ethereal
adjective
William Beebe
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 Sentence
Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 28 July 2025
For the occasion, Fallon stepped out in a custom navy blue Zegna tuxedo, while Lyonne looked ethereal in a lavender McQueen gown.
—Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 18 July 2025
Full slates on Friday include ethereal worldbeat sonic cartographers Beats Antique with Thumpasaurus, Pixie and the Partygrass Boys, Squeaky Feet, Smokey the Groove and the afterparty with stilted, brass-wielding vaudevillian circus folk MarchFourth.
—Aaron Davis, Sacbee.com, 29 June 2025
The collection featured ethereal designs adorned with shimmering embroideries, bold cutouts and holographic artistry.
—Wwd Staff, Footwear News, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for ethereal
Cite this Entry
“Ethereal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethereal. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.
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ethereal
adjective
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ethereal
adjective
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