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varnish

[/ˈvɑːrnɪʃ/]
noun/verbpl: varnishes
verniz
1. (noun) A liquid coating that dries to form a hard, transparent, glossy finish on wood or other surfaces
The carpenter applied varnish to the wooden table.
O carpinteiro aplicou verniz na mesa de madeira.
2. (noun) An external appearance or gloss that hides something unpleasant
His politeness was just a varnish covering his true intentions.
Sua educação era apenas um verniz que cobria suas verdadeiras intenções.
3. (verb) To coat with varnish
She varnished the wooden floor.
Ela envernizou o assoalho de madeira.
4. (verb) To give a deceptively attractive appearance to something
The report varnished the truth about the company's problems.
O relatório envernizou a verdade sobre os problemas da empresa.
Synonyms
lacquerglosscoatingfinishpolishsheen
Antonyms
exposerevealuncover

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
verniz
standard usage throughout Brazil
São Paulo
verniz
envernizar for the verb form
Portugal
verniz
envernizar is also used; more commonly seen in formal contexts

Related Idioms & Phrases

varnish the truth - to present something in a deceptively attractive way (envernizar a verdade)
a coat of varnish - a superficial improvement or cover-up (uma camada de verniz)
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