ephemeral

Ephemeral is an adjective used to describe something that lasts only for a short time or is fleeting. The term emphasizes transience rather than duration and is commonly applied across natural phenomena, objects, and experiences. In everyday language, ephemeral things are contrasted with permanent or long-lasting ones.

Origin and related forms: Ephemeral derives from Greek ephēmeros, meaning “lasting a day,” formed from epi- “upon” + hēmera “day.” In English, the noun form ephemera refers to items or works intended to be short-lived or collected as curiosities. The word is often used in technical, literary, and cultural contexts to signal temporary existence.

Applications: In the natural world, ephemeral describes processes or formations that exist briefly, such as ephemeral streams that flow only after rain, or ephemeral plants that complete their life cycle quickly. Ephemeral weather or events may include sudden fog, fleeting blooms, or short-lived ecological phenomena. In cultural and media contexts, ephemeral content refers to material that disappears after a short period, such as temporary posts or stories. In computing, ephemeral resources—ports, storage, or credentials—are designed to be temporary and automatically discarded after use.

See also: transient, evanescent, transitory, short-lived. These terms share the core idea of brevity but differ in emphasis and context.