temp

¹

[ temp ]

noun

1. an office worker hired, usually through an agency on a per diem basis, for a short period of time; a temporary worker.

verb (used without object)

1. to work on a per diem basis or as a temporary employee.

temp.

²

abbreviation for

1. temperature.
2. temporary.
3. in the time of.

temp

¹

/ tɛmp /

noun

1. a person, esp a typist or other office worker, employed on a temporary basis

verb

1. intr to work as a temp

temp.

²

abbreviation for

1. temperate
2. temperature
3. temporary
4. tempore

Word History and Origins

Origin of temp¹

First recorded in 1930–35; by shortening

Origin of temp²

From the Latin word tempore

Word History and Origins

Origin of temp¹

(for sense 4) Latin: in the time of

Example Sentences

When Bridget Everett emailed Jeff Hiller asking if he’d be willing to audition for her TV show “Somebody Somewhere,” he was at his desk at a temp job, trying to figure out how to work Excel.

From Los Angeles Times

Cook until internal temperatures reaches desired temp.

From Salon

And there was no musical piece — we looked, trust me — that could temp in for that montage.

From Los Angeles Times

Temp agencies are good sources of short-term gigs and of ideas for how to put Hollywood know-how to work in other industries.

From Los Angeles Times

Audience members at times hurled insults at officials and twice Mayor Pro Temp Cathy Warner ordered breaks amid the din.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• aide
• apprentice
• associate
• attendant
• backup
• colleague
• companion
• deputy
• friend
• partner
• representative
• secretary