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

The exhibition also includes photographs and personal ephemera from people close to the artist, including his last girlfriend, Kelle Inman. — Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 26 June 2026

An exhibition last year of drawings and ephemera from the making of the Fox Trot Carousel reminded people about the carousel, Lusk said. — ABC News, 26 June 2026

An additional community conversation as part of the History Belongs to All of Us series will focus on bicentennial ephemera and will be held at noon July 25. — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026

In the process of turning the house into a museum, countless artifacts, photos, and personal ephemera were uncovered, painting a vivid picture of the artist’s life at home. — Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 15 June 2026

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