veneer

noun

ve·neer | \ və-ˈnir

Definition of veneer

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

veneer

verb

veneered; veneering; veneers

Definition of veneer (Entry 2 of 2)

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

Other Words from veneer Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about veneer

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Synonyms for veneer

Synonyms: Noun

facade (also façade), gloss, window dressing

Examples of veneer in a Sentence

Noun

a wall with a stone veneer a dresser with mahogany veneer

Verb

The cabinet was veneered in oak.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

But the series is ultimately less concerned with the mystery, which accordingly turns out to be less complicated than its veneer would suggest, and more with the characters working through it. — Karen Han, Vox, "Homecoming, starring Julia Roberts, is simpler than it appears — and a pleasure to watch," 2 Nov. 2018 As with any cultural icon, beneath the shining veneer must lie untold stories, apocryphal or otherwise. — Yunte Huang, WSJ, "‘The Banished Immortal’ Review: ‘Heaven Begot a Talent Like Me’," 11 Jan. 2019 The chair is comprised of three molded plywood shells consisting of multiple layers of plywood with a top veneer layer of striking wood grain. — Maggie Burch, House Beautiful, "This Is What Makes The Eames Lounge Chair So Special," 7 Nov. 2018 My kitchen counter has a very light faux-marble veneer, but, the workbench in my office, like me, dates back to the 1970s. — Jim Salter, Ars Technica, "Puppy Cube mini-review: 720p limits the potential, but it works surprisingly well," 30 Oct. 2018 Birch veneer plywood cabinetry with stainless steel hinges provides room for storage, while cushions top the bench seats that convert into a two-person bed. — Megan Barber, Curbed, "No-frills travel trailer camps 2 for $7K," 14 Sep. 2018 Yet another example where a deeper ethos can, ideally, trump the surface veneer of aesthetic. — Kelsey Keith, Curbed, "The inaugural monthly column from Curbed’s editor-in-chief turns an eye to Postmodernism, following the loss of Robert Venturi," 24 Sep. 2018 In America, where everything is disposable and replaceable, where the veneer of safety covering everyday life is thicker, we are taught to run out of a building on fire, to let everything burn. — Linda Kinstler, Longreads, "Angrily Experiencing the Best Days of Our Lives," 27 June 2018 Even so, society needs reporters like Hersh — skeptics who take nothing on trust and who go to exhaustive lengths to dig beneath the thick veneer of gloss, dross, fakery and spin. — Alan Rusbridger, New York Times, "Seymour M. Hersh — the Journalist as Lone Wolf," 13 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

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

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.

History and Etymology for veneer

Noun

noun derivative of veneer entry 2, 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

Verb

back-formation from veneering

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