Ephemeral
/ɪˈfɛmərəl/
adjectiveC1
Definition
Ephemeral describes things that exist or happen for a short time and then end or disappear. It is often used for moments, feelings, or events that are brief and do not last long.
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⚡ See It in Action
Lasting a very short time
- •The beauty of the rainbow is ephemeral after the rain stops.
- •Their happiness was ephemeral because the problem returned quickly.
- •Ephemeral art is created to exist only briefly before disappearing.
Brief in nature or existence (often used poetically or philosophically)
- •Life is often described as ephemeral, reminding us to enjoy every moment.
- •The ephemeral nature of youth makes it precious and special.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of 'ephemeral' like 'short' or 'quick,' but for time or existence, not size or speed
- ✓Picture a soap bubble that shines with colors but pops and vanishes in seconds
- ✓It's the feeling of enjoying a beautiful sunset that is gone soon after it appears
- ✓Sounds like 'eff-EM-er-al' → Imagine 'effort' + 'emeral(d)' but the emerald fades fast like a quick sparkle
- ✓Remember flowers that bloom in the morning and wilt by afternoon—beautiful but very brief
- ✓NOT like 'permanent' (lasting forever), ephemeral things disappear fast
- ✓NOT like 'temporary' (lasting for some time), ephemeral is very short, almost immediate end
- ✓NOT like 'lasting' or 'enduring' which mean things stay for a long time
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Transient: lasting only a short time (Use when emphasizing passing or temporary condition)
- •Fleeting: passing quickly and not lasting (Use for moments or feelings that disappear fast)
- •Momentary: lasting for a very short moment (Use when the time is extremely short)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: 'e-' (out, away) + 'phēmē' (Greek for 'speech, report, fame') + suffix '-al' (adjective form)
- •Etymology: From Greek 'ephemeros,' meaning 'lasting only a day' or 'short-lived'
- •Historical development: Originally used to describe insects or plants that live only a day; later extended to any short-lasting thing
- •Modern usage: Used in literature, philosophy, and everyday speech to describe anything brief and temporary, often with a poetic or thoughtful tone
💭 Reflect & Connect
•Can something be beautiful and valuable even if it is ephemeral? Why or why not?
•How does knowing about ephemeral things change the way you think about time and moments in life?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.The ephemeral beauty of the cherry blossoms ___ only a few days each spring.
2.People often feel sad because ephemeral moments ___ and cannot be kept.
3.Unlike permanent structures, ephemeral events ___ quickly and leave no lasting trace.
4.When we say a feeling is ephemeral, we mean it ___ for a short time and then fades.
5.Ephemeral art is designed to ___ only briefly before disappearing or changing.
6.The sunset was so ___ that everyone stopped to watch before it was gone.
7.Ephemeral moments remind us to ___ the present because it will not last forever.