ephemeral

Advancedzipf 2.99

Pronunciation

/ɪˈfɛmərəl/(ih-FEM-uh-rul)

Part of speech

adjectiveformal

Chinese

短暂的；转瞬即逝的（存在时间极短）

Definition

Lasting for a very short time; transitory.

Word family

  • ephemerality/ɪˌfɛməˈræləti/(n)短暂性

Collocations

  • ephemeral beauty
  • ephemeral nature
  • ephemeral pleasures
  • ephemeral trend

Examples

  1. 1.Cherry blossoms are admired for their ephemeral beauty. (fleeting)
  2. 2.Social media fame is often ephemeral — here today, gone tomorrow. (short-lived)

Synonyms

  • fleeting/ˈfliːtɪŋ/— passing quickly
  • transient/ˈtrænziənt/— temporary, not permanent
  • momentary/ˈməʊməntəri/— lasting only a moment

Etymology

from Greek "ephemeros" = lasting a day — epi (on) + hemera (day) — only for a day