Glossy describes something with a smooth, shiny surface that reflects light. A freshly waxed car has a glossy finish. Healthy hair looks glossy when it catches the light just right. Magazine pages are often glossy, which makes the photographs look vivid and appealing.

The word comes from “gloss,” meaning shine or luster. When something is glossy, light bounces off its surface rather than being absorbed. Think of the difference between a matte finish and a glossy one: matte surfaces look flat and dull, while glossy surfaces gleam and reflect.

Glossy can also describe magazines themselves, especially expensive ones printed on thick, shiny paper. People sometimes call these glossies. Fashion magazines, travel magazines, and photography magazines are typically glossies, with their smooth pages and brilliant color printing.

Sometimes people use glossy to suggest that something looks impressive on the surface but might lack substance underneath. A glossy advertisement might make a product look perfect while hiding its flaws. But usually, glossy is simply a description of that appealing shine that makes things look polished and new.