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sheer1
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- pronunciation:
- shir
- parts of speech:
- adjective, adverb
- features:
- Word Combinations (adjective), Homophone Note
| part of speech: |
adjective |
| inflections: |
sheerer, sheerest |
| definition 1: |
transparently thin or fine.
a sheer fabric
- synonyms:
- diaphanous, filmy, gauzy, gossamer, transparent
- antonyms:
- opaque, thick
- similar words:
- airy, fine, hyaline, light, thin, translucent
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| definition 2: |
pure and total; unmixed with other substances, qualities, or the like.
accomplished by sheer talenta mile of sheer mudsheer terror- synonyms:
- plain, pure, unadulterated
- similar words:
- absolute, complete, out-and-out, perfect, stark, thorough, total, unalloyed, unmitigated, unqualified, utter
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| definition 3: |
of a surface, almost or totally vertical; not sloping.
the sheer side of a building- synonyms:
- bluff, precipitous, vertical
- antonyms:
- gradual, sloping
- similar words:
- abrupt, perpendicular, plumb, sharp, steep, upright
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| related words: |
arduous, arrant, clear, delicate, flimsy, main, plain, rank, straight, vertical |
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| part of speech: |
adverb |
| definition: |
completely or absolutely.
I am sheer out of money.- synonyms:
- absolutely, completely, entirely, quite, totally
- similar words:
- dead, downright, right, stark, wholly
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| derivations: |
sheerly (adv.), sheerness (n.) |
The words sheer and shear (to cut or trim) sound alike but have different meanings.
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