26984 words

sheer

7 definitions • 11 examples
1
used to emphasize how very great, important, or powerful a quality or feeling is; nothing except:

Examples:

The suggestion is sheer nonsense.
His success was due to sheer willpower/determination.
It was sheer coincidence that we met.
2

Examples:

a sheer mountain side
a sheer drop of 100 metres
3
Sheer clothing or material is so thin, light, and delicate that you can see through it:

Examples:

sheer nylon tights
She wore a dress of the sheerest silk.
4
to change direction suddenly:

Examples:

I thought the boats were going to collide, but one sheered off/away at the last second.
5
not mixed with anything else; pure or complete:

Examples:

Some of those books are sheer magic.
6
(of size or weight) very large:

Examples:

The sheer size of the engine makes it difficult to transport.
7
rising almost straight up or down; very steep:

Examples:

She hauled herself up the sheer slope of the mountain.

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