How to Pronounce “ephemeral”

American (US)

/ɛˈfɛ.mə.ɹəl/

British (UK)

/ɛˈfɛ.mə.ɹəl/

adjective — Lasting a very short time.

Example: Online fame is ephemeral.

Synonyms: fleeting, transient

Antonyms: enduring, permanent

Where the stress falls. “ephemeral” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ɛˈfɛ.mə.ɹəl/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.

An unstressed vowel reduces to schwa. /ɛˈfɛ.mə.ɹəl/ contains a schwa /ə/ — the short, neutral “uh” that English unstressed syllables collapse into. Saying /ə/ there, instead of the vowel the spelling suggests, is most of what makes the word sound native.

What does "ephemeral" mean?

ephemeral (adjective): Lasting a very short time. For example — Online fame is ephemeral.

How do you pronounce "ephemeral" in American vs British English?

Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "ephemeral", /ɛˈfɛ.mə.ɹəl/, so the difference you hear is in how the vowels are coloured rather than in which sounds are used. Play both on this page to compare.

What is the IPA transcription of "ephemeral"?

/ɛˈfɛ.mə.ɹəl/ in American English, /ɛˈfɛ.mə.ɹəl/ in British English.

Which syllable is stressed in "ephemeral"?

“ephemeral” has 4 syllables, and the transcription /ɛˈfɛ.mə.ɹəl/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.