veer Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb turn sharply; change direction abruptly
    swerve; cut; trend; curve; sheer; slew; slue.
    • The car cut to the left at the intersection
    • The motorbike veered to the right
  2. verb shift to a clockwise direction
    • the wind veered

WordNet

Veer intransitive verb
Etymology
F. virer (cf. Sp. virar, birar), LL. virare; perhaps fr. L. vibrare to brandish, vibrate (cf. Vibrate); or cf. L. viriae armlets, bracelets, viriola a little bracelet (cf. Ferrule). Cf. Environ.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Veered ; present participle & verbal noun Veering
Definitions
  1. To change direction; to turn; to shift; as, wind veers to the west or north. "His veering gait." Wordsworth.
    And as he leads, the following navy veers. Dryden.
    an ordinary community which is hostile or friendly as passion or as interest may veer about. Burke.
Veer transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To direct to a different course; to turn; to wear; as, to veer, or wear, a vessel.

Webster 1913