Shear vs. Sheer: Cut or Absolute?

The Distinction

• Shear = to cut or clip, especially wool; a cutting force
• Sheer = absolute, pure; very steep; thin and transparent

Using Shear

“Shear” involves cutting:

As a verb:

• “They shear the sheep every spring.” ✓
• “The wind sheared off the roof.” ✓
• “The metal sheared under stress.” ✓

As a noun:

• “Wind shear is dangerous for aircraft.” ✓
• “Use these shears to trim the hedge.” ✓

Using Sheer

“Sheer” has several meanings:

Absolute or pure:

• “It was sheer luck that I found it.” ✓
• “The sheer volume of work overwhelmed him.” ✓
• “By sheer determination, she succeeded.” ✓

Very steep:

• “The sheer cliff face was impossible to climb.” ✓
• “The mountain dropped sheer to the valley.” ✓

Thin and transparent:

• “She wore a sheer blouse.” ✓
• “The sheer curtains let light through.” ✓

Memory Trick

• Shear = think “shears” (scissors for cutting)
• Sheer = think “sheer drop” (pure, complete, steep)

Quick Test

Talking about cutting? → shear Talking about something absolute, steep, or see-through? → sheer