veer

¹

[ veer ]

verb (used without object)

1. to change direction or turn about or aside; shift, turn, or change from one course, position, inclination, etc., to another:

   The speaker kept veering from his main topic. The car veered off the road.

   Synonyms: diverge, swerve, deviate

2. (of the wind)
   1. to change direction clockwise ( back ¹def 31 ).
   2. Nautical. to shift to a direction more nearly astern ( haul def 8c ).

verb (used with object)

1. to alter the direction or course of; turn.
2. Nautical. to turn (a vessel) away from the wind; wear.

noun

1. a change of direction, position, course, etc.:

   a sudden veer in a different direction.

veer

²

[ veer ]

verb (used with object)

, Nautical.

1. to slacken or let out:

   to veer chain.

veer

¹

/ vɪə /

verb

1. to alter direction (of); swing around
2. intr to change from one position, opinion, etc, to another
3. intr
   1. (of the wind) to change direction clockwise in the northern hemisphere and anticlockwise in the southern
   2. nautical to blow from a direction nearer the stern Compare haul
4. nautical to steer (a vessel) off the wind

noun

1. a change of course or direction

veer

²

/ vɪə /

verb

1. tr; often foll by out or away nautical to slacken or pay out (cable or chain)

Other Words From

• veering·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of veer¹

First recorded in 1575–85, veer is from the Middle French word virer to turn

Origin of veer²

1425–75; late Middle English vere < Middle Dutch vieren to let out

Word History and Origins

Origin of veer¹

C16: from Old French virer, probably of Celtic origin; compare Welsh gwyro to diverge

Origin of veer²

C16: from Dutch vieren, from Old High German fieren to give direction

Example Sentences

Songs like “Ruthless” and “Vicious Sensitive Robot” showed the full band firing on all cylinders, veering from yacht-rock trumpets to meditative jazz grooves, while “Paranoia” had a hypermodern ambience.

From Los Angeles Times

"Our two countries cannot let any of this competition veer into conflict. That is our responsibility and over the last four years I think we've proven it's possible to have this relationship," he said.

From BBC

To avoid striking the Civic, the driver of the Rolls veered to the left into oncoming lanes and collided with a Chevrolet Traverse before fleeing on foot, police said.

From Los Angeles Times

This was a period in which Tanton himself was veering in an increasingly extremist and overtly racist direction.

From Salon

In fact, I’m writing this with my eyes closed just in case I veer into a Why We’re Doomed essay.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bend
• deflect
• depart
• deviate
• diverge
• divert
• drift
• pivot
• shift
• skid
• swerve
• swing
• twist
• whirl