fleeting time

USAGE SUMMARY

'fleeting time' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the feeling of time passing quickly. For example, "Enjoy the fleeting time with your family this summer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

"Impermanence" is a loving, sorrowing look at the fleeting time we have on earth.

The New York Times - Arts

There was something Pre-Raphaelite about it — a sense of youth and beauty and fleeting time.

The New Yorker

Religious imagery and emotions, as well as a consciousness of fleeting time, were deeply ingrained in him.

The New York Times

That timing actually works in the favor of a personality who may be in the spotlight for a fleeting time thanks to something like a reality show.

The New York Times

He walks, observes, takes in new sensations, mourns fleeting time, bumps into a putrifying cadaver, locks eyes with a desirable woman and loses her again in the crowd.

The Guardian - Books

Allergy sufferers, in turn, find themselves facing an ugly choice: Crack open the windows, for now is that fleeting time when neither air-conditioners nor radiators are needed, enjoy the gorgeous weather, and accept the consequences.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

It is a holding that Chiron experienced only a few fleeting times in his youth.

Huffington Post

But with those fleeting times, let's not lose the intrinsic self-confidence that comes with not needing validation.

Huffington Post

In subsequent blog posts I will explore the challenges of being the other mother, both from the perspective of this outside mom and from the perspective of those fleeting times that I feel like the insider and see my partner and ex-partner looking in from the outside.

Huffington Post

Every parent cherishes those oh-so-fleeting times, when their child sits up eagerly every night in bed squealing: "Please can you explain the uses of a colon again.

Independent

In these fleeting moments Time Lapse's mission seemed sensible and worthy; who wouldn't want to keep such a figure as Fuller before the public eye?

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with verbs like "cherish", "mourn", or "capture" to strengthen its impact in sentimental or philosophical writing.

Common error

Do not use modifiers like "very" or "quickly" with "fleeting time", as the word fleeting already encapsulates the idea of moving rapidly and briefly. Phrases like "very fleeting time" often sound cluttered and diminish the inherent elegance of the adjective.

Linguistic Context

In a sentence, "fleeting time" typically functions as a noun phrase where "fleeting" acts as an attributive adjective modifying the head noun "time". According to Ludwig AI, it frequently appears within prepositional phrases (e.g., "in the fleeting time") or as the direct object of verbs that denote awareness or appreciation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Arts & Culture

10%

Personal Blogs & Essays

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Technical Documentation

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fleeting time" is a highly effective and grammatically correct English phrase used to highlight the temporary and elusive nature of existence. Ludwig AI indicates that it is a common choice for writers who wish to add emotional depth or philosophical weight to their prose. Whether used in the context of childhood, a golden hour, or a celebrity spotlight, the phrase consistently serves as a reminder of transience. For a more direct approach, one might choose <a href="/s/short+duration" target="_blank" rel="alternative">short duration, but for evocative storytelling, "fleeting time" remains an unparalleled choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brief moment

Focuses on a specific point in time rather than time as a continuous flow.

transient time

Uses a more formal adjective often found in technical or philosophical contexts.

ephemeral hour

Carries a more poetic and literary connotation suggesting extreme short-livedness.

passing time

A more neutral and common expression that lacks the emotional weight of fleeting.

temporal transience

A highly formal, academic way to describe the same phenomenon.

evanescent period

Emphasizes the quality of fading away like vapor.

fugitive moments

Suggests time that is hard to capture or hold onto.

short-lived duration

Provides a more clinical or descriptive tone.

limited window

Commonly used in business or practical contexts to denote a deadline or opportunity.

momentary existence

Shifts the focus from time itself to the state of being within that time.

FAQs

How to use "fleeting time" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe an experience that passes quickly, such as: "The parents tried to cherish every second of the <a href="/s/fleeting+time" target="_blank" rel="alternative">fleeting time they had with their children before they left for college."

What can I say instead of "fleeting time"?

Depending on the tone you want, you could use <a href="/s/brief+moment" target="_blank" rel="alternative">brief moment, <a href="/s/passing+time" target="_blank" rel="alternative">passing time, or the more poetic <a href="/s/ephemeral+moments" target="_blank" rel="alternative">ephemeral moments.

Is "fleeting time" a common expression?

Yes, it is a very common idiomatic expression in English literature and journalism. Ludwig shows numerous examples from high-quality sources like The New York Times and The Guardian.

What is the difference between "fleeting time" and "short time"?

While <a href="/s/short+time" target="_blank" rel="alternative">short time is literal and neutral, "fleeting time" suggests that the time is not just short but also disappearing rapidly and perhaps unexpectedly, often carrying a sense of nostalgia or urgency.