adjective

momentary

/ˈmoʊməntɛri/ · say it: MOH·muhn·ter·ee

lasting a very short time

In Describing & Comparing

In more detail

lasting for a very short time; brief

Examples

There was a momentary pause before she answered the question.
He felt a momentary sense of panic when he couldn't find his passport.

How to use momentary

Momentary describes something that lasts only a very short time, often an interruption or brief occurrence. It is commonly used for pauses, emotions, or distractions that are quickly passed. Momentary is more formal and literary than 'brief' and often carries a sense of interruption rather than simply being of short duration.

Common phrases

momentary lapse
momentary pause
momentary silence
momentary distraction
momentary confusion

Synonyms

brief · fleeting · short-lived · transient · ephemeral

Opposites

permanent · lasting · enduring

Word family

moment (noun) · momentarily (adverb)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse momentary (lasting a very short time) with momentarily (very soon or in a moment), which have different meanings in modern English.

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