Word
veer
US/ˈvɪɹ/
UK/vˈiə/
Definition
v. to change direction suddenly. You use this when a car, a person, or even a conversation moves away from its original path.
v. to change direction or course suddenly. Often describes physical movement or a shift in the focus of a discussion.
Examples
“The car had to veer left to avoid the pothole.”
“The driver was forced to veer sharply to the right when a deer suddenly jumped into the road.”
“The interview began with standard questions about the candidate's experience but started to veer into more personal territory as the afternoon progressed.”
Examples
simple
“The car had to veer left to avoid the pothole.”
contextual
“The driver was forced to veer sharply to the right when a deer suddenly jumped into the road.”
complex
“The interview began with standard questions about the candidate's experience but started to veer into more personal territory as the afternoon progressed.”
Usage
The verb is intransitive and often takes the prepositions 'off', 'away', or 'into'.
Real-World Examples
“His thoughts then veered to the trade war when the topic of Canada was raised.” “Other projects of hers veer into forms the ancient world would have had trouble recognizing.” Etymology
Borrowed from Middle Dutch vieren (“to slacken”).
Borrowed from Middle French virer.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/veer