What does temporarily mean?
Temporarily means for a short or limited time, rather than permanently. It is widely used to describe a service, arrangement, or condition that will last only for a particular period: a road may be temporarily closed, a product may be temporarily unavailable, or a decision may be temporarily postponed. The word is neutral in tone and appropriate in both formal and informal writing. Unlike a simple reference to a brief duration, temporarily often implies that something is expected to be restored, changed, or ended later. It can therefore convey reassurance that a disruption is not permanent, although it does not specify how long the situation will continue. Temporarily is especially useful when a condition is noticeable and relevant but not yet a lasting change. The adverb is derived from the adjective temporary, which comes from Latin temporarius, meaning lasting only a short time.
adverbFor a short time or for a limited period; not permanently.
- For a short time or for a limited period.
"The road was temporarily closed while repairs were carried out."
"The meeting was temporarily postponed because of heavy rain."
"She temporarily moved to another city while completing her research."
Temporarily hides a small but important idea: something can be real and meaningful without being permanent.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does temporarily come from?
Temporarily is an adverb derived from temporary. The adjective temporary comes through Latin temporarius, meaning “lasting only a short time,” from tempus, the Latin word for “time.” The same Latin root appears in related English words such as contemporary and extemporaneous.
Related word forms
How temporarily is actually used
Temporarily is neutral in register and can be used in formal or informal contexts. It often suggests that a situation is expected to return to its previous state, whereas briefly emphasizes only how long something lasts.
Easily confused with temporarily
Temporarily describes something lasting for a limited time, while temporally relates to time or the temporal aspects of something.