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

Other Word Forms

• transitorily adverb
• transitoriness noun
• untransitorily adverb
• untransitoriness noun
• untransitory 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

Fed officials now think that any increase from tariffs will be transitory and will fade, putting inflation on a downward path to 2%.

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“This impression that, oh, inflation is a very transitory thing, is weakening,” she said.

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Some of these factors, such as unseasonable weather, are transitory, while others — like inflationary pressures, uncertain trade dynamics and an “ever-changing” geopolitical environment — may be long-lasting, the CEO noted.

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U.S. equity bears often bring up inflation as their chief concern, but Kukla says she’s on “team transitory,” with the belief the impact of tariffs on pricing will be a temporary phenomenon.

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Is queer humanity just a transitory circus in years of flourishing and a graveyard in years of shriveling?

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Related Words

• ephemeral 
• fleeting 
• short-lived