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Ephemeral: meaning, definitions and examples

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ephemeral

 

[ ɪˈfɛmərəl ]

Adjective / Noun
Context #1 | Adjective

lasting for a very short time

Ephemeral describes something that is fleeting, transient, or short-lived. It is often used to describe things that are temporary or momentary in nature.

Synonyms

fleeting, momentary, temporary, transient.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
ephemeral

Best used to describe something that lasts for a very short time, often with a sense of beauty or uniqueness.

  • The beauty of the cherry blossoms is ephemeral
  • The artist's popularity was ephemeral, thriving briefly and then fading away
transient

Often used to describe something that is short-lived, especially referring to people or situations in a negative or neutral manner.

  • The city has a very transient population
  • Their love was transient, quickly fading after the summer ended
fleeting

Used to describe something that happens or exists for a very short time and might not come back.

  • He caught a fleeting glimpse of her before she disappeared into the crowd
  • Their happiness was fleeting, overshadowed by subsequent events
temporary

Describes something that is not permanent but lasts for a certain period of time, can vary in length.

  • She found a temporary job for the summer
  • The bridge is only a temporary solution until a more permanent structure can be built
momentary

Refers to something that happens for a very brief moment, often used to describe feelings or events.

  • She felt a momentary pang of guilt
  • There was a momentary lapse in the conversation

Examples of usage

  • The beauty of the sunset was ephemeral, disappearing within minutes.
  • His fame was ephemeral, as he quickly faded into obscurity.
  • The joy she felt was ephemeral, quickly replaced by sorrow.
Context #2 | Noun

something that is short-lived or transitory

As a noun, ephemeral refers to something that has a very short lifespan or existence. It can also refer to things that are fleeting or impermanent.

Synonyms

fleeting, impermanent, short-lived, transitory.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
ephemeral

Appropriate when describing something that lasts for a very short time and is often beautiful or special in some way. Used in scientific or poetic contexts.

  • The beauty of the cherry blossoms is ephemeral.
  • Their happiness was ephemeral, lasting just a few days.
transitory

Appropriate for formal or academic contexts when emphasizing the temporary nature of something. Often used in discussions about life changes or states.

  • They were aware of the transitory nature of their success.
  • The transitory periods of life can be the most challenging.
short-lived

Describes something that doesn’t last long, usually with a more neutral or slightly negative connotation. Commonly used in everyday language.

  • Her interest in painting was short-lived.
  • The storm was intense but short-lived.
fleeting

Best used when something happens quickly and then disappears, often leaving a strong impression. Common in everyday language.

  • She caught a fleeting glimpse of him before he disappeared into the crowd.
  • Their relationship was fleeting but intense.
impermanent

Used when emphasizing that something is not meant to last forever. Often used in philosophical or analytical contexts.

  • The decorations were beautiful but impermanent.
  • He stressed the impermanent nature of material possessions.

Examples of usage

  • The butterfly's life is an ephemeral one, lasting only a few weeks.
  • The beauty of the cherry blossoms is ephemeral, lasting only a short time each spring.

Translations

Translations of the word "ephemeral" in other languages:

🇵🇹 efémero

🇮🇳 क्षणिक

🇩🇪 flüchtig

🇮🇩 sementara

🇺🇦 ефемерний

🇵🇱 efemeryczny

🇯🇵 儚い (はかない)

🇫🇷 éphémère

🇪🇸 efímero

🇹🇷 geçici

🇰🇷 덧없는

🇸🇦 عابر

🇨🇿 pomíjivý

🇸🇰 prchavý

🇨🇳 短暂的 (duǎnzàn de)

🇸🇮 efemeren

🇮🇸 skammvinnur

🇰🇿 уақытша

🇬🇪 მოკლევადიანი

🇦🇿 müvəqqəti

🇲🇽 efímero

Etymology

The word ephemeral has its origins in the Greek word 'ephēmeros', which means 'lasting only one day'. The concept of ephemerality has been explored in various fields, including philosophy, art, and literature. In a world where permanence is often sought after, ephemeral moments remind us of the beauty and significance of the transient nature of life.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,975, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.