empyrean
Americannoun
-
the highest heaven, supposed by the ancients to contain the pure element of fire.
-
the visible heavens; the firmament.
adjective
noun
-
archaic the highest part of the (supposedly spherical) heavens, thought in ancient times to contain the pure element of fire and by early Christians to be the abode of God and the angels
-
poetic the heavens or sky
adjective
-
of or relating to the sky, the heavens, or the empyrean
-
heavenly or sublime
-
archaic composed of fire
Etymology
Origin of empyrean
Explanation
Use the word empyrean when you're talking about the heavens or the sky. You might describe the empyrean curve of the night sky, scattered with stars, particularly if you wanted to sound poetic. The adjective empyrean, pronounced "em-PEER-ee-an," can describe a religious idea of heaven. It can also describe the sky itself, or something that is awe-inspiring, like the empyrean beauty of the Himalayas. The phrase the empyrean means "the heavens" or "the sky," or in Greek cosmology, the highest, fiery sphere of heaven, empyros in Greek, and the root of empyrean.
Vocabulary lists containing empyrean
Elements of the Universe: Pyr, Pyro ("Fire")
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Ella Minnow Pea
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
ign and pyr
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Virgin is opening her arms, about to begin her rise through this nebulous, spiraling vortex toward heaven’s golden, empyrean light.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 9, 2026
The arrival is at empyrean, announced by a hidden, mystic Los Angeles Master Chorale.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 4, 2022
Still, there was no prohibition, earthly or empyrean, on laymen entering the ranks, and, here and there, they did.
From The New Yorker ● Oct. 28, 2018
Charlie Wilson’s empyrean soul on “No Mistakes” solidifies his claim to having the best late-career run since Philip Roth.
From Washington Post ● Jun. 4, 2018
They say he intends to remake the Austrian town of Linz into an empyrean city, the cultural capital of the world.
From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
