provisionally

Provisionally is an adverb that means temporarily or conditionally, indicating that a situation or status is not final and may be revised or revoked. It is used to describe actions, decisions, or circumstances that are put in place as a temporary measure while more information is gathered, a final decision is made, or a formal process is completed.

Etymology and relation to related terms: provisionally is derived from the adjective provisional, which in turn comes from older forms in French and Latin that conveyed the sense of foreseen or conditional. The noun provision is a separate word with its own meanings, including supplying goods or an item set aside for future use.

Common contexts: in law and governance, provisions or decisions are often described as provisionally approved, granted, or held provisionally until final approval or a full audit. In science and data reporting, provisional results or provisional estimates indicate that findings are preliminary and subject to revision. In everyday use, the term signals that an arrangement or plan is not guaranteed and may change, depending on future events or additional information. Provisional language helps manage expectations and clarifies that the status is temporary.

Nuance and related terms: provisionally implies a formal acknowledgment of temporary status, stronger than casual variants like temporarily or tentatively, and typically carries an expectation of forthcoming change or confirmation. See also provisional, provision, and provisionalism as related concepts in decision-making and standards.