sheer
sheer
/ʃɪər/
A very thin, translucent fabric used for curtains that lets in light while providing basic privacy.
As an adjective, it means transparent or pure; as a noun, 'sheers' refers to the lightweight curtains themselves.
The story behind the word. Dating back to Middle English, 'sheer' originally meant 'bright' or 'pure.' Over time, its meaning evolved to describe things so thin and fine that they are almost transparent, eventually becoming a standard noun for lightweight window panels.
Word relationships
- translucent: Translucent is a scientific term for allowing light to pass through, while sheer specifically describes thin, delicate fabrics.
- diaphanous: Diaphanous is a highly literary synonym, whereas sheer is the standard term used in home decor.
- opaque: Opaque fabrics block all light and cannot be seen through, whereas sheer fabrics allow light and silhouettes to pass.
Commonly confused with
- shear: To 'shear' means to cut or clip (like sheep's wool), whereas 'sheer' refers to thin fabric or steep slopes.
Word family
- sheerness (noun): The quality of being thin and translucent.
Collocations
- sheer curtains
- sheer fabric
- white sheers
Example sentences
- "The sheer curtains filtered the harsh afternoon sunlight into a soft, warm glow without making the small room feel dark." Interior design advice for small apartments.
Memory hook
You can 'see' through 'sheer' curtains. Thin, see-through fabric.
When not to use
Do not use to describe opaque, heavy, or light-blocking fabrics.
Fun facts
- The term 'sheer' is also used in geology to describe a vertical cliff drop ('a sheer drop') and in maritime contexts to describe a ship's curve.
Explore more words
Also appears in
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.