sheer

• Utilisé pour souligner la nature absolue de quelque chose, souvent en rapport avec la raideur, la finesse ou la pure ampleur.

Used to emphasize the absolute nature of something, often referring to steepness, thinness, or pure magnitude.

1. Complete or absoluteB2formal

   Used to emphasize the amount or degree of something, often without any limitation or exception.

   pur, complet, absolu

   • It was sheer luck that we found the keys.
   • The sheer size of the building was overwhelming.
   • He won the race by sheer determination.

   Synonymesabsolutearrantcompletedownrightout-and-outpurerankthoroughtotalunqualifiedutter

   Antonymesincompletelimitedmoderatepartialqualifiedslight

2. Pure or unadulteratedB2formal

   Not mixed with anything else; completely pure.

   pur, absolu

   • The fabric is made of sheer silk.
   • Sheer joy filled the room when they heard the news.
   • The wine has a sheer taste of ripe grapes.

   Synonymesabsolutearrantcompleteout-and-outpurerankthoroughtotalunmitigatedutter

   Antonymesadulteratedimpuremixed

3. B2formal

   Describing a slope or cliff that is almost vertical and very steep.

   à pic, très raide

   • The hikers faced a sheer cliff that was impossible to climb.
   • The road had a sheer drop on one side.
   • Sheer rock faces surrounded the valley.

   Synonymesabruptprecipitoussteepvertical

   Antonymesgentlegradualslight

4. Thin and transparentB1formal

   So thin that light can pass through; almost transparent.

   Transparent, diaphane

   • She wore a sheer blouse over her dress.
   • The curtains were made of sheer fabric.
   • The material is so sheer you can see through it.

   Synonymesdelicatediaphanousfilmygauzygossamersee-throughtranslucenttransparent

   Antonymesdenseopaquethick

• Adverbe utilisé pour renforcer, signifiant 'complètement' ou 'tout à fait', modifiant souvent des adjectifs pour intensifier leur sens (par exemple, 'pure chance', 'pure folie'). Peut aussi fonctionner comme adjectif signifiant 'très raide' ou 'transparentement fin'.

An adverb used for emphasis, meaning 'completely' or 'utterly,' often modifying adjectives to intensify their meaning (e.g., 'sheer luck,' 'sheer madness'). It can also function as an adjective meaning 'very steep' or 'transparently thin.'

1. Straight up or downB2formal

   Moving vertically without any break or interruption; steeply.

   À la verticale

   • The cliff rose sheer from the ocean.
   • The mountain dropped sheer for hundreds of feet.
   • The path went sheer up the side of the hill.

   Synonymesabruptlyperpendicularlyplumbsteeplyvertically

   Antonymesgentlygraduallysloping

2. Directly or completelyB2informal

   In a direct or complete manner; used for emphasis.

   directement, complètement

   • He ran sheer into the wall.
   • The car went sheer off the road.
   • She looked sheer at him without blinking.

   Synonymesabsolutelycompletelyentirelypurelyquitestraighttotallyutterly

• Verbe utilisé pour indiquer un changement soudain de direction, en particulier d'un véhicule ou d'un navire, ou pour éviter quelque chose.

A verb used to indicate a sudden change in direction, especially in a vehicle or ship, or to swerve away from something.

1. Turn sharplyB2formal

   To change direction abruptly, especially to avoid something.

   Virer brusquement

   • The boat sheered away from the rocks.
   • The car sheered to the left to avoid the dog.
   • The plane sheered off course due to strong winds.

   Synonymesdodgesidestepswerveveer

2. Cause to turnC1formal

   To cause something to change direction abruptly.

   Faire virer brusquement

   • The pilot sheered the aircraft away from the storm.
   • He sheered the horse to the right to avoid the fence.
   • The captain sheered the ship to port to avoid the iceberg.

   Synonymesavertdeflectdivertswerveturn