evanescent

[ ev-uh-nes-uhnt ]

/ ˌɛv əˈnɛs ənt /

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See synonyms for: evanescent / evanescence on Thesaurus.com

adjective

vanishing; fading away; fleeting.

tending to become imperceptible; scarcely perceptible.

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Origin of evanescent

First recorded in 1700–1805; from Latin ēvānēscent- (stem of ēvānēscēns ) “vanishing, disappearing”; see evanesce, -ent

OTHER WORDS FROM evanescent

ev·a·nes·cence, nounev·a·nes·cent·ly, adverbnon·ev·a·nes·cent, adjectivenon·ev·a·nes·cent·ly, adverb

un·ev·a·nes·cent, adjectiveun·ev·a·nes·cent·ly, adverb

Words nearby evanescent

evaluation, evaluative, Evan, evanesce, evanescence, evanescent, Evang., evangel, evangeliary, evangelical, evangelicalism

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use evanescent in a sentence

Often taken outside in waterfront locations, the photos capture evanescent moments and things — surf, shadows and twilight — and everyday places and people.
In the galleries: Exploring how body language is a visual form of communication|Mark Jenkins|June 11, 2021|Washington Post
And always in the background, evanescent but, in the end, accountable, is Rupert Murdoch—courted, feared and sometimes loathed.
Murdoch on the Rocks: How a Lone Reporter Revealed the Mogul's Tabloid Terror Machine|Clive Irving|August 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But that support was evanescent; it's already back below 50%, and probably still falling.
Memo: The Aaron Sorkin Model of Political Discourse Doesn't Actually Work|Megan McArdle|April 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
They are imagined as disembodied spirits, and are often visualized as vague or evanescent forms; hence, the white sheet routine.
What's the Difference Between Ghouls, Goblins, and Ghosts?|Dictionary.com|November 1, 2010|DAILY BEAST

When he does, for short walks on moonless nights or for the occasional meal, these evanescent periods of freedom are thrilling.
Lost Masterpieces|Jacob Silverman|August 18, 2010|DAILY BEAST
But success in a mission of this size may only bring limited and evanescent political benefits.
Obama's Pirate Coup|Julian Zelizer|April 13, 2009|DAILY BEAST
There are those who think that this excitement among the people will prove transitory and evanescent.
Select Speeches of Daniel Webster|Daniel Webster
What a pity that they are as evanescent as the bloom of these flowers and the fragrance they exhale!
Ernest Linwood|Caroline Lee Hentz
Its nature is like opaline dove's-neck lustres, hovering and evanescent.
Dictionary of Quotations from Ancient and Modern, English and Foreign Sources|James Wood
Splits and rents broke into the margin, and from each streamed the evanescent, azure vapour.
The Home of the Blizzard|Douglas Mawson
A "brilliant display," we would say, and the observer would be kept busy following the track of the evanescent rays.
The Home of the Blizzard|Douglas Mawson

British Dictionary definitions for evanescent

evanescent

/ (ˌɛvəˈnɛsənt) /

adjective

passing out of sight; fading away; vanishing

ephemeral or transitory

Derived forms of evanescent

evanescence, nounevanescently, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

evanescent

Origin of evanescent

OTHER WORDS FROM evanescent

Words nearby evanescent

Words related to evanescent

How to use evanescent in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for evanescent

Derived forms of evanescent