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 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

There clearly continues to be something very evocative about the idea that all the mundane pop-culture ephemera from one’s youth hides something darker. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026

Atlanta convention with lots of records for sale as well as memorabilia, ephemera and music from vinyl-spinning DJs. — Mary Caldwell, AJC.com, 25 Aug. 2026

Overall, the institution plans to display wide-ranging exhibitions that include photography, digital art, and animation, in addition to film ephemera and paintings. — News Desk, Artforum, 10 Aug. 2026

Peruse personal items like his photographs, musical instruments, and handwritten letters, plus Hollywood ephemera, including original props and clothing from The Andy Griffith Show and Matlock, as well as show scripts. — Kristy Tolley, Travel + Leisure, 6 Aug. 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