steer

1
[ steer ]
/ stɪər /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR steer ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to guide the course of (something in motion) by a rudder, helm, wheel, etc.: to steer a bicycle.
to follow or pursue (a particular course).
to direct the course of; guide: I can steer you to the best restaurant in town.

verb (used without object)

noun

Informal. a suggestion about a course of action; tip: He got a good steer about finding the right job.

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?
Question 1 of 10
decorum
the act of or need for making up one's mind.
dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.
a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.
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Idioms for steer

    steer clear of, to stay away from purposely; avoid: She steered clear of any deep emotional involvements.

Origin of steer

1
before 900; Middle English steren, Old English stēoran, akin to stēor steering, guidance; cognate with German steuern, Old Norse stȳra, Gothic stiurjan

OTHER WORDS FROM steer

steer·a·ble, adjectivesteer·a·bil·i·ty, nounun·steer·a·ble, adjective

Words nearby steer

steeplebush, steeplechase, steeplechaser, steeplechasing, steeplejack, steer, steer clear of, steerage, steerageway, steerer, steerhide
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to steer clear of

dodge, avert, sidestep, evade, bypass, escape, shun, despise, disdain, eschew, refuse, snub, reject, scorn, neglect, elude, ignore, circumvent, heed, prevent

British Dictionary definitions for steer clear of (1 of 2)

steer1
/ (stɪə) /

verb

noun

mainly US information; guidance (esp in the phrase a bum steer)

Derived forms of steer

steerable, adjectivesteerer, noun

Word Origin for steer

Old English stieran; related to Old Frisian stiūra, Old Norse stӯra, German stevern; see starboard, stern ²

British Dictionary definitions for steer clear of (2 of 2)

steer2
/ (stɪə) /

noun

a castrated male ox or bull; bullock

Word Origin for steer

Old English stēor; related to Old Norse stjōrr, Gothic stiur, Old High German stior, Middle Dutch stēr
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

Idioms and Phrases with steer clear of (1 of 2)

steer clear of

Stay away from, avoid, as in Dad warned us to steer clear of Dr. Smith and his poor advice. This idiom alludes to guiding a vessel away from some obstacle. Its figurative use was first recorded in 1723.

Idioms and Phrases with steer clear of (2 of 2)

steer
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.