short-lived

Imagine a sudden craze that everyone talks about for a week and then forgets. That is short-lived. The word describes something that lasts only a short time before ending or fading away. It is often used for events, feelings, success, trends, relationships, or periods of peace that do not continue for long. A short-lived victory may feel exciting, but it is over quickly.

Short-lived describes something that does not last long. It begins, exists for a limited time, and then ends sooner than people may have expected. The word is commonly used for things like happiness, fame, political agreements, trends, businesses, storms, and attempts that come and go quickly. If a new fashion is popular for only a season, you can call it short-lived. If a moment of hope disappears after bad news, that hope was short-lived.

The word often carries a quiet contrast between what happened and how little time it lasted. A short-lived romance may feel intense but end quickly. A short-lived peace may bring relief, only for conflict to return. A short-lived success may look important at first, then fade when interest or support disappears.

Unlike words that simply mean "fast" or "small," short-lived is specifically about duration. It tells you that something existed, but not for very long. In everyday English, it is a clear and natural way to describe anything brief that passes almost as soon as it begins.