Synonyms of gossamer

gossamer 1 of 2

adjective

1

as in gauzy

being of a material lacking in sturdiness or substance

fairies are usually depicted as wearing gossamer or tattered clothing

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gauzy
• flimsy
• insubstantial
• delicate
• filmy
• unsubstantial
• fragile
• cobwebby
• sheer
• frothy
• fine
• transparent
• sleazy
• gossamery
• feeble
• diaphanous
• dainty
• frail

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• substantial
• sturdy
• durable
• lasting
• heavy
• tough
• coarse
• rough
• knockabout
• rude

2

as in fluffy

resembling air in lightness

the gossamer veil seemed to float about the bride as she walked down the aisle

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fluffy
• light
• ethereal
• delicate
• airy
• diaphanous
• wispy
• feathery
• gauzy
• downy
• flimsy
• gossamery
• insubstantial
• lightweight
• weightless
• dainty
• vaporous
• cobwebby
• lighter-than-air
• tender
• buoyant
• unsubstantial
• rarefied
• pillowy
• gauzelike
• cumulous

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• heavy
• leaden
• solid
• substantial
• firm
• bulky
• weighty
• ponderous
• cumbersome
• burdensome
• unwieldy
• hefty
• lumpish
• hulking

3

as in sheer

very thin and easy to see through

didn't see the gossamer spider webs until the sun hit them just right

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sheer
• transparent
• diaphanous
• translucent
• gauzy
• filmy
• cobwebby
• crystal
• fragile
• see-through
• delicate
• gauzelike
• gossamery
• crystalline
• liquid
• clear
• limpid
• lucent
• pellucid
• flimsy
• insubstantial
• unsubstantial
• lucid
• dainty
• peekaboo
• frail
• colorless
• uncolored

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• opaque
• nebulous
• hazy
• misty
• smoky
• cloudy
• foggy
• murky
• dull
• drab
• lusterless
• lackluster

gossamer

2 of 2

noun

as in froth

Related Words

• froth
• fluff
• glitter
• tinsel
• window dressing
• gloss
• candyfloss
• cotton candy
• eye candy

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of gossamer

Adjective

The phrase Silk Road evokes caravans on the horizon spinning a colossal web across the desert, with mountains of gossamer fabrics, ideologies, and discoveries ferried from China to Europe and back. — Sarah Khan, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Nov. 2022

No matter how far-fetched the premise or gossamer-thin the story, the musical invites (compels) us to go along with its essential surrealism, to travel to that dream space where everyday life suddenly moves and sounds deliriously out of this world. — Manohla Dargis, New York Times, 7 May 2020

Noun

There needed to be some consequences; otherwise, the show would become gossamer-thin. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 7 June 2026

The line between excitement and danger is gossamer thin. — Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 29 May 2026

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!