sheer
1 Americanadjective
-
transparently thin; diaphanous, as some fabrics.
sheer silk.
- Antonyms:
- opaque
-
unmixed with anything else.
We drilled a hundred feet through sheer rock.
- Synonyms:
- unadulterated, pure, simple, mere
-
sheer nonsense.
-
extending down or up very steeply; almost completely vertical.
a sheer descent of rock.
- Synonyms:
- precipitous, abrupt
-
British Obsolete. bright; shining.
adverb
-
clear; completely; clean.
ran sheer into the thick of battle.
-
perpendicularly; vertically; down or up very steeply.
noun
verb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
-
to cause to sheer.
-
Shipbuilding. to give sheer to (a hull).
noun
-
a deviation or divergence, as of a ship from its course; swerve.
-
Shipbuilding. the fore-and-aft upward curve of the hull of a vessel at the main deck or bulwarks.
-
Nautical. the position in which a ship at anchor is placed to keep it clear of the anchor.
adjective
-
perpendicular; very steep
a sheer cliff
-
(of textiles) so fine as to be transparent
-
(prenominal) absolute; unmitigated
sheer folly
-
obsolete bright or shining
adverb
-
steeply or perpendicularly
-
completely or absolutely
noun
verb
-
to deviate or cause to deviate from a course
-
(intr) to avoid an unpleasant person, thing, topic, etc
noun
-
the upward sweep of the deck or bulwarks of a vessel
-
nautical the position of a vessel relative to its mooring
Other Word Forms
- sheerly adverb
- sheerness noun
Etymology
Origin of sheer1
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English scere, shere, schere “free, clear, bright, thin”; probably from Old Norse skǣrr; change of sk- from s(c)h- perhaps by influence of the related Old English scīr ( English dialect shire “clear, pure, thin”); cognate with German schier, Old Norse skīr, Gothic skeirs “clear”
Origin of sheer2
First recorded in 1620–30; of uncertain origin; perhaps a special use of sheer 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In these cases, the sheer size of the cell and the presence of a large yolk sac prevent the actin ring from fully closing.
From Science Daily
It was a gritty upset victory over a foe widely considered more talented, made possible through determination and sheer force of will.
From Los Angeles Times
Scraps of animal-patterned fabric were incorporated into a black silk dress, while bulky sweaters were tucked into sheer skirts.
From Barron's
In that way, Duane managed to complete his journeys without collapsing from sheer exhaustion.
From Literature
Moran also noted that the sheer volume and incomplete nature of the files have also paved the way for widespread speculation.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
