interim
IN-ter-im
/ˈɪntərɪm/
The intervening time; (adjective) in or for the intervening period; provisional.
Specifically refers to the gap between two permanent states or people.
The story behind the word. Directly from the Latin 'interim', meaning 'meanwhile' or 'in the meantime'. It was originally used as an adverb in English before becoming a noun and adjective in the 16th century.
Word relationships
- stopgap: Stopgap implies a desperate or low-quality temporary fix; interim is more formal and neutral.
- final: Final implies the end of a process or a permanent state.
Commonly confused with
- provisional: Interim usually fills a time gap; provisional usually refers to a draft or a 'for-now' version of something.
Collocations
- interim manager
- interim report
- interim solution
- in the interim
Idioms & expressions
- in the interim
Example sentences
- "She served as the interim CEO while the board searched for a permanent replacement." Business leadership.
- "The committee released an interim report detailing their initial findings." Describing a report.
Memory hook
Inter- (between) + im (time). It's the time in between. The 'meanwhile' word.
When not to use
Do not use for things that are just fast; use for things that fill a gap.
Fun facts
- The 'Interim of Augsburg' was a temporary religious settlement ordered by Charles V in 1548 during the Reformation.
Related words
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