Sheer (Adverb)

Meaning ¹

Straight up or down without a break.

Examples

• The waterfall dropped sheer to the rocky bottom 400 feet below.
• A sheer rock face formed one side of the deep valley.
• Sheer walls rose from the sea on the northern side of the strait.
• It's a long, steep hike, especially in places where the cliff drops sheer.
• There's a 20-meter-long vertical cliff, almost sheer to the beach below.

Synonyms

• Perpendicularly

Meaning ²

Directly; "he fell sheer into the water".

Examples

• The rockface plunged sheer into the sea, making it a treacherous spot for sailors.
• She fell sheer onto the mat, giving the crowd a fright.
• The skier sped down the mountain, dropping sheer into the valley below.
• The hikers lost their footing and slid sheer down the embankment.
• He dropped sheer into the abyss, his screams echoing off the walls.