evanescent
eh-vuh-NESS-unt
/ˌɛvəˈnɛsənt/
Soon passing out of sight, memory, or existence; quickly fading or disappearing.
Implies a delicate, vapor-like quality of vanishing; very poetic.
The story behind the word. Rooted in the Latin 'evanescere', which literally means 'to vanish like smoke or vapor'. It shares the same root as 'vanish' and 'vain'. It suggests something that has so little substance that it simply dissolves into the air.
Word relationships
- vanishing: Vanishing is a simple verb form; evanescent is a more descriptive, formal adjective.
- persistent: Persistent implies continuing to exist or endure in spite of opposition.
Commonly confused with
- ephemeral: Ephemeral is about time (duration); evanescent is about the act of fading away (disappearing).
Word family
- evanesce (verb): To pass out of sight like vapor.
- evanescence (noun): The quality of being evanescent.
Collocations
- evanescent beauty
- evanescent bubbles
- evanescent charm
- evanescent glow
Example sentences
- "The rainbow was evanescent, shimmering for a few seconds before the clouds swallowed the sun." Describing a natural phenomenon.
- "Dreams are often evanescent, slipping away the moment we open our eyes." Describing human memory.
Memory hook
Think of 'Vanish'—Eva-NES-cent sounds like 'Vanish-cent'. Vanish like vapor.
When not to use
Do not use for heavy, solid objects that are simply temporary.
Fun facts
- In physics, an 'evanescent wave' is an oscillating electric or magnetic field that does not propagate as an electromagnetic wave but whose energy is spatially concentrated in the vicinity of the source.
Explore more words
evocative, effervescent, transience, imperceptible, exquisite, volatile
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