veneer

noun ve·neer \ və-ˈnir \

|Updated on: 14 Jun 2018

Examples: veneer in a Sentence

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

That party ended in the worst economic hangover the world has seen in a half-century: One of the world’s great oil producers obliterated by the sheer greed and incompetence of a ruling party hiding beneath a veneer of Socialist ideology.

— anatoly kurmanaev, WSJ, "The Tragedy of Venezuela," 24 May 2018
But beneath the veneer, there were cries for help from the kids, reports from neighbors and allegations of child abuse.

— madison park, CNN, "911 caller reported Hart family's child jumped out of window and begged for help," 12 Apr. 2018
Anything that cracks his veneer of competency could be a particularly powerful weapon for his political opponents.

— james pindell, BostonGlobe.com, "So far, State Police scandal is not a roadblock for Charlie Baker," 4 Apr. 2018
William Lee: Tracy's story is a devastating revelation that finally begins to peel away at Quentin's polite veneer while explaining her own hardened exterior.

— william lee, chicagotribune.com, "'The Chi' recap Episode 9: In Tracy and Quentin, some dark histories show their faces," 12 Mar. 2018
Consider the high-performance version of the large luxury SUV, which is even more expensive and even more intemperate in its use of petroleum, leather, and veneers.

— al haas, Philly.com, "2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG GLS63: The Usain Bolt of SUVs," 13 Jan. 2018
Top: Rough-cutting veneer and its thick laminate substrate with multiple passes of a sharp utility knife.

— rob sabin, Popular Mechanics, "How to Build Your Own Speakers: Step-by-Step DIY Tech," 1 Mar. 2015
Workers tackled 1 Haven Street’s largest building this spring, the heart of the old veneer-making operation.

— jacques kelly, baltimoresun.com, "Jacques Kelly: Constructing a new future from Haven Street's industrial past," 26 May 2018
In their telling, Falcón is only in the race to provide a veneer of legitimacy to an illegitimate election.

— jim wyss and cody weddle, miamiherald, "Venezuela's Maduro aims to turn empty stomachs into full ballot boxes | Miami Herald," 16 May 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

veneered; veneering; veneers

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

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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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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