ephemera

[ ih-fem-er-uh ]

noun

plural ephemeras, ephemerae

1. a plural of ephemeron.
2. an ephemerid.

ephemera

/ ɪˈfɛmərə /

noun

1. a mayfly, esp one of the genus Ephemera
2. something transitory or short-lived
3. functioning as plural a class of collectable items not originally intended to last for more than a short time, such as tickets, posters, postcards, or labels
4. a plural of ephemeron

Word History and Origins

Origin of ephemera¹

1670–80; < Greek ephḗmera, neuter plural of ephḗmeros, taken as singular; ephemeral

Word History and Origins

Origin of ephemera¹

C16; see ephemeral

Example Sentences

As both a collector and a creator of ephemera, Mothersbaugh’s tastes are darkly poignant.

From Los Angeles Times

Everything now was ephemera, snapshots of precious moments and people that were a part of who I was.

From Los Angeles Times

In a mounted glass box amid the decades of accumulated musical ephemera, the documentary film’s Oscar statue was also on display.

From Los Angeles Times

In celebration, she shared fragments of memories, inspiration and visual ephemera that contributed to her hopes for the space.

From Los Angeles Times

Alongside a mix of ephemera and archival footage, the show features the works of 19 contemporary Black artists.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• collectibles