momentarily

[ moh-muh n-tair-uh-lee, moh-muh n-ter- ]

/ ˌmoʊ mənˈtɛər ə li, ˈmoʊ mənˌtɛr- /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR momentarily ON THESAURUS.COM

adverb

for a moment; briefly: to pause momentarily.

at any moment; imminently: expected to occur momentarily.

Nearby words

mome, moment, moment of inertia, moment of sail, moment of truth, momentarily, momentary, momently, momento, momentous, momentum

Origin of momentarily

First recorded in 1645–55; momentary + -ly

Can be confused

currently immediately momentarily now presently soon (see synonym study at immediately) (see usage note at presently)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for momentarily

Somebody yanks Chan and elbows him and he is momentarily distracted trying to apprehend his assailant.
Protesters Slimed This Good Samaritan Cop|Michael Daly|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
While attempting to pull a bin of canned food toward him, Bob is momentarily pulled underwater by a walker sneak-attack.
The Walking Dead’s Most Gruesome Scene Yet: ‘A Man’s Gotta Eat’|Melissa Leon|October 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They are told that this event is important, and they may, momentarily, set aside their skepticism.
The Real Housewives of Miss America|Kate Shindle|September 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Scourges, he says, “are killers who act, momentarily, as agents freed from sacred order and its commanding truths.”
The Real Nightmare of Ferguson|James Poulos|August 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST

RT brass seemed to have momentarily forgotten, however, that they were in Washington, not Moscow.
Watch RT, Putin's TV Network, Call the Cops on Me|James Kirchick|March 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Momentarily, now, there was an increasing assurance apparent in the movements of the man.
Joan Thursday|Louis Joseph Vance
The light of ferocity had entirely gone from his eyes; momentarily the whole expression of the face was one of satisfied greed.
El Dorado|Baroness Orczy
(a) In our illustration, the shock of coolness generated confusion and suspended belief, at least momentarily.
How We Think|John Dewey
Momentarily, he slowed his pace, thinking he was ripe for a bushwhacking job.
First on the Moon|Jeff Sutton
Cam was momentarily spooked—and not "on account of the account," either.
Telempathy|Vance Simonds

British Dictionary definitions for momentarily

momentarily

/ (ˈməʊməntərəlɪ, -trɪlɪ) /

adverb

for an instant; temporarily

from moment to moment; every instant

US and Canadian very soon

Also (for senses 1, 2): momently (ˈməʊməntlɪ)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012