temporary UK /ˈtɛmpəɹəɹi/US /ˈtɛmp(əˌɹ)ɛɹi/adjective 2noun 2forms 3 adjective2 •lasting only for a certain time, and then coming to an endSally was put in temporary charge of the department while they searched for a full-time replacement. •Existing only for a short time or short times. noun2 •One serving for a limited time; a short-term employee, especially in an office. •A short-term variable used to store an intermediate result. formstemporaries · more temporary · most temporary