temporary

American  

[tem-puh-rer-ee] / ˈtɛm pəˌrɛr i /

adjective

1. lasting, existing, serving, or effective for a time only; not permanent.

   a temporary need;

   a temporary job.

   Synonyms:

   passing, impermanent

   Antonyms:

   permanent

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noun

temporaries plural

1. temp.

temporary British  

/ ˈtɛmprərɪ, ˈtɛmpərərɪ /

adjective

1. not permanent; provisional

   temporary accommodation

2. lasting only a short time; transitory

   temporary relief from pain

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noun

1. Often shortened to: temp.  a person, esp a secretary or other office worker, employed on a temporary basis

Synonym Usage

Temporary, transient, transitory agree in referring to that which is not lasting or permanent. Temporary implies an arrangement established with no thought of continuance but with the idea of being changed soon: a temporary structure. Transient describes that which is in the process of passing by, and which will therefore last or stay only a short time: a transient condition. Transitory describes an innate characteristic by which a thing, by its very nature, lasts only a short time: Life is transitory.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nontemporariness
  noun
• nontemporary
  adjective
• untemporary
  adjective
• temporariness
  noun
• temporarily
  adverb

Inflected Forms

noun

• temporaries
  plural

Etymology

Origin of temporary

First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin temporārius, equivalent to tempor- (stem of tempus ) “time” + -ārius -ary

Explanation

Use the adjective temporary to describe something that is not permanent. "Oh my goodness! That's a tattoo," your mother might shriek. You might tell her not to worry, since it's only temporary, and will wear off in a few days. The adjective temporary is used to describe something that isn't permanent or lasts only a short time. Its roots are in the Latin word tempus, meaning "time or season." An employee who isn't a permanent addition to the staff is temporary and in this use, the word is often shortened to temp. The lull in the wind and rain is only temporary, because you know you are in the eye of the storm.

Example Sentences

The VA has appealed a federal court order requiring it to provide about 2,500 new units of temporary and permanent housing on the campus.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

He subsequently made temporary moves to Chelsea and Aston Villa, with his final match for United coming in August 2023.

From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026

Construction of the facility is under a temporary pause order from Kenya's High Court -- although work has continued at the site -- and it has been opposed by local politicians in Laikipia.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

In February, he enacted an across-the-board 10% tariff under a temporary authority that will expire in July.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

Penelope saw him several times in the common room of the barracks as she and the children explored their temporary quarters.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

• brief
• interim
• limited
• makeshift
• momentary
• provisional
• short-lived
• transitory