fleetingly

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "fleetingly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that occurs for a very short time or is transient in nature. Example: "The memory of that day came to me fleetingly, like a whisper in the wind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The man Megan saw fleetingly on the bus reminded her of one of her traffickers: "I felt more scared than I thought I would be," she says.

The Guardian

In Swann's estimation Pietersen was "never the right man to captain England" – a position the mercurial batsman held only fleetingly before he and the coach Peter Moores both lost their jobs at the start of 2009.

The Guardian - Sport

But it will have amused Hughes, out for 10, only fleetingly.

The Guardian - Sport

When England fleetingly equalised for 1-1, anotherocketingng shot from Hidegkuti followed, and he scored Hungary's sixth and last goal in the second half.

The Guardian

When a magazine revealed in 1996 that Corin and Carrie had fleetingly dated, they were horrified.

The Guardian - Music

For a nation that styles itself as beset by sexual secrecy, mired in taboos that preclude public discussions about intimate physical acts, these explicit descriptions and images were surprising, but only fleetingly.

The Guardian

I fleetingly and selfishly wonder if it was for our benefit (my friend and I are the only two non-Bengalis in the restaurant), but then I notice other diners cackling as their attention drifts away from their companions and toward the on-screen antics.By the time we leave, night has fallen, and the street seems livelier and more bustling.

The Economist

But the royal family is unwilling to cede power to its citizens, sending in foreign workers to erase the graffiti, and foreign policemen to round up—or beat up the protesters.Bahrain was fleetingly a democracy.

The Economist

The party suffered its worst post-war defeat in 2009's national elections, winning just 23% of the vote, and has since only fleetingly breached the 30% ceiling in polls.

The Economist

A rash of killings in early January 2015 took the number to a staggering 15 a day.In this section Beyond petroleum The broken-truce theory It's not about you, Cristina The last lap in Colombia ReprintsThe armistice has now been restored, perhaps fleetingly.

The Economist

Worse, these companies spent as if they were actually worth the many billions that their share prices fleetingly implied.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fleetingly" to emphasize the very short duration of an action or state, particularly when it quickly disappears or is difficult to grasp. It's useful in describing memories, impressions, or brief encounters.

Common error

Avoid using "fleetingly" too frequently in formal or scientific writing, where more precise terms like "briefly" or "momentarily" might be more appropriate. "Fleetingly" carries a slightly more poetic or descriptive tone, which may not always fit the context.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "fleetingly" modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, indicating the manner in which an action is performed or a state exists. It emphasizes the brevity and transient nature of the action or state. As Ludwig indicates, the term is appropriate for describing quickly disappearing events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

10%

Independent

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fleetingly" is an adverb used to describe actions or states that are brief and transient. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. While very common in news and media sources, it also appears in encyclopedias and other writings. When choosing an alternative, consider the subtle differences in meaning between options like "briefly", "momentarily", and "transiently". While versatile, avoid overuse in overly formal contexts. Overall, "fleetingly" is a descriptive term that adds nuance to the expression of brief events or fleeting impressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Briefly

Indicates a short duration, similar to "fleetingly" but without necessarily implying quick disappearance.

Momentarily

Refers to something lasting only for a moment, highlighting the very short duration.

Transiently

Emphasizes the temporary nature and lack of permanence of something.

Temporarily

Signifies a limited duration, often with an expectation of change or ending.

For a short time

A more descriptive phrase indicating a limited period.

In passing

Suggests something noticed or experienced quickly and almost incidentally.

Quickly

Emphasizes the speed of an action or occurrence, though not necessarily its duration.

For a moment

Highlights the brevity of the occurrence.

In a flash

Implies extreme rapidity and brevity.

Ephemeral

Describes something short-lived, emphasizing its delicate and vanishing nature.

FAQs

How can I use "fleetingly" in a sentence?

Use "fleetingly" to describe something that happens very briefly or quickly disappears. For example, "He saw her "fleetingly" in the crowd before she vanished."

What are some alternatives to "fleetingly"?

You can use alternatives like "briefly", "momentarily", or "transiently" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "fleetingly" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "fleetingly" might be perceived as less formal than alternatives such as "briefly" or "temporarily". Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

What is the difference between "fleetingly" and "briefly"?

"Fleetingly" suggests something that not only happens quickly but also disappears or is hard to grasp, while "briefly" simply indicates a short duration without necessarily implying impermanence.