WordValeephemeral
lasting a very short time
In more detail
1. (adjective) lasting for a very short time; not permanent
2. (adjective) lasting only one day (used especially of insects and flowers)
Examples
- 1. The beauty of cherry blossoms is ephemeral, which is why people celebrate them so much in spring.
- 2. Mayflies are ephemeral insects that live for only a few hours.
How to use ephemeral
Ephemeral describes something that exists or lasts for a very brief period and is often used to convey a poetic or contemplative tone about transience. It carries more literary weight than the simpler 'temporary' and emphasizes the inevitability or delicacy of something's brevity. The biological sense (one-day lifespan) is technical but well-established.
Common phrases
- ephemeral nature
- ephemeral beauty
- ephemeral moment
- ephemeral existence
- ephemeral phenomenon
Synonyms
transient · fleeting · temporary · short-lived · evanescent
Opposites
permanent · enduring · eternal
Word family
ephemerally (adverb) · ephemerality (noun)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse ephemeral with 'eternal' or 'perpetual' due to its unfamiliar sound, or use it when 'temporary' would suffice, thereby missing its more evocative, literary quality.
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