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ephemerality

/ˌef.əˈmer.ə.lə.ti/
noun uncountable

Definitions

  1. 1.
    The quality or state of lasting for a very short time; transience or brevity of existence.
  2. 2.
    The nature of something that is designed or intended to be temporary, often in fashion, technology, or cultural trends.
    "The ephemerality of digital media makes preservation of early internet culture increasingly difficult." — Journal of Digital Humanities, 2023
  3. 3.
    Botany: The condition of an organism or plant part that survives for only a single day or season.
    Usage Note: Often used in philosophical, literary, or artistic contexts to discuss the beauty of fleeting moments.

Etymology

First attested in English in the early 17th century. From Late Latin ephemeralitas, from Greek ἠφημέρωσις ēphēmérosis ("duration of one day"), from ephēmeros ("lasting one day"), from epi- ("on, upon") + hēmera ("day, daytime").

Usage Examples

"She embraced the ephemerality of the moment, knowing that cherry blossoms would fade by week's end." — Contemporary Literature Review, Vol. 12
"In an age of permanent digital footprints, the ephemerality of a handwritten letter feels almost radical." — The Atlantic, March 2024

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

transience fleetingness temporariness evanescence impermanence short-livedness

Antonyms

permanence endurance perpetuity durability continuity