ephemera

noun

ephem·​era i-ˈfe-mə-rə 

-ˈfem-rə

plural ephemera also ephemerae i-ˈfe-mə-rē 

-ˈfem-rē

or ephemeras

1

: something of no lasting significance

—usually used in plural

2

ephemera plural : items (such as posters, broadsides, and tickets) originally meant to be discarded after use but that later become collectibles

Examples of ephemera in a Sentence

He has a large collection of old menus and other ephemera.

Recent Examples on the Web

In Atlanta, the SCAD FASH exhibition features some 75 looks, including ephemera from André’s home and rare archival photographs — arranged in a triptych of time and tone of red, white and black. —Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 13 Dec. 2025

That’s because the kitschy, maximalist (and, yes, immersive) installation was something special, artfully collecting decades of pop-culture ephemera while finding a balance of spectacle and sentiment. —John Wenzel, Denver Post, 2 Dec. 2025

And so the government has spent much of its time responding to the ephemera of the news cycle rather than pursuing a clear agenda. —Oliver Eagleton, Time, 26 Nov. 2025

Among the totems, knickknacks, and ephemera in Will Shortz’s home-cum-museum, and one of his favorite items, is a copy of the 1924 book inscribed by Dick Simon and Max Schuster, sent to its source of inspiration. —Literary Hub, 25 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek ephēmera, neuter plural of ephēmeros

First Known Use

1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for ephemera

• femora