momentary

[moh-muhn-ter-ee]

adjective

1. lasting but a moment; very brief; fleeting.

   a momentary glimpse.

2. that might occur at any moment; ever impending.

   to live in fear of momentary annihilation.

3. effective or recurring at every moment; constant.

momentary

/ ˈməʊməntərɪ, -trɪ /

adjective

1. lasting for only a moment; temporary

Other Word Forms

• momentariness noun
• intermomentary adjective
• nonmomentariness noun
• nonmomentary adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of momentary¹

1425–75; late Middle English momentare < Latin mōmentārius. See moment, -ary

Example Sentences

But there seems to be no peace, no matter how momentary, in the GOP’s long-simmering civil war, not even after a traumatic death.

From Salon

Frank van den Broek and British rider Jake Stewart merely looked at each other, with that momentary stalemate allowing Groves to go clear.

From BBC

She later claimed in court that her actions were due to a momentary loss of control.

From BBC

In the violent crackdown that followed the momentary blossoming of freedom after Gdańsk, we feel the heartbreak and fear of the people.

From Los Angeles Times

“It wasn't a magic pill, but this little bit of pie was just a momentary distraction, at least, from the pain, and people were still able to smile through their tears.”

From Salon

Related Words

• short-lived 
• temporary 
• transitory