veneer

[ vuh-neer ]

/ vəˈnɪər /

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See synonyms for veneer on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

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

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.

a superficially valuable or pleasing appearance: a cruel person with a veneer of kindliness.

verb (used with object)

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

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.

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

to give a superficially valuable or pleasing appearance to.

OTHER WORDS FOR veneer

4 facade, front, show, mask, guise.

See synonyms for veneer on Thesaurus.com

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of veneer

1695–1705; earlier fineering, faneering<German Fourni(e)rung, Furni(e)rung, equivalent to furni(e)ren to furnish (<French fournir) + -ung-ing¹

OTHER WORDS FROM veneer

ve·neer·er, nounun·ve·neered, adjective

Words nearby veneer

vendition, Vendôme, vendor, vendor placing, vendue, veneer, veneering, veneer patch, venene, venenose, venepuncture

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use veneer in a sentence

That was very taboo in the scientific community, where you were supposed to maintain this veneer of objective distance from research subjects.
Jane Goodall reveals what studying chimpanzees teaches us about human nature|Sigal Samuel|July 23, 2021|Vox
Flack takes its time dismantling its characters’ empowered veneers.
Flack Is the Most Delectable in a New Wave of Shows About the Workaholics Who Make Hollywood Run|Judy Berman|June 11, 2021|Time
There’s a veneer of professionalism to everything Lovato does and says in Dancing With the Devil, not out of dishonesty or evasion, but perhaps because she knows how many young people hang on her every word.
In Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil, the Pop Star Lays Her Secrets Bare, in a Guarded Way|Stephanie Zacharek|March 23, 2021|Time
Over the next months, Pinterest’s warm, fuzzy veneer would unravel like one of the platform’s chunky knitted sweaters.
Pinterest and the Subtle Poison of Sexism and Racism in Silicon Valley|Janice Min|March 22, 2021|Time

It’s made of recyclable materials and finished with a stylish walnut veneer that allows it to blend in naturally in almost any home setup.
Best office cabinets: Storage must-haves to make your workspace work|PopSci Commerce Team|March 18, 2021|Popular-Science
A worn couch sitting squarely before a wood veneer wall, accented by the head of a deer.
#Setinthestreet: Your Street Corner Is Their Art Project|James Joiner|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But underneath this PC veneer, Louie is hiding some troubling assumptions.
Louie Attempts Rape (and Explores the ‘Nice Guy’ Phenomenon)|Amy Zimmerman|June 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But now that veneer is gone, and what remains is a callow man-child at odds with himself.
What's Happened to Don Draper? Why Everyone’s Favorite ‘Mad Men’ Stud Needs His Mojo Back|Lizzie Crocker|April 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Of course, the fact that Tris faces and eviscerates her own anxiety lends the simulation scene a veneer of victory and autonomy.
Sex Won’t Kill Young Adult Heroines: ‘Divergent’ and Rape Culture|Amy Zimmerman|March 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Some of his preciousness is a veneer, however, for his fatalistic streak.
Ralph Fiennes Discusses ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel,’ J. Lo, and That ‘Seinfeld’ Episode|Marlow Stern|March 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The veneer was gone now; Sheila Carmack's eyes were vicious pools of hate, her mouth a grimace.
We're Friends, Now|Henry Hasse
Her disposition was sour and malevolent, despite its elegant veneer.
Repertory Of The Comedie Humaine, Complete, A -- Z|Anatole Cerfberr and Jules Franois Christophe
Just now, notwithstanding the veneer of his too perfect clothes and civilised air, the beast had leapt out.
The Double Four|E. Phillips Oppenheim
The veneer is laid flat on a board and cut with a sharp knife or fine saw along the edge of a ruler.
The Boy Mechanic, Book 2|Various
For the inner section, walnut, which may be had as thin as 1/64 in., or any thin straight-grained veneer may be used.
The Boy Mechanic, Book 2|Various

British Dictionary definitions for veneer

veneer

/ (vɪˈnɪə) /

noun

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

a superficial appearance, esp one that is pleasinga veneer of gentility

any facing material that is applied to a different backing material

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

verb (tr)

to cover (a surface) with a veneer

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

to conceal (something) under a superficially pleasant surface

Derived forms of veneer

veneerer, noun

Word Origin for veneer

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

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

veneer

OTHER WORDS FOR veneer

Origin of veneer

OTHER WORDS FROM veneer

Words nearby veneer

Words related to veneer

How to use veneer in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for veneer

Derived forms of veneer

Word Origin for veneer