Definitions and Examples of temporary, transient, ephemeral
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
Lasting for only a limited period; not permanent.
Example
He took a temporary job to make ends meet until he found a permanent one.
Lasting only for a short time; impermanent.
Example
The beauty of the sunset was transient, lasting only a few minutes before the sun disappeared below the horizon.
Lasting for a very short time; fleeting; transitory.
Example
The beauty of the cherry blossoms is ephemeral, lasting only a few weeks each year.
Key Differences: temporary vs transient vs ephemeral
- 1Temporary implies a limited duration, but it can still be longer than transient or ephemeral.
- 2Transient suggests something that is passing through or staying only briefly.
- 3Ephemeral describes something that is very short-lived and fleeting.
Effective Usage of temporary, transient, ephemeral
- 1Job Hunting: Use temporary to describe a job that is not permanent.
- 2Travel: Use transient to describe a place where people stay only briefly, such as a hotel or hostel.
- 3Nature: Use ephemeral to describe natural phenomena that are short-lived, such as flowers or seasonal changes.
Remember this!
The antonyms of perennial are temporary, transient, and ephemeral. These words describe things that are not permanent or long-lasting. Temporary implies a limited duration, transient suggests something that is passing through or staying only briefly, and ephemeral describes something that is very short-lived and fleeting. Use these words in different contexts such as job hunting, travel, and nature to describe temporary or short-lived things.