What does weer mean?
Weer is chiefly a Scots word with two established uses. As an adjective, it is the comparative of wee, meaning “more”: in a comparison, the second option may be “the weer” one. As a verb, it is a Scots variant of were, serving as the plural past tense and plural subjunctive of be. Thus “they weer” means “they were,” while the older phrase “if they weer” means “if they were.” The forms are especially associated with Scottish writing, dialogue, and traditional verse, although historical uses of the verb also occur in older English texts. In present-day standard British and American English, were is the normal form, and weer is not part of everyday vocabulary. The word is nevertheless useful for readers of Scottish literature because it captures both a characteristic comparison ending and a distinct Scots grammatical form.
More; the Scots comparative of wee.
"The second part of the journey is the weer."
Used in Scots, particularly in literary and traditional Scottish usage; standard English uses more.
The Scots form of were, used as the plural past tense and plural subjunctive of be.
"The soldiers weer stationed near the coast."
Chiefly Scots and archaic; standard present-day English uses were.
Weer packs two jobs into one little Scots word: it can mean “more” and stand in for “were.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of weer
As an adjective, weer is the Scots comparative of wee, adding the comparative ending -er to the Scots base meaning “small” to produce the meaning “more.” As a verb, it is a Scots development of were, the plural past and subjunctive form of be inherited from Old English. The two uses reflect the word’s special character as a chiefly Scots form with historical English parallels.
How weer is actually used
The adjective is characteristic of Scots and is especially associated with Scottish writing, dialogue, and traditional verse. The verb is Scots and archaic; modern standard British and American English normally use were.
Easily confused with weer
Were is the standard English plural past and subjunctive form of be, while weer is the corresponding Scots form.