English · Adjectives
ephemeral
/ɪˈfem.ər.əl/
[/ɪˈfem.ər.əl/]
lasting a short time
Advancedadjective
Definition
Lasting for only a very short time; transient and quickly fading.
Example
Fame on social media can be ephemeral, vanishing as quickly as it first appeared.
Fame on social media can be ephemeral, vanishing as quickly as it first appeared.
Etymology
From Greek 'ephemeros' (lasting only a day), from 'epi-' plus 'hemera' (day).
How & Where It’s Used
Common in literary, artistic, and philosophical writing about transience.