English pronunciation · Words Starting with E

Ephemeral Pronunciation

Ephemeral is pronounced i-FE-mer-uhl, IPA /ɪˈfɛmɝəl/.

i-FE-mer-uhl

US /ɪˈfɛmɝəl/  ·  UK /ɪˈfɛmərəl/

Syllables: i · FE · mer · uhl (4 syllables, stress on syllable 2)

adjective: Lasting for a very short time.

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Ephemeral in a Sentence

  • Fame of that kind is ephemeral.
  • The exhibition collects ephemeral printed material.
  • Snow here is ephemeral, gone by lunchtime.

Common Mispronunciations of Ephemeral

Not e-fuh-ME-ruhl

The beat lands on the second syllable, so the FE in the middle is the one you lean on.

Not e-FEE-muh-ruhl

A long ee overshoots. The FE keeps the short vowel of feather.

Tip: The ph is an f, as in phone and elephant. The Greek root means lasting a single day.

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