adjective B1 Intermediate Common

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

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."

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

Learner’s notes

In 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

contemporary →

Common pairings

temporary solution temporary staff temporary measure

Word forms

more temporary comparative, temporaries plural, most temporary superlative

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Can you complete this real example?

They found _____ housing after the flood.

Etymology

From Latin temporarius, from tempus ("time").

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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provisional interim short-term transient momentary fleeting stopgap temp impermanent temporary worker

Related words

working quick acting passing permanent brief gap experimental

Rhymes for temporary

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

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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