interim
gb/ˈɪntɚəm/ us/ˈɪntɚəm/
B2
English
~ 6500
ideiglenes, időközi, átmeneti, átmeneti időszak, köztes időszak
B2
FORMAL
1
Usage pattern:
interim [position/measure/agreement/report]
She was appointed interim manager while the company searched for a permanent director.
Ideiglenes vezetőnek nevezték ki arra az időre, amíg a cég állandó igazgatót keresett.
The board released an interim report on the investigation in March.
Az igazgatótanács márciusban időközi jelentést tett közzé a vizsgálatról.
An interim government will run the country until the elections are held.
We need an interim solution to house the staff during the renovation.
The court issued an interim order to protect the children.
Learner examples
He has an interim job while he looks for full-time work.
Ideiglenes állása van, amíg teljes munkaidős munkát keres.
The company posted strong interim results this quarter.
A cég erős időközi eredményeket közölt ebben a negyedévben.
They chose an interim leader for the project.
This is just an interim plan until we know more.
An interim agreement was signed by both sides.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "interim" by itself as a noun to mean a temporary worker (e.g., *"She is an interim"*). In standard English, "interim" is usually an adjective before a noun ("interim manager", "interim contract"). Use "temporary worker" or "temp" instead when you want a noun.
Meaning
temporary, until something permanent
Collocations
interim manager
|interim government
|interim report
|interim results
|interim solution
Synonyms
temporary (More common and general; less formal than "interim" and not as strongly linked to formal roles, reports, or official arrangements.)
Antonyms
permanent (Describes something meant to last and not be replaced, the opposite of something interim.)
Themes
business
|politics
|law
|core_vocabulary
|work
Definition
Used to describe something that is only for a short time, until a final or permanent thing is ready.
Serving or intended to be used for a limited period of time until a permanent or final arrangement, decision, or person is in place.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
in the interim, [clause]
The new software will be ready in July; in the interim, we will continue using the old system.
Az új szoftver júliusra lesz kész; addig is továbbra is a régi rendszert használjuk.
A temporary caretaker has been appointed for the interim.
Az átmeneti időszakra ideiglenes gondnokot neveztek ki.
In the interim between contracts, many staff worked as freelancers.
The committee will review the policy again, but in the interim the current rules remain in force.
Several changes were made to the proposal in the interim.
Learner examples
The train is late, so in the interim we will wait in the café.
A vonat késik, ezért addig is a kávézóban várunk.
Our new house is not ready, so in the interim we live with my parents.
Az új házunk még nincs kész, ezért addig is a szüleimnél lakunk.
You can use my laptop in the interim.
The store will close for repairs; in the interim, customers can shop online.
She lost her job and, in the interim, is taking care of her children at home.
Common mistake:
Learners often treat "in the interim" like casual speech and use it in very informal conversation where "in the meantime" or "for now" would sound more natural. Reserve "in the interim" mainly for formal writing or serious spoken situations.
Meaning
time between two events
Collocations
in the interim
|during the interim
|the interim period
|for the interim
Synonyms
meantime (Very similar meaning; "in the meantime" is more common and less formal than "in the interim".)
Antonyms
permanence (Refers to a lasting, ongoing state without a temporary in‑between period, contrasting with a limited interim period.)
Themes
time
|planning
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The time between now and a later event, or between two events.
The period of time between two events, situations, or stages, especially before a planned change or final decision happens.
Grammar
Dictionary form
interim
IPA
GB/ˈɪntɚəm/
US/ˈɪntɚəm/
Syllables & stress
in - ter - im (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (in)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: interim
- Plural: interim, interims
Word family
Forms
interims
noun
Related words
temporary
adjective A2
provisional
adjective B2
Advanced or less common
transitional
adjective B2
Expressions
as an interim measure
1/ˈæz ən ˈɪntɚəm mˈɛʒɚ/
fixed phrase
formal
as a temporary action
As something you do only for a short time, until you find a better or final solution.
Examples
- As an interim measure, staff will work from home three days a week.
- The council opened a temporary shelter as an interim measure until permanent housing is arranged.
- The company cut travel costs as an interim measure while profits were low.
in the interim
1/ˈɪn ðə ˈɪntɚəm/
fixed phrase
formal
during the time between events
During the time between now and a later event, or between two events.
Examples
- The website will be updated next month; in the interim, please call us for more information.
- The new manager starts in May; in the interim, the team will report to the director.
- We are waiting for the final decision, but in the interim we will follow the current plan.