diaphanous

American  

[dahy-af-uh-nuhs] / daɪˈæf ə nəs /

adjective

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

2. delicately hazy.

---

diaphanous British  

/ daɪˈæfənəs, ˌdaɪəfəˈniːɪtɪ /

adjective

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

---

Other Word Forms

• diaphanously adverb
• diaphanousness noun
• nondiaphanous adjective
• nondiaphanously adverb
• nondiaphanousness noun
• semidiaphanous adjective
• semidiaphanously adverb
• semidiaphanousness noun
• undiaphanous adjective
• undiaphanously adverb
• undiaphanousness noun

Etymology

Origin of diaphanous

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

Explanation

If a dress is so see-through that light shines through it, it's diaphanous. You could also call it "sheer" or "transparent," but diaphanous sounds much fancier. If you want a classic example of diaphanous clothing, check out all those nineteenth century Romantic paintings of goddesses clad in lightweight gowns flouncing around in the middle of forests at night. Those gowns are diaphanous, and so are the fluttery translucent muslin curtains in your kitchen window and the gauzy tutu your little sister loves to wear. The Greek root, diaphanes, "see-through," combines dia-, "through," and phainesthai, "to show."

Example Sentences

Jerry Goldsmith’s diaphanous “Alien” score may not be instantly recognizable, but the dissonant orchestral sequences establish a mood that continues through the music featured in its sequels.

From Salon • Dec. 14, 2025

And the clattering syncopated loop that repeats through “Oblivion” is there mostly as a contrast to the wispy and diaphanous vocals, which are so thin and leavened with reverb that they threaten to float away.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 21, 2025

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 • Jan. 8, 2024

The 89-year-old designer employed translucent, diaphanous fabrics alongside silks and satin to create lightness and movement.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 24, 2023

Dressed not in a diaphanous robe but a pair of overalls, Calliope began to feel very funny indeed.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides