1 (only before a noun 只用于名词前) used to emphasize the size, degree or amount of sth （用于强调某物的大小、程度或数量）: It's sheer stupidity to drink and drive. 酒后驾驶完全是愚蠢的行径。It was sheer luck that I happened to be in the right place at the right time. 我恰好在适当的时间来到适当的地方，这全凭运气。Her success is due to sheer hard work. 她的成功全凭努力工作。I only agreed out of sheer desperation. 我完全出于绝望才答应下来。

2 very steep; almost vertical 陡峭的；几乎垂直的: Don't walk near the edge. It's a sheer drop to the sea. 不要走近边缘，那里非常陡峭，往下去就是大海。