short-term

American  

[shawrt-turm] / ˈʃɔrtˈtɜrm /

adjective

1. covering or applying to a relatively short period of time.

2. maturing over a relatively short period of time.

   a short-term loan.

3. (of profit, loss, interest, etc.) of or relating to a short term, especially one year or less.

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short-term British  

adjective

1. of, for, or extending over a limited period

2. finance extending over, maturing within, or required within a short period of time, usually twelve months

   short-term credit

   short-term capital

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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

Short term is your bank cash, which should be three to six months’ worth of your expenses.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 21, 2026

Short term natural events can temporarily raise or lower global temperatures and make it harder to detect changes in long term climate trends.

From Science Daily • Mar. 9, 2026

Short term, inhaling antimony can cause eye irritation or a skin rash known as antimony spots.

From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2025

Short term, drivers can expect three more weekend 520 closures in August; on Aug. 19 and 20, there will also be a closure on I-405.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 13, 2023

Answer: Short term and long term capital flows are two disparate phenomena with very little in common.

From After the Rain : how the West lost the East by Vaknin, Samuel

Related Words

• interim
• limited
• momentary