5 syllables: Tem, po, ra, ri, ly. Stress on ra.
tem-pur-ER-uh-lee
/ˌtɛmpɚˈɛɹəli/
Temporarily is pronounced tem-pur-ER-uh-lee (/ˌtɛmpɚˈɛɹəli/). It has five syllables (Tem-po-ra-ri-ly), with the stress on "ra". Temporarily is an adverb meaning for a limited period of time or not permanently. It is used to describe a state, condition, or action that will end or change, typically soon. The word carries a sense of provisional duration and is often used to contrast with permanence or regularity.
adverbTemporarily is an adverb meaning for a limited period of time or not permanently. It is used to describe a state, condition, or action that will end or change, typically soon. The word carries a sense of provisional duration and is often used to contrast with permanence or regularity.
How to Pronounce Temporarily
"We are temporarily staying with friends while our house is being renovated."
"The policy was temporarily suspended during the investigation."
"Temperatures will dip temporarily before the cold front pushes through."
Temporarily is pronounced /ˈtɛm.pəˌrɪl.i/ in US and /ˈtem.pər.ə.lɪ.li/ in UK; some US speakers also say /ˌtɛm.pəˈrer.ə.li/. The primary stress is on the first syllable during natural speech, with secondary stress or a light emphasis on the third syllable depending on the phrase. Focus on the /ˈtɛm/ initial, then the /pə/ vowel cluster, followed by a crisp /rɪl/ (or /rəl/ in some accents), and finish with a clear /i/ to avoid a slurred ending. Audio references exist in Forvo and YouGlish for multiple speakers.
Common errors include misplacing the stress—saying /ˈtɛm.pɝ.ə.li/ or shifting stress to the third syllable; conflating the /t/ and /d/ in rapid speech; and flattening the /ɪ/ in the penultimate syllable, leading to /ˌtɛm.pəˈræ.li/. To correct: keep primary stress on the first syllable, ensure the /p/ is released cleanly, and articulate the /ɪ/ before the final -ly; practice the sequence tempo-ri-ly with a light, quick schwa on the second syllable.” ,
In US English, you’ll hear /ˈtɛm.pəˌrɪl.i/ with clearer /r/ and a more pronounced /ɪ/ before -li; UK English often reduces the /ɪ/ to a shorter schwa and may produce a slightly less overt /r/ (non-rhotic pattern before vowels in some speakers). Australian English tends to be vowel-shifted, with a broader /æ/ in the first syllable and a more centralized /ə/ in the second, yet the final -ly remains /li/. IPA guides show /ˈtɛm.pər.ə.li/ in many transcriptions. Listen to native samples for nuances.
The difficulty lies in the multi-syllabic rhythm and the internal schwa reductions. The sequence t-ɛm-pə-rə-ly requires quick, precise articulation of /p/ followed by a light /rə/ before a final /li/. The secondary stress on the -ri- can be subtle; maintaining a crisp /ɹ/ and the final vowel helps prevent a slurred ending. Also, some speakers misplace emphasis on -ri- or merge -ply- into -pli-. Practice by isolating each cluster and syncing breath with syllable transitions.
There are no silent letters in Temporarily; each syllable carries a sound: tem/po/rar/i/ly. Common misperceptions come from the fast speech where the /ə/ sounds become reduced and the /r/ can be subtle in non-rhotic accents. The dominant challenge is mastering the sequence of stressed and unstressed syllables and maintaining a clean release on the /p/ before the /ə/. Visualize pronouncing each sound: /t/ + /ɛm/ + /p/ + /ə/ + /r/ + /ə/ + /l/ + /i/ for clear enunciation.
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Temporarily derives from the Latin temporarius, meaning ‘lasting for a season or time’ from tempus, tempor, meaning ‘time, season.’ The English form entered in the late 16th century, influenced by the French temporaire and Latin roots. The sense evolved from describing something related to time or a period to its modern adverbial use indicating a temporary, non-permanent state. Over centuries, temporarily has retained the core implication of limited duration while expanding its applicability across languages and domains, including law, policy, and everyday speech. The typical gloss is that something is in effect for a definite but short span, with the expectation of change or end. First known uses appear in scholarly and legal contexts, where temporariness was relevant to arrangements, occupancy, or authorization that would cease or be revised. As usage broadened, it became a common modifier of actions and conditions, often pairing with verbs to mark a placeholder or transitional phase. In contemporary English, temporarily (rare misspelling) is sometimes encountered, emphasizing the importance of accurate spelling to preserve the intended sense of provisional duration.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Temporarily" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Temporarily" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Temporarily"
-ely sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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