sheer

¹

[ sheer ]

adjective

, sheer·er, sheer·est.

1. transparently thin; diaphanous, as some fabrics:

   sheer silk.

   Antonyms: opaque

2. unmixed with anything else:

   We drilled a hundred feet through sheer rock.

   Synonyms: unadulterated, pure, simple, mere

3. unqualified; utter:

   sheer nonsense.

   Synonyms: downright, absolute

4. extending down or up very steeply; almost completely vertical:

   a sheer descent of rock.

   Synonyms: precipitous, abrupt

5. British Obsolete. bright; shining.

adverb

1. clear; completely; clean:

   ran sheer into the thick of battle.

   Synonyms: entirely, totally

2. perpendicularly; vertically; down or up very steeply.

noun

1. a thin, diaphanous material, as chiffon or voile.

sheer

²

[ sheer ]

verb (used without object)

1. to deviate from a course, as a ship; swerve.

verb (used with object)

1. to cause to sheer.
2. Shipbuilding. to give sheer to (a hull).

noun

1. a deviation or divergence, as of a ship from its course; swerve.
2. Shipbuilding. the fore-and-aft upward curve of the hull of a vessel at the main deck or bulwarks.
3. Nautical. the position in which a ship at anchor is placed to keep it clear of the anchor.

sheer

¹

/ ʃɪə /

verb

1. to deviate or cause to deviate from a course
2. intr to avoid an unpleasant person, thing, topic, etc

noun

1. the upward sweep of the deck or bulwarks of a vessel
2. nautical the position of a vessel relative to its mooring

sheer

²

/ ʃɪə /

adjective

1. perpendicular; very steep

   a sheer cliff

2. (of textiles) so fine as to be transparent
3. prenominal absolute; unmitigated

   sheer folly

4. obsolete.
   bright or shining

adverb

1. steeply or perpendicularly
2. completely or absolutely

noun

1. any transparent fabric used for making garments

Derived Forms

• ˈsheerness, noun
• ˈsheerly, adverb

Other Words From

• sheerly adverb
• sheerness noun

Word History and Origins

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of sheer¹

C17: perhaps variant of shear

Origin of sheer²

Old English scīr; related to Old Norse skīrr bright, Gothic skeirs clear, Middle High German schīr

Example Sentences

What soon became clear was the sheer magnitude of the government’s task.

From BBC

This one is a purge for the sheer pleasure of punishing people Donald Trump doesn't like and a message to all who might think of opposing him in the future.

From Salon

The horror of Dominique Pelicot's actions, the sheer number of men implicated in the case and Gisèle Pelicot's decision to push for an open trial has meant that the proceedings have garnered significant attention.

From BBC

She thought of her room and the sheer volume of keepsakes and furniture stored there.

From BBC

"There is also a deep, deep sickness in this country that is shown in the sheer amount of people who showed up for this man who threatens our democracy," she wrote on Instagram.

From Salon

Related Words

• outright
• pure
• simple
• unadulterated
• unalloyed
• unmitigated