What does momentarily mean?
“Momentarily” is an adverb meaning either “for a very short time” or “very soon,” depending on context. It is commonly used to describe temporary interruptions, brief pauses, or delays, as in “the website was momentarily unavailable.” It can also introduce news that is expected imminently, such as “the announcement is coming momentarily.” The word is neutral in tone and is widely used in formal, professional, and informal English. Its usefulness lies in expressing brevity without the abruptness of “briefly” and in indicating imminence without the stronger implication of “immediately.” Because its meaning can shift according to the sentence, readers should pay attention to whether it modifies a temporary condition or describes something about to happen.
adverbFor a very short time; briefly. In some contexts, it can also mean very soon or imminently.
- For a very short time; briefly.
- Very soon; imminently.
"The road was momentarily blocked by fallen branches, but traffic soon began moving again."
"The signal paused momentarily before the machine resumed its normal operation."
"The results will be available momentarily."
The word “momentarily” comes from the same Latin root as “momentum,” originally associated with movement and impulse.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does momentarily come from?
The adverb “momentarily” was formed in the early modern period from “moment” with an adverbial suffix. “Moment” came through French from Latin momentum, a word associated with movement, impulse, and a moment in time. The same Latin root is reflected in related English words such as “momentary,” “momentous,” and “momentum.”
How momentarily is actually used
The adverb is neutral in register but can be ambiguous. A temporary disruption, such as “the service is momentarily unavailable,” refers to a short-lasting condition, whereas “the results will be available momentarily” means that something is expected very soon. Context usually resolves the intended meaning.
Easily confused with momentarily
“Momentarily” is an adverb describing a brief duration or an imminent event, while “momentary” is an adjective describing something that lasts only a short time.