glossy

1 of 2

adjective

ˈglä-sē 

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

ˈglä-sə-lē 

ˈglȯ-

adverb

glossiness

ˈglä-sē-nəs 

ˈglȯ-

noun

glossy

2 of 2

noun

plural glossies

1

: a photograph printed on smooth shiny paper

2

chiefly British : slick sense 5

Synonyms

Adjective

• buffed
• burnished
• glistening
• lustrous
• polished
• rubbed
• satin
• satiny
• sleek

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

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

The prizes are witty: a toothbrush certified by the American Dental Association, a Matchbox car like the ones the Wet Bandits slip on, an eight-by-ten glossy of Joe Pesci autographed by Macaulay Culkin. —Erin Somers, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2024

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

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

Kids Definition

glossy

adjective

ˈgläs-ē,

ˈglȯs-

glossier; glossiest

: having a surface luster or brightness

glossiness noun