ephemeral
/ɪˈfɛm.ər.əl/Lasting for only a short time; not permanent. It is often used to describe beautiful or meaningful things that disappear quickly, which gives the word a slightly wistful or poetic feeling.
- The fame of reality TV stars is often ephemeral.
- Cherry blossoms are ephemeral, lasting only a week or two.
- Social trends feel exciting but are mostly ephemeral.
Something that exists or is used for only a very short time. This use is less common and appears mostly in academic or literary writing, often in the plural form 'ephemerals'.
- Collectors prize Victorian ephemerals like old tickets and postcards.
- The museum displayed ephemerals rescued from a demolished building.
Adinary Nuance
Ephemeral sits in a neighborhood with fleeting, transient, transitory, momentary, and temporary — but they are not perfectly interchangeable. "Temporary" is neutral and practical (a temporary solution, a temporary job), while "ephemeral" adds a literary or wistful quality, suggesting the short life is worth noticing. "Fleeting" emphasizes speed — how fast something passes (a fleeting glance, a fleeting thought) — whereas "ephemeral" emphasizes brief lifespan rather than speed of passing. "Transient" often describes things or people that move through a place or state (transient workers, transient emotions), and "momentary" refers to something lasting only a single moment (a momentary lapse). Choose "ephemeral" when you want to signal that something brief is also significant or beautiful — it is the go-to word in academic essays, IELTS writing, and literary prose for that exact reason.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- chóc lửa
- Spanish
- efímero
- Chinese
- 短暂
- Japanese
- 儚い
- Korean
- 덧없는
Etymology
From Greek "ephemeros," meaning "lasting only a day," built from "epi-" (on) and "hemera" (day). The word entered English in the late 16th century, originally used in botany and medicine to describe organisms or fevers that lasted just one day.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between 'ephemeral' and 'temporary'?
- 'Temporary' is a neutral, everyday word — a temporary fix, a temporary job. 'Ephemeral' is more literary and often implies that something brief is also meaningful or beautiful, like ephemeral youth or ephemeral fame. Use 'temporary' in practical writing; use 'ephemeral' for a more reflective or academic tone.
- Is 'ephemeral' a good word to use in IELTS essays?
- Yes, it is an excellent choice for IELTS Task 2 essays, especially when discussing topics like fame, technology, social trends, or the environment. It signals a strong vocabulary range. Just make sure you use it correctly — only when something truly lasts a very short time.
- Can 'ephemeral' describe people?
- It can, but it is more natural to describe things, moments, or experiences rather than people directly. You might say 'ephemeral fame' about a celebrity, but calling a person 'ephemeral' would sound unusual in everyday speech.
- Is 'ephemeral' formal or informal?
- 'Ephemeral' is a formal, literary word. It is common in academic writing, journalism, and literary prose, but you would rarely hear it in casual conversation. In everyday speech, people tend to say 'short-lived' or 'fleeting' instead.