What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ephemera
Example
The museum had an exhibit of vintage ephemera, including postcards and tickets. [ephemera: noun]
Example
The beauty of the cherry blossoms is ephemeral, lasting only a few weeks each year. [ephemeral: adjective]
temporary
Example
We're staying in a temporary apartment until our new house is ready. [temporary: adjective]
Example
The company hired a temporary worker to fill in for the regular employee who was on leave. [temporary: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Temporary is more commonly used than ephemera in everyday language. Temporary is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while ephemera is less common and often used in the context of collecting or preserving items of historical or cultural significance.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ephemera and temporary?
Both ephemera and temporary are relatively neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
