English-English Dictionary

Meaning of the word sheer in English

What does sheer mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

sheer

US /ʃɪr/
UK /ʃɪər/
"sheer" picture

Adjective

1.

nothing other than; unmitigated (used for emphasis)

Example:
•
The success was due to sheer hard work.
•
It was sheer coincidence that we met.
Synonym:
absolute utter complete total pure
2.

(especially of a cliff or wall) perpendicular or almost perpendicular

Example:
•
The mountain had a sheer drop on one side.
•
They climbed the sheer rock face.
Synonym:
steep perpendicular vertical precipitous abrupt
3.

(of a fabric or garment) very thin; diaphanous

Example:
•
She wore a dress made of sheer silk.
•
The curtains were made of sheer lace.
Synonym:
transparent translucent diaphanous gauzy thin

Adverb

perpendicularly

Example:
•
The cliff rose sheer from the sea.
Synonym:
vertically steeply perpendicularly

Verb

1.

break off or cause to break off a rock face or other surface

Example:
•
The ice sheered off the glacier.
•
The top layer of rock sheered away.
Synonym:
break off snap off cleave split
2.

change course or direction suddenly

Example:
•
The boat sheered to the left.
•
The car sheered away from the barrier.
Synonym:
swerve veer deviate turn sharply
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