sheer

adjective C1

Meaning

The term "sheer" as an adjective denotes an extreme degree or unmitigated quality of a particular attribute, often implying an absolute or unqualified nature that is strikingly evident; it can also refer to a steep or vertical drop, particularly in geogra
💡 "Sheer" is often misused in informal contexts to imply mere size or quantity; however, its connotation of intensity or extremity should be preserved to maintain its nuanced meaning.

Example Sentences

The company's sheer growth surprised all industry experts this year .
The mountain's sheer cliffs made climbing extremely difficult and dangerous .
The project's success was due to her sheer determination and effort .
The sheer size of the dataset required advanced computational methods .

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