sheer
- adverb
- /ʃɪr/
- The rock face rose sheer above the valley, creating a stunning view below.
Examples
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It's not really that dark sheer that out on top.
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Seems like it's going to be sheer, but let's see.
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OK, so genes play a role in terms of just sheer sex determination.
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I really think of it as straight up sheer manipulation, right?
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OK, That blends out to be quite sheer, almost.
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But listen, if you want to grab a bucket of popcorn and just sit back and watch something for the sheer fun of it, this movie is for you, Prime Minister.
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Is a Maple syrup Maple sheer that go first you go first, man.
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The mountain has a sheer drop on its eastern face, making it dangerous to climb.
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They sailed straight up the sheer cliff, requiring expert skills from the team.
Synonyms
In a way that is at a right angle to a surface, like straight up from the ground
In a very steep, almost vertical way
Compounds
How Vertical
Surface Forms
Etymology
Sheer: A helpful way to remember the adverb sheer meaning 'straight up or down' is to think of a rock face that looks like it was cut cleanly; it seems 'sheared' away, and the word shear means 'to cut', so a sheer drop falls in a straight, clean line.