What does lacquer mean?
Word: Lacquer
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Lacquer means a hard, shiny coating brushed onto wood or metal to protect and decorate it.
Synonyms: varnish
Word origin: Came into English in the 16th century through old French lacre, from Portuguese laca.
How do you spell lacquer?
Syllables: lac - quer
Tricky part: The k sound here takes three letters, c, q and u, so pupils who spell by ear leave out the c.
Watch out for: laquer, lackquer
Memory tip: Lacquer is a coat, so paint a c for coat in front of the qu before you go on.
Lacquer in a sentence
Example 1: Grandfather's old tea chest still shines under its black lacquer.
Example 2: The box from Japan was covered in smooth black lacquer with gold birds painted on it.
Example 3: The workshop smelt of lacquer and fresh sawdust.
Fun Fact
The word is linked to lac, a resin made by tiny insects in India and nearby countries. Lacquer from East Asia, though, usually comes from the sap of a tree.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Champ
Choose the correct option to make a meaningful word:
lacqu__
a) re
b) er
c) ar
d) or
Show answer
b) er. The word closes with the same two letters as finger and silver.
Sound Check
In which word is 'qu' pronounced differently?
a) plaque
b) lacquer
c) request
d) antique
Show answer
c) request. Request has a kw sound; in the other three the letters give a plain k.
Word Puzzle
Match each word with its meaning:
1. lacquer 2. mortar 3. plywood a. a mix that holds bricks in place b. the finish that gives a wooden tray its lasting gleam c. thin sheets of wood glued together
a) 1-c, 2-a, 3-b
b) 1-b, 2-a, 3-c
c) 1-a, 2-b, 3-c
d) 1-b, 2-c, 3-a
Show answer
b) 1-b, 2-a, 3-c. Bricklayers use mortar, plywood is made in layers, and the gleaming finish is what a furniture maker brushes on.
Spell Spies
Choose the misspelt word/s in the given sentence:
The carpentar brushed a thin coat of lacquer onto the cabinet and left the doors open so that it could dry evanly.
a) only lacquer
b) lacquer and evanly
c) carpentar and evanly
d) only carpentar
Show answer
c) carpentar and evanly. A carpenter ends in er, and evenly is built on even.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Why might a furniture maker apply lacquer to a new rosewood chest?
a) so that the drawers open more slowly
b) so that the wood smells of flowers
c) so that spills wipe off and do not stain
d) so that the chest weighs much less
Show answer
c) so that spills wipe off and do not stain
2. On which of these Indian crafts would you most expect to see lacquer?
a) hand-woven silk saris from Kanchipuram
b) painted wooden toys from Channapatna
c) knotted woollen rugs from Kashmir
d) clay water pots from Kutch
Show answer
b) painted wooden toys from Channapatna
