Shear — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈshir/

Meaning & Definition of Shear

Shear (verb)

  1. to cut off the hair from
  2. to cut or clip (hair, wool, etc.) from someone or something; also, to cut something from
  3. to reap with a sickle

Shear (noun)

  1. a cutting implement similar or identical to a pair of scissors but typically larger —usually used in plural
  2. one blade of a pair of shears
  3. any of various cutting tools or machines operating by the action of opposed cutting edges of metal —usually used in plural

Shear (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to make (something) shorter or smaller with the use of a cutting instrument

    "it took almost a week to shear all the wool off the flock of sheep"

    similar: bob, clip, crop, cut, cut back, dock, lop (off), nip, pare, poll, prune, shave, snip, trim
    related: skive, whittle, manicure, mow, pinch, stump, curtail, shorten
    near: elongate, extend, lengthen

  2. to penetrate with a sharp edge (as a knife)

    "the shark's razor-sharp teeth sheared the swimmer's flesh right down to the bone"

    similar: cut, gash, incise, rip, slash, slice, slit
    related: crosscut, hacksaw, saw, scissor, cleave, rive, split, pierce, stab, bruise, butcher, hack, haggle, lacerate, mangle, rend, tear, carve, chip, chisel, notch, anatomize, dissect, section, chop, dice, mince, amputate, cut off, sever

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Shear

The most common words with a similar meaning to Shear:

bob, clip, crop, cut, cut back, dock, lop (off), nip, pare, poll, prune, shave, snip, trim, gash, incise, rip, slash, slice, slit

Related Words for Shear

skive, whittle, manicure, mow, pinch, stump, curtail, shorten, crosscut, hacksaw, saw, scissor, cleave, rive, split, pierce, stab, bruise, butcher, hack, haggle, lacerate, mangle, rend, tear, carve, chip, chisel, notch, anatomize

Near Antonyms of Shear

elongate, extend, lengthen

Word Forms of Shear

Inflections: sheared, shorn, shearing

Derived words: shearer (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Shear

Middle English sheren, from Old English scieran; akin to Old Norse skera to cut, Latin curtus mutilated, curtailed, Greek keirein to cut, shear, Sanskrit kṛnāti he injures

First known use: before 12th centuryt

Words & Phrases Containing Shear

shear pin, shear off, wind shear

Frequently Asked Questions about Shear

What does "Shear" mean?

"Shear" means to cut off the hair from. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to cut off the hair from. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Shear"?

Other words for "Shear" include bob, clip, crop, cut, cut back, dock, lop (off) and nip. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Shear" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Shear"?

There are 58 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Shear". Common alternatives include bob, clip, crop, cut, cut back, dock, lop (off), nip, pare and poll.

How do you use "Shear" in a sentence?

Examples of "Shear" in a sentence: "it took almost a week to shear all the wool off the flock of sheep"; "the shark's razor-sharp teeth sheared the swimmer's flesh right down to the bone".

Is "Shear" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Shear" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Shear"?

"Shear" is pronounced /ˈshir/.

What is the origin of the word "Shear"?

"Shear" comes from Middle English sheren, from Old English scieran; akin to Old Norse skera to cut, Latin curtus mutilated, curtailed, Greek keirein to cut, shear, Sanskrit kṛnāti he injures. First known use: before 12th centuryt.

What is another word for "Shear" meaning "to make (something) shorter or smaller with the use of a cutting instrument"?

When "Shear" (verb) means to make (something) shorter or smaller with the use of a cutting instrument, synonyms include bob, clip, crop, cut, cut back and dock.