[Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/varnish.html)

[home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [dictionaries](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/) / [The school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/) / varnish

[← V](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/V/)

# varnish

«varnish» in Mova's school dictionary: **a clear liquid painted onto wood or other surfaces that…** — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples, with 1 sentence of Mova's corpora that use it.

### part of speech

noun (varnish, a varnish, varnishes); verb (varnish, varnishes, varnished, varnishing)

### meaning for a pupil

1) Varnish is a clear liquid painted onto wood or other surfaces that dries to make a hard, shiny, protective layer. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/varnish/#m1)

2) To varnish something is to paint it with varnish. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/varnish/#m2)

3) Nail varnish (UK, Australia; US: nail polish) is coloured paint for fingernails and toenails. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/varnish/#m3)

4) Varnish can also mean the polished outward show of good manners or looks that makes a person seem fine. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/varnish/#m4)

### sense in the lessons

In design and technology and art lessons, pupils varnish wooden projects or clay models to protect them and make them shiny. In science, varnish is a waterproof coating that stops wood rotting. Safety: varnish has strong fumes; use it with an adult, in a room with open windows, and wash brushes properly. Phrases: «clear varnish», «nail varnish», «a coat of varnish».

### examples

- Dad put a coat of varnish on the table. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/varnish/#x1)
- We varnished our wooden boxes in DT. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/varnish/#x2)
- Let the varnish dry before touching it. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/varnish/#x3)
- My sister painted her nails with red nail varnish. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/varnish/#x4)
- Varnish protects the wood from water. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/varnish/#x5)
- Open a window when you use varnish. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/varnish/#x6)
- The old varnish was cracked and peeling. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/varnish/#x7)

### note

Uncountable as a liquid («some varnish»); verb past: varnished. Not the same as paint: varnish is usually clear. Do not confuse with «vanish» (disappear) — one letter r.

### In the corpora

- [Sealants and fluoride varnish are quick, painless coatings that help protect the back teeth from decay.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/75-the-dentist-and-washing-hands/8/)

### Trees and pragmatics

[Every meaning and example of «varnish» parsed by Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/varnish/), each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.