transitory

[ tran-si-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, -zi- ]

/ ˈtræn sɪˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i, -zɪ- /

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See synonyms for transitory on Thesaurus.com

adjective

not lasting, enduring, permanent, or eternal.

lasting only a short time; brief; short-lived; temporary.

OPPOSITES FOR transitory

2 permanent.

See antonyms for transitory on Thesaurus.com

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of transitory

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English transitorie, from Late Latin trānsitōrius “fleeting” (see transit, -tory¹); replacing Middle English transitoire, from Middle French, from Late Latin, as above

synonym study for transitory

2. See temporary.

OTHER WORDS FROM transitory

tran·si·to·ri·ly

[tran-si-tawr-uh-lee, -tohr-, tran-si-tawr-, -tohr-, -zi-], /ˈtræn sɪˌtɔr ə li, -ˌtoʊr-, ˌtræn sɪˈtɔr-, -ˈtoʊr-, -zɪ-/, adverbtran·si·to·ri·ness, nounun·tran·si·to·ri·ly, adverbun·tran·si·to·ri·ness, noun

un·tran·si·to·ry, adjective

Words nearby transitory

transition temperature, transitive, transitive verb, transitman, transit number, transitory, transitory action, transit shed, transit theodolite, Transjordan, Trans-Jordanian

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use transitory in a sentence

The Fed has assured us that it’s all transitory … I remain concerned that they put themselves in a position of being behind the curve if they’re wrong.
Prices rise 5.4 percent in June over last year, largest spike since 2008, as questions mount over whether inflation will be here to stay|Rachel Siegel|July 13, 2021|Washington Post
Still, observers hunting for evidence that this inflation is transitory, a passing fad of economic recovery and diminishing federal aid, or becoming a structural obstacle to price stability, will not settle their debate.
The rising US inflation rate is testing the Fed’s expectations|Tim Fernholz|June 25, 2021|Quartz
I think markets are concerned about the economy after much of the fiscal stimulus wanes in a few months and agree that current inflation is transitory.
Mortgage rates rise to highest levels in two months|Kathy Orton|June 24, 2021|Washington Post
The Federal Reserve’s insistence that recent inflation figures were transitory and that any changes to monetary policy wouldn’t be necessary until the economy showed far more substantial progress has kept rates at bay for months.
Mortgage rates are stubbornly remaining below 3 percent|Kathy Orton|June 17, 2021|Washington Post

Confusion stems from lack of consensus as to whether we are about to have significant inflation versus those who believe the Fed’s view that inflation will be transitory.
Mortgage rates remain under 3 percent for third week in a row|Kathy Orton|May 6, 2021|Washington Post
A yellow rose, given by Roger to Jane, became a symbol of the transitory stage of their marriage.
‘Mad Men’ Finale and Video of Best Season 5 Moments|Jace Lacob|June 11, 2012|DAILY BEAST
At a later point in the note, Panetta writes, “CIA retains the authority to detain individuals on a short-term transitory basis.”
Obama's Torture Bind|John Sifton|April 9, 2009|DAILY BEAST
And though topical humor tends to be transitory, a really bad gag can take on a life of its own and curdle a political career.
How Funny Is Obama?|Sandra McElwaine|January 30, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Popular songs are transitory in nature, and it is the tune, rather than the words, that makes an impression.
Report of the Special Committee on Moral Delinquency in Children and Adolescents|Oswald Chettle Mazengarb et al.
Therefore, if you are still attached to the transitory things of this life, disengage your heart from them now.
Mary, Help of Christians|Various
But everything in this world is fleeting and transitory, and therefore it is not easy to arrive at truth.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume I|John Lord
On addition of potassium cyanide a transitory red color appeared which reappeared on shaking with air.
Some Constituents of the Poison Ivy Plant: (Rhus Toxicodendron)|William Anderson Syme
There are those who think that this excitement among the people will prove transitory and evanescent.
Select Speeches of Daniel Webster|Daniel Webster

British Dictionary definitions for transitory

transitory

/ (ˈtrænsɪtərɪ, -trɪ) /

adjective

of short duration; transient or ephemeral

Derived forms of transitory

transitorily, adverbtransitoriness, noun

Word Origin for transitory

C14: from Church Latin transitōrius passing, from Latin transitus a crossing over; see transient

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

transitory

OPPOSITES FOR transitory

Origin of transitory

synonym study for transitory

OTHER WORDS FROM transitory

Words nearby transitory

Words related to transitory

How to use transitory in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for transitory

Derived forms of transitory

Word Origin for transitory