Nail Polish: Definition, Examples, and Usage Tips

Meaning 1：Nail polish (Nail Polish)

Nail Polish 🔊

/ˈneɪl ˈpɒlɪʃ/

A colored liquid that people put on their fingernails or toenails to make them look pretty and shiny.

Nail polish 🔊

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/ˈneɪl ˈpɒlɪʃ/

A colored lacquer applied to fingernails or toenails for decoration and protection, typically drying to a hard, glossy finish.

📁 Category：Fashion Trends 🔖 Level：初级

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Combination of 'nail' (fingernail) and 'polish' (substance used to make something smooth and shiny).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a nail getting a shiny coat of polish, like a car being waxed for a glossy finish.

📖 Example

She picked a bright red nail polish to match her new dress for the party. 🔊 She picked a bright red nail polish to match her new dress for the party.

🔗 Collocations

apply nail polish – apply nail polish

nail polish remover – nail polish remover

chip-resistant nail polish – chip-resistant nail polish

🔄 Synonyms

nail varnish (n.) – A British English term for nail polish, typically referring to the same product.

lacquer (n.) – A hard, shiny coating applied to nails, often synonymous with nail polish but may imply a higher-gloss finish.

enamel (n.) – A type of nail polish that dries to a hard, durable finish resembling enamel paint.

📖 Cultural Story

Nail polish has ancient origins, with early formulas found in China and Egypt using beeswax and dyes. Modern nail polish was popularized in the 1920s with the invention of quick-drying enamel.