varnish

Universal Words noun, verb noun [U,C] a liquid that is painted onto wood, metal, etc. and that forms a hard shiny transparent surface when it is dry: I'll give the shelves a coat of varnish. seealsoNAILVARNISH verb to put varnish on the surface of sth: [VN] The doors are then stained and varnished. * (BrE) Josie was sitting at her desk, varnishing her nails. * [VN-N] Her nails were varnished a brilliant shade of red.