Standard Lemma guide

wispy

adj · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • /ˈwɪspi/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -ɪspi
  • CMU ARPABET: W IH1 S P IY0 Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Consisting of or resembling a wisp; like a slender, flexible strand or bundle.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • The wispy smoke rose from chimneys all around town.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adjective satellite

Meaning 2

lacking clarity or distinctness

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • a dim figure in the distance
  • only a faint recollection
  • shadowy figures in the gloom
  • saw a vague outline of a building through the fog
  • a few wispy memories of childhood

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: dim, faint, shadowy, vague

Antonyms: none provided

3

adjective satellite

Meaning 3

thin and weak- Edmund Wilson

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • a wispy little fellow with small hands and feet

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: wisplike

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From wisp + -y.

Across languages

Translations

12 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 细微的 — Consisting of or resembling a wisp
  • Czech: řídký — Consisting of or resembling a wisp
  • Czech: jemný — Consisting of or resembling a wisp
  • French: filamenteux — Consisting of or resembling a wisp
  • French: vaporeux — Consisting of or resembling a wisp
  • German: dünn — Consisting of or resembling a wisp
  • German: dürr — Consisting of or resembling a wisp
  • German: fein — Consisting of or resembling a wisp
  • Portuguese: flocoso — Consisting of or resembling a wisp
  • Turkish: bir tutam — Consisting of or resembling a wisp
  • Turkish: incecik — Consisting of or resembling a wisp
  • Turkish: ufacık — Consisting of or resembling a wisp