temporary lasting or designed to last for a limited time;
The acid caused only temporary injury to the man's eyes. In some organizations, temporary jobs offer a step on the way to regular employment. fleeting passing or fading quickly;
a fleeting moment of happiness Most reviewers predicted the book would enjoy only fleeting success. passing superficial and not long-lasting;
This man had no feelings for her other than a passing fancy. Who is to say that the views of popular personalities are of anything more than passing interest? transitory not permanent or lasting, but existing only for a short time;
transitory peace and stability the transitory nature of stardom ephemeral lasting for a short time and leaving no permanent trace;
Fashions are ephemeral; new ones regularly drive out the old. evanescent (literary) disappearing after a short time and soon forgotten;
a shimmering evanescent bubble a shifting, changing, fluid evanescent reality short-lived lasting or living for only a short period of time;
a short-lived mood disorder which is likely to resolve rapidly without treatment The actor has recently been tempted out of his short-lived retirement. a short-lived perennial plant
