What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ephemera
Example
The museum's exhibit showcased a collection of ephemera from the early 20th century. [ephemera: noun]
Example
The beauty of cherry blossoms is ephemeral, lasting only a few weeks each year. [ephemeral: adjective]
momentary
Example
There was a momentary pause before the singer began the next verse. [momentary: adjective]
Example
The fireworks display was a momentary spectacle that lasted only a few minutes. [momentary: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Momentary is more commonly used than ephemera in everyday language. Momentary is versatile and can be used in various contexts, while ephemera is less common and more specific in its usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ephemera and momentary?
Both ephemera and momentary are relatively formal words, but momentary is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.