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transitory
This word is more formal than "temporary." You will often see it in literature, philosophy, or academic writing rather than in casual daily conversation. It is typically used to describe abstract things—like feelings, phases of life, or political states—rather than physical objects. For example, you would say a "transitory mood" but usually not a "transitory umbrella."
💬Casual Conversation
🎬Tuesday afternoon, both sitting in the same open-plan office during a tedious team meeting.
Mark
this vibe is so transitory. david's gonna blow a fuse any sec.
Sarah
he already has. just keep playing dumb.
💡
Mark uses 'transitory' to describe the brief, fragile peace in the room before their boss loses his temper. Sarah responds with the idiom 'playing dumb,' suggesting Mark should continue pretending he doesn't understand his tasks to avoid more work.