temp

¹ American  

[temp] / tɛmp /

noun

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

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verb (used without object)

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

temp. ² American  

abbreviation

1. temperature.

2. temporary.

3. in the time of.

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temp. ¹ British  

abbreviation

1. temperate

2. temperature

3. temporary

4. tempore

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temp ² British  

/ tɛmp /

noun

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

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verb

1. (intr) to work as a temp

Etymology

Origin of temp¹

First recorded in 1930–35; by shortening

Origin of temp.²

From the Latin word tempore

Example Sentences

Anthony Norman, 25, the new season’s out-of-the-loop hero, has been hired for what he believes is a temp job at the small, family owned Rockin’ Grandma’s Hot Sauce.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026

Understanding which category your cousin falls into can help you strategize long before the turkey hits its final internal temp.

From Salon • Nov. 25, 2025

Many are offering their Black Friday deals earlier and earlier to temp value-conscious consumers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 23, 2025

She kept her long-term temp job at Deutsche Bank throughout that first season, wanting to ensure she could make her rent if the show got axed.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 16, 2025

How I’d phoned Frontline Security and spoken to the temp.

From "The London Eye Mystery" by Siobhan Dowd

Related Words

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