ephemeral
Use Ephemeral in a sentence
ər adjective
1.
lasting a very short time; short-lived; transitory: the ephemeral joys of childhood.
2.
lasting but one day: an ephemeral flower.
noun
3.
anything short-lived, as certain insects.
Origin:
1570–80; < Greek ephḗmer(os) short-lived, lasting but a day (ep- ep- + hēmér(a) day + -os adj. suffix) + -al1
1570–80; < Greek ephḗmer(os) short-lived, lasting but a day (ep- ep- + hēmér(a) day + -os adj. suffix) + -al1
Related forms
e·phem·er·al·ly, adverb
e·phem·er·al·ness, noun
non·e·phem·er·al, adjective
non·e·phem·er·al·ly, adverb
un·e·phem·er·al, adjective
Synonyms
1. fleeting, evanescent, transient, momentary, brief.
1. fleeting, evanescent, transient, momentary, brief.
Antonyms
1. permanent.
1. permanent.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To ephemeral
00:10
Ephemeral
is a GRE word you need to know.
So is nautical. Does it mean:
| of or pertaining to sailors, ships, or navigation |
| to limit to a certain amount, number, share, or allowance, often inappropriately |
Collins
World English Dictionary
ephemeral (ɪˈfɛmərəl) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —adj | |
| 1. | lasting for only a short time; transitory; short-lived: ephemeral pleasure |
| —n | |
| 2. | a short-lived organism, such as the mayfly |
| 3. | a plant that completes its life cycle in less than one year, usually less than six months |
| [C16: from Greek ephēmeros lasting only a day, from hēmera day] | |
| e'phemerally | |
| —adv | |
| ephemer'ality | |
| —n | |
| e'phemeralness | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Capturing those ephemeral images has been a challenge to generations of artists.
Markets are unstable because our emotions are ephemeral or at best unstable.
Adhering to a diet often proves a tough task with only ephemeral results.
Ephemeral gullies are common features on agricultural landscapes.
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