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• temp
  temp

  noun

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

  abbreviation

  temperature.

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

"Whether that's putting in some sort of temporary structure or putting a temp track across the field alongside the landslide."

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2026

Outside the office, four temp workers discuss a mysterious office theft and how their full-time co-workers likely suspect they are the culprits.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 29, 2025

Spoon over the orange-zest-and-fennel squash — warm or room temp — and hit it with a pinch of flaky salt.

From Salon • Aug. 12, 2025

There's always a temp agency or consulting firm that can farm out someone, but it's hit or miss with temp hires, who typically don't really care.

From "How It Went Down" by Kekla Magoon

Related Words

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