Ethereal vs. Ephemeral: What's the Difference?

Extremely light or delicate

Lasting for a markedly brief time

Of the celestial spheres; heavenly.

Having a short lifespan or a short annual period of aboveground growth. Used especially of plants.

Spiritual or otherworldly.

Something, especially a plant, that is ephemeral.

(Chemistry) Of or relating to ether.

Something which lasts for a short period of time.

Pertaining to the (real or hypothetical) upper, purer air, or to the higher regions beyond the earth or beyond the atmosphere.

Lasting for a short period of time.

Pertaining to the immaterial realm, as symbolically represented by, or (in earlier epochs) conflated with, such atmospheric and extra-atmospheric concepts.

(biology) Existing for only one day, as with some flowers, insects, and diseases.

Consisting of ether; hence, exceedingly light or airy; tenuous; spiritlike; characterized by extreme delicacy, as form, manner, thought, etc.

Usually dry, but filling with water for brief periods during and after precipitation.

(organic chemistry) To do with diethyl ether.

Beginning and ending in a day; existing only, or no longer than, a day; diurnal; as, an ephemeral flower.

Pertaining to the hypothetical upper, purer air, or to the higher regions beyond the earth or beyond the atmosphere; celestial; as, ethereal space; ethereal regions.

Short-lived; existing or continuing for a short time only.

Consisting of ether; hence, exceedingly light or airy; tenuous; spiritlike; characterized by extreme delicacy, as form, manner, thought, etc.

Anything lasting but a day, or a brief time; an ephemeral plant, insect, etc.

Pertaining to, derived from, or resembling, ether; as, ethereal salts.

Enduring a very short time;

Characterized by lightness and insubstantiality; as impalpable or intangible as air;

Of or containing or dissolved in ether;

Of heaven or the spirit;

Characterized by unusual lightness and delicacy;