1. a thin layer of wood or other material used to cover a cheaper material
2. an attractive appearance that covers or disguises someone’s true nature or feelings
Usage: figurative

1. to cover something with a thin layer of wood or other material
2. to give a superficially attractive appearance to something
Usage: figurative

Examples

• The table was made of pine with a mahogany veneer.
• The cabinet doors were covered with a thin oak veneer.
• His polite manner was just a veneer hiding his true anger.
• She maintained a veneer of calm despite the crisis.
• The carpenter will veneer the bookshelf with cherry wood.
• They tried to veneer their mistakes with excuses.
• The politician’s charm was merely a veneer over his ruthless ambition.