steep, abrupt, precipitous, sheer mean having an incline approaching the perpendicular. steep implies such sharpness of pitch that ascent or descent is very difficult.

sheer adjective (THIN) Sheer clothing or material is so thin, light, and delicate that you can see through it: sheer nylon tights

Sheer definition: transparently thin; diaphanous, as some fabrics.. See examples of SHEER used in a sentence.

1. transparently thin; diaphanous, as some fabrics: sheer stockings. 2. unmixed with anything else; unadulterated: sheer rock; sheer luck. 3. unqualified; utter: sheer nonsense. 4. extending …

Definition of sheer adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Collocations: sheer [size, strength, expanse, number, weight, amount, force], [amazed, surprised, overwhelmed] by the sheer [size] of it, that was sheer stupidity!, more...

There are 20 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word sheer, seven of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

Though shear and sheer sound the same, their meanings diverge significantly. Shear refers to cutting or force-induced displacement within materials, whereas sheer signifies extremity or …

You can use sheer to emphasize that a state or situation is complete and does not involve or is not mixed with anything else.

Some common synonyms of sheer are abrupt, precipitous, and steep. While all these words mean "having an incline approaching the perpendicular," sheer suggests an unbroken perpendicular …