diaphanous

adjective

di·aph·a·nous dī-ˈa-fə-nəs

Synonyms of diaphanous

: characterized by such fineness of texture as to permit seeing through

diaphanous fabrics

a diaphanous curtain

: characterized by extreme delicacy of form : ethereal

painted diaphanous landscapes

: insubstantial, vague

had only a diaphanous hope of success

diaphanously adverb

diaphanousness noun

Did you know?

Can you guess which of the following words come from the same Greek root as diaphanous?

A. epiphany B. fancy C. phenomenon D. sycophant E. emphasis F. phase

The Greek word phainein shows through more clearly in some of our quiz words than others, but it underlies all of them. The groundwork for diaphanous was laid when phainein (meaning "to show") was combined with dia- (meaning "through"). From that pairing came the Greek diaphanēs, parent of the Medieval Latin diaphanus, which is the direct ancestor of our English word.

Examples of diaphanous in a Sentence

the bride wore a diaphanous veil

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

The tower’s slender triangles look diaphanous from a distance, but from the sidewalk the building resembles a fortress, with a 186-foot concrete-and-steel base safeguarding the 94 stories above from bombings. —David W. Dunlap, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025 Pamela Anderson put on a diaphanous display at Chanel‘s spring 2025 couture fashion show in Paris on Tuesday. —Hannah Malach, WWD, 28 Jan. 2025 Dakota Fanning also tried out the look at the Globes, although her diaphanous red scarf was built into her red Dolce & Gabbana dress. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 16 Jan. 2025 The delicate, detailed little top that stops at the ribcage gives enough grace and space for the billowing bottom half, with sheer panels and dramatic, diaphanous cuffs. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 9 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for diaphanous

Word History

Etymology

extension with -ous of Medieval Latin diafanus, diaphanus, borrowed from Greek diaphanḗs "transparent, manifest, conspicuous," adjective derivative from the stem of diaphaínein "to let be seen through," diaphaínesthai "to show through, be seen through," from dia- dia- + phaínein (active voice) "to bring to light, cause to appear," and phaínesthai (middle voice) "to become visible, come to light, appear" — more at fantasy entry 1