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 they ultimately proved not to provide a permanent change in their fortunes, but a momentary respite.

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Commitment could not be questioned here, but Spurs were undone by momentary lapses that always risk the ultimate punishment against PSG.

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"This was not a momentary lapse by Paul Doyle — it was a choice he made that day and it turned celebration into mayhem."

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The defence said it was a "momentary lapse on her part", a "terribly tragic accident" in which she too "significantly suffered".

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Short sellers piled into the stock, setting up the momentary rebound typical of meme stocks.

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Related Words

• short-lived 
• temporary 
• transitory