veneer

noun ve·neer \ və-ˈnir \

Updated on: 20 Apr 2018

Definition of veneer

1 : a thin sheet of a material: such as

a : a layer of wood of superior value or excellent grain to be glued to an inferior wood

b : any of the thin layers bonded together to form plywood

c : a plastic or porcelain coating bonded to the surface of a cosmetically imperfect tooth

2 : a protective or ornamental facing (as of brick or stone)

3 : a superficial or deceptively attractive appearance, display, or effect : facade, gloss

a veneer of tolerance

See veneer defined for English-language learners

See veneer defined for kids

Examples of veneer in a Sentence

a wall with a stone veneer
a dresser with mahogany veneer

Recent Examples of veneer from the Web

There’s a large collection of dental veneers from the 1930s that sell for $1 a tooth.

— stephanie farr, Philly.com, "In a quest to preserve the peculiar, couple created Bella Vista's Narnia | We the People," 11 Apr. 2018
Those aspirations — and some of the Kennedy dynasty’s noble veneer — effectively crashed when 37-year-old Teddy drove an Oldsmobile off a narrow bridge on a remote beach road on Chappaquiddick Island, off Martha’s Vineyard, late at night on July 18.

— jake coyle, Detroit Free Press, "Review: ‘Chappaquiddick’ is a profile in cowardice," 5 Apr. 2018
Sacramento's happy veneer of diversity could be damaged for years to come because enough of us remain polarized over why Clark died and what should be done about it.

— marcos bretón, sacbee, "Our Stephon Clark lie - ‘Diverse’ Sacramento is not as tolerant as we think | The Sacramento Bee," 29 Mar. 2018
Even the blues and pop numbers that closed the program had a gentle veneer about them.

— joshua kosman, San Francisco Chronicle, "Soprano Julia Bullock cloaks her boldness in vocal velvet," 26 Mar. 2018
But the Theranos veneer always was more compelling than the reality.

— michael hiltzik, latimes.com, "The SEC lowers the boom on Theranos — but there are more companies like Theranos out there," 14 Mar. 2018
And all the while, more cracks began to show in the company’s too-good-to-be-true veneer.

— brian barrett, WIRED, "As MoviePass Explodes, Its Growing Pains Hurt Subscribers," 7 Mar. 2018
Beneath the simple veneer of a primetime CBS sitcom is a broken man being manipulated by an obsessive neighbor.

— matt miller, Esquire, "Kevin Can Wait Is Showing Some Very Serious Psychological Trauma," 6 Mar. 2018
Bottom: Contact cement is applied to both surfaces and the veneer carefully aligned and layed down.

— rob sabin, Popular Mechanics, "How to Build Your Own Speakers: Step-by-Step DIY Tech," 1 Mar. 2015

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'veneer.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of veneer

noun derivative of ²veneer, or borrowed directly from German (17th-century) furner, fornier (modern Furnier), noun derivative of fourniren, furniren "to apply thin strips of wood or other material (to cabinetwork, etc.)" — more at veneering

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1702

See Words from the same year

veneer Synonyms

Other Architecture Terms

buttress, casita, cornice, fanlight, garret, lintel, parapet, pilaster, plinth

veneer

verb

Definition of veneer

transitive verb

1 : to overlay or plate (a surface, as of a common sort of wood) with a thin layer of finer wood for outer finish or decoration; broadly : to face with a material giving a superior surface

2 : to cover over with a veneer; especially : to conceal (something, such as a defect of character) under a superficial and deceptive attractiveness

—

veneerer

noun

See veneer defined for English-language learners

Examples of veneer in a Sentence

The cabinet was veneered in oak.

Recent Examples of veneer from the Web

A stair leads to the spacious main level, with its Brazilian-walnut floors and open red-oak-veneered kitchen bracketed by the living room and dining room, both of which open onto ipe decks.

— aric chen, ELLE Decor, "Building a Life Together," 31 Oct. 2008

Origin and Etymology of veneer

back-formation from veneering

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1742

See Words from the same year

Other Handicraft Terms

biscuit, darn, tambour, wrought

VENEER Defined for English Language Learners

veneer

noun

Definition of veneer for English Language Learners

: a thin layer of wood or other material that is attached to the surface of something in order to make it look better
: a way of behaving or appearing that gives other people a false idea of your true feelings or situation

veneer

verb

Definition of veneer for English Language Learners

: to cover (something) with a veneer

VENEER Defined for Kids

veneer

noun ve·neer \ və-ˈnir \

Definition of veneer for Students

: a layer of material that provides a finer surface or a stronger structure

Medical Dictionary

veneer

noun ve·neer \ və-ˈni(ə)r \

medical Definition of veneer

: a plastic or porcelain coating bonded to the surface of a cosmetically imperfect tooth

Learn More about veneer

See words that rhyme with veneer Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for veneer Spanish Central: Translation of veneer Nglish: Translation of veneer for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of veneer for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about veneer

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veneer

Definition of veneer

Examples of veneer in a Sentence

Recent Examples of veneer from the Web

Origin and Etymology of veneer

veneer Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Other Architecture Terms

veneer

Definition of veneer

veneerer

Examples of veneer in a Sentence

Recent Examples of veneer from the Web

Origin and Etymology of veneer

Other Handicraft Terms

VENEER Defined for English Language Learners

veneer

Definition of veneer for English Language Learners

veneer

Definition of veneer for English Language Learners

VENEER Defined for Kids

veneer

Definition of veneer for Students

Medical Dictionary

veneer

medical Definition of veneer

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