sylvan

or sil·van

[ sil-vuhn ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or inhabiting the woods.
2. consisting of or abounding in woods or trees; wooded; woody:

   a shady, sylvan glade.

3. made of trees, branches, boughs, etc.

noun

1. a person dwelling in a woodland region.
2. a mythical deity or spirit of the woods.

sylvan

/ ˈsɪlvən /

adjective

1. of, characteristic of, or consisting of woods or forests
2. living or located in woods or forests
3. idyllically rural or rustic

noun

1. an inhabitant of the woods, esp a spirit

Word History and Origins

Origin of sylvan¹

1555–65; < Latin sylvānus, spelling variant of silvānus, equivalent to silv ( a ) forest + -ānus -an

Word History and Origins

Origin of sylvan¹

C16: from Latin silvānus, from silva forest

Example Sentences

The sylvan glade romanticism of “Emeralds,” the electric energy of “Rubies,” the glittering imperial court of “Diamonds.”

From New York Times

Are you up for another sylvan frolic, courtesy of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine?

From Los Angeles Times

Its august and influential members frolic each year in the sylvan Bohemian Grove.

From Los Angeles Times

Because you do not go to an airport to shop, dine or wander through a sylvan landscape, that’s why.

From Los Angeles Times

The sylvan property set on a 2,600-acre nature preserve has been hosting the tribute since 1988, a year after the movie’s release.

From Washington Post