Word: fleeting (adjective)

Associations

"Fleeting" means something that lasts for a very short time, quickly passing or disappearing.

• A fleeting moment. This means a very short, quickly passing moment, like a quick smile.
• Fleeting happiness. Happiness that doesn't last long.
• A fleeting glance. A quick look that doesn't stay for long.

A synonym is "temporary," but "fleeting" often suggests something very brief and sometimes sudden, while "temporary" can be longer and planned.

Substitution

You can use:

• brief (short in time)
• momentary (lasting for a moment)
• transient (passing through, not lasting)

Using "fleeting" often adds a feeling that the time is very short and maybe surprising or unexpected.

Deconstruction

"Fleeting" comes from the verb "to fleet," which means to move quickly or pass by. The suffix "-ing" turns it into an adjective describing something that moves or passes quickly.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a fleeting feeling you had recently?
• How is a fleeting moment different from a long-lasting memory?
• Can you describe a fleeting event in nature, like a sunset or a shooting star?