veneer

[vuh-neer]

noun

1. a thin layer of wood or other material for facing or inlaying wood.

2. any of the thin layers of wood glued together to form plywood.

3. Building Trades.,  a facing of a certain material applied to a different one or to a type of construction not ordinarily associated with it, as a facing of brick applied to a frame house.

4. a superficially valuable or pleasing appearance.

   a cruel person with a veneer of kindliness.

   Synonyms: guise, mask, show, front, facade

verb (used with object)

1. to overlay or face (wood) with thin sheets of some material, as a fine wood, ivory, or tortoise shell.

2. to face or cover (an object) with any material that is more desirable as a surface material than the basic material of the object; revet.

3. to cement (layers of wood veneer) to form plywood.

4. to give a superficially valuable or pleasing appearance to.

veneer

/ vɪˈnɪə /

noun

1. a thin layer of wood, plastic, etc, with a decorative or fine finish that is bonded to the surface of a less expensive material, usually wood

2. a superficial appearance, esp one that is pleasing

   a veneer of gentility

3. any facing material that is applied to a different backing material

4. any one of the layers of wood that is used to form plywood

verb

1. to cover (a surface) with a veneer

2. to bond together (thin layers of wood) to make plywood

3. to conceal (something) under a superficially pleasant surface

Other Word Forms

• veneerer noun
• unveneered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of veneer¹

First recorded in 1695–1705; earlier fineering, faneering, from German Fourni(e)rung, Furni(e)rung (from furni(e)ren “to furnish,” from French fournir; furnish ) + -ung -ing ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of veneer¹

C17: from German furnieren to veneer, from Old French fournir to _furnish

Example Sentences

Her last album, 2023’s divisive but underrated “Strays,” leaned all the way into psychedelic rock, a cosmic exploration of life without the hazy veneer of alcohol.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

She decided to travel to Antalya in April 2024 to get four dental implants after previously having veneers fitted in the country.

Read more on BBC

Tom Andrews, the United Nation's special rapporteur on the rights situation in Myanmar, had in June accused the junta of designing a "mirage of an election exercise" to give itself a veneer of legitimacy.

Read more on BBC

Pollmeier in Germany, for example, has BauBuche – a laminated veneer lumber, very thin layers of wood pressed and glued together – made using beech.

Read more on BBC

This is a key way of maintaining a veneer of legitimacy and manufacturing consent.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• coating 
• exterior 
• facade 
• gloss 
• layer 
• mask 
• semblance