The difference between Downright and Sheer

When used as adverbs, downright means really, whereas sheer means clean.

When used as adjectives, downright means directed vertically, whereas sheer means very thin or transparent.

Sheer is also noun with the meaning: a sheer curtain or fabric.

Sheer is also verb with the meaning: to swerve from a course.

check bellow for the other definitions of Downright and Sheer

  1. Downright as an adjective (obsolete):

    Directed vertically; coming straight down.

  2. Downright as an adjective:

    Directly to the point; plain

    Examples:

    "synonyms: unambiguous unevasive"

  3. Downright as an adjective:

    Using plain direct language; accustomed to express opinions directly and bluntly; blunt.

  4. Downright as an adjective:

    Complete; absolute

    Examples:

    "synonyms: utter"

  1. Downright as an adverb:

    Really; actually; quite

    Examples:

    "synonyms: thoroughly utterly"

    "He wasn’t just cool to me, he was downright rude."

  2. Downright as an adverb (obsolete):

    Straight down; perpendicularly.

  3. Downright as an adverb (obsolete):

    Plainly, unambiguously; directly.

  4. Downright as an adverb (obsolete):

    Without delay; at once.

  1. Sheer as an adjective (textiles):

    Very thin or transparent.

    Examples:

    "Her light, sheer dress caught everyone’s attention."

  2. Sheer as an adjective (obsolete):

    Pure in composition; unmixed; unadulterated.

  3. Sheer as an adjective (by extension):

    Downright; complete; pure.

    Examples:

    "I think it is sheer genius to invent such a thing."

    "This poem is sheer nonsense."

    "Through technological wizardry and sheer audacity, Google has shown how we can transform the intellectual riches of our libraries...."

  4. Sheer as an adjective:

    Examples:

    "The army's sheer size made it impossible to resist."

  5. Sheer as an adjective:

    Very steep; almost vertical or perpendicular.

    Examples:

    "It was a sheer drop of 180 feet."

  1. Sheer as an adverb (archaic):

    Clean; quite; at once.

    Examples:

    "rfquotek Milton"

  1. Sheer as a noun:

    A sheer curtain or fabric.

    Examples:

    "Use sheers to maximize natural light."

  1. Sheer as a noun (nautical):

    The curve of the main deck or gunwale from bow to stern.

  2. Sheer as a noun (nautical):

    An abrupt swerve from the course of a ship.

  1. Sheer as a verb (chiefly, nautical):

    To swerve from a course.

    Examples:

    "A horse sheers at a bicycle."

  2. Sheer as a verb (obsolete):

    To shear.

    Examples:

    "rfquotek Dryden"

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