Word
ephemeral
Phoneticsephemer·al
US/ɪˈfɛmɝəɫ/
UK/ɪfˈɛməɹəl/
Definitions
01short-lived
C1 · Advanced Academic · Literary
adj. lasting for a very short time.
adj. lasting for a very brief period; transient or fleeting in nature.
Español:efímero
“The joy of the victory was ephemeral, as the team lost their next game just two days later.”
“The artist sought to capture the ephemeral beauty of the morning mist before the rising sun burned it away entirely.”
Teaching tip
This is a sophisticated word often used in essays or literature to describe feelings, fame, or natural beauty.
02biological/geological cycle
C2 · Proficiency Science Technical
adj. living for only one day, or a stream that only has water after it rains.
adj. existing for a very brief duration, such as organisms with a one-day life cycle or watercourses that flow only after precipitation.
“After the heavy desert rain, ephemeral flowers suddenly covered the sand.”
“The ecosystem relies on ephemeral streams that appear only during the monsoon season to provide vital hydration to local wildlife.”
Usage
In biology, it specifically describes organisms like mayflies; in geology, it describes seasonal or rain-dependent water.
Synonyms
Antonyms
03short-lived things
C2 · Proficiency Plural noun Formal · Technical
n. things that are important or useful for only a short time, like old bus tickets or posters.
n. items of transitory interest or use, typically printed materials like posters or tickets not intended to be kept.
“The museum has a collection of Victorian ephemeral, including old theater programs and advertisements.”
“Historians often study ephemeral to understand the daily lives and social habits of people from previous centuries.”
Usage
Often used as a collective noun in the context of collecting or historical archives.
Teaching tip
In this sense, it is often used by librarians or historians to talk about paper items that were meant to be thrown away.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“It also might dilute the ephemeral magic of live theater, where part of the point is that sometimes-invisible interaction between performer and audience.” “Another priority is uncovering what ads teens see in their ephemeral social media feeds; digital platforms make money from highly personalized advertising , sometimes delivered via influencers.” Etymology
From New Latin ephemerus, from Ancient Greek ἐφήμερος (ephḗmeros), the more common form of ἐφημέριος (ephēmérios, “of, for, or during the day, living or lasting but for a day, short-lived, temporary”), from ἐπί (epí, “on”) + ἡμέρα (hēméra, “day”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related words
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/ephemeral
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0