diaphanous

adjective

di·​aph·​a·​nous dī-ˈa-fə-nəs 

1

: characterized by such fineness of texture as to permit seeing through

diaphanous fabrics

a diaphanous curtain

2

: characterized by extreme delicacy of form : ethereal

painted diaphanous landscapes

3

: insubstantial, vague

had only a diaphanous hope of success

diaphanously adverb

diaphanousness noun

Did you know?

Can you guess which of the following words come from the same Greek root as diaphanous?

A. epiphany B. fancy C. phenomenon D. sycophant E. emphasis F. phase

The Greek word phainein shows through more clearly in some of our quiz words than others, but it underlies all of them. The groundwork for diaphanous was laid when phainein (meaning "to show") was combined with dia- (meaning "through"). From that pairing came the Greek diaphanēs, parent of the Medieval Latin diaphanus, which is the direct ancestor of our English word.

Synonyms

• transparent
• sheer
• translucent

Examples of diaphanous in a Sentence

the bride wore a diaphanous veil

Recent Examples on the Web

The cream gown is embellished with ruffles galore—tracing the contours of the bodice and skirt, not to mention its diaphanous frilly sleeves. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2025

With a bright pattern set on flaming crimson and a diaphanous petticoat underneath, the dress fits her perfectly. —David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025

Countless moths beat frenetically around the trap’s white, diaphanous panels, which are swaying with ghostly ripples in a gentle breeze. —IEEE Spectrum, 2 Oct. 2025

Designers leaned into transparency, with diaphanous layers that revealed and concealed in equal measure. —Essence, 24 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

extension with -ous of Medieval Latin diafanus, diaphanus, borrowed from Greek diaphanḗs "transparent, manifest, conspicuous," adjective derivative from the stem of diaphaínein "to let be seen through," diaphaínesthai "to show through, be seen through," from dia- dia- + phaínein (active voice) "to bring to light, cause to appear," and phaínesthai (middle voice) "to become visible, come to light, appear" — more at fantasy entry 1

First Known Use

1614, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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