unvarnished

Unvarnished is an English adjective with both a literal and a figurative sense. Literally, it describes something that has not been coated with varnish, paint, or glaze, leaving the surface exposed and unfinished. Figuratively, it denotes communication or portrayal that is straightforward, plain, and without embellishment, decoration, or gloss.

With the figurative sense, unvarnished implies candor or bluntness, often in contrast to accounts that have been polished or ornamented. Phrases such as the unvarnished truth or an unvarnished assessment are common in journalism, criticism, and literary writing to signal honesty or severity of portrayal.

Origin and form: the word is formed from varnish, with the prefix un- indicating negation. It has been used in English since the early modern period to describe both surfaces and manner of speaking. In modern usage, the sense emphasizing honesty may carry an evaluative tone, suggesting that embellishment, self-interest, or artifice has been removed.

See also: plainspoken, blunt, frank, straightforward, unadorned. In a broader sense, unvarnished is often contrasted with varnished or polished, which can imply embellishment or artifice.