ephemeral

¹ephem·er·al

adj
\i-ˈfem-rəl, -ˈfēm-; -ˈfe-mə-, -ˈfē-\

Definition of EPHEMERAL

1

: lasting one day only <an ephemeral fever>

2

: lasting a very short time <ephemeral pleasures>

— ephem·er·al·ly\-rə-lē\ adverb

Examples of EPHEMERAL

1. <the autumnal blaze of colors is always to be treasured, all the more so because it is so ephemeral>

Origin of EPHEMERAL

Greek ephēmeros lasting a day, daily, from epi- + hēmera day

First Known Use: 1576

Related to EPHEMERAL

Synonyms: brief, deciduous, momentary, evanescent, flash, fleeting, fugacious, fugitive, impermanent, passing, short-lived, temporary, transient, transitory

Antonyms: ceaseless, dateless, deathless, endless, enduring, eternal, everlasting, immortal, lasting, long-lived, permanent, perpetual, timeless, undying, unending

Related Words: little, short, shortish; acting, interim, provisional, short-term

Near Antonyms: lifelong; continuing, durable, persistent; imperishable, indefectible, indestructible

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See Synonym Discussion at transient

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