fleeting

fleet-ing · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Lasting for only a very short time; passing quickly.

  2. 2.

    Brief and quickly gone.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    fleeting moment — a very brief instant
  • •
    fleeting glance — a quick look
  • •
    fleeting impression — a brief, temporary impression

Related words

Antonyms: enduring, lasting, permanent
See also: brief, fleet, momentary, transient
Synonyms: brief, momentary, passing, transient

Etymology

From the verb "fleet" meaning "to pass swiftly," from Old English fleotan ("to float, flow, pass away"), from Proto-Germanic fleutaną.