Temporary - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT temporary /ˌtɛmpəˈrɛri/ /ˈtɛmpərɛri/ IPA guide

Other forms: temporaries

Use the adjective temporary to describe something that is not permanent. "Oh my goodness! That's a tattoo," your mother might shriek. You might tell her not to worry, since it's only temporary, and will wear off in a few days.

The adjective temporary is used to describe something that isn't permanent or lasts only a short time. Its roots are in the Latin word tempus, meaning "time or season." An employee who isn't a permanent addition to the staff is temporary and in this use, the word is often shortened to temp. The lull in the wind and rain is only temporary, because you know you are in the eye of the storm.

Definitions of temporary

adjective not permanent; not lasting “temporary housing” synonyms: impermanent acting serving temporarily especially as a substitute ephemeral, fugacious, passing, short-lived, transient, transitory lasting a very short time episodic limited in duration to a single episode evanescent tending to vanish like vapor fly-by-night ephemeral improvised, jury-rigged, makeshift done or made using whatever is available interim serving during an intermediate interval of time pro tem, pro tempore for the time being shipboard casual or ephemeral as if taking place on board a ship temporal not eternal terminable capable of being terminated after a designated time working adopted as a temporary basis for further work unstable lacking stability or fixity or firmness
adjective lacking continuity or regularity “employed on a temporary basis” synonyms: irregular part-time, parttime involving less than the standard or customary time for an activity
noun a worker (especially in an office) hired on a temporary basis synonyms: temp, temporary worker see moresee less type of: worker a person who works at a specific occupation

Pronunciation US /ˌtɛmpəˈrɛri/ UK /ˈtɛmpərɛri/ Cite this entry Style: MLA

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Copy citation DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘temporary'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback Word Family

Vocabulary lists containing temporary

It's About Time: Chron and Temp

Take the time to learn these words that contain either the Latin root temp or the Greek root chron, both of which mean "time."

"My Superpowers"

Dan Greenburg's personal narrative "My Superpowers" describes an incident, response, and reflection on wishing for and discovering superpowers. Here are all the word lists to support the reading of Grade 6 Unit 1's texts from SpringBoard's Common Core ELA series: Imperfect Me, My Superpowers, Flipped, The Jacket, Kira-Kira, Thank You, M'am, Pandora and the Whispering Box, Eleven, The Treasure of Lemon Brown, The Fun They Had

"Be-ers and Doers" and "My Moment of Truth"

Edge: Level C, Volume 2, Unit 5, Cluster 3. Here are links to the other clusters within Unit 5: "Say It with Flowers" and "The Journey", "Just Lather, That's All" and "The Woman Who Was Death", "Be-ers and Doers" and "My Moment of Truth"

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