ethereal

adjective

ethe·​re·​al i-ˈthir-ē-əl 

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

ethereality

i-ˌthir-ē-ˈa-lə-tē 

noun

etherealization

i-ˌthir-ē-ə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

etherealize

i-ˈthir-ē-ə-ˌlīz 

transitive verb

ethereally

i-ˈthir-ē-ə-lē 

adverb

etherealness noun

Did you know?

If you're burning to know the history of ethereal, you're in the right spirit to fully understand the 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 (in English transliteration) as either quintessence or ether. Ether was often described as an invisible light or fire; its name comes from the Greek verb aithein, meaning "to ignite" or "to blaze." When ethereal, the adjectival kin of ether, debuted in English in the 1500s, it described regions beyond the Earth or anything that seemed to originate from them.

Synonyms

• spiritual
• incorporeal
• metaphysical
• supernatural
• psychical

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 on the Web

Boho Ruffle Trim Maxi Shirt With an asymmetric, drapey chiffon design, this maxi skirt presents an almost ethereal vibe thanks to the flowy material and ruffles. —Chaunie Brusie, Parents, 4 July 2025

Jellies: Go with the Flow This new permanent exhibit immerses visitors in the graceful, ethereal world of these ancient marine wonders. —Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

Fog machines filled the floor as ethereal clouds images billowed behind her. —Bryan West, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025

Her ensemble was praised, with news reports noting the ethereal quality of her outfit. —Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1522, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for ethereal

• arterial
• bacterial
• funereal
• imperial
• material
• sidereal
• venereal
• antibacterial
• biomaterial
• mycobacterial
• cereal
• virial

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Kids Definition

ethereal

adjective

ethe·​re·​al i-ˈthir-ē-əl 

1

: of or relating to the heavens : heavenly

2

: being light and airy : delicate

ethereally

-ē-ə-lē 

adverb

etherealness noun

Medical Definition

ethereal

adjective

ethe·​re·​al i-ˈthir-ē-əl 

: relating to, containing, or resembling a chemical ether