How Do You Spell FLEETING?

Pronunciation: [flˈiːtɪŋ] (IPA)

Fleeting is a common English word that means something that lasts for a short time. It is spelled /ˈfliːtɪŋ/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The word starts with the consonant sound /fl/ followed by the long vowel sound /iː/, then a voiced stop consonant sound /t/. The second syllable starts with an unstressed vowel sound /ɪ/ and ends with a nasal consonant sound /ŋ/. The correct spelling of this word is important to ensure clear communication and understanding of its meaning.

FLEETING Meaning and Definition

  1. Fleeting is an adjective that refers to something or someone that is brief, transitory, or passing quickly. It describes situations or occurrences that have a short duration or are momentary in nature. The term often conveys a sense of swift movement or fleeting existence, implying that the subject under discussion does not linger or remain for an extended period.

    When applied to time, fleeting expresses the notion that a particular moment or event is transient, vanishing swiftly and leaving little opportunity for further interaction or reflection. It represents the brevity or evanescence of time, where a brief encounter or experience may leave a lasting impression even though it is short-lived.

    Fleeting can also describe emotions or feelings that are ephemeral, emerging abruptly before dissipating just as swiftly. It characterizes emotions such as a passing surge of joy, a flicker of disappointment, or a fleeting moment of nostalgia. In this context, fleeting conveys the idea that emotions can be experienced intensely but fleetingly, lacking the capacity to endure or sustain over an extended period.

    Moreover, when applied to physical objects or appearances, fleeting suggests that they have a quick or short presence. It may describe a passing glimpse of someone or something, a brief sighting or viewing before they disappear from sight. Similarly, it can represent instances of swiftly vanishing beauty, like the fleeting colors of a sunset or the transient brilliance of a shooting star.

    Overall, the term fleeting encapsulates the idea of brevity, transience, or passing speed in relation to time, emotions, or physical existence.

  2. Transient; passing rapidly.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for FLEETING *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for FLEETING

Etymology of FLEETING

The word "fleeting" originated from the Old English word "flēotan", which meant "to float" or "to flow". It is derived from the Proto-Germanic root word "fleutanan", which had a similar meaning. Over time, the word "flēotan" developed into "fleten", which meant "to move swiftly". Eventually, in Middle English, it evolved into the word "fleet" with the same meaning. From there, the adjective "fleeting" emerged, describing something that moves or passes quickly, reflecting its original sense of flowing or floating.

Idioms with the word FLEETING

  • fleeting glance A fleeting glance is a brief or quick look at someone or something, usually lasting only a short moment. It refers to a passing or momentary observation that does not involve sustained attention or focus.

Similar spelling words for FLEETING

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