momentary

Imagine watching fireflies on a summer night: their lights blink on and off in momentary flashes. That's the heart of this word. "Momentary" describes something that lasts for only a moment, a very short time. A momentary pause in conversation, a momentary feeling of sadness, or a momentary lapse in judgment are all things that happen quickly and do not last long. Think of it as the opposite of something steady or lasting. Sometimes, a momentary distraction can still have big consequences, even though the distraction itself was brief.

The word "momentary" describes something that happens or exists only for a very short time, just a moment. It implies that the thing is brief and quickly passes. While "temporary" suggests something lasting for a limited period, like a temporary job, momentary emphasizes extreme brevity, almost an instant.

You might experience a momentary feeling of panic before giving a speech, or a momentary silence after a shocking announcement. A momentary glitch in a computer system can be frustrating, but it is usually quickly resolved. The word is often used for feelings, pauses, interruptions, flashes, or problems that are brief and do not last.

The root of "momentary" comes from "moment," which refers to a very short period of time. It does not necessarily mean unimportant. A momentary connection with someone can be deeply meaningful, even if it lasts only a short time. Still, its core meaning always points to something brief that will quickly pass.

So, when you want to emphasize the very short duration of something, like a flash, a pause, or an emotion, reach for "momentary." It captures the idea of something that exists only in the blink of an eye.