Provisional
/prəˈvɪʒ.ən.əl/
Meaning & Definition
adjective
Arranged or existing for the present, possibly to be changed later.
The committee made a provisional decision to delay the vote.
Temporary and subject to further confirmation.
She received a provisional license to practice law until she passed the bar exam.
Intended to last or be used for a short time only.
The provisional housing provided by the government was meant to assist the displaced families.
Not fully established or permanent.
They reached a provisional agreement until the final terms could be negotiated.
Etymology
From Latin 'providere', meaning to provide.
Common Phrases and Expressions
provisional authority
An authority granted temporarily until a permanent one is established.
provisional measures
Measures taken temporarily during a situation until a permanent solution is implemented.
Related Words
provision
The act of providing or supplying something.
provide
To make available; supply.
Slang Meanings
A temporary arrangement or solution.
We took a provisional approach until we figured things out.
A stopgap measure.
Let's use that as a provisional fix for now.