Did you know?

Click any word in a definition or example to find the entry for that word

Able to be changed and lasting only a short time

variable

adjective

capable of being changed

brief

adjective

lasting only for a short time

short-term

adjective

lasting for a short period of time

temporary

adjective

existing, done, or used for only a limited period of time

floating

adjective

not fixed or permanent, and therefore likely to change

passing

adjective

lasting only a short time, and usually not very important or serious

short-lived

adjective

lasting for a short period of time

transient

adjective

existing, happening, or staying somewhere for a short period of time only

fleeting

adjective

continuing for only a very short time

inconstant

adjective

likely to change frequently and not regular

vocal fry

a speech habit in which a speaker lowers their voice at the end of a sentence

BuzzWord Article

Word of the Day Word of the Day

dray

a type of cart pulled by a horse and used in the past for carrying barrels of beer

Open Dictionary

conflict mineral

a mineral which is mined in a place where there is armed conflict, and sold to help pay for weapons

add a word

Blog

A must for anyone with an interest in the changing face of language. The Macmillan Dictionary blog explores English as it is spoken around the world today.

global English and language change from our blog