temporal

¹ American  

[tem-per-uhl, tem-pruhl] / ˈtɛm pər əl, ˈtɛm prəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to time.

2. pertaining to or concerned with the present life or this world; worldly.

   temporal joys.

3. enduring for a time only; temporary; transitory (opposed to eternal).

4. Grammar.

   1. of, relating to, or expressing time.

      a temporal adjective, such as recent, or a temporal adverb, such as recently.

   2. of or relating to the tenses of a verb.

5. secular, lay, or civil, as opposed to ecclesiastical.

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noun

1. a temporal possession, estate, or the like; temporality.

2. something that is temporal; a temporal matter or affair.

temporal ² American  

[tem-per-uhl, tem-pruhl] / ˈtɛm pər əl, ˈtɛm prəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or situated near the temple or a temporal bone.

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noun

1. any of several parts in the temporal region, especially the temporal bone.

temporal ¹ British  

/ ˈtɛmpərəl, ˈtɛmprəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to time

2. of or relating to secular as opposed to spiritual or religious affairs

   the lords spiritual and temporal

3. lasting for a relatively short time

4. grammar of or relating to tense or the linguistic expression of time in general

   a temporal adverb

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temporal ² British  

/ ˈtɛmpərəl, ˈtɛmprəl /

adjective

1. anatomy of, relating to, or near the temple or temples

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temporal Scientific  

/ tĕm′pər-əl /

1. Relating to or near the bones that form the sides and part of the base of the skull.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• temporally
  adverb
• temporalness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of temporal¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English (adjective and noun) from Latin temporālis, equivalent to tempor- (stem of tempus ) “time” + -ālis adjective suffix; see -al ¹

Origin of temporal²

First recorded in 1535–45; from Late Latin temporālis, equivalent to tempor- (stem of tempus ) temple ² + -ālis -al ¹

Explanation

Our time on earth is limited, or temporal. Temporal comes from the Latin word temporalis which means "of time" and is usually applied to words that mean not having much of it, such as the temp who works at an office for a set amount of time, because temporary situations don't last long. A less common word, temporality also means "having limited time," and it rhymes with mortality! (Don't remind us.) Temporal implies "of this earth," too — temporal boundaries keep us from being able to fly around the clouds, but spiritual beings can zing around at will. Temporal can also refer to temples, the ones on the side of your head that are probably aching by now.

Example Sentences

Temporal lobe epilepsy causes repeated seizures and often interferes with memory and thinking.

From Science Daily • Dec. 25, 2025

Temporal disintegration has been linked to long-term psychological adjustment following exposure to disasters.

From Salon • Sep. 9, 2024

The Sword of State and the Sword of Offering - more about them later - the Sword of Temporal Justice, the Sword of Spiritual Justice, the Sword of Mercy.

From BBC • May 7, 2023

Also to feature will be the Sword of Temporal Justice, the Sword of Spiritual Justice and the Sword of Mercy, which were first used in the coronation of Charles I in 1626.

From Reuters • May 5, 2023

The same is likely true of at least one other study, called “The Use of Deep Temporal Leads in the Study of Psychomotor Epilepsy,” which involved inserting metal probes into patients’ brains.

From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot

Related Words

• earthly
• materialistic
• physical
• sensual