adj
Common
provisional
pruh-VIH-zhuh-nuhl
Provisional (adj) means Temporary and meant to be replaced later by something permanent. Example: “A provisional government was set up until elections could be held.”
adj
1
Temporary and meant to be replaced later by something permanent.
"Marsden and Jones were named in the provisional squad for the European Championships, to be confirmed before the 30 June deadline."
"A provisional government was set up until elections could be held."
"She received a provisional driving licence while waiting for her full test result."
"The provisional date for the wedding is April 2, but it is subject to confirmation at the church."
"The team gave us a provisional date, pending confirmation from the venue."
How to use provisional
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething in place for now, not meant to last — a stopgap arrangement.
Common pairings
provisional government
provisional licence
provisional agreement
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Word forms
- Plural
- provisionals
Fill the gap
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A _____ government was set up until elections could be held.
Etymology
From provision plus the adjective ending -al, echoing the older French provisionnel and Latin provisionalis.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for provisional
coronal
rational
diagonal
personal
seasonal
national
optional
regional
hormonal
hexagonal
fictional
emotional
See all rhymes for provisional →
Frequently asked questions
What does “provisional” mean?
The word “provisional” means temporary and meant to be replaced later by something permanent. In plain terms, something in place for now, not meant to last — a stopgap arrangement.
How do you pronounce “provisional”?
“Provisional” is pronounced pruh-VIH-zhuh-nuhl (/pɹəˈvɪʒənəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “provisional” in a sentence?
Here is “provisional” used in a sentence: “A provisional government was set up until elections could be held.”
What part of speech is “provisional”?
“Provisional” is an adjective.
Where does the word “provisional” come from?
The word “provisional” comes from Latin. From provision plus the adjective ending -al, echoing the older French provisionnel and Latin provisionalis.
Is “provisional” a common word?
“Provisional” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between "provisional" and "permanent"?
"Provisional" describes something temporary and meant to be replaced later by something permanent, such as a provisional government or provisional license. "Permanent" describes something intended to last indefinitely without further change.
Is "provisional" used in legal or governmental contexts differently than in everyday speech?
In legal and governmental contexts, "provisional" often describes interim arrangements, such as a provisional government or provisional ruling, that hold until a permanent structure is established. In everyday speech, it simply means temporary or tentative, as in a "provisional agreement."
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