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...

Nov 18, 2025 · Used to emphasize the amount or degree of something. quotations The army's sheer size made it impossible to resist.