ephemeral
/ɪˈfɛm(ə)rəl/ · adjective
Meaning
1. Lasting for a very short time; transitory.
"Fame in the digital age can feel ephemeral — here today, forgotten tomorrow."
2. (of an organism, especially a plant) Having a very short life cycle.
"Desert wildflowers are ephemeral, blooming only after a rare rainfall."
Word Origin
From the Greek ephēmeros, meaning "lasting only a day" — formed from epi ("on") + hēmera ("day"). The word entered English in the late 16th century, originally describing fevers or insects that lasted a single day.
Synonyms
fleetingtransientshort-livedtransitorymomentarypassing
Antonyms
enduringpermanentlastingeternalperpetual
Usage Notes
"Ephemeral" carries a slightly poetic, contemplative tone compared to plainer alternatives like "brief" or "short". It's often used to describe beauty, emotions, art, or natural phenomena whose value is heightened by their brevity.