adj B2 Upper-Intermediate

momentary

MOH-muhnt-ree

Momentary (adj) means lasting only a very brief time. Example: “He felt a momentary flash of doubt before signing.”

adj

Lasting only a very brief time.

"He felt a momentary flash of doubt before signing."

"There was a momentary silence after the announcement."

How to use momentary

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomething that happens for just a moment and then passes.

Easily confused with

momentous →

Common pairings

momentary lapse momentary silence momentary hesitation

more momentary comparative, most momentary superlative

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Can you complete this real example?

He felt a _____ flash of doubt before signing.

From Late Latin mōmentārius, "of brief duration," built on mōmentum, "a short time, an instant."

Origin: Late Latin

brief fleeting transient short-lived temporary instantaneous

working short quick acting passing permanent immediate brief

vary Mary nary wary diary ovary weary apiary canary salary binary January

What does “momentary” mean?

The word “momentary” means lasting only a very brief time. In plain terms, something that happens for just a moment and then passes.

How do you pronounce “momentary”?

“Momentary” is pronounced MOH-muhnt-ree (/ˈmoʊmənˌtɛɹi/ in IPA).

How do you use “momentary” in a sentence?

Here is “momentary” used in a sentence: “He felt a momentary flash of doubt before signing.”

What part of speech is “momentary”?

“Momentary” is an adjective.

Where does the word “momentary” come from?

The word “momentary” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin mōmentārius, "of brief duration," built on mōmentum, "a short time, an instant.".

Vocabulary lists that include momentary:

working short quick acting passing permanent immediate brief