(adjective)
consisting purely of one thing/element, not mixed with anything else, often in the context of being viewed in detachment from anything else;
e.g. If we consider the sheer impact of this technology, it is still worth using despite its drawbacks.
(adjective)
extremely steep, almost to the point of being perpendicular;
e.g. He came upon a sheer cliff which he knew would be impossible to climb.
(adjective)
extremely light, thin, fine, or transparent in texture, typically used to describe fabric;
e.g. The windows were covered by sheer curtains that still allowed the sunlight in.
(adverb)
altogether or completely;
e.g. The car was travelling so fast that it went sheer through the bush.
(adverb)
extremely steeply or perpendicularly, in a continuous vertical direction;
e.g. The wall rose sheer from bank of the river.
(noun)
an extremely light, thin, or fine fabric, or some article made from such a fabric;
e.g. The walls were hung with sheers bearing beautiful needlework.
(noun)
a sudden deviation, turn, or change in a ship's course;
e.g. The ship made a sheer towards the island instead of passing it by.
(noun)
the slope or curvature of a ship's body from the front (bow) to the back (stern) when viewed from the side;
e.g. The sailor was adjusting and polishing the sheer of the ship.
(verb)
to quickly change course or swerve from a set path, or to cause to swerve, especially used to describe the movement of a boat;
e.g. The strong wind caused the boat to sheer off course.
(verb)
to move away from a particular topic in order to avoid it;
e.g. She tends to sheer away from talking about her personal life.