sheer
//ʃɪər//
Adjective
sheerCanonical form
sheererComparative
sheerestSuperlative
1
Nothing other than; complete and utter, used to emphasize the extent or degree of something.
It was sheer luck that we found the lost keys.
Adjective
sheerCanonical form
sheererComparative
sheerestSuperlative
1
Very steep or almost vertical, as of a cliff or drop.
The hikers stood at the edge of a sheer cliff.
Synonym
Antonym
Adjective
sheerCanonical form
sheererComparative
sheerestSuperlative
1
Very thin and almost transparent, especially of fabric.
She wore a sheer blouse over a white tank top.
Synonym
Antonym
Adverb
sheerCanonical form
sheererComparative
sheerestSuperlative
1
Straight up or down; perpendicularly.
The cliff drops sheer to the sea below.
Verb
1
To swerve or change course suddenly, especially of a ship or vehicle.
The ship sheered to avoid the rocks.