1
a: of or relating to the regions beyond the earth
2
b : marked by unusual delicacy or refinement this smallest, most ethereal, and daintiest of birds—William Beebe c: suggesting the heavens or heaven
3
: relating to, containing, or resembling a chemical ether etherealize transitive verb Did you know?If you're burning to know the history of ethereal, you're in the right spirit to fully understand the word's etymology. The ancient Greeks believed that the Earth was composed of earth, air, fire, and water, but that the heavens and its denizens were made of a purer, less tangible substance known (in English transliteration) as either quintessence or ether. Ether was often described as an invisible light or fire; its name comes from the Greek verb aithein, meaning "to ignite" or "to blaze." When ethereal, the adjectival kin of ether, debuted in English in the 1500s, it described regions beyond the Earth or anything that seemed to originate from them.
Examples of ethereal in a SentenceThe windows give the church an ethereal glow. that ethereal attribute that every performer should have—charisma
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. Jasmin Reese Interiors For a primary bedroom in Chicago, Jasmin Reese Interiors channeled a dreamy and ethereal hotel-like space, incorporating jewel tones and lush textiles. —Dan Howarth, Architectural Digest, 28 Apr. 2025 From dreamy ethereal designs for women to risk-taking dynamism for men, both collections celebrate the synergy between creativity, adaptability, and the pursuit of greatness by drawing inspiration from historical trailblazers. —Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 23 Apr. 2025 The high-fantasy setting is filled with floating rocks and bioluminescent plants — every environment feels ethereal and otherworldly. —George Yang, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2025 Her ethereal look masked her interior stoniness and likely facilitated her extraordinary powers of observation and reporting. —Leigh Haber, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ethereal Word HistoryFirst Known Use
1522, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of ethereal was in 1522 Cite this Entry“Ethereal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethereal. Accessed 10 May. 2025.
Last Updated: 10 May 2025 - Updated example sentencesLove words? Need even more definitions?
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