# veneer

/vəˈnɪɹ/ (US) · /vɛnˈiə/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/veneer
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 2. false appearance

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

a way of behaving that makes you seem polite or happy when you are actually angry or mean.

For teachers: a superficial appearance or display that masks the true nature of a person, situation, or institution.

- Under his veneer of politeness, he was actually very angry about the decision.
- The city's veneer of prosperity was quickly stripped away during the economic crisis, revealing deep-seated social inequalities.

### 3. to cover a surface

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to cover a piece of furniture with a thin layer of decorative wood.

For teachers: to overlay a surface with a thin layer of fine material. Transitive verb requiring a direct object.

- They decided to veneer the old table rather than buying a new one.
- The manufacturer chose to veneer the particle-board panels with cherry wood to appeal to more discerning customers.

## Examples

- The desk has a beautiful oak veneer.
- Behind his veneer of professional calm, the manager was actually quite nervous about the presentation.
- The historic building's polished stone veneer was meticulously restored, though the structural integrity of the concrete beneath remained a concern for the engineering team.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.