temporary

temporary — adjective

1. Something that is temporary stays in place or continues for only a limited time,

1.adjectiveA2
Definition

Something that is temporary stays in place or continues for only a limited time, and is expected to end or be replaced eventually.

Example

Gabriela found a temporary job at the hospital while looking for permanent work.

collocation: temporary job / temporary work

The temporary traffic lights stayed at the corner for nearly a month.

Common collocations
  • temporary job
  • temporary solution
  • temporary measure
  • temporary contract
  • temporary accommodation
  • temporary licence
  • temporary visa
  • temporary parking
  • temporary repairs
  • temporary shelter
  • temporary password
  • temporary setback
Synonyms
  • short-term

    more specific to time duration; used in finance and planning contexts

  • provisional

    implies an arrangement that will be replaced once a final decision is made

  • interim

    used for positions or arrangements that fill a gap until a permanent replacement is found

  • makeshift

    informal; suggests something quickly put together with available resources, often lower quality

Antonyms
  • permanent

    the direct opposite; intended to last indefinitely

  • long-term

    implies lasting or expected to last for a long period

Grammar Patterns

temporary + noun

be + temporary

Common Mistakes

I am temporary working at the bank.
I am temporarily working at the bank.
'temporary' is an adjective; use the adverb 'temporarily' to modify a verb.
The situation is temporally.
The situation is temporary.
'temporally' means 'related to time' (from Latin tempus), not 'lasting a short time'.

temporary — noun

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All five words describe something limited in duration, but they differ in context and connotation. 'Temporary' is the most general and neutral — it covers anything expected to end (a temporary job, a temporary solution). 'Short-term' focuses on time span and is common in finance and planning (short-term loan, short-term memory). 'Provisional' suggests something arranged now that will be formally confirmed or replaced later (a provisional driving licence, a provisional booking). 'Interim' is used for a role or arrangement that fills a gap until a permanent replacement is found (an interim manager, an interim report). 'Makeshift' is more informal and implies something was put together quickly with whatever was available, often of lower quality (a makeshift bed, a makeshift table). For example: the company hired a temporary receptionist while the manager was away; after the earthquake, families slept in makeshift tents.

temporary ↗short-term ↗provisional ↗interim ↗makeshift ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • strictly temporary
  • purely temporary
  • merely temporary
  • only temporary

Phrases

  • on a temporary basis
  • temporary in nature

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Comes from the Latin word 'temporarius' meaning 'lasting only for a time,' which was formed from 'tempus' (time). It entered English through Anglo-Norman French in the 16th century, originally used to describe something limited by time.