Gossamer
What it means
Extremely light, delicate, and almost transparent.
Reach for it when describing fine material or imagery whose fragility is part of its beauty
Gossamer curtains softened the afternoon light.
Words to choose between 7
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| warm | |
| professional | |
| literary |
|
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everyday
filmy
Fits when a thin translucent layer is visibly present
Careful Filmy can suggest residue or poor clarity rather than beauty.
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everyday
gauzy
Fits when soft loose weave or visual haze is central
Careful Gauzy may imply blur and lacks gossamer's near-weightlessness.
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everyday
wispy
Fits when small thin strands or patches are visible
Careful Wispy can sound sparse or insubstantial rather than refined.
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warm
Fits when fragility or fine construction matters without transparency
Careful Delicate also applies to flavor, health, and social situations where gossamer makes no sense.
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professional
sheer
Fits when fabric transparency is the factual property
Careful Sheer says nothing about delicacy and also has unrelated intensifying senses.
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literary
Fits when fabric is translucent and exquisitely light
Careful Diaphanous is uncommon and belongs mainly to material or clothing.
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literary
Fits when otherworldly beauty matters more than material structure
Careful Ethereal can describe music or mood with no thinness at all.
Opposites 3
- heavy
- opaque
- substantial
Common phrases 3
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gossamer fabric
Gossamer fabric floated behind the dancer's final turn.
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gossamer wings
The sculpture's gossamer wings were cut from recycled mesh.
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gossamer veil
A gossamer veil softened the hard geometry of the window.
Usage notes
Keep in mind
Gossamer often implies fragility. Do not use it for a material that must be described with verified strength or safety properties.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Commander Keane, Australian accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated