noun
gossamer
GO-suh-muh
Gossamer (noun) means a fine, filmy strand of cobweb often seen drifting in the air or caught on bushes. Example: “Strands of gossamer glistened with dew across the lawn.”
noun
1
A fine, filmy strand of cobweb often seen drifting in the air or caught on bushes.
"The dew and gossamer had dried early from the grass"
— Richard Adams (1972)
"Strands of gossamer glistened with dew across the lawn."
adj
1
Extremely delicate, light, and sheer.
"A gossamer blanket of coaldust floated down like a dirty blessing and gently smothered the traffic."
— Arundhati Roy (1997)
"The bride's veil was made of gossamer silk."
"His two previous novels, though much celebrated, I found too ethereal, the style as gossamer and sticky as cotton candy."
— Mitzel, A Sissy's Revenge (1982)
How to use gossamer
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFine cobweb strands, or as an adjective, anything as light and sheer as one.
Common pairings
gossamer wings
gossamer threads
gossamer-thin
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Word forms
- Plural
- gossamers
- Comparative
- more gossamer
- Superlative
- most gossamer
Fill the gap
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Strands of _____ glistened with dew across the lawn.
Etymology
From Middle English gossomer, likely from "goose" + "summer" — originally describing a spell of mild autumn weather when geese were traditionally eaten, later transferred to the delicate cobwebs that appear at that time of year.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for gossamer
See all rhymes for gossamer →Frequently asked questions
What does “gossamer” mean?
The word “gossamer” means a fine, filmy strand of cobweb often seen drifting in the air or caught on bushes. In plain terms, fine cobweb strands, or as an adjective, anything as light and sheer as one.
How do you pronounce “gossamer”?
“Gossamer” is pronounced GO-suh-muh (/ˈɡɑ.sə.mɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “gossamer” in a sentence?
Here is “gossamer” used in a sentence: “Strands of gossamer glistened with dew across the lawn.”
What part of speech is “gossamer”?
Depending on how it is used, “gossamer” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “gossamer” come from?
The word “gossamer” comes from Middle English.
How many meanings does “gossamer” have?
“Gossamer” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a fine, filmy strand of cobweb often seen drifting in the air or caught on bushes.
