temp

¹ American  

[temp] / tɛmp /

noun

1. an office worker hired, usually through an agency on a per diem basis, for a short period of time; a temporary worker.

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verb (used without object)

1. to work on a per diem basis or as a temporary employee.

temp. ² American  

abbreviation

1. temperature.

2. temporary.

3. in the time of.

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temp. ¹ British  

abbreviation

1. temperate

2. temperature

3. temporary

4. tempore

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temp ² British  

/ tɛmp /

noun

1. a person, esp a typist or other office worker, employed on a temporary basis

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verb

1. (intr) to work as a temp

Etymology

Origin of temp¹

First recorded in 1930–35; by shortening

Origin of temp.²

From the Latin word tempore

Example Sentences

He worked temp jobs and lived off dollar pizza while taking internships that might pay him in metro cards and free opening night food.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

Anthony Norman, 25, the new season’s out-of-the-loop hero, has been hired for what he believes is a temp job at the small, family owned Rockin’ Grandma’s Hot Sauce.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026

“My original contact was with a temp executive assistant because I couldn’t find anyone else to talk to.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 1, 2025

Serve and savor: Serve slightly warm or at room temp, ideally outside, with something cold to drink and nowhere to be.

From Salon • Jun. 23, 2025

She found temp work at legal agencies, keeping alive that distant dream of going to law school.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel

Related Words

• aide
• apprentice
• associate
• attendant
• backup
• colleague
• companion
• deputy
• friend
• partner
• representative
• secretary