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
Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 12 June 2025
Cook them down with sugar and lemon juice into a dessert sauce or jam or the jammy layer to this ethereal, chocolaty Strawberry Forest Pie.
—Carolynn Carreño, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
In Megan Giddings’ latest ethereal novel, seven doors open across the world, leading to unknown realms.
—Natalie Zutter
june 2, Literary Hub, 2 June 2025
Americans across several northern states have another chance to witness the ethereal Northern Lights on Monday night, though viewing opportunities may be more limited than Sunday's spectacular display, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
—Doc Louallen, ABC News, 2 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 25 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ethereal
adjective
Medical Definition
ethereal
adjective
Share