interim
IN-ter-im
/ˈɪntərɪm/
The intervening time; provisional or temporary.
Used for a temporary solution or person filling a role until a permanent one is found.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'interim', meaning 'meanwhile'. It was originally an adverb in Latin that English adopted as a noun and adjective.
Word relationships
- provisional: Provisional implies it might change; interim implies it is specifically filling a gap.
- permanent: Permanent is intended to last indefinitely.
Commonly confused with
- meantime: Meantime is more informal; interim is used as both a noun and an adjective in formal contexts.
Collocations
- interim report
- interim government
- in the interim
Idioms & expressions
- in the interim
Example sentences
- "She served as the interim CEO for six months while the board searched for a permanent replacement." Corporate
- "Pending the establishment of such a system, the following interim arrangements are agreed upon." International Law
Memory hook
Inter- (between) + Rim. It's the time on the 'rim' between two major events. Between-time.
When not to use
Don't use for a permanent state that just happens to be short.
Fun facts
- The 'Interim of Augsburg' was a temporary religious settlement in 1548 during the Reformation.
Related words
Explore more words
provisional, interlude, sojourn, intermittent, transitory, intervene
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