filmy

American  

[fil-mee] / ˈfɪl mi /

adjective

filmier, filmiest

1. thin and light; fine and gauzy.

   a gown of a filmy material.

2. hazy or misty; glazed.

   filmy eyes.

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filmy British  

/ ˈfɪlmɪ /

adjective

1. composed of or resembling film; transparent or gauzy

2. covered with or as if with a film; hazy; blurred

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Other Word Forms

• filminess
  noun
• filmily
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of filmy

First recorded in 1595–1605; film + -y ¹

Explanation

Something that's filmy is light and translucent. Filmy white curtains are especially pretty when the sun shines through them and they blow in the breeze. The adjective filmy often describes fabric that you can almost see through, like a filmy dress you wear to the prom. A filmy layer of light might rest on the surface of water, and your old dog might have filmy eyes. In all of these examples, the filmy thing is nearly as thin as a film or membrane: the word stems from the Old English filmen, "membrane or thin skin."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

filmy filmier filmiest

Retired high court judge Anjana Prakash told HW news that his comment was “dramatic, filmy and laughable and it had brought down the level of judiciary”.

From BBC ● Nov. 11, 2024

It reveals mostly close-ups of the singers, often as filmy cameos like you might see in old silents.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 25, 2024

For decades, researchers have assumed that the inevitable filmy buildup on electrodes inside rechargeable batteries is the driver of performance loss.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 28, 2023

Whether it was a filmy deconstructed trench coat, a ribbed turtleneck with detachable sleeves, or those impeccably tailored trousers, every piece was crafted.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 26, 2023

It was chilly away from the fire, the leaded glass not doing much to keep winter at bay, and when she pulled the filmy curtain to the side and looked out, she spied a man.

From "Ophie's Ghosts" by Justina Ireland

The lower sleeves are golden, a line of white at the wrist, and a filmier one within the bodice.

From Holbein by Fortescue, Beatrice

Our normal waking consciousness is but one special type of consciousness, whilst all about it, parted from it by the filmiest of screens, there lie potential forms of consciousness entirely different.

From Time Magazine Archive

She was dressed all in white—white ribbons, white sash, white socks and shoes, the softest, filmiest white cobweb dress.

From Maida's Little Shop by Gillmore, Inez Haynes

The walls and floors were made of the sheerest, filmiest spider's-web, woven into a thousand delicate patterns.

From Miss Muffet's Christmas Party by Crothers, Samuel McChord

Her rose maids of honor, in filmiest laces, Loitered and lingered in shy woodland places; And white-vested lilies were ever at prayer; Their vespers, the perfume that sweetened the air.

From Rosemary and Rue by Amber

Miss Maria put on her best and filmiest lace cap for his benefit, and to her delight, that wonderful man noticed it and talked to her about old lace with a knowledge that astounded her.

From A House Party with the Tucker Twins by Speed, Nell