veer
1[ veer ]
/ vɪər /
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verb (used without object)
to change direction or turn about or aside; shift, turn, or change from one course, position, inclination, etc., to another: The speaker kept veering from his main topic. The car veered off the road.
(of the wind)
- to change direction clockwise (opposed to back1 def. 31).
- Nautical. to shift to a direction more nearly astern (opposed to haul def. 8c).
verb (used with object)
to alter the direction or course of; turn.
Nautical. to turn (a vessel) away from the wind; wear.
noun
a change of direction, position, course, etc.: a sudden veer in a different direction.
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THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Origin of veer
1First recorded in 1575–85, veer is from the Middle French word virer to turn
OTHER WORDS FROM veer
veer·ing·ly, adverbOther definitions for veer (2 of 2)
veer2
[ veer ]
/ vɪər /
verb (used with object) Nautical.
to slacken or let out: to veer chain.
Origin of veer
21425–75; late Middle English vere<Middle Dutch vieren to let out
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use veer in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for veer (1 of 2)
veer1
/ (vɪə) /
verb
to alter direction (of); swing around
(intr) to change from one position, opinion, etc, to another
(intr)
- (of the wind) to change direction clockwise in the northern hemisphere and anticlockwise in the southern
- nautical to blow from a direction nearer the sternCompare haul (def. 5)
nautical to steer (a vessel) off the wind
noun
a change of course or direction
Word Origin for veer
C16: from Old French virer, probably of Celtic origin; compare Welsh gwyro to diverge
British Dictionary definitions for veer (2 of 2)
veer2
/ (vɪə) /
verb
(tr; often foll by out or away) nautical to slacken or pay out (cable or chain)
Word Origin for veer
C16: from Dutch vieren, from Old High German fieren to give direction
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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