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

In October, finally a flash of luck: Lee got a job through a temp agency collecting water payments at $17.30 an hour.

From The Wall Street Journal

If companies hired fewer temps than they usually do, the seasonal adjustments applied by the BLS could make the employment picture look a lot worse in November than it really is.

From MarketWatch

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

From The Wall Street Journal

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

Understanding which category your cousin falls into can help you strategize long before the turkey hits its final internal temp.

From Salon

Related Words

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