glaze

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/ɡleɪz/
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To furnish with glass or cover with a smooth, shiny coating, extending to the dulling of the eyes and the slang for excessive flattery.

Examples

  • He glazed the old door with frosted glass.
  • The artist applied a clear glaze to the painting.
  • His eyes glazed over during the long lecture.
  • He is always glazing that celebrity online.
  • He glazed the canvas to protect the colors.

Similar words

shellac
glassiness
enamel
install
fawn over
hype
film
enamel
finish
seal

Meanings

Apply a shiny coating

verb
craft
neutral
To cover a surface with a thin, smooth, and often shiny layer, such as on pottery, pastries, or paintings.

Usage

Use glaze when describing the application of a vitreous or sugary coating to harden or decorate a surface.

Examples

  • She glazed the pottery before firing it in the kiln.
  • The baker glazes the donuts with a sugar mixture.
  • He glazed the canvas to protect the colors.
  • They are glazing the ham for the holiday dinner.
  • The artist applied a clear glaze to the painting.

Common mistakes

Confusing the action of applying the coating with the material glass, or misspelling the word.
IncorrectCorrect
She glases the pottery. She glazes the pottery.
He glassed the donuts. He glazed the donuts.
I glazed the soup. I seasoned the soup.

Similar words

Fit with glass

verb
construction
neutral
To furnish or install glass in a window, door, or other opening.

Usage

Use glaze specifically for the installation of glass panes in architectural contexts.

Examples

  • We need to glaze the sunroom to let in more light.
  • The carpenter glazed the window frame yesterday.
  • They glaze double-paned windows for better insulation.
  • He glazed the old door with frosted glass.
  • The company specializes in glazing commercial buildings.

Common mistakes

Using the noun 'glass' as a verb or misspelling the term.
IncorrectCorrect
We need to glass the window. We need to glaze the window.
The glazier glased the door. The glazier glazed the door.
She glazed the mirror. She installed the mirror.

Similar words

Become dull or glassy

verb
medical
neutral
Of eyes, to lose expression and become covered with a film, often due to fatigue, boredom, or death.

Usage

Use glaze over or glazed to describe a lack of focus or liveliness in the eyes.

Examples

  • His eyes glazed over during the long lecture.
  • The patient's eyes glazed as he lost consciousness.
  • Boredom made her eyes glaze.
  • The deer's eyes glazed after the accident.
  • Don't let your eyes glaze over when I speak.

Common mistakes

Confusing 'glaze' with 'gaze' or using the noun form as an adjective.
IncorrectCorrect
His eyes glassed over. His eyes glazed over.
She glazzed at the screen. She gazed at the screen.
The patient's eyes were glazing. The patient's eyes were glazed.

Similar words

Excessively praise

verb
internet
slang
To compliment or admire someone excessively and often insincerely, to the point of embarrassment.

Usage

Use glaze in informal contexts to describe over-the-top flattery or 'dick riding'.

Examples

  • Stop glazing the streamer so much.
  • He is always glazing that celebrity online.
  • They glazed over his mediocre performance.
  • Don't glaze me just to get a favor.
  • The fans were glazing the player after one goal.

Common mistakes

Confusing the slang term with the physical coating or misspelling it.
IncorrectCorrect
Stop glassing him. Stop glazing him.
He is always glazing his friends. He is always praising his friends.
Don't glaze the cake too much. Don't glaze the streamer too much.

Similar words

Shiny coating substance

noun
cooking
neutral
A thin, smooth, shiny coating on food, pottery, or other surfaces.

Usage

Use glaze to refer to the liquid mixture that hardens into a glossy finish.

Examples

  • The donut has a sweet sugar glaze.
  • Apply a thin glaze to the pottery before firing.
  • The ham was covered in a honey glaze.
  • The artist used a matte glaze on the painting.
  • This glaze protects the wood from moisture.

Common mistakes

Confusing the coating with the material glass or misspelling the word.
IncorrectCorrect
Put the glass on the ham. Put the glaze on the ham.
The pottery has a nice glase. The pottery has a nice glaze.
Add more glaze to the soup. Add more broth to the soup.

Similar words

Glassy look

noun
medical
neutral
A dull, glassy appearance of the eyes indicating a lack of vitality or focus.

Usage

Use glaze to describe the physical state of the eyes rather than the emotion causing it.

Examples

  • A glaze came over his eyes as he slept.
  • She had a vacant glaze in her stare.
  • The glaze of death settled on him.
  • His eyes lost their glaze when he woke up.
  • There was a glaze of tears in her eyes.

Common mistakes

Using the word 'glass' instead of 'glaze' or incorrect grammar.
IncorrectCorrect
He had a glass in his eyes. He had a glaze over his eyes.
The glaze in her eyes showed fear. The look in her eyes showed fear.
His eyes were glaze. His eyes were glazed.

Similar words

Usage

Distinguish between the physical act of coating or installing glass, the medical description of eyes, and the slang usage for flattery.

Common mistakes

Confusing glaze with glass as a verb, or misspelling the word as glase.

Etymology

From Middle English glasen, from glas 'glass'.

FAQ

What does glaze mean in cooking?

In cooking, a glaze is a liquid coating applied to food to give it a shiny appearance and added flavor.

What is the difference between glaze and glass?

Glass refers to the hard, brittle material itself, while to glaze means to install glass or apply a glass-like coating.

What does it mean when eyes glaze over?

It means the eyes become dull, unfocused, and glassy, often due to boredom, fatigue, or shock.

What does glazing mean in slang?

In slang, glazing means excessively praising or flattering someone, often to a cringe-worthy degree.

How do you use glaze in a sentence?

You can use it as a verb like 'She glazed the donuts' or as a noun like 'The potter applied a blue glaze'.

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