veneer Definition
- 1a thin decorative covering of fine wood applied to a coarser wood or other material
- 2an attractive appearance that covers or disguises someone or something's true nature or feelings
Using veneer: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "veneer" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The table was made of cheap wood but had a beautiful veneer.
Example
He had a veneer of politeness, but his true nature was revealed when he lost his temper.
Example
The company's commitment to sustainability was just a veneer to attract customers.
veneer Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using veneer
to reveal the true nature or feelings of someone or something that has been disguised or covered up
Example
The scandal peeled away the veneer of respectability surrounding the politician.
see 'thin veneer of civilization'
Example
The veneer of civilization is easily cracked by natural disasters.
to cover up problems or difficulties without addressing their underlying causes
Example
The government's attempts to veneer over the cracks in the economy were unsuccessful.
Phrases with veneer
Example
Her smile veneered over the sadness she felt inside.
the idea that society is only superficially civilized and that its behavior is not fundamentally different from that of primitive cultures
Example
The riots showed that the city's thin veneer of civilization could be easily shattered.
an outward appearance of being respectable or socially acceptable, often used in reference to people or organizations with questionable morals or practices
Example
The charity had a veneer of respectability, but it was later revealed to be a front for money laundering.
Origins of veneer
from German 'Furnier', meaning 'veneer, facing'
Summary: veneer in Brief
The term 'veneer' [vəˈnɪər] refers to a thin decorative covering of fine wood applied to a coarser wood or other material. It can also mean an attractive appearance that covers or disguises someone or something's true nature or feelings. Examples include 'The table was made of cheap wood but had a beautiful veneer,' and 'The company's commitment to sustainability was just a veneer to attract customers.' Phrases like 'veneer over' and idioms like 'peel away the veneer' denote the act of covering up or revealing true nature.
