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.

---

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.

---

temp. ¹ British  

abbreviation

1. temperate

2. temperature

3. temporary

4. tempore

---

temp ² British  

/ tɛmp /

noun

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

---

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

“You’re in luck. I just finished up a batch of croissants, but there’s also shepherd’s pie if you want. The temp really dropped tonight, right?”

From Literature

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

Related Words

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