transitional
transitional — adjective
- transitionalpositive
- more transitionalcomparative
- most transitionalsuperlative
1. happening during the time when something moves from one system, condition, or si
happening during the time when something moves from one system, condition, or situation to another — for example, a transitional government that manages a country while a new constitution is being written, or a transitional period between leaving home and settling into independent adult life.
The transitional government organised the country's first democratic elections in two decades.
transitional + government for temporary political arrangements
Defne saw the transitional year between school and work as a time of personal growth.
The family bought only transitional furniture while waiting for their shipped belongings to arrive.
Camila wore a light transitional jacket because autumn mornings were cool but afternoons warmed up.
A transitional kindergarten class helps four-year-olds adjust to formal school routines.
- interim
focuses on the temporary arrangement filling a gap, not the process of change itself
- provisional
emphasises that something is arranged for now and will be replaced later, often in official contexts
- intermediate
describes a stage or position between two others, with less emphasis on active change
- stopgap
informal; refers to a temporary fix that works for a short time but is not ideal
用法筆記
Frequently used with nouns describing periods, arrangements, or stages (transitional period, transitional phase, transitional government). The word carries a formal tone; in everyday conversation, 'in-between' or 'interim' are more common alternatives. Distinguish from 'temporary': 'temporary' emphasises limited duration, while 'transitional' stresses that a change from one state to another is in progress.