ephemeral

USAGE SUMMARY

"ephemeral" is a correct word in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is short-lived, fleeting, or transitory. For example, "The fireflies danced for a few moments in the night sky, an ephemeral reminder of the beauty of nature."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He describes the latter as "an incurious 'presentism' – combining a lack of historical sense, a pervasive contempt for the wisdom of the past, a fascination with novelty simply because it is new and a propensity to over-react to every ephemeral focus group finding or tabloid whim".

The Guardian - Opinion

The rock paintings, more of which are being discovered yearly, are under threat from constant wildfires, from feral animals that rub against the cave walls and from wasps whose nests dislodge the ephemeral ochre paints.

The Guardian

It is no less a marvel for being ephemeral, invisible and forgotten.

The Guardian

Contrast this breadth of vision with the political pop songs of the 60s such as PF Sloan's Eve of Destruction, which often suffer from their intrinsically ephemeral nature – we can appreciate them as soundtracks to a specific era but they are more melodic time capsules than works of music to be enjoyed over and over again.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sensibly, Schlesinger now moved into television, a medium he had previously resisted as too ephemeral, and directed a decent version of Terence Rattigan's Separate Tables and the memorable An Englishman Abroad (both 1983).

The Guardian

And yet with the rise of "erase your history" software such as X-pire! and ephemeral apps like Snapchat and Wickr, we seem preoccupied with an urge for removal and erasure – an idea now enshrined in European legislation.

The Guardian - Opinion

What makes Meerkat different to, say, YouTube is that it's completely ephemeral.

The Guardian

His onstage offences were transient, as ephemeral as the sudden impact of a ball of dung in the eye.

The Guardian - Opinion

Just as the immediacy of a tweet makes it seem so much more ephemeral than a blog post; a monthly magazine stakes out a different position from a quarterly publication.

The Economist

Nobody knows how many of them will open again when Athenians return.In this section Culture matters more Dédiabolisation Postcard from the edge The ephemeral Alevi opening The gloves are off ReprintsThe only certainty is that life will get harder.

The Economist

While there is no long-term value relationship between interest rates and the stock market (the equity risk premium is not stable), the equity market responds in an ephemeral way to changes in interest rates and, like other asset prices, these changes affect the real economy, partly through changes in savings' rates.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ephemeral" to describe experiences, moments, or phenomena that are beautiful or significant precisely because of their fleeting nature. This can add depth and a sense of poignancy to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "ephemeral" interchangeably with words like "temporary" or "short-lived" without considering the specific nuance. "Ephemeral" suggests a more delicate and often beautiful brevity, while "temporary" simply means not permanent.

Linguistic Context

The word "ephemeral" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that they are short-lived or fleeting. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples where "ephemeral" describes the transient nature of various concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ephemeral" functions as an adjective to describe something that is short-lived or fleeting. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news and media, formal business, and scientific contexts. The term carries a slightly elevated register, adding a layer of sophistication to writing. When considering alternative phrases, options like "fleeting", "transient", and "short lived" are available, each with subtle differences in nuance. Understanding the specific connotations of "ephemeral" allows for more precise and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fleeting

Emphasizes the quick and rapid passing of something.

transitory

Highlights the temporary nature and lack of permanence.

short lived

Directly indicates a brief duration or existence.

temporary

Focuses on the intention of something being non-permanent.

transient

Suggests movement or change in something that doesn't last.

evanescent

Implies a gradual disappearance or fading away.

momentary

Conveys a sense of something lasting only for a brief moment.

fugacious

Highlights the tendency to flee or disappear quickly.

passing

Focuses on the act of moving through time or space without lingering.

brief

Emphasizes the short duration or concise nature of something.

FAQs

How can I use "ephemeral" in a sentence?

You can use "ephemeral" to describe things that are short-lived or fleeting, like "The beauty of the cherry blossoms is "ephemeral"" or "Our childhood memories are "ephemeral"".

What is a good synonym for "ephemeral"?

Good synonyms for "ephemeral" include "fleeting", "transient", and "short lived". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What is the difference between "ephemeral" and "temporary"?

"Ephemeral" implies something that lasts only a very short time and is often delicate or beautiful. "Temporary" simply means not permanent. An "ephemeral" experience is fleeting, while a temporary job is just not permanent.

Can "ephemeral" be used to describe negative experiences?

Yes, "ephemeral" can describe negative experiences, emphasizing their brief duration. For example, "The rain was "ephemeral", so we could still enjoy the picnic".