Sheer

Definition

Sheer can be defined as something extremely steep or vertical, or something pure and unadulterated. It can also refer to a thin, fine material.

Parts of Speech

• Adjective
• Verb
• Noun
• Adverb

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ʃɪr/
• Respelling: SHEER (as in "peer" but with an initial "sh" sound)

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ʃɪə/
• Respelling: SHEER (similar to the American pronunciation, but with the "r" less pronounced, more like "peer" with an initial "sh" sound)

In both dialects, "sheer" starts with the "sh" sound followed by a vowel sound that is close to the "ee" in "see." The main difference lies in the rhoticity; the American English pronunciation ends with a more pronounced "r" sound, while in many British accents, the "r" is not pronounced unless followed by a vowel sound.

Etymology

The word "sheer" has multiple origins. The adjective form, meaning "complete or absolute," comes from the Old English "scīr," which means bright, clear, or pure. The verb form, meaning "to swerve or deviate," comes from the Old Norse "skera," which means to cut. The noun form, referring to a type of thin material, has the same origin as the adjective form, due to the purity and clarity of the fabric.

Derivatives

• Sheerness
• Sheering
• Sheerly

Synonyms

• Utter (Adjective)
• Absolute (Adjective)

• Deviate (Verb)
• Swerve (Verb)

• Transparency (Noun)
• Fine fabric (Noun)

Antonyms

• Impure (Adjective)
• Mixed (Adjective)

• Stay (Verb)
• Straighten (Verb)

Usage

The term "sheer" can be used in various contexts depending on its part of speech. As an adjective, it often describes something as being complete or pure. As a verb, it refers to a sudden deviation from a course. As a noun, it describes a type of thin, fine fabric.

Related Terms

• Absolute
• Pure
• Deviate

Detailed Definition

Adjective

• Complete or Absolute: Used to emphasize the degree to which a certain quality is present.
• Example: It was a sheer cliff.

• Transparent or Thin: Of a fabric - fine, diaphanous.
• Example: She wore a dress made of sheer fabric.

Verb

• Deviate or Swerve: Change direction suddenly.
• Example: The car sheered off the road.

Noun

• Thin Material: A very fine or diaphanous fabric or article.
• Example: The sheer curtains let the sunlight filter into the room.

Adverb

• Perpendicularly: Straight up or down without a break.
• Example: The road went sheer down the hill.