Ethereal

Adjective

Definition: Extremely delicate and light in a way that seems not to be of this world.

Synonyms: Delicate, Airy, Celestial

Antonyms: Earthly, Heavy, Solid

Examples:
  • The ballerina moved across the stage with an ethereal grace.
  • The sunrise painted the sky in ethereal hues of pink and gold.
Mnemonics:
  • An ethereal being is as light as a feather, floating above earthly concerns.
  • Think of "ether," a substance believed to fill the upper regions of space in ancient cosmologies. Ethereal describes something as heavenly and otherworldly.

Etymology:

Origin:

Derived from the Latin word "aetherius" and the Greek word "aithérios," both meaning "of or pertaining to the sky, heavenly."

Historical Usage:

The word ethereal has been used since the late 1500s to describe things that are delicate, light, or heavenly in nature.

Related Idioms:

Idiom:

"Ethereal beauty"

Explanation:

Refers to someone or something having an incredibly delicate, otherworldly beauty.

Misconceptions:

Misconception:

Confusing ethereal with its homophone "aerial."

Explanation:

Ethereal refers to something delicate and light, while aerial refers to something related to the air or flying. Make sure to use the correct word in the intended context.

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