ephemera
/ɪˈfem.ər.ə/ IELTSAcademic
noun
Ephemera are things that exist for a very short time. It is often used for small printed items, art, or objects meant to be kept briefly.
- The museum displayed posters and other ephemera.
- She collects political ephemera from old campaigns.
- The shop sold travel ephemera and postcards.
Adinary Nuance
Ephemera is more specific than general words like "things" or "items". It often suggests small, collectible, or printed objects that are temporary or easily discarded. Writers choose it when they want to sound precise and slightly formal. It is not the same as "ephemeral," which is usually an adjective.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- đồ dùng tạm
- Spanish
- efímera
- Chinese
- 短暂之物
- Japanese
- 一時的な物
- Korean
- 일시적인 것
Etymology
Ephemera comes from Greek ephemeros, meaning “lasting one day.” It entered English in the 16th century and later came to mean short-lived things.
Common phrases
political ephemerapaper ephemeramuseum ephemeraephemera of the time
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is ephemera a countable noun?
- Yes. It is usually used as a plural noun in English.
- What is the difference between ephemera and memorabilia?
- Ephemera are often small, temporary printed items. Memorabilia are keepsakes saved for memory or value.
- Is ephemera formal or informal?
- It is fairly formal and common in writing, museums, and academic contexts.
- Can I use ephemera for digital things?
- Sometimes, but it usually refers to physical items like papers, posters, or tickets.