What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fugacious
Example
The beauty of the sunset was fugacious, lasting only a few moments. [fugacious: adjective]
Example
The butterfly's fugacious presence in the garden made it difficult to capture on camera. [fugacious: adjective]
fleeting
Example
The memory of our time together was fleeting, like a dream. [fleeting: adjective]
Example
I caught a fleeting glimpse of the deer before it disappeared into the woods. [fleeting: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fleeting is more commonly used than fugacious in everyday language. Fleeting is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while fugacious is less common and may be considered more formal or literary.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fugacious and fleeting?
Fugacious may be considered more formal or literary than fleeting, which is more commonly used in everyday language and can be employed in various formality levels.