temps: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal, Business/Workplace
Quick answer
What does “temps” mean?
A worker hired on a temporary basis.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A worker hired on a temporary basis; a temp.
Temporary workers collectively; the practice or system of employing people for short-term assignments, often through an agency.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. However, in the UK, 'temp'/'temps' may be slightly more common in everyday vocabulary for office/administrative temporary work, while in the US, 'temporary worker/employee' might be used equally in formal contexts. The concept is universal in both job markets.
Connotations
Neutral in business contexts. Can sometimes carry a slightly precarious or less committed connotation compared to permanent staff, but this is not inherent to the word.
Frequency
High frequency in office/business environments in both regions. Common in job advertisements and HR discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “temps” in a Sentence
[Company] temps [workers] for [period/project].[Person] temps at/for [company].The agency provides temps to [sector].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “temps” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She decided to temp while looking for a permanent role.
- The company often temps for reception cover during summer.
American English
- He's been temping at various tech startups.
- We may need to temp for the data entry project.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable (no standard adverbial use).
American English
- Not applicable (no standard adverbial use).
adjective
British English
- It's just a temp assignment for three months.
- We have a temp receptionist starting Monday.
American English
- She found a temp job through an agency.
- He's in a temp position with the city.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Common HR and management term for staffing short-term needs, covering absences, or managing workload peaks.
Academic
Rare, except in sociological or economic studies of labour markets and precarious work.
Everyday
Used when discussing job hunting, current employment status, or workplace staffing.
Technical
Used in HR software, payroll systems, and staffing industry terminology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “temps”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “temps”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “temps”
- Using 'temps' as a singular noun (e.g., 'He is a temps' – incorrect; should be 'He is a temp').
- Confusing spelling: 'tembs', 'tems'.
- Using it as a verb without the correct preposition (e.g., 'She temps a bank' – incorrect; should be 'She temps at a bank' or 'for a bank').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is standard in business and HR contexts but is considered informal compared to 'temporary workers' or 'temporary employees' in very formal writing.
It is most commonly used for clerical, administrative, and light industrial work arranged through an agency. It is less commonly used for highly skilled short-term consultants or freelancers in professional fields.
The verb is 'to temp'. It means to work in a temporary job. It is used intransitively (e.g., 'She is temping') or with 'at' or 'for' (e.g., 'He temps for a law firm').
Yes, typically. A 'temp' is usually hired through an agency for lower-skilled, short-term roles and is paid by the agency. A 'contractor' (or 'consultant') often works directly or via their own company on a specific project, usually with higher skill requirements and for a defined, sometimes longer, term.
A worker hired on a temporary basis.
Temps: in British English it is pronounced /tɛmps/, and in American English it is pronounced /tɛmps/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Temp-to-perm (a temporary job with the possibility of becoming permanent).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the word 'TEMPorary' and just take the first three letters: TEMP. Add an 's' to make it plural or refer to them generally.
Conceptual Metaphor
WORKERS AS A PLUGGABLE RESOURCE (like a temporary electrical connection).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes the primary meaning of 'temps' as a noun?