Ephemeral: Meaning, Examples and Quiz
Ephemeral (adjective) — Ephemeral means lasting for a very short time. It often describes something that appears briefly and then disappears or changes.
Brief does not mean exactly one day
A rainbow, a fashion or an online trend may be described as ephemeral. The relevant timescale depends on the subject; the everyday adjective does not impose an exact twenty-four-hour limit.
Ephemeral does not mean deeply religious or committed to a belief. That description belongs to devout. It also does not automatically mean beautiful or worthless: a brief experience can be valuable.
Ephemeral in sentences
- The soap bubbles formed an ephemeral display above the playground.
- The café enjoyed ephemeral fame after appearing in a short video.
- We photographed the ephemeral patterns made by sunlight on the water.
- Her excitement was ephemeral; the next task soon occupied her thoughts.
Useful patterns and word forms
Common patterns include ephemeral beauty, ephemeral popularity and an ephemeral moment. Use the adjective before a noun or after be: the effect was ephemeral.
Short quiz: check your understanding
Try each question before opening its answer.
Question 1
An ephemeral trend is A) short-lived or B) permanent?
Show answer 1 and explanation
A. It lasts only briefly.
Question 2
Must an ephemeral experience last exactly one day?
Show answer 2 and explanation
No. In ordinary use, the word means short-lived, with the duration understood from context.
Question 3
Can something ephemeral still matter to someone?
Show answer 3 and explanation
Yes. Duration and value are different ideas. A brief meeting can be important.
Try it today: Describe something brief that you noticed today.
Dictionary reference: Merriam-Webster: Ephemeral. Examples and quiz questions are written for English Skill Studio.
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Categories: Word of the Day-1