Transient — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˈtran(t)-sh(ē-)ənt/ tran·sient

Meaning & Definition of Transient

Transient (adjective)

  1. passing into and out of existence especially in a short period of time, transitory
  2. passing through or by a place with only a brief stay or sojourn
  3. relating to or characterized by a tendency to move from place to place

Transient (noun)

  1. one that is transient
  2. a guest or boarder who stays only briefly
  3. a person traveling about usually in search of work

Transient (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. lasting only for a short time

    "had transient thoughts of quitting her job and going back to school"

    similar: brief, deciduous, ephemeral, evanescent, flash, fleeting, fugacious, fugitive, impermanent, momentary, passing, short-lived, temporary, transitory
    related: little, short, shortish, acting, interim, provisional, short-term
    opposite: ceaseless, dateless, deathless, endless, enduring, eternal, everlasting, immortal, lasting, long-lived, permanent, perpetual, timeless, undying, unending
    near: lifelong, continuing, durable, persistent, imperishable, indefectible, indestructible

Transient (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in drifter, roamer

    similar: drifter, roamer, bindle stiff, bum, bummer, hobo, sundowner (Australian), swaggie (chiefly Australian), swagman (chiefly Australian), tramp, vagabond, vagrant, beggar, derelict, mendicant, panhandler, stiff, dodger, malingerer, shirker, slacker, gamine, ragamuffin, urchin, waif

  2. as in visitor, traveler

    similar: excursionist, rubberneck, rubbernecker, sightseer, tourist, traveler, tripper (chiefly British), guest, hosteler, visitor, holidayer, holidaymaker (chiefly British), vacationer, vacationist, journeyer, pilgrim, wayfarer, snowbird, sunseeker

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Transient

The most common words with a similar meaning to Transient:

Chiefly Australian: swaggie, swagman
Chiefly British: tripper, holidaymaker
Australian: sundowner
brief, deciduous, ephemeral, evanescent, flash, fleeting, fugacious, fugitive, impermanent, momentary, passing, short-lived, temporary, transitory, drifter, roamer, bindle stiff, bum, bummer, hobo, tramp, vagabond, vagrant, beggar, derelict, mendicant, panhandler, stiff, dodger, malingerer, shirker, slacker, gamine, ragamuffin, urchin, waif, excursionist, rubberneck, rubbernecker, sightseer

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Transient

Words with the opposite meaning of Transient:

ceaseless, dateless, deathless, endless, enduring, eternal, everlasting, immortal, lasting, long-lived, permanent, perpetual, timeless, undying, unending

Related Words for Transient

little, short, shortish, acting, interim, provisional, short-term

Near Antonyms of Transient

lifelong, continuing, durable, persistent, imperishable, indefectible, indestructible

Word Forms of Transient

Derived words: transiently (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Transient

Latin transeunt-, transiens, present participle of transire to cross, pass by, from trans- + ire to go issue:1

First known use: 1599

Words & Phrases Containing Transient

transient ischemic attack

Frequently Asked Questions about Transient

What does "Transient" mean?

"Transient" means passing into and out of existence especially in a short period of time, transitory. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: passing into and out of existence especially in a short period of time, transitory. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Transient"?

Other words for "Transient" include brief, deciduous, ephemeral, evanescent, flash, fleeting, fugacious and fugitive. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Transient" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Transient"?

There are 65 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Transient". Common alternatives include brief, deciduous, ephemeral, evanescent, flash, fleeting, fugacious, fugitive, impermanent and momentary.

What is the opposite of "Transient"?

Antonyms of "Transient" include ceaseless, dateless, deathless, endless, enduring, eternal, everlasting and immortal. Near antonyms include lifelong, continuing, durable and persistent.

How do you use "Transient" in a sentence?

Examples of "Transient" in a sentence: "had transient thoughts of quitting her job and going back to school".

Is "Transient" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Transient" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Transient"?

"Transient" is pronounced /ˈtran(t)-sh(ē-)ənt/ and divided into syllables as tran·sient.

What is the origin of the word "Transient"?

"Transient" comes from Latin transeunt-, transiens, present participle of transire to cross, pass by, from trans- + ire to go issue:1. First known use: 1599.