Phrase guide

gloss over

verb · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To cover up a mistake or a crime; to hush up or whitewash.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, transitive

Examples

  • They glossed over the problem, hoping that the customers wouldn't notice.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: paper over

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To treat something with less care than it in some ways deserves; to ignore, or at least to discount or dismiss for the current purposes.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, transitive

Examples

  • This book only glosses over quantum mechanics; it doesn't go into detail.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

cover up a misdemeanor, fault, or error

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • Let's not whitewash the crimes of Stalin
  • She tried to gloss over her mistakes

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: whitewash, sleek over, hush up

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: cover, cover up

4

verb

Meaning 4

treat hurriedly or avoid dealing with properly

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: skate over, smooth over, slur over, skimp over

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: treat, handle, do by

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

17 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Italian: insabbiare — to cover up a mistake or a crime; to hush up or whitewash
  • Norwegian: glatte over — to cover up a mistake or a crime; to hush up or whitewash
  • Polish: przykrywać — to cover up a mistake or a crime; to hush up or whitewash
  • Polish: przykryć — to cover up a mistake or a crime; to hush up or whitewash
  • Russian: замалчивать (zamalčivatʹ) — to cover up a mistake or a crime; to hush up or whitewash
  • Spanish: encubrir — to cover up a mistake or a crime; to hush up or whitewash
  • Spanish: ocultar — to cover up a mistake or a crime; to hush up or whitewash
  • Czech: zamluvit — to treat something with less care than it deserves; to ignore
  • Georgian: მიფუჩეჩება (mipučečeba) — to treat something with less care than it deserves; to ignore
  • Italian: sorvolare — to treat something with less care than it deserves; to ignore
  • Polish: robić wzmiankę — to treat something with less care than it deserves; to ignore
  • Polish: zrobić wzmiankę — to treat something with less care than it deserves; to ignore
  • Russian: вкратце касаться (vkratce kasatʹsja) — to treat something with less care than it deserves; to ignore
  • Russian: пробежаться (probežatʹsja) — to treat something with less care than it deserves; to ignore
  • Spanish: restar importancia — to treat something with less care than it deserves; to ignore
  • Spanish: pasar por alto — to treat something with less care than it deserves; to ignore
  • Spanish: dejar pasar por alto — to treat something with less care than it deserves; to ignore