fleeting
3 synonyms and 4 antonyms for fleeting, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Lasting only a very short time; passing quickly.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
momentaneous
momentary
Antonyms
How to use fleeting
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
fleeting glimpse
fleeting moment
fleeting glance
fleeting thought
Etymology
From the Old English verb fleotan ("to float, glide"); the sense shifted from physical gliding to something that slips past quickly in time.
Full origin of fleeting →Frequently asked questions
What does “fleeting” mean?
The word “fleeting” means lasting only a very short time; passing quickly. In plain terms, something fleeting doesn't stick around — a fleeting moment, feeling, or glance is gone almost as soon as it arrives.
How do you pronounce “fleeting”?
“Fleeting” is pronounced FLEE-tihng (/ˈfliːtɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “fleeting” in a sentence?
Here is “fleeting” used in a sentence: “She caught a fleeting glimpse of him through the crowd.”
What part of speech is “fleeting”?
“Fleeting” is an adjective.
Where does the word “fleeting” come from?
The word “fleeting” comes from Old English. From the Old English verb fleotan ("to float, glide"); the sense shifted from physical gliding to something that slips past quickly in time.
Is “fleeting” a common word?
“Fleeting” is an uncommon word in modern English.
