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ephemeral

/əˈfem.ər.əl/ adjective

  1. Lasting for a very short time; transitory.

    "The ephemeral beauty of the sunset faded before we could capture it properly."

  2. (Of a plant or insect) having a very short life cycle.

    "Ephemeral desert flowers bloom only after heavy rains."

  3. (In biology) relating to organisms that live for a brief period.

    Usage Note: Often used in scientific contexts to describe short-lived species, but widely adopted in literary and philosophical writing to describe fleeting moments, memories, or trends.

Synonyms

fleeting transient momentary brief passing evanescent temporary short-lived

Antonyms

permanent enduring lasting eternal perpetual immutable

From Latin ephemera "daily affairs", from Latin ephēmeros, from Ancient Greek ephēmeros "lasting only a day", from epi- "on" + hēmera "day".

First known use in English: 1605

Originally used in medical contexts to describe short fevers, the term expanded in the 18th century to encompass the broader concept of transience.

"Social media trends are increasingly ephemeral, often fading within days of their initial popularity."

"The artist's work focuses on ephemeral materials, celebrating the beauty of impermanence."

"He understood the ephemeral nature of political power and advised caution in his rhetoric."

"Memory, though often reliable, can be surprisingly ephemeral when confronted with the passage of decades."