The word “ephemera” refers to things that are short-lived, fleeting, or temporary, often items created for a specific purpose and not intended to last. In the context of printed material, ephemera can include items such as tickets, posters, pamphlets, or postcards, which are valued for their historical or cultural significance despite their transient nature. More broadly, the term can describe moments, feelings, or events that are inherently brief and impermanent, such as a sunset’s beauty or a fleeting emotion. The concept of ephemera highlights the contrast between what is meant to endure and what is cherished for its impermanence. Collectors and archivists often preserve ephemera to capture a snapshot of life, giving lasting meaning to what was originally designed to be temporary.
Sample Sentences
- The museum’s collection included rare ephemera from the early 20th century.
- Flyers and brochures are common forms of ephemera that capture a moment in time.
- She marveled at the beauty of the sunset, aware of its ephemera.
- Collectors often seek out ephemera like concert tickets or vintage advertisements.
- The ephemera of daily life often holds the most profound memories.
- His poetry captured the essence of life’s ephemera, celebrating its fleeting moments.
- The antique shop had a fascinating collection of ephemera, including old postcards and matchboxes.
- Social media posts can be considered modern ephemera, documenting life in real time but often forgotten.
- The ephemera of her childhood—crayoned drawings and old photographs—were tucked into a box in the attic.
- Despite their ephemera, those moments held a deep and lasting emotional resonance.
Synonyms for “Ephemera”
- Transience
- Impermanence
- Fleetingness
- Temporariness
- Short-lived items
- Passing moments
- Fickleness
- Evanescence
- Fragility
- Brevity
Antonyms for “Ephemera”
- Permanence
- Endurance
- Durability
- Immortality
- Longevity
- Perpetuity
- Timelessness
- Continuity
- Stability
- Resilience
Related Words and Expressions
Related Words:
- Fleeting
- Temporary
- Transient
- Short-lived
- Momentary
- Evanescent
- Impermanent
- Fragile
- Passing
- Brief
Phrasal Verbs:
- Pass away (to cease or come to an end)
- Fade out (to gradually disappear or lose significance)
- Come and go (to appear temporarily and then vanish)
- Burn out (to be consumed quickly and disappear)
- Drift away (to fade or move away over time)
Idiomatic Expressions:
- Here today, gone tomorrow (something short-lived or fleeting)
- A flash in the pan (something brief and lacking permanence)
- Gone in the blink of an eye (something that disappears very quickly)
- Moment in the sun (a brief period of recognition or attention)
- Like sands through the hourglass (an idiom symbolizing the fleeting nature of time and moments)
