Sylph

Pronunciation: /sɪlf/

Definitions of sylph

noun In folklore, a sylph is a slender, graceful woman or girl who is believed to live in the air or in the form of a spirit.

Example Sentences

A1 A sylph is a mythical creature that is often depicted as a slender, graceful woman.

A2 In some folklore, a sylph is said to be an air spirit or elemental being.

B1 The ballet 'La Sylphide' tells the story of a sylph who falls in love with a mortal man.

B2 Sylphs are often associated with the element of air and are believed to have the power to control the winds.

C1 The artist depicted the sylph in his painting with delicate wings and ethereal beauty.

C2 The sylph's presence in the forest was said to bring a sense of tranquility and peace to all who encountered her.

Examples of sylph in a Sentence

formal The sylph was said to be a mythical creature that inhabited the air.

informal I heard that sylphs are like magical fairies that can fly through the sky.

slang That girl is so light and graceful, she's like a sylph.

figurative Her presence in the room was so ethereal, like a sylph drifting through.

Grammatical Forms of sylph

• past tense: sylphed
• plural: sylphs
• comparative: more sylph-like
• superlative: most sylph-like
• present tense: sylphs
• future tense: will sylph
• perfect tense: have sylphed
• continuous tense: is sylphing
• singular: sylph
• positive degree: sylph
• infinitive: to sylph
• gerund: sylphing
• participle: sylphed

Origin and Evolution of sylph

First Known Use: 1601 year

Language of Origin: German

Story behind the word: The word 'sylph' originates from Paracelsus, a Swiss physician and alchemist in the 16th century who coined the term to describe a type of elemental being.

Evolution of the word: Originally used in alchemical and mystical contexts, the term 'sylph' later evolved to refer to a slender, graceful woman or a mythical spirit of the air in literature and fantasy.