A glaze is a thin, translucent layer of paint applied over a base color to shift its tone, add depth, or create a decorative effect. The base color shows through, so glazes are a way to get a richer, more layered look than a single solid coat can give.
Glazes work slowly by design, staying wet long enough to blend and manipulate with rags, brushes, or tools. That open time is what makes effects like subtle tone variation and soft shading possible on accent walls and built-ins.