sheer
sheer Lexical Profile
sheer Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Nothing other than; unmitigated or absolute (used for emphasis before a noun).
"The concert was a success through the sheer determination of the organizers."
Very thin, fine, and diaphanous, allowing light to pass through (especially of fabric or hosiery).
"She hung sheer white curtains in the living room to let in the morning sunlight."
Having an almost vertical slope or drop; very steep.
"The hikers stood at the edge of a sheer cliff overlooking the ocean."
• adverb
Perpendicularly or steeply upward or downward.
"The rocky headland drops sheer into the churning sea below."
Completely, altogether, or right.
"The heavy stone crashed sheer through the wooden floor."
• noun
A very thin, fine, or diaphanous fabric, garment, or curtain.
"The interior designer layered heavy velvet drapes over lightweight linen sheers."
A sudden deviation or swerve from a course, especially of a ship at sea.
"The sudden sheer of the vessel alerted the helmsman to the shifting current."
The upward longitudinal curve of a ship's deck or lines from amidships toward the bow and stern.
"The naval architect admired the graceful sheer of the classic schooner's hull."
• verb
To swerve or change course quickly, especially to avoid an obstacle (originally of a boat or ship).
"The ferry had to sheer sharply to port to avoid the floating debris."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'sheer' (meaning pure, transparent, or steep) with its homophone 'shear' (meaning to cut or clip wool or hair). In its sense of 'nothing other than' or 'utter', the adjective 'sheer' is restricted to attributive position before a noun (e.g., 'sheer luck').
• Rhymes for sheer
Word Origin & Etymology
The adjective and adverb derive from Middle English 'schere' (meaning pure, clear, or bright), related to Old English 'scir' and Old Norse 'skirr' (shining or pure). The verb meaning to swerve and the nautical noun likely stem from Middle Low German 'scheren' (to hurry or depart).