What does the term 'ethereal' primarily suggest about an object or entity?

The term 'ethereal' primarily suggests characteristics of lightness and insubstantiality. It often conveys a sense of delicacy and a connection to the heavens or the celestial, invoking imagery of something that is airy, otherworldly, and not bound by the physical world. This could apply to anything that seems too exquisite, light, or fragile, such as the shimmering quality of a gossamer fabric or the beauty of a dreamlike scene.

This choice effectively captures the essence of 'ethereal,' as it reflects the idea of an object or entity being almost intangible or sublime, elevating it beyond the mundane. The other choices point to qualities that contradict this notion of lightness, such as heaviness, strength, or dark ambiance, making them less aligned with the meaning of 'ethereal.'