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temporary
[ tem-puh-rer-ee ]
/ ˈtɛm pəˌrɛr i /
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adjective
lasting, existing, serving, or effective for a time only; not permanent: a temporary need;a temporary job.
noun, plural tem·po·rar·ies.
an office worker hired, usually through an agency on a per diem basis, for a short period of time.
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Origin of temporary
First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin temporārius, equivalent to tempor- (stem of tempus ) “time” + -ārius -ary
synonym study for temporary
1. 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.
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Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use temporary in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for temporary
temporary
/ (ˈtɛmpərərɪ, ˈtɛmprərɪ) /
adjective
not permanent; provisionaltemporary accommodation
lasting only a short time; transitorytemporary relief from pain
noun plural -raries
a person, esp a secretary or other office worker, employed on a temporary basisOften shortened to: temp
Derived forms of temporary
temporarily, adverbtemporariness, nounWord Origin for temporary
C16: from Latin temporārius, from tempus time
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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