transient
/ˈtræn.zi.ənt/Lasting for only a short time and then stopping or disappearing. It suggests something that passes through without leaving a permanent mark.
- The side effects of the medicine were transient and soon faded.
- Economic growth in the region proved to be transient.
- She felt a transient sense of joy when she heard the news.
A person who stays in a place for only a short time and then moves on, without settling permanently.
- The shelter offers meals and beds for transients passing through.
- The city's hotels are filled with transients during the festival.
Adinary Nuance
Transient sits in a cluster of words that all mean "not lasting long," but each has a distinct feel. Temporary is the most neutral and everyday choice — a temporary job, a temporary fix — and works in almost any context. Transient is more formal and carries the specific sense of passing through, making it the preferred choice in academic and IELTS writing when describing states, effects, or populations that move on without settling. Fleeting is more poetic and emotional, best for moments that vanish almost as soon as they appear — a fleeting glance, a fleeting memory. Ephemeral is the most literary of the group, often used for things that are beautiful precisely because they are short-lived. In an IELTS essay, choosing "transient" over "temporary" signals academic register without sounding as rare or difficult as "ephemeral."
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- tạm thời
- Spanish
- transitorio
- Chinese
- 短暂的
- Japanese
- 一時的な
- Korean
- 일시적인
Etymology
From Latin "transiens," the present participle of "transire" meaning "to go across," built from "trans-" (across) and "ire" (to go). It entered English in the late 16th century, carrying the core idea of passing through rather than staying.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between 'transient' and 'temporary'?
- 'Temporary' simply means not permanent and works in everyday speech. 'Transient' is more formal and emphasises the idea of passing through — it implies something moves on without staying. Use 'temporary' in casual writing; use 'transient' in academic or IELTS essays for a more precise tone.
- Is 'transient' a good word to use in IELTS writing?
- Yes. 'Transient' is considered academic vocabulary and appears on the Academic Word List. It is a strong, precise alternative to 'temporary' in Task 2 essays, especially when discussing social, economic, or environmental changes.
- Can 'transient' be used as a noun?
- Yes, though it is less common. As a noun, 'a transient' refers to a person who moves from place to place without settling. This usage appears mostly in formal or journalistic writing about housing and social issues.
- What is the noun form of the adjective 'transient'?
- The noun form is 'transience' (or less commonly, 'transiency'). It means the quality of lasting only a short time. Example: 'The transience of fame is a common theme in literature.'