temporary

[tem-puh-rer-ee]

adjective

1. lasting, existing, serving, or effective for a time only; not permanent.

   a temporary need;

   a temporary job.

   Synonyms: passing, impermanent
   Antonyms: permanent

noun

plural

temporaries 

1. temp.

temporary

/ ˈtɛmprərɪ, ˈtɛmpərərɪ /

adjective

1. not permanent; provisional

   temporary accommodation

2. lasting only a short time; transitory

   temporary relief from pain

noun

1. Often shortened to: temp. a person, esp a secretary or other office worker, employed on a temporary basis

Other Word Forms

• temporarily adverb
• temporariness noun
• nontemporariness noun
• nontemporary adjective
• untemporary adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of temporary¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin temporārius, equivalent to tempor- (stem of tempus ) “time” + -ārius -ary

Word History and Origins

Origin of temporary¹

C16: from Latin temporārius, from tempus time

Synonym Study

Temporary, transient, transitory agree in referring to that which is not lasting or permanent. Temporary implies an arrangement established with no thought of continuance but with the idea of being changed soon: a temporary structure. Transient describes that which is in the process of passing by, and which will therefore last or stay only a short time: a transient condition. Transitory describes an innate characteristic by which a thing, by its very nature, lasts only a short time: Life is transitory.

Example Sentences

Their contributions are helping supply displaced residents with temporary housing, medical care, food and essentials.

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He was one of around 86,000 Afghans who assisted U.S. forces or were otherwise at-risk and brought into the country on a temporary status known as “humanitarian parole.”

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Some temporary work visas from those countries are allowed.

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City authorities said they had opened nine shelters and were organising temporary accommodation and emergency funds for those who had lost their homes.

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This despite a federal judge last week ordering a temporary suspension of the deployment on the grounds that it was likely illegal.

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Related Words

• brief 
• interim 
• limited 
• makeshift 
• momentary 
• provisional 
• short-lived 
• transitory