Word
momentarily
Phoneticsmo·men·tar·i·ly, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌmoʊmənˈtɛɹəɫi/
UK/mˌəʊməntˈɛɹəli/
Adverb of time
Definition
adv. for a very short time, or very soon. You use it when something happens quickly or will happen in just a second.
adv. for a brief period of time; alternatively, in a very short while. The latter sense is particularly common in North American English.
Examples
“The power went out momentarily during the storm.”
“Please hold the line; the operator will be with you momentarily to assist with your request.”
“The speaker paused momentarily to gather his thoughts before addressing the most controversial aspect of the new policy proposal.”
Examples
simple
“The power went out momentarily during the storm.”
contextual
“Please hold the line; the operator will be with you momentarily to assist with your request.”
complex
“The speaker paused momentarily to gather his thoughts before addressing the most controversial aspect of the new policy proposal.”
Usage
In British English, it primarily means 'for a short time'; in American English, it frequently means 'very soon'.
Pitfall
I will arrive for momentarily.
I will arrive momentarily.
Momentarily is an adverb and should not be preceded by a preposition like 'for' when indicating when something will happen.
Real-World Examples
“A large cloud momentarily covered the sun entirely, but when it cleared ahead of the maximum eclipse a cheer erupted from the crowd.” “This means that users often momentarily remove the glasses in order to look at the solar disk directly, without protection, which exposes their eyes solar and ultraviolet radiation.” Etymology
From momentary + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/momentarily