noun); or to provide a brief explanation or to make something shiny (verb).
- The table had a high gloss. (noun)
- The editor asked her to gloss the difficult terms. (verb)
Glossiness (noun): The quality of being glossy.
- The glossiness of the leaves indicated the plant was healthy.
Gloss over (phrasal verb): To treat something superficially or to avoid dealing with the details of a problem.
- The report glossed over the major financial issues.
Synonyms
- Shiny: Reflecting light.
- Lustrous: Having a soft, radiant shine.
- Sleek: Smooth and glossy, often implying a streamlined, elegant appearance.
- Polished: Made smooth and shiny by rubbing.
- Glamorous: Attractive in an exciting and often superficial way (for the 'stylish' sense).
Antonyms
- Matte: Having a dull, non-reflective surface.
- Dull: Lacking brightness or shine.
- Plain: Lacking special features or attractiveness.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- All gloss and no substance: Criticizing something that appears attractive but lacks real value or depth.
- His speech was all gloss and no substance, full of buzzwords but no real plan.
Adjective
- superficially attractive and stylish; suggesting wealth or expense
- a glossy TV series
- reflecting light
- glistening bodies of swimmers
- the horse's glossy coat
- lustrous auburn hair
- saw the moon like a shiny dime on a deep blue velvet carpet
- shining white enamel
- (of paper and fabric and leather) having a surface made smooth and glossy especially by pressing between rollers
- calendered paper
- glossy paper
Noun
- a photograph that is printed on smooth shiny paper
- a magazine printed on good quality paper