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 vase are impermanent and will wilt soon. [impermanent: adjective]
Example
The company's success was impermanent due to changes in the market. [impermanent: noun]
fleeting
Example
I caught a fleeting glimpse of the sunset before it disappeared behind the clouds. [fleeting: adjective]
Example
The moment of joy was fleeting and soon replaced by sadness. [fleeting: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Impermanent is more commonly used than fleeting in everyday language. Impermanent is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while fleeting is less common and is more often used in literature or creative writing.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between impermanent and fleeting?
Both impermanent and fleeting are relatively formal words that are not commonly used in informal conversation. However, fleeting has a more poetic or literary connotation, making it more suitable for creative writing or artistic expression.