Word
veneer
Phoneticsve·neer, stress on the second syllable
US/vəˈnɪɹ/
UK/vɛnˈiə/
注意In Japanese, ベニヤ usually means “plywood board”. In English, a veneer is only a thin top layer on a surface, and the board made of many layers is called plywood.
주의In Korean, 베니어 usually means “plywood board”. In English, a veneer is only a thin top layer on a surface, and the board made of thin wood layers is called plywood.
Definitions
01furniture covering
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a thin layer of expensive wood or plastic glued to the surface of cheaper material to make it look better.
n. a thin decorative covering of fine material, typically wood, applied to a coarser or less expensive substrate.
“The desk looks like solid oak, but it is actually just a cheap veneer.”
“The cabinetmaker applied a walnut veneer to the particleboard frame, creating the illusion of high-end solid wood furniture at a fraction of the cost.”
02a false appearance
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. a way of behaving that makes you seem polite or happy, even though you are actually angry or unpleasant.
n. a superficial appearance or display that masks the true nature, feelings, or quality of something.
“Behind his veneer of politeness, he was actually very angry about the decision.”
“The diplomat maintained a thin veneer of professionalism, though his underlying contempt for the proceedings was evident to those who knew him well.”
03dental covering
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Medicine Technical
n. a thin, tooth-colored cover that a dentist puts on the front of a tooth to make it look better.
n. a layer of tooth-colored material, usually porcelain or composite, bonded to the surface of a tooth for aesthetic or protective purposes.
“She decided to get veneers to fix the gaps between her front teeth.”
“The cosmetic dentist recommended porcelain veneers to correct the patient's severe discoloration and minor structural misalignments.”
Real-World Examples
“The US has, I read, “ entered the age of veneer regret ”, with people rueing their decision to drop big money on massive, gleaming, Hollywood teeth.” “Inevitably, behind the arrogant veneer, Monroe is another “sad, lonely and pathetic” individual.” Etymology
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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/veneer
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
‘외래어’ data: 한국어기초사전 (국립국어원), CC BY-SA 2.0 KR