Word
transitory
Phoneticstran·si·to·ry, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈtɹænzəˌtɔɹi/
UK/tɹˈænsɪtəɹˌi/
Españoltransitorio
Definition
adj. lasting only a short time before it ends or goes away.
adj. lasting only a brief time; passing quickly rather than enduring. Often describes phases, feelings, or effects rather than permanent conditions.
Examples
“The pain feels transitory and fades quickly.”
“The city offers transitory housing for families waiting for permanent homes.”
“While market swings feel alarming in the moment, most prove transitory against the slower rhythm of long-term growth.”
Examples
simple
“The pain feels transitory and fades quickly.”
contextual
“The city offers transitory housing for families waiting for permanent homes.”
complex
“While market swings feel alarming in the moment, most prove transitory against the slower rhythm of long-term growth.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “transitory” in context.
Verb
01. prove transitory
“The initial success of the protest proved transitory as public interest waned.”
verb + adj
02. remain transitory
“The central bank hoped that the price increases would remain transitory.”
verb + adj
03. transitory nature
“The transitory nature of fame often leads to disappointment for young celebrities.”
adj + noun
Adjective
04. essentially transitory
“The beauty of the sunset is essentially transitory, lasting only a few minutes.”
adv + adj
05. purely transitory
“Economists argued that the spike in inflation was purely transitory and would soon subside.”
adv + adj
Noun
06. transitory phase
“Adolescence is often viewed as a transitory phase between childhood and adulthood.”
adj + noun
07. transitory phenomenon
“The sudden popularity of the app was a transitory phenomenon that lasted only a month.”
adj + noun
08. be essentially transitory
“The joy of winning is essentially transitory, replaced quickly by the next challenge.”
09. of a transitory nature
“Most of the symptoms were of a transitory nature and disappeared within hours.”
Real-World Examples
“But these explanations can’t really account for the more transitory sort of under-eye bags, the sort you get when you just haven’t gotten enough rest.” “Typically, market reaction is transitory and brief.” “A significant amount of the recent inflationary episode was indeed transitory.” “History also teaches, however, that central banks cannot take for granted that inflation due to transitory factors will fade.” Etymology
From Middle French transitoire, from Old French, from Latin trānsitōrius.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/transitory
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0