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sheer

verb
\ ˈshir How to pronounce sheer (audio) \
sheered; sheering; sheers

Definition of sheer

 (Entry 1 of 6)

intransitive verb

: to deviate from a course : swerve

transitive verb

: to cause to sheer

sheer

noun (1)

Definition of sheer (Entry 2 of 6)

1 : a turn, deviation, or change in a course (as of a ship)
2 : the position of a ship riding to a single anchor and heading toward it

sheer

adjective

Definition of sheer (Entry 3 of 6)

1 obsolete : bright, shining
2 : of very thin or transparent texture : diaphanous
3a : unqualified, utter sheer folly sheer ignorance
b : being free from an adulterant : pure, unmixed
c : viewed or acting in dissociation from all else in terms of sheer numbers
4 : marked by great and continuous steepness

sheer

adverb

Definition of sheer (Entry 4 of 6)

1 : in a complete manner : altogether
2 : straight up or down without a break : perpendicularly

sheer

noun (2)

Definition of sheer (Entry 5 of 6)

: a sheer fabric also : an article of such a fabric

sheer

noun (3)

Definition of sheer (Entry 6 of 6)

: the fore-and-aft curvature from bow to stern of a ship's deck as shown in side elevation
Other Words from sheer Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about sheer

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Other Words from sheer

Adjective

sheerly adverb
sheerness noun

Choose the Right Synonym for sheer

Adjective

steep, abrupt, precipitous, sheer mean having an incline approaching the perpendicular. steep implies such sharpness of pitch that ascent or descent is very difficult. a steep hill a steep dive abrupt implies a sharper pitch and a sudden break in the level. a beach with an abrupt drop-off precipitous applies to an incline approaching the vertical. the river winds through a precipitous gorge sheer suggests an unbroken perpendicular expanse. sheer cliffs that daunted the climbers

Examples of sheer in a Sentence

Verb

 the cruise ship sheered to the northwest, putting it safely out of the path of the hurricane the car sheered to avoid hitting the dog

Adjective

 a sheer drop to the sea we had to get window shades because passersby could see right through our sheer curtains

Adverb

 mountains rising sheer from the plains
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First Known Use of sheer

Verb

1539, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun (1)

1670, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

circa 1568, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

circa 1920, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1691, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for sheer

Verb

perhaps alteration of shear entry 1

Adjective

Middle English schere freed from guilt, probably alteration of skere, from Old Norse skærr pure; akin to Old English scīnan to shine

Noun (3)

perhaps alteration of shear entry 2

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