Garnish vs. Varnish — What's the Difference?

Decorate or embellish (something, especially food)

Varnish is a clear transparent hard protective coating or film. It is not a stain.

Serve notice on (a third party) for the purpose of legally seizing money belonging to a debtor or defendant.

Resin dissolved in a liquid for applying on wood, metal, or other materials to form a hard, clear, shiny surface when dry

A small amount of food used to decorate other food

Apply varnish to

To enhance in appearance by adding decorative touches; embellish

A liquid that contains a solvent and an oxidizing or evaporating binder and is applied to a surface to produce a hard, transparent finish after evaporation and curing.

To decorate (prepared food or drink) with small colorful or savory items

The smooth coating or gloss resulting from the application of this liquid

To seize (property such as wages) by garnishment.

Something suggestive of or resembling varnish.

To serve (someone) with papers announcing the garnishment of that person's property in order to satisfy a debt.

An often deceptive external appearance or outward show

An ornamentation or embellishment, especially one added to a prepared food or drink for decoration or added flavor.

To cover with varnish.

To decorate with ornaments; to adorn; to embellish.

To give a smooth and glossy finish to.

(cooking) To ornament with something placed around it.

To give a superficial or deceptive appearance to

(archaic) To furnish; to supply.

A type of paint with a solvent that evaporates to leave a hard, transparent, glossy film.

To fit with fetters; to fetter.

Anything resembling such a paint; glossy appearance.

(legal) To warn by garnishment; to give notice to.

(by extension) A deceptively showy appearance.

(legal) To have (money) set aside by court order (particularly for the payment of alleged debts); to garnishee.

A passenger train, probably derived from the varnished passenger cars used at one time.

A set of dishes, often pewter, containing a dozen pieces of several types.

(intransitive) To apply varnish.

Pewter vessels in general.

(transitive) To cover up with varnish.

Something added for embellishment.

(transitive) To make something superficially or deceptively attractive

Clothes; garments, especially when showy or decorative.

(transitive) To gloss over a defect.

(cookery) Something set round or upon a dish as an embellishment.

A viscid liquid, consisting of a solution of resinous matter in an oil or a volatile liquid, laid on work with a brush, or otherwise. When applied the varnish soon dries, either by evaporation or chemical action, and the resinous part forms thus a smooth, hard surface, with a beautiful gloss, capable of resisting, to a greater or less degree, the influences of air and moisture.

Fetters.

That which resembles varnish, either naturally or artificially; a glossy appearance.

A fee; specifically, in English jails, formerly an unauthorized fee demanded from a newcomer by the older prisoners.

An artificial covering to give a fair appearance to any act or conduct; outside show; gloss.

Cash.

To lay varnish on; to cover with a liquid which produces, when dry, a hard, glossy surface; as, to varnish a table; to varnish a painting.

To decorate with ornamental appendages; to set off; to adorn; to embellish.

To cover or conceal with something that gives a fair appearance; to give a fair coloring to by words; to gloss over; to palliate; as, to varnish guilt.

To ornament, as a dish, with something laid about it; as, a dish garnished with parsley.

Paint that provides a hard glossy transparent coating

To furnish; to supply.

Cover with varnish

To fit with fetters.

Something added for embellishment; decoration; ornament; also, dress; garments, especially such as are showy or decorated.

Fetters.

A fee; specifically, in English jails, formerly an unauthorized fee demanded by the old prisoners of a newcomer.

Something (such as parsley) added to a dish for flavor or decoration

Any decoration added as a trimming or adornment

Take a debtor's wages on legal orders, such as for child support;

Decorate (food), as with parsley or other ornamental foods