short-term
Americanadjective
-
covering or applying to a relatively short period of time.
-
maturing over a relatively short period of time.
a short-term loan.
-
(of profit, loss, interest, etc.) of or relating to a short term, especially one year or less.
adjective
-
of, for, or extending over a limited period
-
finance extending over, maturing within, or required within a short period of time, usually twelve months
short-term credit
short-term capital
Etymology
Origin of short-term
First recorded in 1900–05
Explanation
Anything short-term doesn't last long. A short-term romance might be for a few weeks instead of a lifetime, and a short-term job won't provide you long-term security. The word term often applies to units of time, like a politician's term in office. This word has to do with time, but only small amounts of time: anything short-term occurs for a little while, and then it's over. A short-term illness goes away quickly, and a short-term problem won't weigh you down for long. The opposite of short-term is long-term, which refers to things happening for a greater period of time.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Carmichael said "liabilities that the government will face in the short-term" could be recouped by a future sale of Thames Water once its finances and performance are back on track.
From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026
This comes despite a flat performance for short-term debt and the net asset value of U.S. long-term bond funds having fallen close to 5%, Chua said.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 17, 2026
Pakistan's prime minister has directed the inquiry's short-term measures to be implemented within the next three months and ordered fire safety audits of public and private offices and buildings.
From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2026
Treasury yields, which rise when bond prices fall, largely reflect investors’ expectations for short-term rates set by the Fed.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026
If anything goes wrong with it, there's a short-term spare I can use.
From "The Martian" by Andy Weir
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
