What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ethereal
Example
The ethereal beauty of the sunset took my breath away. [ethereal: adjective]
Example
The dancer moved with an ethereal grace that mesmerized the audience. [ethereal: adjective]
etherial
Example
The scientist conducted experiments to study the properties of etherial matter. [etherial: adjective]
Example
The singer's voice had an etherial quality that transported the audience to another realm. [etherial: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Ethereal is more commonly used than etherial in everyday language. Ethereal is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while etherial is less common and has a more specific scientific or poetic usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ethereal and etherial?
Both ethereal and etherial can be used in formal or informal contexts, but etherial may be more commonly used in technical or scientific writing due to its specific meaning related to ether.