1
varnish something
动词用法，varnish 是及物动词，后接被涂刷的物体。
He varnished the wooden frame.
他给木框涂了清漆。
清漆
先理解核心含义，再看它在真实句子里的用法。
清漆
a coating that provides a hard, shiny, transparent finish to a surface
He varnished the wooden frame.
他给木框涂了清漆。
A clear or translucent liquid coating composed of resin dissolved in a solvent, which dries by evaporation to form a hard, protective, and typically glossy finish.
提供坚硬、有光泽、透明表面的涂层
a coating that provides a hard, lustrous, transparent finish to a surface
Anything resembling such a coating; a glossy appearance.
A deceptively showy appearance.
You should apply a thin coat of varnish to the door before painting it.
你应该在刷漆前先给门上薄薄一层清漆。
The varnish on the old dresser has started to crack and peel.
旧五斗柜上的清漆已经开始开裂剥落了。
We bought a can of clear varnish to protect the garden table from rain.
我们买了一罐透明清漆，用来保护花园桌子不受雨淋。
动词用法，varnish 是及物动词，后接被涂刷的物体。
He varnished the wooden frame.
他给木框涂了清漆。
名词用法，varnish 为不可数名词，apply ... to ... 表示“把……涂到……上”。
Apply varnish to the table with a soft brush.
用软刷把清漆涂在桌子上。
名词短语，a coat of 表示“一层”，varnish 仍为不可数名词。
The floor has a fresh coat of varnish.
地板上有一层新涂的清漆。
Not this
He applied varnishes to the wooden floor.
Use this
He applied varnish to the wooden floor.
varnish 作“清漆”讲时为不可数名词，不能加复数；若要表达“几层清漆”应说 coats of varnish。
Not this
The table varnished last week.
Use this
The table was varnished last week.
varnish 作动词是及物动词，必须接宾语；“桌子被涂清漆”要用被动语态。中文“桌子漆了”省略了被动助词，英语须用 be 动词加过去分词。
Not this
He varnished the wall blue.
Use this
He painted the wall blue.
varnish 专指给木材等涂透明清漆，不能用于给墙壁上色；给墙刷漆应用 paint。中文“漆”语义较泛，英语中 varnish 与 paint 分工明确。
Focus on the distinctions below. Other candidates are kept compact until a reliable usage note is available.
涂清漆
You should apply varnish in a well-ventilated room.
你应该在通风良好的房间里涂清漆。
一层清漆
The table needs another coat of varnish.
这张桌子需要再涂一层清漆。
指甲油
She bought a bright red nail varnish.
她买了一瓶鲜红色的指甲油。
清漆去除剂
Use varnish remover to strip the old finish.
使用清漆去除剂来清除旧的涂层。
亮光清漆
Apply a gloss varnish to protect the painting.
涂一层亮光清漆来保护这幅画。
掩饰，掩盖
Don't varnish over the facts.
别掩盖事实。
粉饰，掩饰（不愉快或不光彩的事）
The politician tried to varnish over the scandal with misleading statements.
这名政客试图用误导性言论来粉饰丑闻。
Use varnish naturally, then get feedback on meaning, tone, grammar, and phrasing.
Revisit a common error or keep this word in your review list.
联想：刷清漆=给木器穿透明外衣，varnish 中的 v 想象成漆面反光，瑕疵都被遮住。
语域：neutral 常见场景：woodworking、furniture finishing、home improvement 作名词指“清漆”时，语气比较中性，正式和非正式场合都能用；通常多出现在木工、家具或装修相关的说明里，日常口语中也比较常见。
Tarnish 和 garnish 与 varnish 真正押韵，在美式英语中共享重读的 /ɑr/ 和 /nɪʃ/。Vanish、banish 和 lavish 看似相近，但用 /æ/ 而非 /ɑr/；finish 用 /ɪnɪʃ/。不要用它们的元音来类推 varnish 的发音。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.