temporary
11 synonyms and 5 antonyms for temporary, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Lasting for only a limited time; not permanent.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adjective
Lasting for only a limited time; not permanent.
“They found temporary housing after the flood.”
provisional
interim
short-term
transient
momentary
fleeting
stopgap
temp
impermanent
temporary worker
irregular
Opposites
2. noun
Someone hired for a short, fixed period rather than as a permanent employee.
“The agency sent over a temporary to cover reception during the holidays.”
How to use temporary
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
temporary solution
temporary staff
temporary measure
Etymology
From Latin temporarius, from tempus ("time").
Full origin of temporary →Frequently asked questions
What does “temporary” mean?
The word “temporary” means lasting for only a limited time; not permanent. In plain terms, not permanent — meant to last only for a while.
How do you pronounce “temporary”?
“Temporary” is pronounced TEHM-puh-ruh-ree (/ˈtɛmp(əˌɹ)ɛɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “temporary” in a sentence?
Here is “temporary” used in a sentence: “They found temporary housing after the flood.”
What part of speech is “temporary”?
Depending on how it is used, “temporary” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “temporary” come from?
The word “temporary” comes from Latin. From Latin temporarius, from tempus ("time").
Is “temporary” a common word?
“Temporary” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “temporary” have?
“Temporary” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: lasting for only a limited time; not permanent.
What is the difference between temporary and contemporary?
Despite sounding alike, they mean different things. Temporary means lasting only a limited time, the opposite of permanent. Contemporary means belonging to the present day, or existing at the same time as something else. A temporary exhibit closes soon; a contemporary artist is one working today. Do not swap them.
What is the difference between temporary and permanent?
They are direct opposites. Temporary means lasting only for a limited period before ending or being replaced, while permanent means intended to last indefinitely. A temporary contract has a fixed end date; a permanent one does not. The difference is simply whether something is meant to continue or to stop.
What is an example of something temporary?
A temporary job that covers someone's leave, a temporary tattoo that washes off, scaffolding around a building, or a road closed for a weekend are all temporary. Each exists for a set stretch of time and is then removed, ended, or replaced, rather than staying in place for good.
Related words
temporality
tempus fugit
