ENGLISH
REFERENCE

glaze

n. C / U
C1 Advanced US //ˈɡɫeɪz// UK //ɡlˈeɪz// glaze Slang Vulgar

n. a thin, shiny coating on something like food or pottery. It makes the surface look smooth and bright.

n. a thin, liquid coating applied to a surface, such as ceramics or food, which produces a glossy or protective finish upon drying or firing.


SIMPLE

The chef brushed a honey glaze over the ham.

CONTEXTUAL

The potter applied a deep blue glaze to the vase before placing it in the kiln for the final firing.

COMPLEX

While the structural integrity of the vessel was sound, the uneven application of the glaze resulted in a mottled texture that the artist eventually embraced as a stylistic choice.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English glasen, from glas (“glass”) (Modern English glass), from Old English glæs, from Proto-Germanic *glasą. Related to glazen. In the sense of "overcompliment", originated in November 2021 and popularized throughout 2022, and allegedly "follows the visual of a donut being glazed". The noun is from the verb.

Usage

Countable when referring to a specific type or variety of coating; uncountable when referring to the substance in general.

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