short-lived

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "short-lived" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a situation, event, or thing that had a limited duration or was temporary. For example, "The party was enjoyable, but unfortunately, its pleasure was short-lived."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was short-lived.

The New York Times - Sports

Optimism was short-lived.

Independent

Any satisfaction was short-lived.

The New York Times - Sports

The joy was short-lived.

The New York Times - Science

Universe A is short-lived.

The Economist

My relief was short-lived.

The New York Times

The victory was short-lived.

The New York Times

His dejection was short-lived.

The New York Times

The revolution was short-lived.

The New Yorker

The honeymoon was short-lived.

Independent

"But it was short-lived.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "short-lived" to describe events, emotions, or conditions that don't persist for long. It's effective for highlighting the transient nature of something.

Common error

While "short-lived" is versatile, avoid overuse in highly formal writing where more precise synonyms like "ephemeral" or "transitory" might be more appropriate. Consider your audience and the desired tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "short-lived" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something that exists or lasts for only a brief period. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective phrase "short-lived" is a versatile and commonly used term to describe something that lasts only a brief time. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and readily applicable in various contexts. Usage analysis reveals its prevalence in news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. When using "short-lived", it is important to consider the subtle nuances of its synonyms like "ephemeral" or "transitory" for more formal contexts. Overall, "short-lived" effectively highlights the transient nature of phenomena and remains a valuable addition to one's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ephemeral

This word suggests something that exists for only a very short time, often beautiful or delicate.

transitory

This implies that something is not permanent or enduring.

fleeting

Suggests something that passes quickly and is difficult to capture or hold onto.

temporary

Indicates that something is only meant to last for a limited time.

brief

A general term for something that doesn't last long.

momentary

Lasting for only a moment.

transient

Similar to transitory, but often implies a movement or passage.

fugacious

Describes something that tends to disappear quickly; less common.

passing

Indicates something that is in the process of going by or away.

here today, gone tomorrow

An idiomatic expression emphasizing the rapid disappearance of something.

FAQs

How can I use "short-lived" in a sentence?

You can use "short-lived" to describe something that lasts only for a brief time, such as "The excitement was "short-lived"" or "Their success proved to be "short-lived"".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "short-lived"?

Alternatives to "short-lived" include "ephemeral", "transitory", "fleeting", or "temporary", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the happiness was short-lived"?

Yes, "the happiness was "short-lived"" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate that the happiness did not last for long.

What is the difference between "short-lived" and "temporary"?

"Short-lived" emphasizes the brevity of something's existence or duration, while "temporary" simply indicates that something is not permanent. "Short-lived" carries a stronger sense of transience.