English vocabulary · C1
Ephemeral
/ɪˈfem.ər.əl/ · adj.
It means something that lasts only a very short time and then disappears.
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Example sentences
- Fame can be ephemeral, gone in just weeks.
- The light on the water was ephemeral, lasting only seconds.
Word origin and roots
from Greek
- epi — on (from Greek)
- hemer — day (from Greek)
Synonyms and nuances
- FLEETING (a moment passes too quickly to hold)
- BRIEF (something lasts only a short time)
- PASSING (something is temporary and moves on)
Lesson notes
Ephemeral. It means something that lasts only a very short time and then disappears.
Similar words are fleeting, brief, and passing. Use ephemeral when something beautiful or important lasts only for a moment.
Fame can be ephemeral, gone in just weeks. The light on the water was ephemeral, lasting only seconds.
From Greek. Epi means on. Hemer means day. On just one day: here now, gone by tomorrow. That is ephemeral.