Something that is momentary lasts for a very short period of time, for example for a few seconds or less.
...a momentary lapse of concentration.
His hesitation was only momentary.
Synonyms: short-lived, short, brief, temporary More Synonyms of momentary
momentary in British English
(ˈməʊməntərɪ, -trɪ)
adjective
lasting for only a moment; temporary
Derived forms
momentariness (ˈmomentariness)
noun
momentary in American English
(ˈmoʊmənˌtɛri)
adjective
1.
lasting for only a moment; passing; transitory
2.
recurring every moment; constant
3.
likely to occur at any moment
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈtransient
Derived forms
momentariness (ˈmomenˌtariness)
noun
Word origin
L momentarius
Examples of 'momentary' in a sentence
momentary
There is a momentary pause before he answers.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
This was not a momentary lapse of judgment.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
And a momentary pause in aircraft landings at an airport nobody uses anyway.
The Sun (2006)
This made me flinch and caused me to have a momentary lapse in concentration.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The most likely reason was a momentary lapse of concentration.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The colliding egos of senior officials caused momentary and unforgivable lapses.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Perhaps the collapse could have been attributed to a momentary lapse of concentration.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Neither is this a momentary lapse.
The Times Literary Supplement (2014)
It was succeeded by other instruments of pleasure, or rather of momentary relief.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
It is one momentary lapse, one stroke of good luck.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
He was distraught afterwards, and his act could only be explained as a momentary mental lapse.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
At the very worst, he is guilty of a momentary lapse of reason.
The Sun (2013)
The drugs brought momentary relief.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The Health Secretary had a momentary lapse of anger.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Indeed, no one mentioned this momentary lapse, and it received little press coverage.
Appelbaum, Richard P. Sociology (1995)
His momentary lapse allowed Long to ghost into the space he used for the game's opening goal.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
But the thought of being personally connected with the transaction was less agreeable; and her momentary flashes of amusement were followed by increasing periods of doubt.
Edith Wharton The House of Mirth (1905)
There will be countless athletes at these Olympic Games who will suffer a momentary lapse after four years of preparation and hard work.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Alas, I am built more for momentary lapses in judgment than permanent holiness.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
In other languages
momentary
British English: momentary /ˈməʊməntərɪ; -trɪ/ ADJECTIVE
Something that is momentary lasts for only a very short time.
...a momentary silence.
American English: momentary
Arabic: مُؤَقَتٌ
Brazilian Portuguese: momentâneo
Chinese: 瞬间的
Croatian: trenutačan
Czech: přechodný
Danish: momentan
Dutch: kortstondig
European Spanish: momentáneo
Finnish: hetkellinen
French: momentané
German: momentan
Greek: στιγμιαίος
Italian: momentaneo
Japanese: 瞬間の
Korean: 순간의
Norwegian: kortvarig
Polish: chwilowy
European Portuguese: momentâneo
Romanian: efemer
Russian: моментальный
Latin American Spanish: momentáneo
Swedish: tillfällig
Thai: ชั่วครู่
Turkish: bir anlık
Ukrainian: миттєвий
Vietnamese: tạm thời
Chinese translation of 'momentary'
momentary
(ˈməuməntərɪ)
adj
短暂(暫)的 (duǎnzàn de)
(adjective)
Definition
lasting for only a moment
a momentary lapse of concentration
Synonyms
short-lived
Any hope that the speech would end the war was short-lived.
short
We had a short meeting.
brief
This time their visit is brief.
temporary
a temporary loss of memory
passing
people who dismissed mobile phones as a passing fad
quick
I just popped in for a quick chat.
fleeting
They caught only a fleeting glimpse of the driver.
hasty
After the hasty meal, they took up their positions.
transitory
Most teenage romances are transitory.
Opposites
lasting
,
permanent
,
lengthy
,
long-lived
Additional synonyms
in the sense of brief
Definition
short in duration
This time their visit is brief.
Synonyms
short,
fast,
quick,
temporary,
fleeting,
swift,
short-lived,
little,
hasty,
momentary,
ephemeral,
quickie (informal),
transitory
in the sense of fleeting
Definition
rapid and soon passing
They caught only a fleeting glimpse of the driver.
Synonyms
momentary,
short,
passing,
flying,
brief,
temporary,
short-lived,
fugitive,
transient,
flitting,
ephemeral,
transitory,
evanescent (formal),
fugacious,
here today, gone tomorrow
in the sense of hasty
Definition
done or happening suddenly or quickly
After the hasty meal, they took up their positions.
Synonyms
brief,
short,
quick,
passing,
rushed,
fleeting,
superficial,
cursory,
perfunctory,
transitory
Synonyms of 'momentary'
momentary
Explore 'momentary' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of passing
Definition
momentary or short-lived
people who dismissed mobile phones as a passing fad