glossy

1 of 2

adjective

ˈglä-sē How to pronounce glossy (audio)
ˈglȯ-
glossier; glossiest
1
: having a surface luster or brightness
rich glossy leather
glossy paper
2
: attractive in an artificially opulent, sophisticated, or smoothly captivating manner : slick
lots of glossy and phony chatter
glossily adverb
glossiness noun

glossy

2 of 2

noun

plural glossies
1
: a photograph printed on smooth shiny paper
2
chiefly British : slick sense 5
Choose the Right Synonym for glossy

sleek, slick, glossy mean having a smooth bright surface or appearance.

sleek suggests a smoothness or brightness resulting from attentive grooming or physical conditioning.

a sleek racehorse

slick suggests extreme smoothness that results in a slippery surface.

slipped and fell on the slick floor

glossy suggests a highly reflective surface.

photographs having a glossy finish

Examples of glossy in a Sentence

Adjective a plant with glossy green leaves the glossy finish on the gym floor
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
This can be supplemented by direct investment in glossy, original short form content, dusting off the playbook from the now defunct Quibi. Paul Pastor, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Dec. 2024 Its glossy exterior will shine at your holiday table in more ways than one with its ice-like appearance. Sandra S. Soria, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Dec. 2024
Noun
This evening celebrates the release of the glossy’s December Art Issue, featuring cover star Chance The Rapper. Erica Wertheim Zohar, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024 That said, the critical response, from the glossies to the gay zines, the art magazines to the NPR affiliates, was formidable and mostly positive, if not effusive. Ira Silverberg, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for glossy 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

gloss entry 1 + -y entry 1

Noun

derivative of glossy entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1556, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1928, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of glossy was in 1556

Dictionary Entries Near glossy

Cite this Entry

“Glossy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/glossy. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

glossy

adjective
ˈgläs-ē,
ˈglȯs-
glossier; glossiest
: having a surface luster or brightness
glossiness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on glossy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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