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 & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about veneer

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Synonyms & Antonyms for veneer

Synonyms: Noun

exterior, face, outside, shell, skin, surface

Antonyms: Noun

inside, interior

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

Beneath the rhetorical veneer of consumer empowerment one finds the petty tyranny of choice: freedom is reduced to deciding which app to trust with your dearest information. — Jacob Silverman, Longreads, "Private Telegram, Public Strife," 3 July 2018 But with a hearty laugh, the veneer of Hoya Paranoia vanished. — Harvey Araton, New York Times, "A Hoya Again, Patrick Ewing Learns Value of Knowing When to Pivot," 8 Jan. 2018 The Coolidges had received a series of threatening letters, so the president was likely concerned for his son’s safety—but perhaps cloaked beneath the veneer of security was Coolidge’s underlying exasperation with his son’s continued shenanigans. — Katherine J. Wu, Smithsonian, "For His Patriotic Birthday, Five Facts About Calvin Coolidge," 2 July 2018 The imagery is having this veneer of accuracy and authenticity. — refinery29.com, "The New Season Of You Must Remember This Explores Hollywood’s First Fake News Hoax," 9 July 2018 Chaebol are authoritarian militaristic groups often led by criminals who mistreat their employees—corporate North Koreas with a thin veneer of respectability. — David Volodzko, The New Republic, "The Corporate Gangs Who Could Profit From Trade With North Korea," 26 June 2018 Maestri’s Scarpia, though, was pure mastery, with the character’s courtly pretensions expressed with an effective vocal veneer but with no stinting on the character’s dark heart. — David Patrick Stearns, Philly.com, "Love 'Tosca'? Philadelphia Orchestra's staging doesn't disappoint," 13 May 2018 Smith belongs to the same generation as pianist Robert Glasper, and he traffics in similar territory, but the former keeps a much tighter rein on his band, dispensing endless vamps and incorporating solos that go against the music’s smooth veneer. — Peter Margasak, Chicago Reader, "Jazz drummer Nate Smith comes into his own as a bandleader with a sleek strain of R&B and funk that showcases his improvisational elasticity," 12 July 2018 If eBay is a machine for finding the right price for a pair of shoes, Facebook — behind the veneer of enabling human connection — is a machine for discovering the right price for a pair of eyeballs. — John Herrman, New York Times, "Want to Understand What Ails the Modern Internet? Look at eBay," 20 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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