veneer

CEFRC1

/vəˈnɪə(ɹ)/

noun

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    A thin layer of material covering a surface.

  2. 02

    noun

    An attractive appearance that hides the truth.

Examples

  • Augustus kept only the veneer of the Republic while effectively making himself into a king.

  • The veneer we call civilisation is only skin deep.

At a glance

Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
5

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings

  1. An attractive appearance that covers or disguises one's true nature or feelings, the veneer of culture.

  2. To apply veneer to.

  3. A thin decorative covering of fine material (usually wood) applied to coarser wood or other material.

More examples

In context

  • to veneer a piece of furniture with mahogany

  • Compartment and corridor partitions are of blockboard, with appropriate decorative veneers to suit the varied interior decoration.

  • The stateroom walls are veneered with finely figured English chestnut with the skirting and mouldings in English walnut.

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The old cabinet has a thin blank of walnut over cheap pine wood.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

noun

From German Furnier, from furnieren (“to inlay, cover with a veneer”), from French fournir (“to furnish, accomplish”), from Middle French fornir, from Old French fornir, furnir (“to furnish”), from Old Frankish frumjan (“to provide”), from Proto-Germanic *frumjaną (“to further, promote”). Cognate with Old High German frumjan, frummen (“to accomplish, execute, provide”), Old English fremian (“to promote, perform”). More at furnish.