zephyr

[ zef-er ]

noun

1. a gentle, mild breeze.
2. (initial capital letter) Literary. the west wind.
3. any of various things of fine, light quality, as fabric, yarn, etc.

zephyr

/ ˈzɛfə /

noun

1. a soft or gentle breeze
2. any of several delicate soft yarns, fabrics, or garments, usually of wool

Zephyr

1. The Greek and Roman god of the west wind, considered the most pleasant of the winds.

Word History and Origins

Origin of zephyr¹

First recorded before 1000 zephyr fordef 2; Middle English, from Latin zephyrus, from Greek zéphyros “the west wind”; replacing Middle English zeferus, zephirus, Old English zefferus, from Latin as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of zephyr¹

C16: from Latin zephyrus, from Greek zephuros the west wind; probably related to Greek zophos darkness, west

Synonym Study

See wind ¹.

Example Sentences

“I thought, last year, that I loved you—but that was as a zephyr to a gale, compared to this engulfing, enveloping worship of now,” she wrote.

From Literature

Short and stout pattypan are as cute as buttons; slender, two-toned zephyrs look like their bottoms have been dipped in green dye; pale green chayote could be mistaken for pears at first glance.

From Seattle Times

In this place there is no ship but the sleek racing yacht sailing out of the bay, blown by a custom-made zephyr, sending it off to points even more exotic than this.

From Literature

I much enjoyed the Warriors’ first championship team, as it played a brand of basketball that was fresh and beautiful and cut across the sky like a zephyr.

From New York Times

He's five feet nine, about as heavy as a zephyr, and he spends every match getting clobbered by opposing centerbacks.

From The New Yorker

Related Words

• air
• blast
• breeze
• cyclone
• gale
• gust