Evanescent

Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Word of the Day

What is Evanescent?

adjective
Quickly fading or disappearing; fleeting.

Pronunciation

US pronunciation: /ˌɛv.əˈnɛs.ənt/
UK pronunciation: /ˌɛv.əˈnɛs.ənt/
Slow pronunciation: EV-uh-ness-ent

Meaning Explained

Evanescent evokes delicate beauty that vanishes swiftly, like mist, light, or memory.

Why This Word?

Chosen to celebrate the transient nature of wonder and experience.

Examples of Use

Here's how this word appears in everyday language:

  • The singer’s fame proved evanescent.
  • Morning dew is evanescent, gone by noon.
  • He cherished the evanescent joy of childhood summers.

Word Origins

Latin evanescere “to vanish”

Popularized by Romantic poetry.

First appearance in English: early 19th century

Word Family

Related forms of this word:

  • Noun: evanescence

    The evanescence of youth struck her.

  • Adjective: ephemeral

    The performance was ephemeral.

  • Adjective: transient

    Transient beauty fades quickly.

Around the World

How this word appears in other languages:

  • Spanish: evanescente
  • French: évanescent
  • German: vergänglich
  • Italian: evanescente
  • Portuguese: evanescente

If you Already Know This Word

If you've mastered this word, try these more advanced alternatives:

Ephemeral

Similar but often used in science; “evanescent” is poetic.

Transient

More general; “evanescent” is delicate.

Fleeting

Plain; “evanescent” is elevated.

Fun Facts

  • “Evanescence” is the noun form, also a Gothic rock band.
  • The concept aligns with Buddhist impermanence.

Cultural Usage

  • Romantic poets described love and beauty as evanescent.
  • The band Evanescence named itself from the word.

Common Mistakes

Sometimes confused with “ephemeral”; “evanescent” emphasizes vanishing.

Micro Story

The evanescent rainbow melted into the clouds.