English Explanatory Dictionary

ephemeral

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Lasting for a short period of time.
  2. Existing for only one day, as with some flowers, insects, and diseases.
  3. Usually dry, but filling with water for brief periods during and after precipitation.
noun
  1. Something which lasts for a short period of time.

Pronunciation

/ɛˈfɛ.mə.ɹəl/ /əˈfɛ.mə.ɹəl/ en-us-ephemeral.ogg

Word forms

ephemeral more ephemeral most ephemeral ephemerals

Etymology

From New Latin ephemerus, from Ancient Greek ἐφήμερος (ephḗmeros), the more common form of ἐφημέριος (ephēmérios, “of, for, or during the day, living or lasting but for a day, short-lived, temporary”), from ἐπί (epí, “on”) + ἡμέρα (hēméra, “day”).

Synonyms

earthly ephemeral brief deciduous evanescent fleeting flying fugacious fugitive instant momentary passing perishable quick seasonable short short-lived temporary transient transitive transitory volatile whilend worldly ephemeron

Antonyms

eternal lasting perennial persistent permanent everlasting timeless

Related words

ephemera ephemeron ephemerality hemeral intermittent unstable speedy moment temporarily transience

Derived words

bovine ephemeral fever ephemeral fever ephemeralization ephemeralize ephemeral lake ephemerally ephemeralness ephemeral state nonephemeral unephemeral spring ephemeral
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