gossamer-thin
Barely there, delicate
Gossamer-thin means extremely delicate or fine, like gossamer—the nearly invisible threads spiders spin or the sheer fabric named after them.
The compound emphasizes thinness approaching insubstantiality: gossamer-thin slices of prosciutto, a gossamer-thin margin of victory.
Often suggests fragility or precariousness: The case rests on gossamer-thin evidence.
Easily broken or damaged
- diaphanousDelicately translucent
- sheerAbsolute; also diaphanous
- translucentPermitting diffused light passage
- wispyThin and insubstantial
filmy · gauzy · ethereal · cobwebby · lacy · fine · delicate · insubstantial
Passing very quickly
- transientTemporary, soon departing
- evanescentTending to vanish quickly
- momentaryLasting very briefly
- passingMoving by or temporary
impermanent · short-lived · fading · vanishing · dissolving · elusive · intangible · dreamlike
fragile
Easily broken or damaged
- diaphanousDelicately translucent
- sheerAbsolute; also diaphanous
- translucentPermitting diffused light passage
wispy · filmy · gauzy · ethereal · cobwebby · lacy · fine · delicate · insubstantial · airy
fleeting
Passing very quickly
- transientTemporary, soon departing
- evanescentTending to vanish quickly
- momentaryLasting very briefly
passing · impermanent · short-lived · fading · vanishing · dissolving · elusive · intangible · dreamlike · illusory
silk
Fine woven insect fiber
voile · gauze · membrane · film · cobweb · spiderweb · onionskin · mica · dewdrop · parchment
gossamer-thinthick
Having great depth
bulky · hefty · substantial · chunky · dense
gossamer, thin, thinner, thinnest, thinly, thinness, thins, thinned, thinning