English pronunciation · Words Starting with T
Temporary Pronunciation
Temporary is pronounced TEM-per-e-ree, IPA /ˈtɛmpɝˌɛri/.
TEM-per-e-ree
US /ˈtɛmpɝˌɛri/ · UK /ˈtɛmprəˌri/
Syllables: TEM · per · e · ree (4 syllables, stress on syllable 1)
adjective: Meant to last only until something more permanent is arranged.
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Temporary in a Sentence
- The repair is temporary and will not last the winter.
- She took a temporary job in the sorting office.
- Temporary lights are up at the junction.
Common Mispronunciations of Temporary
Not tem-PAW-ruh-ree
TEM at the front holds everything, and the three beats behind it are all weak.
Not TEM-puh-ree
Four beats live in this word, so the per in the middle has to be sounded rather than swallowed.
Tip: Most British speakers do compress it to three, TEM-pruh-ree, and nobody notices.
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