shellac

1 of 2

noun

shel·​lac shə-ˈlak 

1

: purified lac usually prepared in thin orange or yellow flakes by heating and filtering and often bleached white

2

: a preparation of lac dissolved usually in alcohol and used chiefly as a wood filler and finish

3

a

: a composition containing shellac formerly used for making phonograph records

b

: an old 78 rpm phonograph record

shellac

2 of 2

verb

shellacked; shellacking

transitive verb

1

: to coat or otherwise treat with shellac or a shellac varnish

2

: to defeat decisively

Synonyms

Verb

• annihilate
• blow away
• bomb
• bury
• clobber
• cream
• drub
• dust
• flatten
• paste
• rout
• skin
• skunk
• smoke [slang]
• smother
• snow under
• thrash
• trim
• tromp
• trounce
• wallop
• wax [slang]
• whip
• whomp
• whop
• whap
• whup

Examples of shellac in a Sentence

Verb

the local football team was shellacked 35-0 in their final outing for the season

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

As the cake cools, the glaze soaks in and forms a delicate shellac—almost like a glazed donut—on the surface. —The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appétit, 2 Feb. 2024

Any candy corn that’s made with shellac will list it on the package. —Lauren Manaker Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 26 Oct. 2023

Verb

In Game 4, Edmonton shellacked Florida in all phases of the game. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 19 June 2024

After the elections, Congressman Jim Jordan was shellacked in his quest to succeed Kevin McCarthy as House Speaker despite Trump’s high-octave support. —Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 8 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

shell entry 1 + lac

First Known Use

Noun

1704, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

shellac

1 of 2 noun

shel·​lac shə-ˈlak 

1

: purified lac

2

: a preparation of lac dissolved in alcohol and used as a wood filler or finish

shellac

2 of 2 verb

shellacked; shellacking

: to coat or treat with shellac