temporary

1 of 2

adjective

tem·​po·​rary ˈtem-pə-ˌrer-ē 

: lasting for a limited time

temporariness noun

temporary

2 of 2

noun

plural temporaries

: one serving for a limited time

adding several temporaries as typists during the summer

Synonyms

Adjective

• ad interim
• impermanent
• interim
• provisional
• provisionary
• provisory
• short-term

Examples of temporary in a Sentence

Adjective

The drug will give you temporary relief from the pain.

The delay is only temporary.

The settlers built temporary shelters.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Ecuadorians, Venezuelans, Salvadorans, Haitians, Guatemalans, and Mexicans all cook and rest together in temporary safety. —Brad Wolf, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025

But after officials in the Trump administration issued a memo last month ordering a temporary freeze on ongoing cases being litigated by the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, the future of those agreements, which have yet to be approved in federal court, is now uncertain. —Deena Zaru, ABC News, 7 Feb. 2025

Noun

Yes, but: A federal judge on Tuesday temporary halted that effort through next Monday amid a legal challenge. —Alex Fitzpatrick, Axios, 29 Jan. 2025

While this approach seems reasonable, its tradeoffs necessitate SNAP reforms that balance keeping this costly program temporary for recipients while supporting their agency and choice for long-term self-sufficiency. —Vance Ginn, National Review, 11 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Latin temporārius "suited to the occasion, made for the occasion, lasting a limited time," from tempor-, tempus "time, period of time" + -ārius -ary entry 2 — more at tempo

Noun

derivative of temporary entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1564, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1848, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing temporary

• temporary duty

Kids Definition

temporary

adjective

tem·​po·​rary

ˈtem-pə-ˌrer-ē

: not permanent : lasting for a limited time

a temporary shortage

temporarily

ˌtem-pə-ˈrer-ə-lē

adverb

Etymology

Adjective

from Latin temporarius "lasting for only a short time," from tempus "time" — related to tense entry 1