cobwebby
/'kɔb,webi/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- 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
- covered with cobwebs
- 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