Gloss

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Gloss

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

noun and verb

Pronunciation

gloss  /ɡlɒs/

Definition

As a noun: a shiny surface or finish; a superficial or deceptive attractiveness; a brief explanatory note on a text. As a verb: to apply a shiny coating; to gloss over — to pass over something quickly to conceal its real nature.

Plain meaning

A gloss is a shiny surface finish, or a superficial attractiveness that hides something, or an explanatory note on a difficult text. To gloss over means to cover up or minimise something.

Register

Neutral across all uses. The shine sense is everyday and technical in design and printing. The cover-up sense (gloss over) is common in critical and journalistic writing. The explanatory note sense is scholarly.