provisional
B2formal, neutral
Definition
Meaning
arranged or existing for the present, possibly to be changed later; temporary
subject to confirmation, conditional, interim; also used in specific contexts like provisional driving licenses or provisional agreements that are not yet final
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a formal or official temporary status, not just casual temporariness. Carries a sense of being a placeholder until something permanent is established.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More commonly used in British English in official/administrative contexts (e.g., 'provisional driving licence'). In American English, 'temporary' or 'interim' might be preferred in some everyday contexts.
Connotations
Similar connotations in both varieties: official, conditional, not final.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in British English due to specific institutional uses.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
provisional + noun (e.g., provisional licence)be provisional on + noun/gerund (e.g., The offer is provisional on passing the medical.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “on a provisional basis”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used for agreements, contracts, or financial figures that are not yet finalised. 'We have reached a provisional agreement on the merger terms.'
Academic
Used for preliminary research findings, hypotheses, or data. 'The study's provisional conclusions suggest a need for further investigation.'
Everyday
Common in contexts like driving licenses or event planning. 'Let's set a provisional date for the meeting.'
Technical
Used in legal, governmental, or scientific documents to denote non-final status. 'The provisional patent application was filed last month.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The council provisionally approved the plans.
- The licence is provisionally valid for one year.
American English
- The committee provisionally accepted the proposal.
- The data was provisionally released to the press.
adverb
British English
- The contract was agreed provisionally.
- The date was set provisionally for the 15th.
American English
- The budget was approved provisionally.
- The team is scheduled provisionally to meet next week.
adjective
British English
- She applied for a provisional driving licence.
- The provisional results were announced last night.
American English
- He received a provisional teaching certificate.
- The company issued a provisional earnings statement.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My brother has a provisional driving licence.
- We made a provisional plan for the picnic.
- The government released the provisional election results.
- Our booking is only provisional until we pay.
- The peace treaty is still provisional and requires ratification by both parliaments.
- The judge granted provisional custody to the mother.
- The provisional findings of the inquiry pointed to systemic failures in the protocol.
- His appointment is provisional upon the successful completion of a six-month probationary period.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'PROVISIONAL' as a PROVISION (a supply for now) that is AL (all) you have for the moment, until the permanent solution arrives.
Conceptual Metaphor
A BRIDGE (something that connects two states but is not the final destination).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation to 'предварительный' when the context implies a formal, official temporary status; 'provisional' is stronger. Do not confuse with 'provincial' (провинциальный).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'provisory' (archaic/rare) instead of 'provisional'. Confusing 'provisional' with 'conditional' (provisional is a type of condition based on time/final approval).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'provisional' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Provisional' often implies an official or formal interim status, usually with an expectation of being replaced by something permanent. 'Temporary' is broader and can refer to any short-term arrangement, formal or informal.
Rarely in modern English. Its primary use is as an adjective. The noun form 'provisional' historically referred to a member of the Irish Republican Army, but this is a very specific, dated usage.
It is generally neutral, describing a state of affairs. It can carry a slightly negative connotation if permanency is highly desired, or a positive one if it allows for flexibility and review.
'Provisional driving licence' is a very common collocation in the UK, referring to the licence held by a learner driver before passing the driving test.
Explore