1. a clear liquid that dries to form a hard, shiny coating on wood or other surfaces

1. to apply varnish to a surface
2. to cover up or conceal something unpleasant with a more attractive appearance
Usage: figurative

Examples

• The carpenter applied three coats of varnish to the wooden table.
• The old chair looked beautiful after being stripped and varnished.
• She bought clear varnish to protect the deck from weather damage.
• He varnished the boat’s hull before launching it.
• The politician tried to varnish his poor voting record.
• Don’t varnish the truth – tell me what really happened.
• The wood grain showed through the transparent varnish.