transitory

[ tran-si-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, -zi- ]

adjective

1. not lasting, enduring, permanent, or eternal.
2. lasting only a short time; brief; short-lived; temporary.

   Antonyms: permanent

transitory

/ -trɪ; ˈtrænsɪtərɪ /

adjective

1. of short duration; transient or ephemeral

Derived Forms

• ˈtransitoriness, noun
• ˈtransitorily, adverb

Other Words From

• tran·si·to·ri·ly [tran, -si-tawr-, uh, -lee, -tohr-, tran-si-, tawr, -, -, tohr, -, -zi-], adverb
• transi·tori·ness noun
• un·transi·tori·ly adverb
• un·transi·tori·ness noun
• un·transi·tory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of transitory¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English transitorie, from Late Latin trānsitōrius “fleeting” ( transit, -tory ¹ ); replacing Middle English transitoire, from Middle French, from Late Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of transitory¹

C14: from Church Latin transitōrius passing, from Latin transitus a crossing over; see transient

Synonym Study

See temporary.

Example Sentences

America wasn’t in the throes of unsustainably high consumer demand, but a temporary — call it “transitory” — spike.

From Los Angeles Times

“Clarkston” hints that some of our most instructive relationships may be the most transitory.

From Los Angeles Times

Powell acknowledged on Friday that the Fed initially misjudged the inflation spike in spring 2021, thinking that the pandemic-related surge in prices would be “transitory” and one that the Fed could look past.

From Los Angeles Times

According to Frank, Hitler came at a “terrible, transitory” moment, when the Kaiser was gone but the democratic structures were not yet secure.

From Salon

“It’s going to be a dangerous outcome if people continue to get so caught up in daily and transitory events without a true vision of where we’ve been and where we’re going.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ephemeral
• temporary
• transient