temp

"Temp" is most commonly used as a short form of two words: "temporary" and "temperature." Most often, it means a worker hired for a short time to fill in for someone else or to help during a busy season. Imagine an office that gets overwhelmed with paperwork during tax season; they might hire a "temp" to keep things moving until the rush is over.

Beyond the workplace, "temp" is also common when people talk about weather, machines, or health. You might check the "outside temp" before picking an outfit or "take your temp" if you're feeling sick. In both cases, "temp" works as a simple, informal shortcut in daily conversation.

The word "temp" functions mainly as a noun, though it also appears in some informal adjective uses. In the working world, it usually refers to a worker employed for a short period. These workers are often hired through staffing agencies to cover for employees on leave or to give extra help during busy times. The idea has also turned into a verb: someone might say they are "temping" while they look for a permanent job. You may also hear the phrase "temp-to-perm," which describes a role that starts short-term but may become permanent later.

However, "temp" is also a very common abbreviation for "temperature." A cook might check the "oven temp," a nurse might take a patient's "temp," and someone at home might look at the room "temp" on a thermostat. In these settings, the word is quick, natural, and widely understood.

You will also see "temp" used casually before another noun, especially in phrases like "temp job," though in more formal writing people usually choose the full word "temporary." Because "temp" can point either to short-term work or to temperature, the meaning depends on the situation. Whether it is a person helping out for a few weeks or a number on a thermometer, the word usually gives a quick, practical meaning in everyday English.