Definition

Adverb: 1. For a very short time; briefly: Refers to an action or state that lasts for only a moment or an instant. 2. Very soon; at any moment: Indicates that something is expected to happen in the very near future.

Usage and Examples

• Meaning 1 (For a very short time):
  • The speaker paused momentarily to take a sip of water. (The interruption in speaking was very brief.)
  • The power outage caused the lights to flicker momentarily. (The lights went out for just an instant.)
• Meaning 2 (Very soon):
  • The plane will be landing momentarily. (The plane is expected to land very soon.)
  • Please wait, I will be with you momentarily. (I will attend to you in just a moment.)

Advanced Usage and Notes

• The use of "momentarily" to mean "very soon" is common in American English, particularly in announcements (e.g., transportation, customer service). In British English, this usage is less common and can sometimes be considered informal or incorrect by some speakers, who prefer "in a moment" or "shortly" for the future sense.
• The primary, unambiguous meaning relates to duration ("for a moment").

Variants and Related Words

• Momentary (adjective): Lasting for a very short time.
  • There was a momentary silence after the announcement.
• Moment (noun): A very brief period of time.

Synonyms

• Briefly: For a short time.
• Fleetingly: Lasting for a very short time.
• Shortly: In a short time; soon.
• In a moment: Very soon.

Common Phrases and Collocations

• Pause momentarily: To stop briefly.
• Disappear momentarily: To vanish for an instant.
• Be back momentarily: Will return very soon (common in service contexts).

Adverb

1. at any moment
   • she will be with you momently
2. for an instant or moment
   • we paused momentarily before proceeding
   • a cardinal perched momently on the dogwood branch