sheer

[ʃɪər]

sheer Definition

• 1. used to emphasize the size, degree, or amount of something
• 2. nothing other than; unmitigated (used for emphasis)
• 3. very steep; almost vertical

Using sheer: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "sheer" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The sheer size of the building was overwhelming.

• Example

  It was sheer luck that we found the keys.

• Example

  The cliff face was almost sheer.

• Example

  The sheer amount of work required is daunting.

• Example

  I was impressed by the sheer beauty of the landscape.

sheer Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for sheer

• utter
• complete
• absolute
• outright
• downright

Antonyms for sheer

• partial
• incomplete
• moderate

Phrases with sheer

• sheer off

  to turn sharply aside from a course

  Example

  The boat sheered off to avoid the rocks.

• sheer luck

  purely by chance

  Example

  It was sheer luck that I found my phone after losing it in the park.

• sheer drop

  a vertical drop

  Example

  The path led to a sheer drop of several hundred feet.

Origins of sheer

from Old English 'scear' meaning 'bright, clear'

📌

Summary: sheer in Brief

The adjective 'sheer' [ʃɪər] emphasizes the size, degree, or amount of something, as in 'The sheer size of the building was overwhelming.' It can also mean 'nothing other than,' as in 'It was sheer luck that we found the keys.' Additionally, it describes something very steep or almost vertical, as in 'The cliff face was almost sheer.'