lacquer

1 of 2

noun

lac·​quer ˈla-kər How to pronounce lacquer (audio)
1
a
: a spirit varnish (such as shellac)
b
: any of various durable natural varnishes
especially : a varnish obtained from an Asian sumac (Rhus verniciflua)

called also Japanese lacquer

2
: any of various clear or colored synthetic organic coatings that typically dry to form a film by evaporation of the solvent
especially : a solution of a cellulose derivative (such as nitrocellulose)

lacquer

2 of 2

verb

lacquered; lacquering ˈla-k(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce lacquer (audio)

transitive verb

1
: to coat with or as if with lacquer
2
: to give a smooth finish or appearance to : make glossy
lacquered her hair
lacquerer noun

Examples of lacquer in a Sentence

Noun Many coats of lacquer were applied to the table.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The red lacquer cabinet, a statement within itself, houses a discreet vodka fridge. Gemma Harris, Robb Report, 22 Feb. 2024 The dragon motif on the cap of the black lacquer version is decorated in predominantly blue, green, and purple shades. Nancy Olson, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024 An adjacent dining area connects to a professional chef’s kitchen equipped with white lacquer cabinetry, Carrara marble countertops and a matching backsplash, top-tier appliances and access to an al fresco dining terrace. Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 6 Feb. 2024 Here in this maze of trinkets, expect to find anything from a zebra-print booth and a chrome dining set to ornate lamps, funky sweatshirts, and lacquer room dividers. Staff Author Published, Travel + Leisure, 5 Feb. 2024 All the brands' nail lacquers are vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, gluten-free, void of artificial fragrances. Toni Sutton, Peoplemag, 2 Feb. 2024 Although painting with lacquer can be difficult, the effect is fabulous and evokes the look and feel of a lavish Paris salon. Charlotte Observer, 1 Feb. 2024 In the less formal, open-plan great room, the kitchen is clean-lined with sleek white lacquer cabinets. Mark David, Robb Report, 25 Jan. 2024 The lacquer should be original—dark cellulose, with an engraving done in the Elkhart, Indiana, factory where the instruments were finished. Chris Almeida, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2024
Verb
To complete the look, the founder of Rare Beauty naturally chose to lacquer her lips in a fire-engine red, the true hallmark of Gallic insouciance. Georgia Day, Glamour, 20 Feb. 2024 Fabio Teixeira/Anadolu via Getty Images Drummers, stilt walkers, trumpet players and other performers, all dressed up and lacquered in glitter, attract thousands of followers. CBS News, 13 Feb. 2024 The lean and succulent Pekin duck is lacquered in a Lebkuchen-citrus glaze and served with an orange-peppercorn sauce, sweet carrot purée, vegetables, duchesse potatoes. Hannah Wise, Kansas City Star, 19 Jan. 2024 What pigs do, and like to do, is root around in the dirt; lacquer themselves in mud to keep cool; build comfy nests in which to shelter their babies; and communicate with one another in social groups. Elizabeth Barber, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2023 Rockmore lacquered a vintage leopard to become a black jaguar. Claire Brito, House Beautiful, 15 Aug. 2023 The camera orbits around his head just before a final shot of his crown: silky, voluminous waves lacquered with the aplomb of K-pop boy bands. Wilson Wong, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2023 Instead Sarah Mendel and Risa Emen of Cochineal Design converted the space into a functional showpiece of its own, with bold marble and cabinets lacquered in Farrow & Ball’s sultry Preference Red. Anna Fixsen, ELLE Decor, 7 Mar. 2023 The intense berried juiciness of grape jelly can also lacquer a rack of baby back ribs, yielding gleaming, tender batons that are ideal for watching the Super Bowl or just enjoying for dinner. Eric Kim, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lacquer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Portuguese lacré sealing wax, from laca lac, from Arabic lakk, from Persian lak — more at lac

First Known Use

Noun

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1688, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lacquer was in 1592

Dictionary Entries Near lacquer

Cite this Entry

“Lacquer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lacquer. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

lacquer

noun
lac·​quer
ˈlak-ər
: a material like varnish that dries quickly into a shiny layer (as on wood or metal)
lacquer verb

More from Merriam-Webster on lacquer

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