Ephemeral Meaning
/ɛˈfɛ.mə.ɹəl/Definition, CEFR level C2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjLasting for a short period of time.
adjExisting for only one day, as with some flowers, insects, and diseases.
Sentence Examples
Love's pleasure is ephemeral; regret eternal.
Mayflies are ephemeral. As adults they live but a day. Sometimes it's a rainy day.
What is eternal in nature when everything is so ephemeral?
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The beauty of cherry blossoms is ____, lasting only a few days.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The beauty of a sunset is ____, lasting only a few precious minutes.
Word Origin & History
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”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"sentences not of ephemeral, but of eternal, efficacy"
— 1853, James Stephen, Lecture on the right use of Books:
"It was during an access of this kind that I suddenly left my home, and bending my steps towards the near Alpine valleys, sought in the magnificence, the eternity of such scenes, to forget myself and my ephemeral, because human, sorrows."
— 1818, Mary Shelley, chapter 9, in Frankenstein, archived from the original on 03 Apr 2012:
Explore More C2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The beauty of cherry blossoms is ____, lasting only a few days.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The beauty of a sunset is ____, lasting only a few precious minutes.