adj
Common
interim
IHN-tuh-rihm
Interim (adj) means Temporary or provisional, filling a gap until something permanent is arranged. Example: “An interim manager will run the shop until a new one is hired.”
adj
1
Temporary or provisional, filling a gap until something permanent is arranged.
"An interim manager will run the shop until a new one is hired."
"The council put an interim fix on the broken bridge while repairs were planned."
"She was named interim CEO while the board searched for a permanent replacement."
noun
1
A period of time between one event and another.
"In the interim, please keep the receipt somewhere safe."
"There was a long interim between the two meetings, so we all relaxed."
"In the interim, the team will report to the deputy manager."
How to use interim
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething temporary that bridges the gap until a permanent solution is in place.
Common pairings
interim CEO
in the interim
interim measures
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Word forms
- Plural
- interims
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
An _____ manager will run the shop until a new one is hired.
Etymology
Borrowed directly from Latin interim, meaning "meanwhile."
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “interim” mean?
The word “interim” means temporary or provisional, filling a gap until something permanent is arranged. In plain terms, something temporary that bridges the gap until a permanent solution is in place.
How do you pronounce “interim”?
“Interim” is pronounced IHN-tuh-rihm (/ˈɪntəɹɪm/ in IPA).
How do you use “interim” in a sentence?
Here is “interim” used in a sentence: “She was named interim CEO while the board searched for a permanent replacement.”
What part of speech is “interim”?
Depending on how it is used, “interim” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “interim” come from?
The word “interim” comes from Latin. Borrowed directly from Latin interim, meaning "meanwhile.".
Is “interim” a common word?
“Interim” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “interim” have?
“Interim” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: temporary or provisional, filling a gap until something permanent is arranged.
What is the difference between interim and temporary?
Both describe things that are not permanent, but interim specifically means filling a gap until something permanent is arranged, so it points forward to a planned replacement. Temporary simply means lasting for a limited time, with no implication that anything permanent will follow. An interim report is issued while the final one is prepared; a temporary road closure just ends.
What is an interim manager or interim CEO?
An interim manager or interim CEO is someone appointed to hold a position on a provisional basis until a permanent appointment is made. The role is understood from the outset to be a stopgap, often used while an organization searches for a long-term hire or works through a transition.
What is the difference between interim and acting in job titles?
Both signal a temporary occupant of a role, but the emphasis differs. Acting usually implies covering the duties of a post while the regular holder is absent or until the situation is resolved, whereas interim implies bridging the gap before a permanent successor is appointed. In practice many organizations use the two labels interchangeably.
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