Temporary vs. Temporal — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 13, 2024
Temporary refers to something intended to last for only a limited time, whereas temporal relates to time or secular affairs, not eternal.
Difference Between Temporary and Temporal
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Temporary things are designed or expected to last for a short duration before ending or being replaced. This can apply to objects, situations, or roles that are not meant to be permanent. On the other hand, temporal is a broader term that primarily deals with time, often used to distinguish worldly affairs from eternal or spiritual ones. Temporal can describe phenomena or possessions that exist within time, thus subject to change and decay.
Temporary solutions or measures are often adopted with the understanding that they will be superseded by more permanent or long-lasting alternatives. For example, a temporary job or a temporary housing situation is expected to conclude within a known or estimated timeframe. In contrast, temporal concerns might encompass a wider array of issues, including those related to human life, society, and the physical universe, all of which unfold over time and are bound by the constraints of time.
In everyday language, when we describe something as temporary, we are usually referring to its limited duration or its role as a placeholder. This term is commonly applied in contexts ranging from employment to structures, highlighting the intention behind its short-term use. Temporal, however, is less common in casual conversation and more likely to be found in formal, philosophical, or theological discussions, emphasizing the aspect of time or secular versus spiritual matters.
The concept of temporary carries an inherent expectation of change; something temporary is expected to be replaced or to end. This impermanence is a key characteristic, underlining the non-lasting nature of the object or situation in question. Temporal, while also related to the concept of time, often serves to underscore the contrast with what is timeless or eternal, such as spiritual beliefs or the afterlife, thus carrying a different connotation despite its association with time.
The distinction between temporary and temporal highlights not just differences in duration, but in perspective and application. Temporary focuses on the short-lived nature of something within the human experience, often with a clear endpoint in sight. Temporal, however, encompasses a broader, sometimes philosophical or theological dimension, relating to time’s flow and its impact on human affairs, the material world, and the distinction from the eternal.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Intended to last for a limited time only.
Relating to time, especially as opposed to eternity.
Scope
Specific situations, objects, or roles.
Broad, including worldly affairs and the concept of time.
Common Contexts
Jobs, housing, solutions.
Philosophy, theology, secular versus spiritual matters.
Duration
Short-term, with an expected end.
Concerned with the earthly or secular lifespan.
Connotation
Impermanence and transience.
Worldly, secular, and time-bound.
Compare with Definitions
Temporary
Not permanent.
The company offered temporary accommodations for relocated employees.
Temporal
Relating to worldly as opposed to spiritual affairs.
His interests were more temporal than spiritual.
Temporary
Lasting for a limited time.
She took a temporary job until she could find a permanent position.
Temporal
Not eternal.
Temporal pleasures often distract from spiritual growth.
Temporary
Acting as a placeholder.
The temporary CEO led the company through the transition.
Temporal
Bound by time.
All temporal things are subject to change.
Temporary
Subject to change.
His assignment to the London office was only temporary.
Temporal
Pertaining to time.
The philosopher discussed the temporal nature of human existence.
Temporary
Intended as a provisional solution.
The bridge was built as a temporary measure until a new one could be constructed.
Temporal
Concerned with secular matters.
The king's temporal power was absolute.
Temporary
Lasting, used, serving, or enjoyed for a limited time.
Temporal
Relating to worldly as opposed to spiritual affairs; secular
The Church did not imitate the secular rulers who thought only of temporal gain
Temporary
One that serves for a limited time
An office staffed by temporaries.
Temporal
Relating to time
The spatial and temporal dimensions of human interference in complex ecosystems
Temporary
Not permanent; existing only for a period or periods of time.
Sally was put in temporary charge of the department while they searched for a full-time replacement.
Temporal
Of or situated in the temples of the head
Arterial biopsy usually confirms the diagnosis of temporal arteritis
Temporary
Existing only for a short time or short times; transient, ephemeral.
Temporal
Of, relating to, or limited by time
A temporal dimension.
Temporal and spatial boundaries.
Temporary
One serving for a limited time; short-term employee.
Temporal
Of or relating to the material world; worldly
The temporal possessions of the Church.
Temporary
(programming) A short-term variable used to store an intermediate result.
Temporal
Lasting only for a time; not eternal; passing
Our temporal existence.
Temporary
Lasting for a time only; existing or continuing for a limited time; not permanent; as, the patient has obtained temporary relief.
Temporary government of the city.
Temporal
Secular or lay; civil
Lords temporal and spiritual.
Temporary
Not permanent; not lasting;
Politics is an impermanent factor of life
Impermanent palm cottages
A temperary arrangement
Temporary housing
Temporal
(Grammar) Expressing time
A temporal adverb.
Temporary
Lacking continuity or regularity;
An irregular worker
Employed on a temporary basis
Temporal
Of, relating to, or near the temples of the skull.
Temporal
(relational) Of or relating to the material world, as opposed to sacred or clerical.
Temporal power, temporal courts
Temporal
(relational) Relating to time:
Temporal
Of limited time, transient, passing, not perpetual, as opposed to eternal.
Temporal
Of or relating to time as distinguished from space.
Temporal
Of or relating to the sequence of time or to a particular time.
Temporal
(grammar) Relating to or denoting time or tense.
Temporal
Of or situated in the temples of the head or the sides of the skull behind the orbits.
Temporal
Anything temporal or secular; a temporality.
Temporal
(skeleton) temporal bone
Temporal
(zootomy) Any of a reptile's scales on the side of the head between the parietal and supralabial scales, and behind the postocular scales.
Temporal
Of or pertaining to the temple or temples; as, the temporal bone; a temporal artery.
Temporal
Of or pertaining to time, that is, to the present life, or this world; secular, as distinguished from sacred or eternal.
The things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Is this an hour for temporal affairs?
Temporal
Civil or political, as distinguished from ecclesiastical; as, temporal power; temporal courts.
Temporal
Anything temporal or secular; a temporality; - used chiefly in the plural.
He assigns supremacy to the pope in spirituals, and to the emperor or temporals.
Temporal
The semantic role of the noun phrase that designating the time of the state or action denoted by the verb
Temporal
Not eternal;
Temporal matters of but fleeting moment
Temporal
Of or relating to or limited by time;
Temporal processing
Temporal dimensions
Temporal and spacial boundaries
Music is a temporal art
Temporal
Of or relating to the temples (the sides of the skull behind the orbit);
Temporal bone
Temporal
Of the material world;
Temporal possessions of the church
Temporal
Concerned with secular rather than sacred matters;
Lords temporal and spiritual
Temporal
Of this earth or world;
Temporal joys
Our temporal existence
Common Curiosities
What does temporary mean?
Temporary refers to something intended to last for only a limited period before it ends or changes.
Why do people seek temporal pleasures?
People might seek temporal pleasures for immediate satisfaction, focusing on the present moment rather than long-term or spiritual fulfillment.
How is temporal different from temporary?
Temporal relates to time or secular matters, often in contrast to what is eternal or spiritual, while temporary specifically refers to short-lived or provisional status.
What is an example of a temporal concern?
A temporal concern could involve issues like political power or societal changes, which are worldly and time-bound.
Is the temporal lobe related to time?
The temporal lobe, part of the brain, is named for its location near the temples, not directly for its association with time, though it plays a role in processing memories, which are time-related.
Can a job be considered temporal?
While a job can be temporary, referring to its short-term nature, it's not usually described as temporal, which relates more to time's broader concept or secular affairs.
Is everything temporal also temporary?
In a broad sense, everything temporal (within time) is temporary (not lasting forever), but the terms are used differently; temporal often refers to the nature of being bound by time, especially in contrast to the spiritual or eternal.
How do temporary solutions impact planning?
Temporary solutions often serve as interim measures until more permanent or long-term solutions can be implemented, affecting how resources and strategies are allocated.
Can a temporary position become permanent?
Yes, a temporary position can become permanent if the circumstances change and the role is extended or made official.
What's the significance of temporal power?
Temporal power refers to earthly or secular authority, significant for its impact on societal structures and governance, distinct from spiritual influence.
How do temporary structures benefit construction?
Temporary structures can provide support, shelter, or workspace during the construction process, allowing for efficient progress until permanent structures are completed.
How does the concept of temporary affect consumer behavior?
The concept of temporary can influence consumer behavior by encouraging purchases of products that are seen as short-term solutions or are intended for limited use.
Can something be both temporary and temporal?
Yes, something can be both temporary (short-lived) and temporal (related to time or secular affairs), especially if it pertains to worldly matters with a clear endpoint.
What role does temporality play in literature?
Temporality in literature explores the role of time in narrative structure, character development, and thematic exploration, affecting how stories are told and understood.
How do societies differentiate between temporal and spiritual matters?
Societies differentiate through cultural, religious, and philosophical teachings, often valuing spiritual matters as eternal and temporal ones as bound by the physical world and time.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
