ethereal

ethe·re·al

adj \i-ˈthir-ē-əl\

Definition of ETHEREAL

1

a : of or relating to the regions beyond the earth b : celestial, heavenly c : unworldly, spiritual

2

a : lacking material substance : immaterial, intangible b : marked by unusual delicacy or refinement <this smallest, most ethereal, and daintiest of birds — William Beebe> c : suggesting the heavens or heaven

3

: relating to, containing, or resembling a chemical ether

— ethe·re·al·i·ty \-ˌthir-ē-ˈa-lə-tē\ noun

— ethe·re·al·i·za·tion \-ē-ə-lə-ˈzā-shən\ noun

— ethe·re·al·ize \-ˈthir-ē-ə-ˌlīz\ transitive verb

— ethe·re·al·ly \-ē-ə-lē\ adverb

— ethe·re·al·ness noun

Examples of ETHEREAL

1. The windows give the church an ethereal glow.
2. <that ethereal attribute that every performer should have—charisma>

First Known Use of ETHEREAL

1513

Related to ETHEREAL

Synonyms: bodiless, immaterial, formless, incorporeal, insubstantial, nonmaterial, nonphysical, spiritual, unbodied, unsubstantial

Antonyms: bodily, corporeal, material, physical, substantial

Related Words: metaphysical, psychic (also psychical), supernatural; impalpable, insensible, intangible, invisible; airy, diaphanous, gaseous, gossamery, tenuous, thin, vaporous, wispish

Near Antonyms: animal, carnal, fleshly; detectable, discernible (also discernable), noticeable, observable, palpable, sensible, tangible, visible; bulky, heavy, massive, solid

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with ETHEREAL

arterial, bacterial, diphtherial, empyreal, funereal, imperial, material, sidereal, venereal, vizierial