adjective

glossy

/ˈɡlɔːsi/ · say it: GLAW·see

smooth and shiny

In Describing & Comparing

In more detail

1. (adjective) smooth and shiny, like polished glass or a photograph printed on special paper

2. (adjective) superficially attractive but lacking depth or substance

Examples

1. The glossy magazine had beautiful photographs on its cover.
2. The politician gave a glossy speech full of promises but no real solutions.

How to use glossy

Glossy primarily describes a smooth, reflective surface quality, but increasingly carries a critical tone when applied to media or products to suggest superficiality or mass-market appeal. The two senses often overlap: a glossy magazine is both physically shiny and implicitly more style-focused than substance-focused.

Common phrases

glossy finish
glossy magazine
glossy photograph
glossy paper
glossy appearance
glossy brochure

Synonyms

shiny · lustrous · polished · sleek · superficial

Opposites

matte · dull · substantive

Word family

gloss (noun/verb) · glossily (adverb) · glossiness (noun)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes use glossy to mean simply 'attractive' without the surface-sheen element, or fail to recognize when it carries implicit criticism of superficiality.

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