veer

¹

[veer]

verb (used without object)

1. to change direction or turn about or aside; shift, turn, or change from one course, position, inclination, etc., to another.

   The speaker kept veering from his main topic. The car veered off the road.

   Synonyms: diverge, swerve, deviate

2. (of the wind)

   1. to change direction clockwise (back ).

   2. Nautical.,  to shift to a direction more nearly astern (haul ).

verb (used with object)

1. to alter the direction or course of; turn.

2. Nautical.,  to turn (a vessel) away from the wind; wear.

noun

1. a change of direction, position, course, etc..

   a sudden veer in a different direction.

veer

²

[veer]

verb (used with object)

Nautical.

1. to slacken or let out.

   to veer chain.

veer

¹

/ vɪə /

verb

1. to alter direction (of); swing around

2. (intr) to change from one position, opinion, etc, to another

3. (intr)

   1. (of the wind) to change direction clockwise in the northern hemisphere and anticlockwise in the southern

   2. nautical to blow from a direction nearer the stern Compare haul

4. nautical to steer (a vessel) off the wind

noun

1. a change of course or direction

veer

²

/ vɪə /

verb

1. (tr; often foll by out or away) nautical to slacken or pay out (cable or chain)

Other Word Forms

• veeringly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of veer¹

First recorded in 1575–85, veer is from the Middle French word virer to turn

Origin of veer²

1425–75; late Middle English vere < Middle Dutch vieren to let out

Word History and Origins

Origin of veer¹

C16: from Old French virer, probably of Celtic origin; compare Welsh gwyro to diverge

Origin of veer²

C16: from Dutch vieren, from Old High German fieren to give direction

Example Sentences

According to authorities, a BMW was traveling north at a high rate of speed when it suddenly veered left and leaped over the median.

From Los Angeles Times

In surveillance video captured from across the street, the interaction begins when a white truck veers into the far right lane in front of Longoria’s truck, forcing him to stop.

From Los Angeles Times

The car suddenly veered left, going over the concrete divider and into southbound traffic, officials said.

From Los Angeles Times

The bus was heading eastbound and lost control, veering into the median and then into a ditch, according police.

From BBC

The driver lost control, veered off the road and overturned into a ditch along the Kisumu-Kakamega Highway on Friday afternoon, a police report seen by the BBC says.

From BBC

Related Words

• bend 
• deflect 
• depart 
• deviate 
• diverge 
• divert 
• drift 
• pivot 
• shift 
• skid 
• swerve 
• swing 
• twist 
• whirl