グロス

ぐろす
noun
gloss; lip gloss; glossy finish
descriptive
1. lip gloss (cosmetic)
A cosmetic applied to the lips to add shine, moisture, and a lightly tinted finish. In everyday Japanese, グロス by itself most often refers to lip gloss, with the fuller form リップグロス also used.
新(あたら)しいグロスを買(か)った。
I bought a new lip gloss.
唇(くちびる)にグロスを塗(ぬ)る。
I put gloss on my lips.
この透明(とうめい)なグロスは保湿(ほしつ)効果(こうか)もあり、唇(くちびる)がふっくらとして見(み)える。
This clear lip gloss also has moisturizing properties and makes your lips look plump.
2. gloss; glossy finish; shiny surface quality
A shiny, reflective finish on paint, printed material, photos, nails, or other surfaces. Contrasts with マット ('matte'). Used in printing, design, cosmetics, and product descriptions.
表紙(ひょうし)はグロス加工(かこう)だ。
The cover has a glossy finish.
マットよりグロスの仕上(しあ)がりが好(す)きだ。
I prefer a glossy finish over a matte one.
写真(しゃしん)はマットとグロス、どちらの用紙(ようし)に印刷(いんさつ)しますか。
For photos, do you want them printed on matte or glossy paper?

Loanword from English 'gloss'. In Japanese, the cosmetic meaning (sense 1) is by far the most common in everyday life, while sense 2 (a glossy surface finish) appears in printing, design, and product descriptions.

Usage

  • Sense 1: Often shortened from リップグロス ('lip gloss'); in a beauty context, グロス alone is unambiguous.
  • Sense 2: Typically used as a noun modifier, as in グロス加工(かこう) ('glossy finish / glossy coating'), グロス仕上(しあ)げ ('glossy finish').
  • Often contrasted with マット ('matte').
  • Not used for the English sense of 'gloss' meaning a marginal explanation or translation note — that sense is expressed with 注釈(ちゅうしゃく) or 語釈(ごしゃく) in Japanese.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS (sense 1):

COMMON COLLOCATIONS (sense 2):

Similar words

  • リップクリーム: lip balm — moisturizing but without the shiny, colored finish of グロス.
  • 口紅(くちべに): lipstick — provides fuller color and a more opaque finish.
  • ツヤ: shine; luster — native Japanese word for a shiny quality, used of hair, skin, surfaces, and so on.
  • マット: matte — the direct antonym for sense 2.

Related Words

Compare: 口紅(くちべに) (lipstick)
Compare: マット (matte)
general
Added 2026.4.16 0:57 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
23500/23958_gurosu