short-lived
/ʃɔɹtˈlaɪvd/
Describes something that lasts for only a brief period before disappearing or ending. It carries a sense of transience and often implies a touch of disappointment or an inevitable conclusion. While 'brief' is a neutral description of time, 'short-lived' often refers to the lifespan of a state, a feeling, or a trend. It is frequently used for things that burst quickly, such as fame, success, or a romantic spark. In professional or technical contexts, it describes temporary phenomena (like short-lived isotopes), but in social contexts, it suggests an inability to sustain momentum.
💬Casual Conversation
This 'revolutionary' new projector's battery life is so short-lived. It died mid-presentation.
Did you plug it in? It's not a phone.
Meanings
Collocations & Compounds
short-lived phenomenon
An event or occurrence that lasts for only a brief period.
The initial excitement over the new gadget turned out to be a short-lived phenomenon.
short-lived success
Achieving something positive that does not last for long.
His career as a pop star was short-lived success, ending almost as soon as it began.
short-lived glory
Fame or honor that is not sustained over time.
The team celebrated their victory, but the short-lived glory faded with the next match.
short-lived happiness
A state of joy or contentment that is temporary.
The reunion brought them short-lived happiness before they had to part again.
short-lived trend
A fashion or style that becomes popular quickly but disappears just as fast.
The brightly colored socks were a short-lived trend that was quickly replaced by muted tones.
Etymology
The term 'short-lived' is a straightforward compound adjective formed by combining the words 'short' and 'lived'. 'Short' comes from the Old English word 'scort', meaning brief or not long. 'Lived' is the past participle of the verb 'to live', meaning to exist or endure. Thus, 'short-lived' literally means having lived or existed for a short duration. It emerged in English in the late 16th century to describe things that do not last long.