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Sylphlike: meaning, definitions and examples

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sylphlike

 

[ sɪlf-laɪk ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

describing appearance

The term 'sylphlike' refers to a slender, graceful, and ethereal quality in someone's appearance, often resembling that of a sylph – a mythological air spirit. Typically used to describe individuals, particularly women, who possess an almost delicate and whimsical quality in their physique. This word invokes imagery of lightness and elegance, suggesting an airy, fragile beauty that can be enchanting. It is often used in literature and poetry to convey a sense of otherworldliness or dreaminess.

Synonyms

airy, dainty, ethereal, graceful, slender

Examples of usage

  • She moved with a sylphlike grace across the stage.
  • The model had a sylphlike figure that captivated the audience.
  • Wearing a flowing gown, she appeared almost sylphlike in the moonlight.

Translations

Translations of the word "sylphlike" in other languages:

🇵🇹 sereia

🇮🇳 नाजुक

🇩🇪 Sylph

🇮🇩 sylph

🇺🇦 сильфоподібний

🇵🇱 sylf

🇯🇵 シルフのような

🇫🇷 sylphide

🇪🇸 sílfico

🇹🇷 sylph

🇰🇷 실프 같은

🇸🇦 سلف

🇨🇿 sylf

🇸🇰 sylf

🇨🇳 精灵般的

🇸🇮 sylf

🇮🇸 sylph

🇰🇿 сильф

🇬🇪 სილფი

🇦🇿 sılf

🇲🇽 sílfido

Etymology

The word 'sylphlike' is derived from the word 'sylph', which has its roots in the early 18th century, coined by the German alchemist Paracelsus. Sylvia, or sylph, refers to an elemental spirit of the air, commonly depicted in literature and art as a delicate and graceful being. The suffix '-like' was added to create an adjective that characterizes someone or something as resembling this ethereal quality. Over time, 'sylph' was adopted into English and has often been associated with lightness, grace, and an otherworldly beauty, making 'sylphlike' a perfect descriptor for delicate figures in both physical and character traits.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #42,382, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.