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to temp

to temp

65 3.8
To work for a short time to fill someone else's job or help during busy periods
  • verb
  • /tɛmp/
translation icon : trabajar temporalmente
  • After she graduated, she chose to temp for a few months before settling into a full-time job.

Examples

  • She decided to temp at the marketing agency while they looked for a permanent employee.

  • Many students temp during the summer to gain work experience and earn some money.

  • Listen, everybody with a temp job, man, listen that day, bro, can tell you I've been let go from a temp serving job for real.

  • Temping at an accounting firm or something?

  • I temped, waited tables...

Synonyms

to fill in
vsto temp
100 3.3

Do someone else's job for a short time

works in a short-term job possibly not replacing someone

Antonyms

650 3.2

Continuing for a long time and unlikely to change

How Long

indentured
1 8.3
to temp
65 3.8
to help out
  • Informal
486 1.0

Surface Forms

temp infinitive
temped past
temped past participle
temping present participle
temps third person singular

Etymology

Temp (the verb) comes from the same root as temporary and the Latin tempus meaning 'time'. To temp is to work for a short 'time', so the verb keeps the idea of a brief, 'not permanent' job.