short-term
Americanadjective
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covering or applying to a relatively short period of time.
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maturing over a relatively short period of time.
a short-term loan.
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(of profit, loss, interest, etc.) of or relating to a short term, especially one year or less.
adjective
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of, for, or extending over a limited period
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finance extending over, maturing within, or required within a short period of time, usually twelve months
short-term credit
short-term capital
Etymology
Origin of short-term
First recorded in 1900–05
Explanation
Anything short-term doesn't last long. A short-term romance might be for a few weeks instead of a lifetime, and a short-term job won't provide you long-term security. The word term often applies to units of time, like a politician's term in office. This word has to do with time, but only small amounts of time: anything short-term occurs for a little while, and then it's over. A short-term illness goes away quickly, and a short-term problem won't weigh you down for long. The opposite of short-term is long-term, which refers to things happening for a greater period of time.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
According to participants, the United States was the only voice in the room projecting short-term confidence.
From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026
The S&P 500 has rallied, as the market anticipates short-term inflation and no Fed rate hikes.
From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026
The short-term rental strategy was launched in 2013 and involved an online business to list properties on digital platforms, which reportedly included Vrbo and Airbnb.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026
“If tensions ease and oil prices fall, that could reduce short-term inflation pressure and ease some of the upward pressure on yields, which may support gold,” the co-founder and CEO said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026
He would have no short-term memory for several days and no depth perception for six months.
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
