ephemerous
Definition
- Adjective:
- Lasting for a very short time: "ephemerous" describes something that exists, occurs, or is effective for only a brief period; extremely transient or fleeting.
- Short-lived in biological contexts: In botany or zoology, "ephemerous" can refer to organisms or structures that live or function for only a day or a very short duration, such as certain flowers or insects.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- The beauty of the cherry blossoms is ephemerous, lasting only a week. (The blossoms are short-lived and quickly fade.)
- He wrote about the ephemerous nature of fame in his poem. (Fame is fleeting and temporary.)
- The ephemerous mayfly lives for just a few hours as an adult. (The mayfly's adult life is extremely brief.)
Advanced Usage
"Ephemerous joy": a happiness that is very temporary.
- The ephemerous joy of winning the lottery quickly turned to stress. (The brief happiness faded rapidly.)
"Ephemerous bloom": a flower that opens and withers in a single day.
- The morning glory is known for its ephemerous bloom. (The flower lasts only a short time.)
Variants and Related Words
Ephemeral (adj): the more common form; lasting for a very short time.
- The ephemeral beauty of the sunset captivated everyone. (The sunset was beautiful but brief.)
Ephemeron (n): something that lasts for a very short time; often used in plural (ephemera).
- The mayfly is a classic example of an ephemeron. (A short-lived creature.)
Synonyms
- Fleeting: passing quickly; lasting only a moment.
- Transient: lasting for only a short time; temporary.
- Momentary: lasting for a very brief period.
Related Idioms
Here today, gone tomorrow: used to describe something that does not last long.
- His popularity was here today, gone tomorrow — truly ephemerous. (His fame was very short-lived.)
A flash in the pan: a sudden but brief success or popularity.
- The band's success was a flash in the pan, as ephemerous as a summer storm. (Their fame was temporary.)