What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fleeting
Example
The sun cast a fleeting shadow on the wall as it rose. [fleeting: adjective]
Example
I caught a fleeting glimpse of the bird before it flew away. [fleeting: adjective]
momentary
Example
There was a momentary pause in the conversation before they continued. [momentary: adjective]
Example
The power outage was only momentary, and the lights came back on quickly. [momentary: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Momentary is more commonly used than fleeting in everyday language. Momentary is a more straightforward and versatile word that can be used in a variety of contexts, while fleeting is less common and has a more poetic or romantic connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fleeting and momentary?
Both fleeting and momentary are relatively formal words that are more likely to be used in written or academic contexts than in casual conversation.
