DiaphanousVery light and thin, allowing light to pass through easily. is used to describe something very light and thin enough to let light pass through. It often refers to fabric, veils, or other materials that look delicateEasily damaged; appearing fine, soft, and fragile. or almost transparentClear enough to see through..

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-29. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Pronunciation

AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).

Accent: General American English

IPA: /daɪˈæfənəs/

Easy pronunciation: dye-AF-uh-nuss (approximate spelling).

Stress: Primary stress is on the second syllable, AF.

Used as an adjective meaning so thin that light can pass through it.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-29. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Diaphanous Meaning

very thin and slightly see-through

Part of speech: adjective

Definition: so thin that light can pass through it

Example: She wore a diaphanous scarf that floated in the breeze.

Synonyms for this meaning:

• filmy — Works well for something very thin and lightly translucent.
• gauzy — A strong fit for thin, delicate fabric that lets light through.
• gossamer — Good for something extremely delicate and light; often poetic.
• see-through — A direct everyday substitute when describing material you can partly see through.
• sheer — Common and natural for very thin, transparent cloth.
• transparent — Accurate, though slightly broader and less poetic than diaphanous.
• cobwebby — Can work in a figurative sense for extremely thin, web-like material, but is less common.
• gauze-like — Describes something resembling gauze; workable but more descriptive than exact.
• vaporous — Can fit a very delicate, mist-like appearance, but is less direct for fabric.
• vapourous — British spelling of vaporous; same sense, but less common in everyday use.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-29. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Diaphanous Synonyms

Similar Meaning

• filmy
• gauzy
• gossamer
• see-through
• sheer
• transparent

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-29. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Common Mistakes

• Using diaphanous for something that is simply lightweight but not see-through.
• Confusing diaphanous with transparent: transparent usually means fully clear, while diaphanous often suggests a delicate, airy thinness.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-29. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does diaphanous mean?

Diaphanous means very thin and light enough to let light through. It is often used for delicate fabrics, veils, or clothing.

What are the best synonyms for diaphanous?

Strong synonyms include filmy, gauzy, gossamer, sheer, see-through, and transparent, depending on the exact context.

Is diaphanous the same as transparent?

Not exactly. Transparent means clear and easy to see through, while diaphanous usually suggests something thin, delicate, and faintly translucent.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-29. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.