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View synonyms for

temporary

[ tem-puh-rer-ee ]

adjective

  1. lasting, existing, serving, or effective for a time only; not permanent:

    a temporary need;

    a temporary job.

    Synonyms: ,

    Antonyms:



noun

plural temporaries.

temporary

/ ˈtɛmprərɪ; ˈtɛmpərərɪ /

adjective

  1. not permanent; provisional

    temporary accommodation

  2. lasting only a short time; transitory

    temporary relief from pain

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a person, esp a secretary or other office worker, employed on a temporary basis Often shortened totemp
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈٱ𳾱ǰԱ, noun
  • ˈٱ𳾱ǰ, adverb
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Other Word Forms

  • ٱ···· [tem-p, uh, -, rair, -, uh, -lee, tem, -p, uh, -rer-], adverb
  • ٱ····Ա noun
  • non·ٱ····Ա noun
  • ԴDz·ٱ··· adjective
  • ܲ·ٱ··· adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of temporary1

First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin ٱ𳾱ǰܲ, equivalent to tempor- (stem of tempus ) “time” + -ary
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Word History and Origins

Origin of temporary1

C16: from Latin ٱ𳾱ǰܲ, from tempus time
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Synonym Study

Temporary, transient, transitory agree in referring to that which is not lasting or permanent. Temporary implies an arrangement established with no thought of continuance but with the idea of being changed soon: a temporary structure. Transient describes that which is in the process of passing by, and which will therefore last or stay only a short time: a transient condition. Transitory describes an innate characteristic by which a thing, by its very nature, lasts only a short time: Life is transitory.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The warm spell is expected to give a temporary boost to nature as migratory birds arrive from afar and butterflies stretch their wings.

From

Meant as a temporary measure, the so-called Nixon shock of 1971 caused the dollar to drop, effectively ending the Bretton Woods system of fixed exchange rates established after the end of World War II.

From

"It might just be temporary, it'll probably be over by Monday," he laughed.

From

After a previous conflict in Gaza in 2009, a UN survey of the territory found asbestos in debris from older buildings, sheds, temporary building extensions, roofs and the walls of livestock enclosures.

From

"One of the scenarios is… to give up territory. It's not fair. But for the peace, temporary peace, maybe it can be a solution, temporary," he said.

From

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temporarilytemporary duty