What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ephemerally
Example
The beauty of the cherry blossoms is ephemerally, lasting only a few weeks. [ephemerally: adverb]
Example
The joy of childhood passes ephemerally, leaving only memories behind. [ephemerally: adjective]
fleeting
Example
The sunsets in this city are always so fleeting, you have to catch them at just the right moment. [fleeting: adjective]
Example
I caught a fleeting glimpse of the bird before it flew away. [fleeting: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fleeting is more commonly used than ephemerally in everyday language. Fleeting is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while ephemerally is less common and tends to be used in more formal or literary contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between ephemerally and fleeting?
Ephemerally has a slightly more formal connotation than fleeting, which is more commonly used in everyday language. However, both words can be used in formal or informal contexts depending on the situation and tone of the writing or speech.
