transitional
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of transitional
First recorded in 1670–80; transition ( def. ) + -al 1 ( def. )
Explanation
Sometimes people who have been laid off from their old jobs and haven’t been able to find new ones say they are in a transitional period. In other words, they are in the middle of a change. The adjective transitional relates to things such as governments, office spaces, or aspects of one’s life that are in the process of changing. This is a temporary state, until a permanent solution is established, and the word is often used with a sense of hope. For example, when someone goes through a romantic breakup and is hoping to find someone new, she might also say she is in a transitional phase. A synonym for transitional is interim.
Vocabulary lists containing transitional
Keystone Exams: English Composition Glossary
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Narrative Writing, List 4
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Grammar
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He has spent the past year building the scaffolding of accountability: a National Commission for Transitional Justice established by decree last May, a Commission for the Missing that names transitional justice as a priority.
From Slate • May 27, 2026
"Discovery of an X-ray Luminous Radio-Loud Quasar at z = 3.4: A Possible Transitional Super-Eddington Phase" in the Astrophysical Journal on January 21, 2026.
From Science Daily • Jan. 24, 2026
An interim ruling body, the Transitional Presidential Council, currently governs the country, but the council's mandate is set to expire in February 2026.
From Barron's • Dec. 2, 2025
A Transitional Presidential Council and a series of prime ministers it has appointed are tasked with running the country and organising elections.
From BBC • Jul. 23, 2025
In the period leading up to the election, a Transitional Executive Council with members from each party would ensure the right climate for the elections.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
