temporary
TEHM-puh-ruh-ree
Temporary (adjective) means lasting for only a limited time; not permanent. Example: “They found temporary housing after the flood.”
adjective
1
Lasting for only a limited time; not permanent.
"They found temporary housing after the flood."
"It was only meant to be a temporary fix until we could afford a proper repair."
"The shop put up a temporary sign while the new one was being made."
noun
1
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."
"The company hired a temporary to cover the busy period in December."
"After two months as a temporary, she was offered a permanent contract."
How to use temporary
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot permanent — meant to last only for a while.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "contemporary" (belonging to the same time period, or modern) — the words look similar but mean different things.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
temporary solution
temporary staff
temporary measure
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Word forms
- Plural
- temporaries
- Comparative
- more temporary
- Superlative
- most temporary
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They found _____ housing after the flood.
Etymology
From Latin temporarius, from tempus ("time").
Synonyms
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provisional
interim
short-term
transient
momentary
fleeting
stopgap
temp
impermanent
temporary worker
irregular
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for temporary
See all rhymes for 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.
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