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Ephemeral: meaning, definitions and examples

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ephemeral

 

[ɪˈfɛmərəl ]

Definitions

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.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Greek 'ephemeros,' meaning 'lasting a day.'
  • In Ancient Greece, it was often used to describe short-lived flowers.
  • The term has been used in English since the 17th century.

Art

  • Many artists create ephemeral art, like sand sculptures or chalk drawings, which disappear after a short time.
  • In performance art, pieces are designed to be experienced only in the moment, leaving no physical form behind.
  • The concept highlights the beauty of moments that can’t be preserved forever.

Nature

  • Some insects, like mayflies, are known for their extremely short life spans, living only a few hours or days.
  • Certain flowers, like morning glories, bloom beautifully for just one day before wilting.
  • Ephemeral ponds arise in desert areas, filling with rainwater for a brief period before evaporating.

Technology

  • In the realm of digital communication, ephemeral messaging refers to messages that disappear after being read.
  • Apps like Snapchat popularized the concept of temporary media, changing how people share content.
  • This trend reflects a growing desire for privacy and spontaneous communication.

Literature

  • Many poets celebrate ephemeral beauty in their work, using fleeting moments to evoke emotions.
  • Poems often explore themes of transience, emphasizing how time changes everything.
  • Literary works like haikus capture the essence of brief moments in nature.

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

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.