temporary

Temporary refers to something that lasts for a limited period or is not intended to be permanent. It can describe arrangements, statuses, objects, or conditions that are expected to change or be replaced. Common contexts include temporary housing or accommodations, temporary employment, temporary permits or visas, and temporary measures implemented to address an immediate need.

The term comes from the Latin temporarius, derived from tempus, meaning time. In English, temporary has been used since the Middle English period to distinguish things that are provisional or interim from those that are enduring or permanent. The related adverb is temporarily, and the noun form the temporary can refer to a person employed on a temporary basis or to a temporary measure or arrangement.

Usage examples span many domains. In employment, temporary workers are hired for fixed terms or specific projects rather than on permanent staff contracts. In law and governance, temporary injunctions or orders are designed to address urgent issues while a case proceeds. In housing and travel, temporary accommodations provide short-term solutions. In computing, a temporary file or directory holds data during processing and is expected to be deleted later. In finance and procurement, temporary exemptions or waivers may apply for a defined period.

Temporary is often contrasted with permanent, lasting, or enduring. Synonyms include provisional, interim, and short-term, while antonyms include permanent and lasting. The term implies a degree of flexibility and contingency, with the understanding that the situation may or should be changed in the future.