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Definition of ethereal
1a : of or relating to the regions beyond the earthb : celestial, heavenlyc : unworldly, spiritual
2a : lacking material substance : immaterial, intangibleb : marked by unusual delicacy or refinement this smallest, most ethereal, and daintiest of birds — William Beebec : suggesting the heavens or heaven
3 : relating to, containing, or resembling a chemical ether
etherealness
nounExplore M-W
ethereal was our Word of the Day on 12/19/2011. Hear the podcast!
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Examples of ethereal in a Sentence
The windows give the church an ethereal glow.
that ethereal attribute that every performer should have—charisma
Recent Examples of ethereal from the Web
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The superheated visual image contrasted beautifully with Solange's cool, ethereal vocals and mechanical choreography.
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BRIDE’S DRESS: Emily wore an ethereal ivory gown by Watters Bridal and jewelry by Thomas Knoell, both from Betsy Robinson’s Bridal Collection. BRIDESMAIDS’
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The whirling, ethereal vocals—which occasionally go deadpan, as if rattling off the label ingredients of a billowing potion—flow in and flow out like a tide lapping at a beach.
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Jusino writes the script essentially treats Wonder Woman as an ethereal, mysterious object to be analyzed and gawked at by Boy Next Door Steve.
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Wind around back of Fine Points yarn shop and the yard opens up to EarthLight Art Source's patio full of paintings, ceramics, glass, and ethereal garden items.
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The crispy falafel is bright green with herbs, chicken schwarma is tender and juicy, and that baba ganoush is downright ethereal.
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Using early photographic techniques, Atkins portrayed the aquatic organisms as ethereal tufts and tendrils floating over vibrant blue backgrounds.
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Mr. Lewiston recorded the ethereal percussive sounds of the traditional Balinese ensembles known as gamelans.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ethereal'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Did You Know?
If you're burning to know the history of "ethereal," you're in the right spirit to fully understand that word's etymology. The ancient Greeks believed that the Earth was composed of earth, air, fire, and water, but that the heavens and its denizens were made of a purer, less tangible substance known as either "ether" or "quintessence." Ether was often described as an invisible light or fire, and its name derives from the Greek aithein, a verb meaning "to ignite" or "to blaze." When "ethereal," the adjective kin of "ether," debuted in English in the 1500s, it referred specifically to regions beyond the Earth, but it gradually came to refer to anything heavenly or airy.
First Known Use of ethereal
1522
ETHEREAL Defined for English Language Learners
ethereal
playDefinition of ethereal for English Language Learners
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: in heaven
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: resembling heaven : seeming to belong to another world
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: very delicate
ETHEREAL Defined for Kids
Medical Dictionary
Learn More about ethereal
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See words that rhyme with ethereal Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for ethereal Spanish Central: Translation of ethereal Nglish: Translation of ethereal for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of ethereal for Arabic speakers
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