Transient Meaning
/ˈtɹan.zi.ənt/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjPassing or disappearing with time; transitory.
adjRemaining for only a brief time.
Sentence Examples
The life of a person is a transient thing.
My mother's bad mood is transient.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The beautiful rainbow was only ____ and disappeared after a few minutes.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The beautiful colors of the autumn leaves are ____, as they only last for a few weeks before they eventually fall today.
Word Origin & History
From Late Latin transiēnt- (for classical transeunt-), stem of transiēns, present participle of trānsīre (“to go over, to pass”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"this transient world"
— 1667, John Milton, “Book X”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
"Or doth she only seem to take
The touch of change in calm or storm;
But knows no more of transient form
In her deep self, than some dead lake
That holds the shadow of a lark
Hung in the shadow of a heaven?"
— 1850, [Alfred, Lord Tennyson], “Canto XVI”, in In Memoriam, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC, page 26:
"Taking advantage of the surprise, which assured him at least transient attention, he continued, addressing himself particularly to Evelyn."
— 1834, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter IV, in Francesca Carrara. […], volume III, London: Richard Bentley, […], (successor to Henry Colburn), →OCLC, page 27:
"Traditionally, alumnae have more impact than students, whom the administration views as transient."
— 1980 August 9, Robin Bechhofer, Emmy Goldknopf, “Class Reunion”, in Gay Community News, page 13:
"Then, within the space of a few months, there were more transients than there were locals, and the imbalance seemed morally wrong."
— 1996, Janette Turner Hospital, Oyster, paperback edition, Virago Press, page 3:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The beautiful rainbow was only ____ and disappeared after a few minutes.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The beautiful colors of the autumn leaves are ____, as they only last for a few weeks before they eventually fall today.