What does diaphanous mean?
Word: Diaphanous
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Diaphanous means so thin and fine that you can almost see through it.
Synonyms: sheer
How do you spell diaphanous?
Syllables: di - aph - a - nous
Tricky part: The f sound here is written ph, a sign of the word's Greek roots, and pupils who go by ear put diafanous.
Watch out for: diafanous, diaffanous
Memory tip: Picture an elephant draped in a fine, floaty veil. The animal's name and this airy word spell that f sound in the same way.
Diaphanous in a sentence
Example 1: A dragonfly's diaphanous wings caught the evening light above the pond.
Example 2: Her grandmother's old wedding veil was made of diaphanous silk.
Example 3: Thin, diaphanous clouds drifted across the moon over Shimla.
Fun Fact
Its Greek source joins the words for through and show, so it means, quite literally, showing through.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word diaphanous as used in the sentence:
The dancer's diaphanous scarf floated behind her as she crossed the stage.
a) delicate
b) filmy
c) opaque
d) flimsy
Show answer
c) opaque. Nothing can be seen through something opaque; the other three all suit a thin, floating scarf.
Word Cookie
Insert the correct letters to form a word:
di_ph_n_us
a) a, e, o
b) a, a, o
c) a, a, e
d) e, a, o
Show answer
b) a, a, o. The first two gaps take the same vowel, and the ending is the familiar ous.
Mingle-Mangle
Rearrange the jumbled letters in the sentence to form the right word:
Morning mist hung like a nhaiuopsda veil over the tea gardens of Munnar.
a) diaphragm
b) diaphanous
c) diagonal
d) harmonious
Show answer
b) diaphanous. Ten letters with a p and a u, and no l or m, leave a single choice.
Spell-o-Spell
Read the four words. Choose the meaning of the only correctly spelt word:
1. diaphanous 2. brocaid 3. corderoy 4. embroidry
a) airy and almost transparent, like fine silk
b) decoration sewn onto cloth with needle and thread
c) rich cloth with a raised woven pattern
d) a strong cotton cloth with raised ridges
Show answer
a) airy and almost transparent, like fine silk. Corduroy has a u after the d, brocade ends like parade, and embroidery has an e before the r-y ending.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A curtain of this kind would be a poor choice if you wanted to:
a) soften the view outside
b) decorate a wide window
c) let in a cool breeze
d) block out the morning light
Show answer
d) block out the morning light
2. Which fabric best fits this adjective?
a) coarse jute
b) heavy velvet
c) fine chiffon
d) thick denim
Show answer
c) fine chiffon
