momentarily
English
Etymology
Pronunciation
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 331: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "UK" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˈməʊmɛntɛɹɪlɪi/
Adverb
momentarily (not comparable)
- (manner) In a momentary manner; for a moment or instant.
- (US, proscribed, duration) In a moment or very soon; any minute now, any time now.
- 1880, Lew Wallace, chapter 3, in Ben-Hur, a Tale of the Christ:
- He told me, further, that the second coming was at hand--was looked for momentarily in Jerusalem.
- This plane will be landing at Idlewild Airport momentarily.
- Progressively; moment by moment.
Usage notes
Many speakers object to the use of momentarily in the sense of “in a moment” rather than “for a moment”, since this is inconsistent with the meaning of momentary;[1][2] nonetheless, this use is quite common in North America, and is particularly associated with airlines, such as “we will be landing momentarily”.[3][1][2] In place of momentarily, many speakers prefer the terms presently, soon[1][2] or the phrase “in a moment”,[2] for this sense of “in a moment”.
Synonyms
- (in a moment): presently, shortly, soon; see also Thesaurus:soon
- (for a moment): briefly, temporarily; see also Thesaurus:temporarily
- (moment by moment): incrementally, progressively, step by step; see also Thesaurus:gradually
Translations
In a momentary manner
In a moment or very soon
|
progressively; moment by moment
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 “Just a Moment”, by William Safire, New York Times, May 11, 1997
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 I Stand Corrected: More on Language, by William Safire pp. 137–138
- ^ On language, by William Safire, 1980, p. 9