ephemeral
Gone by tomorrow
Ephemeral describes things that last only briefly—a day, a moment, a season.
Mayflies are the classic example: their adult lives span hours.
The word applies to anything transient: ephemeral pleasures, ephemeral fame, the ephemeral beauty of cherry blossoms.
What's ephemeral passes quickly and cannot be held.
Temporary, soon departing
- fleetingPassing very quickly
- momentaryLasting very briefly
- transitoryBrief in duration
- short-livedLasting only briefly
passing · temporary · evanescent · fugacious · impermanent · brief · volatile · provisional
Explosive celebration device
- sparkTiny fiery particle
- flashBrief burst of light
- glimmerFaint, wavering light
- rippleMinor surface disturbance
sunbeam · twilight · mirage · vapor · zephyr · gust · lightning · aurora
Briefest unit of time
- momentBrief period of time
- heartbeatRhythmic cardiac contraction
- twinklingRapid, intermittent shining
- eyeblinkMomentary lid closure
split-second · breath · flash · jiffy · nanosecond · microsecond · tick · wink
Winged insect from caterpillar
- dewdropCondensed moisture on surfaces
- petalBloom's colorful segment
- snowflakeFeathery ice crystal
- bubbleAir-filled film sphere
rainbow · mayfly · firefly · mist · fog · frost · dew · spiderweb
Ceasing to be visible
- fadingGradual loss of intensity
- dissolvingPassing into solution
- dissipatingScattering and fading out
- evaporatingChanging from liquid to gas
withering · melting · disappearing · decaying · wilting · dying · perishing · declining
Filmy, delicate material
- diaphanousDelicately translucent
- etherealDelicate beyond earthly measure
- insubstantialLacking physical or material substance
- tenuousLacking solid foundation
vaporous · delicate · wispy · filmy · fragile · gauzy · translucent · airy
transient
Temporary, soon departing
- fleetingPassing very quickly
- momentaryLasting very briefly
- transitoryBrief in duration
short-lived · passing · temporary · evanescent · fugacious · impermanent · brief · volatile · provisional · interim
firework
Explosive celebration device
ripple · sunbeam · twilight · mirage · vapor · zephyr · gust · lightning · aurora · sunset
instant
Briefest unit of time
eyeblink · split-second · breath · flash · jiffy · nanosecond · microsecond · tick · wink · second
butterfly
Winged insect from caterpillar
bubble · rainbow · mayfly · firefly · mist · fog · frost · dew · spiderweb · moth
vanishing
Ceasing to be visible
- fadingGradual loss of intensity
- dissolvingPassing into solution
- dissipatingScattering and fading out
evaporating · withering · melting · disappearing · decaying · wilting · dying · perishing · declining · deteriorating
gossamer
Filmy, delicate material
- diaphanousDelicately translucent
- etherealDelicate beyond earthly measure
- insubstantialLacking physical or material substance
tenuous · vaporous · delicate · wispy · filmy · fragile · gauzy · translucent · airy
freshet
Snowmelt-driven flood
ephemeraleternal
Lasting without end
permanent · everlasting · perpetual · enduring · timeless
ephemeraltimeless
Unaffected by eras
enduring · classic · iconic · monumental · unforgettable
- ephemeral streamsChannels wet only briefly
- spring ephemeralShort-lived woodland wildflower
- ephemeral beautyLoveliness brief in duration