glossy

/ˈɡlɒsi/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɡlɑːsi/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈglä-sē ˈglȯ-/ (ame, mw) · /ˈɡlɒs.i/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɡlɑː.si/ (ame, ipa)

glossy — adjective

  • glossypositive
  • glossiercomparative
  • glossiestsuperlative

1. having a surface that looks smooth, bright, and reflects light, like polished me

1.形容詞B1
釋義

having a surface that looks smooth, bright, and reflects light, like polished metal, a freshly waxed car, or well-treated wood.

例句

The glossy paint on Liam's car shone brightly under the morning sun.

collocation: glossy paint

After the treatment, Mei-Ling's hair became glossy and soft to the touch.

同義詞
  • shiny

    more general; describes anything that reflects light (a shiny coin)

  • gleaming

    suggests a bright, clean shine, often on cleaned metal or glass

  • polished

    emphasises a surface made smooth by rubbing (polished wood)

  • lustrous

    more literary, often describes hair, skin, or fabric with a soft glow

反義詞
  • matte

    having a dull, non-reflective surface

  • dull

    lacking brightness or shine

用法筆記

Can be used both before a noun (a glossy table) and after a linking verb (the table was glossy).

常見錯誤

❌The surface is glossy and shines a lot.
✅The surface is glossy and highly reflective.
💡'glossy' already implies shine; avoid redundant 'shines a lot'.

2. describes magazines, books, or brochures printed on shiny, high-quality paper, t

2.形容詞B1
釋義

describes magazines, books, or brochures printed on shiny, high-quality paper, typically filled with colour photographs and giving a luxurious feel.

例句

Nora flicked through a glossy fashion magazine while waiting at the dentist's office.

attributive use before noun: glossy + magazine

The hotel left a glossy brochure on the bedside table with spa and pool photos.

collocation: glossy brochure

同義詞
  • slick

    informal American term for a glossy magazine; can also mean 'superficially attractive'

  • high-end

    focuses on quality and price rather than paper type

用法筆記

Only used before a noun (attributive position). You can say a glossy magazine but not ✗ This magazine is glossy meaning 'printed on shiny paper' — for the physical property use Sense 1.

常見錯誤

❌I bought a glossy.' (as adjective meaning a magazine).
✅I bought a glossy magazine.' or 'I bought a glossy.' (as noun, see noun sense 1).
💡The adjective alone cannot stand for the magazine.

3. looking appealing, impressive, or expensive on the surface, but lacking real dep

3.形容詞B2
釋義

looking appealing, impressive, or expensive on the surface, but lacking real depth, substance, or lasting value.

例句

The company's glossy image hid the fact that workers were badly paid.

glossy image — negative connotation

Amir was tired of the glossy lifestyle portrayed on social media.

同義詞
  • slick

    similar disapproving sense, suggests smooth but deceptive presentation

  • superficial

    focuses on lack of depth rather than visual appeal

反義詞

用法筆記

Carries a disapproving tone. Common with nouns related to public image, advertising, or lifestyle. Distinguish from Sense 2: Sense 3 describes a quality of deceptiveness, not the paper type.

常見錯誤

❌The magazine cover was glossy and expensive-looking.' (meaning physically shiny).
✅The magazine cover had a glossy finish.
💡Use Sense 1 for physical shininess; Sense 3 is for deceptive attractiveness.

glossy — noun