transitory
TRAN-zih-tor-ee
/ˈtrænzɪˌtɔːri/
Not permanent; intended to last for only a short time.
Often used for abstract concepts like stages of life, emotions, or political states.
The story behind the word. Like 'transient', it comes from 'transire'. While 'transient' focuses on the thing that is passing, 'transitory' focuses on the nature of the time itself—that it is a passage rather than a destination.
Word relationships
- temporary: Transitory is more formal and often implies that the state is naturally destined to end.
- eternal: Eternal implies lasting forever, without beginning or end.
Commonly confused with
- transient: Transitory is usually an adjective describing a state; transient can be a noun describing a person.
Word family
- transition (noun): The process of changing from one state to another.
Collocations
- transitory nature
- transitory period
- transitory success
- transitory phase
Example sentences
- "The joys of youth are transitory, but the memories can last a lifetime." A philosophical observation.
- "The minister argued that the current economic downturn was transitory and would soon be reversed." Describing a political situation.
Memory hook
Think of a 'transit' bus; it's a 'transitory' way to get home. A passing phase.
When not to use
Less common for physical objects; 'temporary' is more standard for things like 'temporary housing'.
Fun facts
- In legal terms, a 'transitory action' is a lawsuit that can be brought in any court, regardless of where the cause of action arose.
Related words
Explore more words
transience, transition, interim, sojourn, peripatetic, temporal
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