Definition

Noun: A cosmetic lacquer that dries quickly and is applied to fingernails or toenails to color them or make them shiny. It is a liquid product, typically stored in a small bottle with an applicator brush.

Usage

This noun is typically used as a non-count (mass) noun to refer to the substance in general (e.g., "She is wearing nail varnish"). It can also be used as a count noun when referring to types or bottles of the product (e.g., "She owns many nail varnishes" or "I bought a new nail varnish").

Examples

• She applied a coat of bright red nail varnish.
• My nail varnish is chipped; I need to redo my nails.
• This brand has a wide selection of nail varnishes in different finishes.
• I need to remove my old nail varnish before applying a new color.

Advanced Usage

• "To do one's nail varnish": To apply nail varnish to one's own nails.
  • I'm going to do my nail varnish before the party.
• "A shade of nail varnish": A specific color of nail varnish.
  • She chose a pale pink shade of nail varnish.

Variants and Related Words

• Nail polish: (noun) The most common synonym in American English, identical in meaning to "nail varnish."
• Enamel: (noun, dated/formal) An older term for nail varnish, sometimes still used in brand names or formal contexts.
• Top coat / Base coat: (nouns) Specific, often clear, types of nail varnish applied before (base) or after (top) the colored coat to protect the nail and improve wear.
• Nail lacquer: (noun) A synonym, often used in marketing to suggest a high-quality or glossy product.

Synonyms

• Nail polish
• Nail lacquer
• Nail enamel

Related Phrases

• To apply nail varnish: The standard phrase for putting it on.
  • She learned how to apply nail varnish neatly.
• To remove nail varnish: The standard phrase for taking it off, typically using a solvent (nail varnish remover).
  • Use acetone to remove stubborn nail varnish.
• Nail varnish remover: (noun phrase) The liquid solvent, usually acetone or non-acetone based, used to remove nail varnish.

Noun

1. a cosmetic lacquer that dries quickly and that is applied to the nails to color them or make them shiny