temporary
gb/tˈɛmpɚˌɛɹi/ us/tˈɛmpɚˌɛɹi/
A2
English
~ 2300
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A2
property
1
Lasting for a short time
Happening or existing for a short time, not forever.
Usage pattern:
[something] is temporary
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'temporary' with 'tempered' or 'temporarily'. 'Temporary' describes something that lasts for a short time, while 'temporarily' is the adverb form.
Synonyms
short-term (Emphasizes a limited duration, often in a planned or expected way.)
|
brief (Highlights very short duration, often less formal.)
Antonyms
permanent (Means lasting forever or without change.)
Collocations
temporary job
|temporary solution
|temporary measure
|temporary accommodation
|temporary ban
Themes
daily life
|work
|time
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- This is just a temporary arrangement until the new office is ready.
- The road will be closed for temporary repairs.
- She found a temporary job while looking for something permanent.
- We need a temporary solution until we can fix the main system.
Learner examples
- I have a temporary job at the shop.
- This pain is only temporary.
- We live in a temporary house now.
- The store has a temporary sign.
Noun
B1
entity
2
Person hired short-term
A person who works for a company for a short time.
Usage pattern:
hire [a/an] temporary
Common mistake:
Learners might confuse 'temporary' (noun) with 'temp' and not realize they mean the same in casual use.
Synonyms
temp (Common informal abbreviation of 'temporary' in this sense.)
Antonyms
permanent employee (A worker employed without an expected end date.)
Collocations
hire a temporary
|employ temporaries
|seasonal temporaries
Themes
work
|business
Examples
- The company brought in several temporaries to help during the holiday rush.
- We hired a temporary to cover for Jane while she’s on leave.
- Temporaries are often used when workload suddenly increases.
Learner examples
- The office hired a temporary last week.
- A temporary works here for two months.
- They need a temporary for the busy season.
Grammar
Dictionary form
temporary
IPA
GB/tˈɛmpɚˌɛɹi/
US/tˈɛmpɚˌɛɹi/
Syllables & stress
tem - por - ary (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (tem)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: temporary
Noun
- Base: temporary
- Plural: temporaries
Word family
Forms
temporaries
noun
Core family
temporarily
adverb B1
Related words
temporariness
noun
Negative and opposite forms
permanent
adjective B1
permanently
adverb B1
Expressions
temporary job
1/tˈɛmpɚˌɛɹi d͡ʒˈɑb/
fixed phrase
Short-term employment position
A job that only lasts for a short time.
Examples
- She took a temporary job as a receptionist.
- Many students get temporary jobs during the summer.
temporary measure
1/tˈɛmpɚˌɛɹi mˈɛʒɚ/
fixed phrase
Short-term action to solve problem
Something done for a short time to fix a problem until a better way is found.
Examples
- The road closure is only a temporary measure while the bridge is repaired.
- Hiring extra staff was just a temporary measure during the busy period.
temporary solution
1/tˈɛmpɚˌɛɹi səlˈuʃən/
fixed phrase
Solution meant to last briefly
An answer to a problem that is only meant to work for a short time.
Examples
- Using tape to fix the pipe is only a temporary solution.
- We need a permanent fix, not just a temporary solution.