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 of temporary

Adjective

• interim
• provisional
• 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

The danger is greatest for those with final deportation orders, as they can be removed immediately once their temporary status expires. —Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025

Video of the incident showed Bovino throwing a gas canister at demonstrators in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood without giving a verbal warning -- a violation of the judge's earlier temporary restraining order limiting the use of force, the judge said. —James Hill, ABC News, 7 Nov. 2025

Noun

California voters will have to approve the temporary in a special election in November. —Terry Collins, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2025

King's decision follows a similar move by a federal judge in Maryland, who on Thursday temporary halted Mr. Trump's executive action for 14 days. —Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2025

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

Rhymes for temporary

• accessary
• adversary
• ancillary
• arbitrary
• aviary
• axillary
• beriberi
• breviary
• budgetary
• capillary
• catenary
• cautionary

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