Word of the Day - 12/04/25
veneer
/vÉ™'nir/(n.): an ornamental coating to a building
The old bank building got a glittery new veneer, dazzling passersby with its unexpected sparkle.
(n.): coating consisting of a thin layer of superior wood glued to a base of inferior wood
That thrift store table might look fancy, but it's just a cherry veneer over some very basic particleboard.
(v.): cover with veneer
I plan to veneer my plain wooden box with a shimmering mother-of-pearl, turning it into a treasure chest.
Word Origin
The word 'veneer' entered English in the 18th century, deriving from the German word 'furnieren', which means 'to furnish' or 'to overlay'. This German term itself comes from the French verb 'fournir', meaning 'to furnish' or 'to provide'.
Words with a similar origin include 'furnish' and 'furniture'. 'Furnish' comes directly from the Old French 'furnir', which is the same root as the French 'fournir' from which 'veneer' is derived. 'Furniture' also originates from the Old French 'fourniture', related to this shared etymological family.