What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
impermanent
Example
The flowers in the garden are impermanent and will eventually wilt. [impermanent: adjective]
Example
The company's success was impermanent due to changing market conditions. [impermanent: noun]
ephemeral
Example
The beauty of the sunset is ephemeral and lasts only a few minutes. [ephemeral: adjective]
Example
The joy of winning the lottery was ephemeral and quickly faded away. [ephemeral: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Impermanent is more commonly used than ephemeral in everyday language. Impermanent is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while ephemeral is more specific and often used in artistic or literary contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between impermanent and ephemeral?
Both impermanent and ephemeral are formal words that are not commonly used in everyday conversation. However, ephemeral has a more poetic or artistic connotation, making it more suitable for formal writing or creative works.
