veneer

noun ve·neer \ və-ˈnir \

|Updated on: 9 Aug 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

Boards made from fiberglass, wood veneer, or a plastic outer skin are often more durable but heavier.

— dylan silver, Outside Online, "The Best Stand-Up Paddleboards of 2018," 5 July 2018
The frequency with which ideological questions in the Democratic Party seem to hide behind procedural, or sometimes group-based, veneers, also brings to mind an older strain of thought in American politics.

— julia azari, Vox, "Do Americans avoid ideology?," 1 June 2018
But as much as lawmakers are trying to keep up a veneer of normalcy, beneath the surface is a surreal undercurrent that’s dominating the 2018 legislative session.

— jason hancock, kansascity, "Amid week of distractions, Missouri lawmakers move to isolate embattled governor | The Kansas City Star," 20 Apr. 2018
Description: Cabinet boxes consist of wood veneers adhered to plywood or furniture-grade particleboard.

— sarah stebbins, ELLE Decor, "How To Choose The Best Kitchen Cabinets," 8 Apr. 2016
Facts: There's no outward sign that Trump's aggressive posturing changed anything for the alliance other than bruise its veneer of unity.

— calvin woodward and hope yen, chicagotribune.com, "Trump is in Europe and the truth is not with him: A fact check," 14 July 2018
Soccer glory can only briefly apply a thin veneer over deep divisions within England, profoundly split by Brexit, or Belgium, long split between its Flemish and Walloon sides.

— angela charlton, The Seattle Times, "Migration, outreach mean diversity is soccer’s new normal," 10 July 2018
Opposition leaders meanwhile are skeptical of Falcon's leftist past and accuse him of providing a veneer of legitimacy to an unfair election by opting to run.

— Fox News, "Powerful, unpopular Venezuela leader faces opposition foes," 19 May 2018
But beneath Kurz’s smooth veneer, Vetter sees a familiarly divisive brand of politics.

— griff witte, Washington Post, "As Merkel teeters, Austria’s Kurz seizes the moment as Europe’s ‘rock star of the new right’," 27 June 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