seraphic
Americanadjective
adjective
-
of or resembling a seraph
-
blissfully serene; rapt
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of seraphic
From the Medieval Latin word seraphicus, dating back to 1625–35. See seraphim, -ic
Explanation
Something that's seraphic resembles an angel. A seraphic smile is sweet and angelic. The adjective seraphic means "like a seraph," or similar to a high-ranking angel. People with gentle, innocent faces are often said to be seraphic, and any kind of dreamy music or art can be described the same way. The word dates from the 17th century, from the Church Latin seraphicus, originally from the Hebrew seraphim, which is thought to mean "the burning one," as seraphs were traditionally "flaming" angels.
Vocabulary lists containing seraphic
Positive Words to Describe a Person
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"Simon's Saga," Vocabulary from Episode 18
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Educated
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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.
“Corazón a Medio Día” begins with the safety of a sweet accordion line, but there are some Pink Floyd-like electric guitars buried in the song’s seraphic outro.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 16, 2024
And the closed-eyes, seraphic expression on her face.
From BBC • Sep. 22, 2023
For “No Pude,” which translates to “I could not,” Pimienta’s seraphic vocals cut through haunting harmonies as she wrestled with the exhaustion and apprehension her home country conjured within her.
From Washington Post • Apr. 6, 2022
Very early on a recent weekday morning, Duff arrived on a video call from her Los Angeles home looking seraphic in a white dress embellished with broderie anglaise.
From New York Times • Jan. 25, 2022
She had a seraphic smile on her face.
From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White
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.
