# glaze

/ˈɡɫeɪz/ (US) · /ɡlˈeɪz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/glaze
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. food coating

noun · CEFR B2

a shiny, sweet, or salty liquid put on food to make it look attractive and taste better.

For teachers: a smooth, often glossy coating applied to food items, such as a sugar syrup on donuts or a balsamic reduction on meat.

- The baker applied a sweet honey glaze to the warm cinnamon rolls.
- The chef finished the roasted ham with a maple and clove glaze, ensuring a rich mahogany sheen for the final presentation.

### 2. pottery coating

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a thin layer of glass-like material used to make pottery shiny and waterproof.

For teachers: a vitreous substance fused to the surface of pottery or porcelain through firing to provide decoration or impermeability.

- She chose a deep blue glaze for the clay bowl she made in class.
- The artisan experimented with a crackle glaze, hoping the controlled fractures would enhance the antique aesthetic of the ceramic vase.

### 3. excessive praise

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang · Informal

praising someone way too much, often in a way that feels fake or embarrassing.

For teachers: excessive, sycophantic, or performative praise, typically directed toward a celebrity or influencer.

- The comments were full of glaze for the rapper's new song.
- The streamer's fans were accused of constant glaze, refusing to acknowledge any flaws in his controversial performance.

### 4. to become dull or bored

verb · CEFR B2

when your eyes stop showing interest and you look like you are daydreaming.

For teachers: to become glassy or expressionless, typically due to boredom, fatigue, or lack of concentration.

- His eyes began to glaze as the teacher explained the long math problem.
- Halfway through the technical briefing, the investors' eyes began to glaze, signaling their loss of interest in the granular data.

Usage: often used as the phrasal verb 'glaze over'

### 5. to fit windows

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to put glass into the frames of windows or doors.

For teachers: to fit a window or other structure with glass panes.

- The builders will glaze the new office windows next Tuesday.
- The restoration project required specialists to glaze the cathedral's arched frames using traditional leaded techniques.

## Examples

- The chef brushed a honey glaze over the ham.
- The potter applied a deep blue glaze to the vase before placing it in the kiln for the final firing.
- 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.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.