adjective / noun
temporary
TEM-puh-rair-ee/ˈtempəreri/
Intended to persist only for a limited period.
A plastic covering provides temporary protection over the broken window.
Etymology
The time root here carries a limit: Latin temporarius meant seasonal or short-lived, not merely related to time. Temporary preserves that distinction by describing something that lasts only for a while.
In context
temporary scaffolding to hold up the span whilst it was constructed. Once complete, the scaffolding was removed
More examples
- We move into temporary housing while our home is repaired.
- The road closure is temporary, so traffic should return tomorrow.
- The company hires temporaries to handle the holiday rush.
Forms
temporary · temporaries
temporarily adverb — For a limited period of time.
Similar words
- provisional
- Emphasizes being tentative and subject to change or approval.
- interim
- Describes something used until a permanent arrangement takes over.