Shear vs. Sheer: What's the Difference?
Shear and sheer are homophones that sound alike but have different meanings. Shear refers to the act of cutting something, especially wool from sheep, or to the stress in structural elements causing layers to slide against each other. Sheer, on the other hand, describes something extremely steep, thin to the point of transparency, or outright or complete.
How do you use the word shear in a sentence?
The term shear is used when discussing the process of cutting or clipping, particularly in agriculture or manufacturing. It can also be applied to describe mechanical or geological forces that cause displacement within materials or the earth's crust. In engineering, shear stress is a crucial calculation to ensure structural integrity.
Examples of shear in a sentence
- The farmer used blades to shear the sheep, collecting wool for the upcoming winter.
- In the earthquake, the bridge failed due to the shear forces that compromised its columns.
- Metal sheets are often cut to size using large industrial shears.
How do you use the word sheer in a sentence?
The word sheer can qualify something that is remarkably thin or fine, such as fabric, or denote something that is unadulterated or unobstructed in nature. Additionally, it can refer to a steep or nearly vertical surface. The context usually clarifies whether sheer pertains to magnitude, transparency, or pureness.
Examples of sheer in a sentence
- She wore a blouse made of sheer silk to the evening gala.
- The sheer force of his determination was enough to overcome any obstacle.
- Climbers were in awe of the mountain's sheer cliffs that posed a formidable challenge.
Shear and sheer definition, parts of speech, and pronunciation
Shear definition:
Shear is a verb that means to cut something, especially hair or wool, off very close to the skin. It also refers to the mechanical action causing material to slide or fail under stress. As a noun, it describes the act of cutting or a shear force causing such sliding.
Shear parts of speech:
Shear pronunciation:
Shear is pronounced as /ʃɪər/.
Sheer definition:
Sheer is an adjective used to describe something that is very thin or fine, or something that is steep or perpendicular. It is also an adverb or adjective to emphasize the absolute nature of something, indicating it is nothing less than what is specified.
Sheer parts of speech:
Sheer pronunciation:
Sheer is pronounced as /ʃɪər/.
Shear is a verb that means to cut something, especially hair or wool, off very close to the skin. It also refers to the mechanical action causing material to slide or fail under stress. As a noun, it describes the act of cutting or a shear force causing such sliding.
Shear parts of speech:
- As a verb: Please shear off any excess material before assembling the parts.
- As a noun: The engineers meticulously calculated the shear across the beam.
Shear pronunciation:
Shear is pronounced as /ʃɪər/.
Sheer definition:
Sheer is an adjective used to describe something that is very thin or fine, or something that is steep or perpendicular. It is also an adverb or adjective to emphasize the absolute nature of something, indicating it is nothing less than what is specified.
Sheer parts of speech:
- As an adjective: The curtains in her bedroom were made of sheer material that let the sunlight through.
- As an adverb: Sheer ahead, there's no need to turn or navigate complexities.
Sheer pronunciation:
Sheer is pronounced as /ʃɪər/.
Shear vs. Sheer in a nutshell
Though shear and sheer sound the same, their meanings diverge significantly. Shear refers to cutting or force-induced displacement within materials, whereas sheer signifies extremity or purity in terms of thinness, steepness, and completeness. Knowing the context in which each term is used will help you choose the correct word for clear and precise communication.
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