temporarily

temporarily — adverb

1. for a limited period, with the understanding that the situation will change back

1.adverbB2
Definition

for a limited period, with the understanding that the situation will change back afterwards.

Example

Romi is staying with her aunt temporarily while her flat is being painted.

temporarily + while-clause showing temporary situation

The museum closed temporarily last month for roof repairs.

temporarily + past tense + for [reason]

Common collocations
  • temporarily close
  • temporarily stay
  • temporarily leave
  • temporarily stop
  • temporarily move
  • temporarily borrow
Synonyms
  • briefly

    focuses on the short duration itself, less emphasis on returning to a previous state

  • for the time being

    more informal and often suggests an indefinite rather than fixed period

  • momentarily

    suggests a very short duration; in American English can also mean 'very soon'

Antonyms
  • permanently

    opposite meaning — lasting forever with no return

  • forever

    emphasises endless duration rather than a limited one

Usage Note

Commonly placed before the main verb or at the end of the clause. Typical verbs modified include 'stay', 'close', 'leave', 'stop', 'move', 'borrow' — actions that imply a return to a previous state.

Word family

  • temporary
    adjectiveB1
  • temporariness
    nounC1
  • temporize
    verbC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

'Temporarily' suggests a change that is expected to reverse — a shop closes temporarily for renovation, expecting to reopen. 'Briefly' emphasises the short duration itself, often without the expectation of reversal: 'He briefly stopped to tie his shoe.' 'Momentarily' suggests an even shorter span, often seconds or minutes, and in American English it can also mean 'very soon' ('I'll be with you momentarily'). 'For the time being' is more informal and vaguer about the endpoint: 'This desk will do for the time being' suggests you might replace it eventually but haven't fixed a date. Use 'temporarily' when the speaker has a clear expectation that things will return to how they were — e.g., 'I'm temporarily working from home' implies you expect to go back to the office.

briefly ↗momentarilyfor the time being

Common collocations

Phrases

  • temporarily closed
  • temporarily unavailable
  • temporarily out of action
  • temporarily suspended

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

From Latin 'temporarius' (lasting only for a time, seasonal), formed from 'tempus' (time). The word passed into English through French 'temporaire' and Latin, with the adverbial form 'temporarily' emerging in the 16th century.