English Word · Advanced
varnish
A deceptively attractive appearance
Pronunciation: /ˈvɑːnɪʃ/
Meaning
A pleasing outward appearance that conceals faults or a less attractive reality.
Example
His polite words gave a varnish of respectability to the dishonest offer.
His polite words gave a varnish of respectability to the dishonest offer.
Practice tips
- Practice varnish out loud — read the pronunciation guide above and repeat.
- Use it in your own sentence today; reuse beats rereading.
- Pay attention to context: this English word is for advanced-level learners.