sheer

Used to stress that a feeling or quality is complete or very strong.

• It was sheer luck.
• She laughed with sheer delight.
• They finished the task through sheer determination.

Similar words: pure, complete, absolute

Common phrases: sheer luck, sheer joy, sheer determination, sheer nonsense

Used to stress how large an amount, size, or degree is.

• The sheer size surprised me.
• We struggled with the sheer volume of requests.
• The sheer number of visitors overwhelmed the staff.

Common phrases: sheer size, sheer number, sheer volume

Almost straight up or down, making climbing difficult.

• We faced a sheer cliff.
• There was a sheer drop below the path.
• The climbers struggled up the sheer rock face.

Similar words: vertical, steep

Common phrases: sheer cliff, sheer drop, sheer rock face

Cloth that is so thin and light that you can see through it.

• She wore a sheer blouse.
• Sunlight passed through the sheer curtains.
• The dress has sheer sleeves and a plain skirt.

Similar words: see-through, transparent

Opposites: opaque

Common phrases: sheer curtains, sheer fabric, sheer stockings

A very thin curtain or fabric that lets light through.

• We hung a sheer at the window.
• White sheers let sunlight into the room.
• She layered heavy curtains over the sheers.

Similar words: net curtain

Common phrases: window sheer, white sheer, sheer curtain panel

To move suddenly to one side or change direction quickly.

• The boat sheered off suddenly.
• A deer sheered away from the herd.
• The ship sheered to port to avoid a collision.

How to use it: sheer off/away (The boat sheered away from the rocks.)

Similar words: swerve, veer

Common phrases: sheer off, sheer away, sheer to port