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diaphanous — so thin and transparent that light shows through; delicate and translucent

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: so thin and transparent that light shows through; delicate and translucent

Pronunciation (IPA): /daɪˈæfənəs/

Example Sentences

  • The bride's diaphanous veil looked like a cloud floating around her head.
  • My attempt at making pizza resulted in a diaphanous crust so thin you could read a newspaper through it.
  • The dragonfly's diaphanous wings shimmered in the sunlight like tiny stained glass windows.

diaphanous

ADJECTIVE

[/daɪˈæfənəs/]

so thin and transparent that light shows through; delicate and translucent

a young woman stands behind sheer white curtains that hang in front of a large window. Bright sunlight streams through the incredibly thin fabric, creating her silhouette visible through the translucent material. The curtains are so fine and delicate that every detail of her outline shows clearly as light filters through. She gently touches the gossamer fabric as it moves with a soft breeze. A child nearby points excitedly at how they can see the woman's shadow perfectly through the curtain. The sunbeams create beautiful patterns as they pass effortlessly through the gauzy material.  material so thin and transparent that light shows through, appearing delicate and translucent
💡 Concept

a young woman stands behind sheer white curtains that hang in front of a large window. Bright sunlight streams through the incredibly thin fabric, creating her silhouette visible through the translucent material. The curtains are so fine and delicate that every detail of her outline shows clearly as light filters through. She gently touches the gossamer fabric as it moves with a soft breeze. A child nearby points excitedly at how they can see the woman's shadow perfectly through the curtain. The sunbeams create beautiful patterns as they pass effortlessly through the gauzy material. material so thin and transparent that light shows through, appearing delicate and translucent

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/daɪˈæfənəs/
🇬🇧 UK/daɪˈæfənəs/

🌳Etymology

Prefixdia--
Rootphan-
Suffix--ous

Origin

From Greek diaphanēs, meaning 'showing through' or 'transparent.' The word literally described something so thin or clear that light could pass through it, revealing what lies beyond.

Breakdown

dia- (through) + phan- (to show/appear) + -ous (adjective suffix meaning 'having the quality of')

🎵Rhyme

amorous
glamorous
porous

🔗Collocations

diaphanous fabric
diaphanous curtains
diaphanous material
diaphanous wings
diaphanous quality

📝Examples

“The bride's diaphanous veil looked like a cloud floating around her head.”

😄 Fun example

“My attempt at making pizza resulted in a diaphanous crust so thin you could read a newspaper through it.”

“The dragonfly's diaphanous wings shimmered in the sunlight like tiny stained glass windows.”

😄 Fun example

“His diaphanous excuse for being late was as see-through as plastic wrap.”

📚Related Words

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