transient

/ˈtrænziɪnt/

/ˈtrænziɪnt/

Other forms: transients

Use the adjective transient to describe something that always changes or moves around. If your older brother is constantly moving from city to city, you can say he's transient.

Transient is most often used to modify nouns like nature, threat, source and cause, which suggests that the word often shows up in formal contexts, like analysis of finance or global terrorism. But it can also be used for anything that moves quickly from one thing to another, like a transient feeling or facial expression. Transient is also a noun meaning "a person who moves from place to place; a homeless person." The word comes from Latin transire, "to pass over," so you can think of it as describing things that are quickly passed over.

Definitions of transient

1. adjective

   lasting a very short time
   “youth's transient beauty”

   synonyms: ephemeral, fugacious, passing, short-lived, transitory

   impermanent, temporary

   not permanent; not lasting
2. adjective

   remaining or working in a place for only a brief time
3. noun

   one who stays for only a short time
   “transient laborers”

   type of:

   traveler, traveller

   a person who changes location
4. noun

   (physics) a short-lived oscillation in a system caused by a sudden change of voltage or current or load
   type of:

   oscillation, vibration

   (physics) a regular periodic variation in value about a mean
5. adjective

   of a mental act; causing effects outside the mind
   synonyms: transeunt