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.

Definition of ethereal adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

ETHEREAL definition: light, airy, or tenuous. See examples of ethereal used in a sentence.

ETHEREAL meaning: 1. very light and delicate, especially in a way that does not seem to come from the real, physical…. Learn more.

Define etherial. etherial synonyms, etherial pronunciation, etherial translation, English dictionary definition of etherial. intangible; delicate; heavenly; spiritual: It was an ethereal visitation by …

Jun 18, 2025 · etherial (comparative more etherial, superlative most etherial) Archaic form of ethereal. quotations

There are nine meanings listed in OED's entry for the word ethereal, one of which is labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

The narrow vent provides the only natural light, the afternoon sun casting an ethereal white circle onto the rocky floor.

ethereal - WordReference English dictionary, questions, discussion and forums. All Free.

Something ethereal is airy and insubstantial, like a ghostly figure at the top of the stairs. This word can also describe something delicate and light, like a singer’s ethereal voice. Ethereal comes …