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

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

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 down or up …

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

Mar 14, 2026 · Used to emphasize the amount or degree of something. The army's sheer size made it impossible to resist.

Straight up or straight down; perpendicular; precipitous; unobstructed: as, a sheer descent. Very thin and delicate; diaphanous: especially said of cambric or muslin.

Sheer is an adjective that can generally refer to something extremely or utmost in degree, amount or intensity. It can also describe something complete and pure.

Completely such, without qualification or exception. Sheer stupidity; sheer happiness.

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

Learn the meaning of Sheer with clear definitions and helpful usage examples.