ephemeral

Meaning

1. 1adjectivenot comparableformalliterary

   Lasting for only a short time, often with a suggestion that the briefness is beautiful or notable.

   Grammar: Usually before a noun or after a linking verb; normal use avoids -er and -est: an ephemeral mood, fame proved ephemeral.

   Patterns

   • ephemeral beauty
   • ephemeral fame
   • prove ephemeral

   Cherry blossoms are beloved partly because they are ephemeral.

   The app was an ephemeral fad, forgotten within a semester.

Common combinations

ephemeral beauty

Photographers chased the ephemeral beauty of frost at sunrise.

ephemeral nature

The museum exhibit explored the ephemeral nature of digital art.

remarkably ephemeral

Her enthusiasm was remarkably ephemeral once the deadline passed.

prove ephemeral

The ceasefire proved ephemeral after renewed shelling.

Synonyms and how they differ

fleeting

Fleeting is the common neutral word for something that passes quickly; ephemeral is more formal and often aesthetic.

transient

Transient emphasizes passing through or not staying, common in technical writing; ephemeral emphasizes short existence.

short-lived

Short-lived is plain and clear, while ephemeral sounds literary and can imply fragile charm.

momentary

Momentary suggests only a moment, while ephemeral can last hours, days, or seasons.

Opposites

Word family

ephemera noun

Printed items meant to be used briefly and discarded, such as tickets or posters; usually plural.

ephemerally adverb

In a way that lasts only briefly; rare.

Commonly confused: ephemeral or ethereal?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “ephemeral”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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