shellac

verb

shellacked; shellacking
Synonyms of shellacnext

transitive verb

1
: to coat or otherwise treat with shellac or a shellac varnish
2
: to defeat decisively

Examples of shellac in a Sentence

the local football team was shellacked 35-0 in their final outing for the season
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In Super Bowl 12 in January 1978, Morton completed only 4 of 15 passes for 39 yards with four interceptions and was benched in the Denver Broncos’ 27-10 shellacking at the hands of the Cowboys and Staubach, the man who unseated Morton as Dallas’ starter. Jim Barnes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 May 2026 Their press-ons are shellacked and combat-ready. Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 4 May 2026 Not many losses will be as loud as the 139-96 shellacking the Thunder (61-16) handed the Lakers (50-27) at Paycom Center – the type of loss that takes some of the steam out of the Lakers’ 15-2 March surge. Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 3 Apr. 2026 Yin was 3-for-3 and had four RBIs in Monta Vista 32-0 shellacking over Jefferson. Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shellac

Word History

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of shellac was in 1876

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shellac.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shellac. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

shellac

1 of 2 noun
shel·​lac shə-ˈlak How to pronounce shellac (audio)
1
: purified lac
2
: a preparation of lac dissolved in alcohol and used as a wood filler or finish

shellac

2 of 2 verb
shellacked; shellacking
: to coat or treat with shellac

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