Evanescent
hardNeutral toneev-uh-NES-ent
adjective
Definition
Soon passing out of sight, memory, or existence; quickly fading or disappearing
Memory hook
EVAN-ESCENT: Like dew that VANISHES at dawn -- evanescent beauty fades quickly.
Word roots
Learning roots unlocks whole word families. Study common GRE root words.
Examples
“The morning mist was evanescent, disappearing as the sun rose.”
“Youth is evanescent, making every moment precious.”
Test yourself
Fill in the blank with the right word:
“The morning mist was ______, disappearing as the sun rose.”
Show answer
evanescent
Categories
GRE Tip
Evanescent is a hard-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "fleeting" or "ephemeral" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "permanent".
Related GRE Words
fugitive
Quick to disappear; fleeting; a person who has escaped
fleeting
Lasting for a very short time; passing quickly
momentary
Lasting for a very short time; brief
transitory
Not permanent; lasting only for a short time
ephemeral
Lasting for a very short time; transitory
transient
Lasting only for a short time; temporary
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