veneer
noun
ve·neer
| \ və-ˈnir
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Definition of veneer
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: a thin sheet of a material: such as
a
: a layer of wood of superior value or excellent grain to be glued to an inferior wood
b
: any of the thin layers bonded together to form plywood
c
: a plastic or porcelain coating bonded to the surface of a cosmetically imperfect tooth
2
: a protective or ornamental facing (as of brick or stone)
veneer
verb
veneered;
veneering;
veneers
Definition of veneer (Entry 2 of 2)
1
: to overlay or plate (a surface, as of a common sort of wood) with a thin layer of finer wood for outer finish or decoration
broadly
: to face with a material giving a superior surface
2
: to cover over with a veneer
especially
: to conceal (something, such as a defect of character) under a superficial and deceptive attractiveness
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Synonyms for veneer
Synonyms: Noun
facade (also façade), gloss, window dressing
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Examples of veneer in a Sentence
Noun
a wall with a stone veneer a dresser with mahogany veneerVerb
The cabinet was veneered in oak.
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Cut the 2-inch-wide veneer edging and iron in place on the headboard. — Elizabeth Gulino, House Beautiful, "Your Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Platform Bed Frame," 30 Aug. 2019 Among them are why so many brilliant minds couldn’t see past his money and veneer of glamour. — BostonGlobe.com, "Why couldn’t the visionaries at MIT spot a bad actor like Jeffrey Epstein?," 26 Aug. 2019 In his department at Penn, colleagues and students who saw past the presumptuous veneer that overlaid his interactions with them came away with the impression that there was something unearned about his eminence. — Benjamin Moser, Harper's magazine, "Regarding the Pen of Others," 19 Aug. 2019 Beneath the state’s progressive veneer lies a dark and surprisingly contemporary history. — Kevin Waite, The New Republic, "California’s Forgotten Confederate History," 19 Aug. 2019 The difference was unexpectedly subtle, with the Rhodes sharing the organ’s long tones and luminous veneer. — Michael J. West, Washington Post, "Whether in a quintet or trio, Shannon Gunn delivers exciting sounds at Blues Alley," 6 Aug. 2019 Journalists by nature seek to probe beneath this kind of veneer. — The Christian Science Monitor, "The yeoman service to save Yemen," 19 July 2019 The newfound pride — often a brittle veneer over profound self-doubt — was not welcomed by many of those who encountered it. — Andrew Solomon, New York Times, "The First New York Pride March Was an Act of ‘Desperate Courage’," 27 June 2019 Ward said the building was closed in order to remove loose exterior veneer and inspect the interior of the structure for further damage. — Matt Tunseth, Anchorage Daily News, "Chugiak-Eagle River Library to reopen Tuesday," 11 June 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Some sported muscle sheaths that swell when exposed to ethanol vapor; others were veneered with a material that shrinks when soaked in a glucose solution. — Sid Perkins, Scientific American, "A New Twist on Artificial Muscles," 11 July 2019 Some sported muscle sheaths that swell when exposed to ethanol vapor; others were veneered with a material that shrinks when soaked in a glucose solution. — Sid Perkins, Scientific American, "A New Twist on Artificial Muscles," 11 July 2019 A stair leads to the spacious main level, with its Brazilian-walnut floors and open red-oak-veneered kitchen bracketed by the living room and dining room, both of which open onto ipe decks. — Aric Chen, ELLE Decor, "Building a Life Together," 31 Oct. 2008These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'veneer.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for veneer
veneer
noun
English Language Learners Definition of veneer
(Entry 1 of 2)
: a thin layer of wood or other material that is attached to the surface of something in order to make it look better
: a way of behaving or appearing that gives other people a false idea of your true feelings or situation
veneer
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of veneer (Entry 2 of 2)
: to cover (something) with a veneer
See the full definition for veneer in the English Language Learners Dictionary
veneer
noun
ve·neer
| \ və-ˈnir
\
\
Kids Definition of veneer
: a layer of material that provides a finer surface or a stronger structure
veneer
noun
ve·neer
| \ və-ˈni(ə)r
\
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