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adj Uncommon

ethereal

ih-THEER-rih-uhl
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Ethereal (adj) means Extremely light, delicate, and seemingly not quite of this world. Example: “The dancer moved with an ethereal grace.”

adj
1
Extremely light, delicate, and seemingly not quite of this world.
"The dancer moved with an ethereal grace."
"Mist gave the forest an ethereal, dreamlike quality."

How to use ethereal

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSo light, delicate, or otherworldly it seems almost unreal.

Common pairings
ethereal beauty ethereal glow ethereal music
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Word forms

Comparative
more ethereal
Superlative
most ethereal
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The dancer moved with an _____ grace.

Etymology

From Latin aetherius, from Ancient Greek aithérios (\"of the upper air\"), related to \"ether\".

Origin: Ancient Greek

Related words

Rhymes for ethereal

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Frequently asked questions

What does “ethereal” mean?
The word “ethereal” means extremely light, delicate, and seemingly not quite of this world. In plain terms, so light, delicate, or otherworldly it seems almost unreal.
How do you pronounce “ethereal”?
“Ethereal” is pronounced ih-THEER-rih-uhl (/ɪˈθɪɚ.i.əl/ in IPA).
How do you use “ethereal” in a sentence?
Here is “ethereal” used in a sentence: “The dancer moved with an ethereal grace.”
What part of speech is “ethereal”?
“Ethereal” is an adjective.
Where does the word “ethereal” come from?
The word “ethereal” comes from Ancient Greek. From Latin aetherius, from Ancient Greek aithérios (\"of the upper air\"), related to \"ether\".
Is “ethereal” a common word?
“Ethereal” is an uncommon word in modern English.

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