temp.
B1informal, chiefly business/administrative
Definition
Meaning
a person employed temporarily, especially in an office or administrative role
Anything temporary, often used as a short form for temporary worker, temporary file, temperature, etc., depending on context
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a countable noun; can be used attributively (e.g., temp job). Very context-dependent—meaning is clarified by surrounding words.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slightly more common in British English for temporary work, but widely understood in both. In US English, 'temp' may also refer to a temporary computer file more readily.
Connotations
Neutral to slightly negative (implying lack of permanence, lower status); in tech contexts, purely functional.
Frequency
High in office/work contexts; low in formal writing.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[verb] a temp[verb] as a temp[be] a tempVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “temp to perm (temporary job with possibility of permanent position)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
We need to hire a temp to cover maternity leave.
Academic
Rare; if used, refers to temporary research assistants.
Everyday
My sister is working as a temp while she looks for something permanent.
Technical
Save your work to a temp file before closing the program.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She's temping at a law firm in central London.
American English
- He temped for a few months after graduating.
adjective
British English
- It's just a temp role for the summer.
American English
- She found a temp job through an agency.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The office has a new temp this week.
- I worked as a temp in an insurance company last year.
- The temp agency sent three candidates for the receptionist position.
- Many graduates temp for a while to gain experience in different sectors.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think TEMP = TEMPorary. Short and simple.
Conceptual Metaphor
WORKER IS A TEMPORARY FIX (like a patch or plug)
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'темп' (rate/speed) or 'температура' (temperature). 'Temp' as a worker has no direct one-word Russian equivalent—use 'временный работник'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'temp' as a verb without context ('They temped me' is informal but accepted; better: 'They hired me as a temp').
- Confusing 'temp' (worker) with 'temp' (temperature) in spoken context.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'temp' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Most commonly yes, but it can refer to any temporary worker in various sectors, though 'agency worker' or 'casual labour' might be used for manual jobs.
Yes, informally (e.g., 'She's temping at a bank'). It's more common in UK English than US.
A temp is usually hired through an agency for short-term roles, often paid hourly, with less autonomy. A freelancer typically works on specific projects, often self-employed, with more control over their work.
Not inherently, but it can imply a lower status or lack of job security compared to permanent staff. Context and tone matter.