Ephemera
noun
Things that exist or are used for only a short time.
Most of my mail consists of ephemera like sales advertisements and catalogues.
Often appears as...
- collecting ephemera
- printed ephemera
noun
Paper items like posters, tickets and pamphlets that were supposed to be thrown away but have become collectibles.
He's an avid collector of Victorian ephemera like trade cards and theater programs.
Often appears as...
- victorian ephemera
- collecting ephemera
noun
In biology, a group of organisms living only for a day.
Ephemera refers to the mayflies that have extremely short lifespan.
Often appears as...
- ephemeral species
- ephemeral plants
Usage tips
Formal
Technical
noun
Things that exist or are used for only a short time.
Most of my mail consists of ephemera like sales advertisements and catalogues.
Often appears as...
- collecting ephemera
- printed ephemera
noun
Paper items like posters, tickets and pamphlets that were supposed to be thrown away but have become collectibles.
He's an avid collector of Victorian ephemera like trade cards and theater programs.
Often appears as...
- victorian ephemera
- collecting ephemera
noun
In biology, a group of organisms living only for a day.
Ephemera refers to the mayflies that have extremely short lifespan.
Often appears as...
- ephemeral species
- ephemeral plants
Usage tips
Formal
Technical
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/2Short-lived
Used to describe something that won't last long, often with little long-term importance.
Popularity in social media can be ephemera, fading as quickly as it arrives.
Pro Tip 2/2Not for keeps
Refers to items not meant to be kept; they are often discarded after use.
The freebies from the event are just ephemera and will likely be thrown away.
Pro Tip 1/2Short-lived
Used to describe something that won't last long, often with little long-term importance.
Popularity in social media can be ephemera, fading as quickly as it arrives.
Pro Tip 2/2Not for keeps
Refers to items not meant to be kept; they are often discarded after use.
The freebies from the event are just ephemera and will likely be thrown away.
Pro Tip 1/2Short-lived
Used to describe something that won't last long, often with little long-term importance.
Popularity in social media can be ephemera, fading as quickly as it arrives.
Pro Tip 2/2Not for keeps
Refers to items not meant to be kept; they are often discarded after use.
The freebies from the event are just ephemera and will likely be thrown away.
Never forget "Ephemera"
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Quote examples
Ransom Riggs
American Writer
You find a lot of junk when you're searching through lost and tossed photo ephemera, but every so often you'll find a gem, a wallet-sized masterpiece you're certain could hang on the wall of a gallery if only someone with a name had taken it. Find one or two of those and you're hooked for life.
Quote examples
Jim Goldberg
American Photographer
Since 1970, I've been using text and ephemera as well as photographs in order to tell stories of one kind or another. There's a thread that runs through all the work that is to do with bearing witness. The photographs are about asking questions, though, not answering them.
Quote examples
Travis Knight
American Producer
We don't want to make little pop culture ephemera or confections, that sort of thing, and so 'ParaNorman' like 'Coraline' has something meaningful to say.
Quote examples
Louise Wilson
British Educator
I've always spent money on books. I've always enjoyed handling books - the size, the format. I feel very strongly about original ephemera.
Quote examples
Maira Kalman
American Author
My workspace is defined by books, ephemera, quiet and light. I don't have a computer, telephone or a fax machine there.
Quote examples
Rachel Maddow
American Journalist
I have a file of letters and bits of ephemera from friends who have died. I have had lots of friends who died of AIDS.
Quote examples
Ransom Riggs
American Writer
You find a lot of junk when you're searching through lost and tossed photo ephemera, but every so often you'll find a gem, a wallet-sized masterpiece you're certain could hang on the wall of a gallery if only someone with a name had taken it. Find one or two of those and you're hooked for life.
Quote examples
Jim Goldberg
American Photographer
Since 1970, I've been using text and ephemera as well as photographs in order to tell stories of one kind or another. There's a thread that runs through all the work that is to do with bearing witness. The photographs are about asking questions, though, not answering them.
Quote examples
Travis Knight
American Producer
We don't want to make little pop culture ephemera or confections, that sort of thing, and so 'ParaNorman' like 'Coraline' has something meaningful to say.
Quote examples
Louise Wilson
British Educator
I've always spent money on books. I've always enjoyed handling books - the size, the format. I feel very strongly about original ephemera.
Quote examples
Maira Kalman
American Author
My workspace is defined by books, ephemera, quiet and light. I don't have a computer, telephone or a fax machine there.
Quote examples
Rachel Maddow
American Journalist
I have a file of letters and bits of ephemera from friends who have died. I have had lots of friends who died of AIDS.
Example 1 of 6
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