Spanish word

esfumar

Pronunciation

IPA/esfuˈmaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbdisappear

Example

La oportunidad se esfumó de repente.

The opportunity disappeared suddenly.

Illustration for esfumar (disappear)

More examples

Con el tiempo, los recuerdos se esfumaron.

Over time, the memories faded.

Core concept

A soft-edged silhouette gradually dissolving into the background.

Common phrases

  • la ilusión se esfumó

    The illusion vanished

  • las esperanzas se esfumaron

    The hopes vanished

  • se esfumó de la vista

    vanished from sight

Similar words

desvanecerse: Gradually fade from memory or impression, becoming weaker and less clear.
desaparecer: Cease to exist or be seen, leaving no presence behind.
disiparse: Break up and scatter like mist or a crowd, thinning out until gone.
diluirse: Become diluted in strength or concentration, making it less noticeable.

Definition in Spanish

Perderse de vista o desvanecerse gradualmente; también indicar que algo queda difuminado o menos definido.

Word origin

Derives from Italian sfumare, ultimately from Latin fumus 'smoke', and originally names a painting technique for softening edges.

Usage tips

  • Commonly used reflexively (esfumarse) and often for abstract things like una oportunidad or una esperanza, implying gradual loss of presence rather than an abrupt disappearance.

Other meanings

  • fadeverb
  • blurverb

Opposites

Related words

  • esfumaciónblurringnoun
  • esfumadoblurredadjective

Word lists with this word