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

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

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

Trade Representative Jamieson Greer signaled potential reimposition of temporary 10% tariffs and possible reductions of levies on some Chinese goods.

From Barron's • May 27, 2026

A judge granted the order on a temporary basis on May 22, according to Escorcia’s attorney, Michelle E. Diaz.

From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026

Liberty Utilities says customers will not lose power, and NV Energy frames the arrangement as always having been temporary.

From MarketWatch • May 27, 2026

The trial, before temporary judge John Morris, continues.

From BBC • May 27, 2026

It was the first telegram issued from the temporary War Department headquarters at the Petersen house.

From "Chasing Lincoln's Killer" by James L. Swanson

Related Words

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