sheer

³sheer

adj

Definition of SHEER

1

obsolete : bright, shining

2

: of very thin or transparent texture : diaphanous

3

a : unqualified, utter <sheer folly> <sheer ignorance> b : being free from an adulterant : pure, unmixed c : viewed or acting in dissociation from all else <in terms of sheer numbers>

4

: marked by great and continuous steepness

— sheer·ly adverb

— sheer·ness noun

Examples of SHEER

1. a sheer drop to the sea
2. <we had to get window shades because passersby could see right through our sheer curtains>

Origin of SHEER

Middle English schere freed from guilt, probably alteration of skere, from Old Norse skærr pure; akin to Old English scīnan to shine

First Known Use: circa 1568

Related to SHEER

Synonyms: cobwebby, diaphanous, filmy, gauzelike, gauzy, gossamer, gossamery, see-through, transparent

Antonyms: easy

Related Words: peekaboo; clear, crystal, crystalline, limpid, liquid, lucent, pellucid; lucid, translucent; dainty, delicate, flimsy, fragile, frail, insubstantial, unsubstantial; colorless, uncolored

Near Antonyms: opaque; cloudy, foggy, hazy, misty, murky, nebulous, smoky (also smokey); drab, dull, lackluster, lusterless

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at steep