ephemeral
e⋅phem⋅er⋅al /ɪˈfɛmərəl/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [i-fem-er-uhl]
-adjective 1. lasting a very short time; short-lived; transitory: the ephemeral joys of childhood.
2. lasting but one day: an ephemeral flower.
-noun 3. anything short-lived, as certain insects.
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Origin:
1570-80; < Gk ephmer(os) short-lived, lasting but a day (ep- ep- + hēmér(a) day + -os adj. suffix) + -al 1
Related forms:
e⋅phem⋅er⋅al⋅ly, adverb
e⋅phem⋅er⋅al⋅ness, noun
Synonyms:
1. fleeting, evanescent, transient, momentary, brief.
Antonyms:
1. permanent.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Use ephemeral in a Sentence:
Converse of object
•prove: New words are constantly being coined, some will prove ephemeral, others are here to stay. · Euphemism is a source of change.
Used with adjective complement
•prove: There is a risk that partnerships will prove ephemeral if they are devised in response to a particular funding regime.
Modifies a noun
•algae: The upper shore has a mix of fucoids and ephemeral algae, whilst the mid shore region is characterized by mussels.
•nature: Possibly the greatest risk however lies in the ephemeral nature of the public's interest.
•pond: This figure would be much higher if one excludes the ephemeral ponds and permanent water-bodies containing fish.
•existence: Anyway, it surely merits more than its ephemeral electronic existence.
•port: A port number of zero will let the system pick up an ephemeral port in a bind operation.
•moment: Yet it's often the ephemeral moments which are the most precious 20 years on.
Modifying Another Word
•too: No, they aren't like punctuation marks; that's far too ephemeral.
•often: The most recent of these is the work, often ephemeral, of graffiti artists.
•very: To go through very ephemeral thought processes which did not necessarily need to reach any tangible conclusions.
•apparently: Despite their apparently ephemeral nature, these are rules which are very real, and not without severe sanction.
•so: Its unique character in the Butterfly situation is that the true form of the being is so ephemeral.
•rather: The set was perfect while it lasted but was rather ephemeral because of my lack of perm.
Noun used with modifier
•nature: By their very nature ephemeral materials are intended to have an immediate impact, and have a short life.
•something: An " episode " is something unique and circumscribed, not something ephemeral.
The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.
-adjective 1. lasting a very short time; short-lived; transitory: the ephemeral joys of childhood.
2. lasting but one day: an ephemeral flower.
-noun 3. anything short-lived, as certain insects.
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Origin:
1570-80; < Gk ephmer(os) short-lived, lasting but a day (ep- ep- + hēmér(a) day + -os adj. suffix) + -al 1
Related forms:
e⋅phem⋅er⋅al⋅ly, adverb
e⋅phem⋅er⋅al⋅ness, noun
Synonyms:
1. fleeting, evanescent, transient, momentary, brief.
Antonyms:
1. permanent.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Use ephemeral in a Sentence:
Converse of object
•prove: New words are constantly being coined, some will prove ephemeral, others are here to stay. · Euphemism is a source of change.
Used with adjective complement
•prove: There is a risk that partnerships will prove ephemeral if they are devised in response to a particular funding regime.
Modifies a noun
•algae: The upper shore has a mix of fucoids and ephemeral algae, whilst the mid shore region is characterized by mussels.
•nature: Possibly the greatest risk however lies in the ephemeral nature of the public's interest.
•pond: This figure would be much higher if one excludes the ephemeral ponds and permanent water-bodies containing fish.
•existence: Anyway, it surely merits more than its ephemeral electronic existence.
•port: A port number of zero will let the system pick up an ephemeral port in a bind operation.
•moment: Yet it's often the ephemeral moments which are the most precious 20 years on.
Modifying Another Word
•too: No, they aren't like punctuation marks; that's far too ephemeral.
•often: The most recent of these is the work, often ephemeral, of graffiti artists.
•very: To go through very ephemeral thought processes which did not necessarily need to reach any tangible conclusions.
•apparently: Despite their apparently ephemeral nature, these are rules which are very real, and not without severe sanction.
•so: Its unique character in the Butterfly situation is that the true form of the being is so ephemeral.
•rather: The set was perfect while it lasted but was rather ephemeral because of my lack of perm.
Noun used with modifier
•nature: By their very nature ephemeral materials are intended to have an immediate impact, and have a short life.
•something: An " episode " is something unique and circumscribed, not something ephemeral.
The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.