diaphanous

[ dahy-af-uh-nuhs ]

adjective

1. very sheer and light; almost completely transparent or translucent.
2. delicately hazy.

diaphanous

/ daɪˈæfənəs; ˌdaɪəfəˈniːɪtɪ /

adjective

1. (usually of fabrics such as silk) fine and translucent

Derived Forms

• diˈaphanousness, noun
• diˈaphanously, adverb

Other Words From

• di·apha·nous·ly adverb
• di·apha·nous·ness noun
• nondi·apha·nous adjective
• nondi·apha·nous·ly adverb
• nondi·apha·nous·ness noun
• semi·di·apha·nous adjective
• semi·di·apha·nous·ly adverb
• semi·di·apha·nous·ness noun
• undi·apha·nous adjective
• undi·apha·nous·ly adverb
• undi·apha·nous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of diaphanous¹

1605–15; < Medieval Latin diaphanus < Greek diaphan(ḗs) transparent, equivalent to diaphan-, stem of diaphaínein to show through ( dia-, -phane ( def ) ) + -ēs adj. suffix) + -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of diaphanous¹

C17: from Medieval Latin diaphanus, from Greek diaphanēs transparent, from diaphainein to show through, from dia- + phainein to show

Example Sentences

For fall, diaphanous tiers of 1970s flounce in almost angelically light hues defined the show’s aesthetic inside a brutalist warehouse space.

From Seattle Times

There was indeed something Swinton-like in the cool, diaphanous quality of the materials.

From Los Angeles Times

A model, a swan-like apparition, waded through a lake of blood-colored liquid, her diaphanous gown absorbing the vibrant hue and trailing a crimson path down the runway.

From Seattle Times

SEATTLE—Many insects can dart across water, relying on the liquid’s surface tension to support the weight of their tiny, diaphanous bodies.

From Science Magazine

Skirts and dresses, asymmetrical in their design, fluttered diaphanously, balancing between revelation and concealment.

From Seattle Times