Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Covered with or full of cobwebs: Describes something that has accumulated the fine, dusty webs spun by spiders, often implying neglect or age.
   • Resembling a cobweb in appearance or texture: Describes something that is very thin, delicate, light, and filmy, like a spider's web.

Usage and Examples

• Meaning: Covered with cobwebs:

  • The abandoned attic was dark and cobwebby. (The attic was neglected and full of spider webs.)
  • She swept the cobwebby corners of the old cellar. (She cleaned the corners that were covered in dusty webs.)

• Meaning: Delicate and thin, like a cobweb:

  • The dancer wore a cobwebby veil of sheer fabric. (The veil was as light and delicate as a spider's web.)
  • Morning fog hung in cobwebby strands over the field. (The fog was thin and wispy, resembling webs.)

Advanced Usage

• Figurative Use for Ideas or Memories: Can describe something vague, insubstantial, or half-forgotten.
  • Only cobwebby fragments of the old legend remained in his memory. (Only faint, unclear pieces of the story were remembered.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cobweb (n): The network of fine, silken threads spun by a spider; a single such web.
• Cobwebbed (adj): An alternative adjective meaning covered with cobwebs.

Synonyms

• For "covered with cobwebs": Dusty, neglected, spiderwebbed.
• For "thin and delicate": Diaphanous, filmy, gauzy, gossamer, sheer, transparent, vaporous.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Blow away the cobwebs: (Idiom) To refresh oneself, often by getting fresh air or engaging in stimulating activity. (Note: This idiom uses "cobwebs" metaphorically for dull or stale feelings, not the adjective "cobwebby").
  • A brisk walk will help blow away the cobwebs.

Adjective

1. covered with cobwebs
2. so thin as to transmit light
   • a hat with a diaphanous veil
   • filmy wings of a moth
   • gauzy clouds of dandelion down
   • gossamer cobwebs
   • sheer silk stockings
   • transparent chiffon
   • vaporous silks