transitory

adjective

tran·​si·​to·​ry ˈtran(t)-sə-ˌtȯr-ē  ˈtran-zə- 

1

: of brief duration : temporary

the transitory nature of earthly joy

2

: tending to pass away : not persistent

transitorily

ˌtran(t)-sə-ˈtȯr-ə-lē 

ˌtran-zə-

adverb

transitoriness

ˈtran(t)-sə-ˌtȯr-ē-nəs 

ˈtran-zə-

noun

Synonyms

• brief
• deciduous
• ephemeral
• evanescent
• flash
• fleeting
• fugacious
• fugitive
• impermanent
• momentary
• passing
• short-lived
• temporary
• transient

Choose the Right Synonym for transitory

transient, transitory, ephemeral, momentary, fugitive, fleeting, evanescent mean lasting or staying only a short time.

transient applies to what is actually short in its duration or stay.

a hotel catering primarily to transient guests

transitory applies to what is by its nature or essence bound to change, pass, or come to an end.

fame in the movies is transitory

ephemeral implies striking brevity of life or duration.

many slang words are ephemeral

momentary suggests coming and going quickly and therefore being merely a brief interruption of a more enduring state.

my feelings of guilt were only momentary

fugitive and fleeting imply passing so quickly as to make apprehending difficult.

let a fugitive smile flit across his face

fleeting moments of joy

evanescent suggests a quick vanishing and an airy or fragile quality.

the story has an evanescent touch of whimsy that is lost in translation

Examples of transitory in a Sentence

the transitory nature of earthly pleasures

Recent Examples on the Web

Alas, Chiron and all its fellow centaurs are in a transitory phase, and over the next million years its ultimate fate will be decided. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 23 Dec. 2024

Will the Fed act quickly or take the view that inflation is transitory? —Garth Friesen, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024

Yes, but: Johnson allies and skeptics alike acknowledged that the frustration may be transitory – and could easily subside with a single Trump tweet. —Andrew Solender, Axios, 18 Dec. 2024

For this reason, signifiers like the world's largest or oldest are transitory at best. —David Szondy, New Atlas, 16 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English transitorie, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin transitorius, from Latin, of or allowing passage, from transire

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

transitory

adjective

tran·​si·​to·​ry ˈtran(t)s-ə-ˌtōr-ē  ˈtranz- 

-ˌtȯr-

: lasting only a short time : short-lived, temporary

transitorily

ˌtran(t)s-ə-ˈtōr-ə-lē 

ˌtranz-

-ˈtȯr-

adverb