temporary
/'tempərəri/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective:
- Lasting for a limited time; not permanent: Describes something that exists, is used, or is intended to last only for a short or limited period.
- Intended to be used for the time being until something final exists: Describes a provisional measure or arrangement.
Noun:
- A person employed for a limited time: Refers to a worker, especially in an office or clerical role, who is hired on a non-permanent basis.
Usage and Examples
Adjective:
- The company set up a temporary office during the renovations. (This describes an office that is not permanent.)
- This is just a temporary solution until we find a better one. (This describes a provisional measure.)
- He found temporary work while searching for a career position. (This describes employment for a limited time.)
Noun:
- The agency sent a temporary to cover the reception desk. (This refers to a temporary worker.)
- We need to hire a few temporaries for the holiday season. (This refers to multiple temporary workers.)
Advanced Usage
"temporary measure": A provisional action taken to address an immediate need.
- The traffic diversion is a temporary measure while the bridge is repaired.
"temporary insanity" (Legal/psychological term): A state of mental impairment that is not permanent, often used as a legal defense.
- The defense argued he acted in a state of temporary insanity.
Variants and Related Words
- Temporarily (adverb): For a limited time; not permanently.
- The road is temporarily closed.
- Temporariness (noun): The state or quality of being temporary.
- The temporariness of the arrangement made everyone uneasy.
Synonyms
- Adjective: Impermanent, provisional, interim, short-term, fleeting, transitory.
- Noun: Temp, contract worker, interim worker.
Antonyms
- Adjective: Permanent, lasting, eternal, perpetual, enduring.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- "Temporary fix": A repair or solution that is not meant to last.
- Using tape was just a temporary fix for the leak.
- "Nothing is more permanent than a temporary solution" (Proverb): A saying highlighting how provisional measures often become long-lasting.
Adjective
- lacking continuity or regularity
- an irregular worker
- employed on a temporary basis
- not permanent; not lasting
- politics is an impermanent factor of life- James Thurber
- impermanent palm cottages
- a temperary arrangement
- temporary housing
Noun
- a worker (especially in an office) hired on a temporary basis