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momentarily — for a very short time; briefly

Part of speech: ADVERB

Definition: for a very short time; briefly

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˌmoʊmənˈterəli/

Example Sentences

  • The WiFi was momentarily down, causing my cat to dramatically collapse as if the world had ended.
  • I was momentarily distracted by the delicious smell of pizza and forgot my own name.
  • The system will be momentarily unavailable for maintenance.

momentarily

ADVERB

[/ˌmoʊmənˈterəli/]

for a very short time; briefly

a family sits on a couch watching television when suddenly all the lights flicker and go out completely. The room plunges into darkness for just a few seconds before the lights immediately come back on. The father reaches toward a lamp while the mother holds a child who looks startled. Everyone blinks and adjusts their eyes as the room brightens again. The television screen flickers back to life showing the movie they were watching.  power being lost for a very short time before returning.
💡 Concept

a family sits on a couch watching television when suddenly all the lights flicker and go out completely. The room plunges into darkness for just a few seconds before the lights immediately come back on. The father reaches toward a lamp while the mother holds a child who looks startled. Everyone blinks and adjusts their eyes as the room brightens again. The television screen flickers back to life showing the movie they were watching. power being lost for a very short time before returning.

Rest momentarily, pause temporarily, but not necessarily permanently!
🎵 Rhyme

Rest momentarily, pause temporarily, but not necessarily permanently!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˌmoʊmənˈterəli/
🇬🇧 UK/ˌməʊmənˈterəli/

🌳Etymology

Rootmoment
Suffix--arily

Origin

From Latin momentum, meaning 'movement' or 'moment', combined with the adverbial suffix -ly. The word originally described something occurring in a moment or instant, evolving through Middle English and Old French influences.

Breakdown

moment (from Latin momentum: movement, instant) + -ary (adjective-forming suffix) + -ly (adverb-forming suffix converting adjectives to adverbs).

🎵Rhyme

temporarily
voluntarily
necessarily

🔗Collocations

pause momentarily
hesitate momentarily
stop momentarily
appear momentarily
be back momentarily
momentarily confused

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“The WiFi was momentarily down, causing my cat to dramatically collapse as if the world had ended.”

😄 Fun example

“I was momentarily distracted by the delicious smell of pizza and forgot my own name.”

“The system will be momentarily unavailable for maintenance.”

“She was momentarily speechless when she saw the surprise party.”

📚Related Words

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