gossamer

UK: /ˈgɒsəmə^r/ US: /ˈgɑsəmɚ/ ,(gos′ə mər)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

gos•sa•mer /ˈgɑsəmɚ/   n. [uncountable]

1. a fine, filmy cobweb found on grass or bushes or floating in the air in calm weather.
2. Textiles any thin, light fabric, esp. one used for veils.
3. something extremely light, flimsy, or delicate.

adj. 

4. Also, gos•sa•mer•y /ˈgɑsəməri/  ˈgos•sa•mered. of or like gossamer;
   thin and light:
   gossamer wings.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

gos•sa•mer  (gos′ə mər), n. 

1. a fine, filmy cobweb seen on grass or bushes or floating in the air in calm weather, esp. in autumn.
2. a thread or a web of this substance.
3. Textiles an extremely delicate variety of gauze, used esp. for veils.
4. Textiles any thin, light fabric.
5. something extremely light, flimsy, or delicate.
6. Clothing a thin, waterproof outer garment, esp. for women.

adj. 

Also, gos•sa•mer•y  (gos′ə mə rē), gos′sa•mered. of or like gossamer;
thin and light.
• 1275–1325; Middle English gosesomer (see goose, summer¹); possibly first used as name for late, mild autumn, a time when goose was a favorite dish (compare German Gänsemonat November), then transferred to the cobwebs frequent at that time of year

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

gossamer / ˈɡɒsəmə/ noun

1. a gauze or silk fabric of the very finest texture
2. a filmy cobweb often seen on foliage or floating in the air
3. anything resembling gossamer in fineness or filminess

Etymology: 14th Century (in the sense: a filmy cobweb): probably from gos goose¹ + somer summer¹; the phrase refers to St Martin's summer, a period in November when goose was traditionally eaten; from the prevalence of the cobweb in the autumn; compare German Gänsemonat, literally: goosemonth, used for November

ˈgossamery adjective