diaphanous

Diaphanous is Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 4, 2026. It is an adjective describing fabric so fine it is see-through. The word can also be used figuratively for extreme delicacy of form. For instance, a bride's veil could be described as diaphanous. A dress with a diaphanous petticoat exemplifies its literal meaning. The origin of diaphanous lies in the Greek word phaínein. Phaínein means "to bring to light" or "cause to appear." It was combined with the prefix dia-, meaning "through." This combination led to the Greek diaphanḗs, meaning "transparent." Diaphanḗs then evolved into Medieval Latin diaphanus, which is the direct source of the English word diaphanous.