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Word of the Day

Friday, January 10, 2025

ethereal

/iˈTHirēəl/adjective

Extremely delicate and light; seeming to belong to another, more spiritual world; heavenly or celestial.

Etymology

From Latin "aethereus," from Greek "aitherios" (of the upper air), from "aither" (upper air, clear sky). In ancient cosmology, ether was the pure essence that the gods breathed.

Usage Examples

  1. "The ballet dancer moved with an ethereal grace that mesmerized the audience."

  2. "Morning mist gave the forest an ethereal, otherworldly appearance."

  3. "Her ethereal voice seemed to float above the orchestra like a spirit."

Synonyms

  • Delicate
  • Celestial
  • Heavenly
  • Ghostly
  • Transcendent

Fun Facts

  • In physics, "ether" was once believed to be the medium through which light traveled.
  • Fashion designers often use "ethereal" to describe flowing, delicate garments.
  • The word evokes both physical lightness and spiritual transcendence.

Related Terms

  • Diaphanous: Light, delicate, and translucent
  • Gossamer: Something extremely light, delicate, or tenuous
  • Celestial: Positioned in or relating to the sky, or outer space
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