INDEX:
1. continuing or existing for only a limited period of time
2. for a limited time only
RELATED WORDS
opposite
↑ ALWAYS (6)
see also
↑ SHORT
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1. continuing or existing for only a limited period of time
▷ temporary /ˈtemp ə rəri, -p ə riǁ-pəreri/ [adjective]
▪ I’m sure this is only a temporary problem.
▪ These arrangements are only intended to be temporary until an alternative is found.
▪ Temporary shelters were hastily constructed as the refugees started to pour in.
temporary job/employment
▪ I’ve got a temporary secretarial job, but I’m hoping to find something more permanent.
temporary staff/teacher/worker etc
who is temporary
▪ There are always plenty of temporary workers available during the summer months.
temporary accommodation
▪ Because of damage to their homes, many people had to stay in temporary accommodation for a few months.
▷ short-term /ˌʃɔːʳt ˈtɜːʳm◂/ [adjective usually before noun]
continuing, or intended to continue, for only a short time :
▪ Quite a lot of our staff are employed on short term contracts.
▪ The development programme was established on a short-term basis, just over a year ago.
▪ The Prime Minister emphasized the need to look to the future, rather than only considering the short-term results.
short-term memory
the ability to remember things that happened recently
▪ She can still remember things that happened fifty years ago, but her short-term memory is terrible!
short term [singular noun]
in the short term
in the near future, but perhaps not after that
▪ In the short term, interest rates are likely to remain the same.
▷ provisional /prəˈvɪʒ ə nəl/ [adjective]
a provisional arrangement is temporary and can be changed or replaced in the future :
▪ The management has made a provisional pay offer of 7%.
▪ Following a series of provisional governments, the Dominican people elected Juan Bosch as their President.
▪ I’ve made a booking at the hotel, but it’s only provisional - I’ll have to confirm it soon.
a provisional licence
British a driving licence that you have while you are learning to drive
▪ You have to get a provisional licence until you pass your test.
provisionally [adverb]
▪ Two more series of the show are provisionally planned for next year.
▷ interim /ˈɪntərɪm/ [adjective only before noun]
an interim report, measure, arrangement etc is one that is used temporarily until a final or complete one is ready :
▪ Eventually an interim agreement on arms control was reached.
▪ The actual sales figures were 20% higher than those estimated in the interim report in July.
▪ The government will announce interim measures to tackle fuel shortages.
▷ stopgap /ˈstɒpgæpǁˈstɑːp-/ [countable noun]
something that is done or used for a short time because there is an immediate need for it, but is replaced as soon as possible with something that is better - use this especially to show disapproval :
▪ The first house we bought was only a stopgap, until we could afford something we really liked.
stopgap [adjective only before noun]
stopgap measures
▪ There is a trend towards favoring stopgap measures, instead of seeking long-term solutions to socioeconomic problems.
2. for a limited time only
▷ temporarily /ˈtemp ə rərɪli, ˈtemp ə rərəliǁˌtempəˈrerə̇li/ [adverb]
▪ The library is temporarily closed for repairs.
▪ Well, I suppose she can stay here temporarily, while she’s looking for an apartment.
▷ for now/for the moment /fəʳ ˈnaʊ, fəʳ ðə ˈməʊmənt/ [adverb]
from now until a time in the future, especially when you do not know exactly when in the future :
▪ For the moment, I’m quite happy in the job I’m doing.
▪ Such popular programmes will go on being broadcast on Channel 3 - for now.
▪ ‘The negotiations are continuing for the moment,’ a spokesman said.
▷ for the time being /fəʳ ðə ˌtaɪm ˈbiːɪŋ/ [adverb]
for a short period of time from now, but not permanently :
▪ For the time being, Mrs Gilman’s classes will be taken by other teachers.
▪ Although the government aims to encourage private enterprise, around one third of the economy will remain under state control, for the time being.