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Definition of fleeting

fleeting

/ˈfliːtɪŋ/
fleet · ing
Adverb:fleetingly
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fleeting Lexical Profile

fleeting Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Lasting for a very short time; passing quickly.

Example

"For a fleeting moment, she thought she recognized the stranger on the train."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for fleeting

• Nearby Words

fleeceflower
fleecy
fleet
fleeting
fleetingly
fleetingness
fleetness

Word Origin & Etymology

From the present participle of the verb 'fleet', which comes from Old English 'fleotan', meaning 'to float, drift, or flow swiftly'. Over time, the sense of rapid movement shifted to describe things that pass by or fade away quickly.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Fleeting. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/fleeting
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