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Synonyms

steer

1 American  
[steer] / stɪər /

verb (used with object)

  1. to guide the course of (something in motion) by a rudder, helm, wheel, etc..

    to steer a bicycle.

  2. to follow or pursue (a particular course).

  3. to direct the course of; guide.

    I can steer you to the best restaurant in town.


verb (used without object)

  1. to direct the course of a vessel, vehicle, airplane, or the like, by the use of a rudder or other means.

  2. to pursue a course of action.

  3. (of a vessel, vehicle, airplane, etc.) to be steered or guided in a particular direction or manner.

noun

  1. Informal. a suggestion about a course of action; tip.

    He got a good steer about finding the right job.

idioms

  1. steer clear of, to stay away from purposely; avoid.

    She steered clear of any deep emotional involvements.

steer 2 American  
[steer] / stɪər /

noun

plural

steers,

plural

steer
  1. a male bovine that is castrated before sexual maturity, especially one raised for beef.


steer 3 American  
[steer] / stɪər /

verb (used with or without object)

British Dialect.
  1. stir.


steer 1 British  
/ stɪə /

verb

  1. to direct the course of (a vehicle or vessel) with a steering wheel, rudder, etc

  2. (tr) to guide with tuition

    his teachers steered him through his exams

  3. (tr) to direct the movements or course of (a person, conversation, etc)

  4. to pursue (a specified course)

  5. (intr) (of a vessel, vehicle, etc) to admit of being guided in a specified fashion

    this boat does not steer properly

  6. to keep away from; shun

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. information; guidance (esp in the phrase a bum steer )

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
steer 2 British  
/ stɪə /

noun

  1. a castrated male ox or bull; bullock

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

steer More Idioms  

    More idioms and phrases containing steer


Other Word Forms

  • steerability noun
  • steerable adjective
  • steerer noun
  • unsteerable adjective

Etymology

Origin of steer1

First recorded before 900; Middle English steren, stere, stieren, Old English stēoran, stēran, stíoran, stýran, akin to stēor, stýr “steering, guidance”; cognate with German steuern, Old Norse stȳra, Gothic stiurjan

Origin of steer2

First recorded before 900; Middle English ster(e), Old English stēor “young bull or ox,” cognate with Dutch, German Stier, Old Norse stjōrr, Gothic stiur

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Qatar, the world's second-largest LNG producer, has seen LNG exports plunge as fuel tankers steer clear of the Strait of Hormuz.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

Whether the above is enough for you to steer clear of NordVPN, I’ll leave up to you.

From Salon • Mar. 27, 2026

Because forward guidance puts the Fed in the position of trying to steer markets rather than observing them, it necessarily risks obscuring important price signals policymakers would benefit from seeing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

My folks would steer me toward books that they thought I’d go for.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

I put it in gear and steer until the compass finds west.

From "The Young Man and the Sea" by Rodman Philbrick