mayfly

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe things that do not last long, but they differ in tone and use. 'Short-lived' is the most neutral and common across everyday and formal writing — it simply means 'lasting a short time'. 'Fleeting' emphasises the speed of passing and often carries a wistful or emotional tone ('a fleeting smile', 'a fleeting opportunity'). 'Ephemeral' is more literary and formal; it originally meant 'lasting only a day' (from Greek) and is often used in discussions of art, fashion, or digital culture. 'Transient' suggests something that passes through without settling, and is frequently applied to people or conditions ('transient workers', 'transient happiness'). For describing a brief burst of fame or a passing trend, 'fleeting' and 'short-lived' are the best choices in general English; 'ephemeral' suits a more sophisticated, critical tone; 'transient' works when the focus is on impermanence rather than brevity.

Common collocations

Etymology

The name combines 'May' (the month) with 'fly' (the insect), because adult mayflies typically emerge in large numbers during May in many temperate regions. The insect's famously brief adult lifespan — often just a few hours or days — later gave rise to the figurative adjective meaning 'lasting a very short time'.