momentarily

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "momentarily" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that will happen for a short duration of time. For example, "The lights flickered momentarily before going out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

World

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He has hinted there may still be a story to tell about that and said in an interview with Lu Martín in El País in 2012, that his mindset momentarily changed, something slipped and it saddened him.

The Guardian - Sport

The NUT did manage to propel the issue of funding momentarily into the headlines in the middle of an election campaign, which is where it should be.

The Guardian

One well-known actor once told me how he lost a lucrative contract for a leading brand of dog food after he momentarily forgot this golden rule.

The Guardian

Beneath the eye of eternity, he becomes momentarily modest: "I don't think I'm particularly brave or have had a specially extraordinary experience.

The Guardian

Ignoring the etiquette tips that have proliferated online since 'selfie' was declared Oxford Dictionaries' word of the year, the three world leaders appeared to momentarily forget the solemnity of the occasion, adopting the mandatory cheesy grins.

The Guardian

As Joanna Biggs points out in her fabulous just-published oral history of Britain at work, All Day Long: "The nation of shopkeepers has become a nation of disappointed bakers and momentarily cheerful hotdog men.

The Guardian

Eels front-rower Richie Fa'aoso could come under the scrutiny of the match review committee after a raised forearm on George Burgess momentarily stopped play late in the first half.

The Guardian - Sport

With throngs of shoppers darting in and out of stores on Grafton Street and drinkers slaking their thirsts outside the pubs on side streets all the way up to St Stephen's Green, you could be forgiven for wondering, momentarily at least: recession, what recession?

The Guardian

Not surprisingly, perhaps, Tett stepped out of her chair role's impartiality momentarily to demur at that.

The Guardian - Opinion

Seconds before the shooting, it appears that Zanbrano-Montes momentarily raises his hands in the air.

The Guardian

In the fifth, Lee raised his right glove and invited a momentarily passive Quillin in, drawing a vocal reaction from the crowd of 12,300.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When precise timing is crucial, consider alternatives like "briefly" or "shortly" to avoid ambiguity, especially in technical or formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "momentarily" when you mean to convey a slightly longer period. Alternatives like "briefly" are better suited if the action lasts more than just an instant.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "momentarily" functions primarily to modify verbs, indicating the duration or timing of an action. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across diverse contexts. For example, "He "momentarily" forgot the rule" shows it specifying how long he forgot the rule.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Sport

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "momentarily" is a versatile adverb that correctly conveys the idea of something happening for a short time or very soon. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. To ensure clarity, consider the context to avoid ambiguity between its dual meanings. Use alternatives such as "briefly" or "shortly" depending on the intended nuance. When using "momentarily", make sure the writing's flow makes it obvious whether the act occurred quickly or will occur soon. Considering it has more than 50 examples from reputable publications such as The Guardian or The Economist, "momentarily" is a "momentarily" invaluable addition to your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

briefly

Focuses on the short duration of an action or state.

for a moment

Emphasizes the fleeting nature of an action or state.

in a moment

Highlights the immediacy of an action.

for a short time

Highlights the limited duration of something.

just for a second

Emphasizes the extremely short duration of an action or state.

in a little while

Implies something will happen soon.

in an instant

Implies immediate action or occurrence.

presently

Indicates something will occur in the near future.

shortly

Suggests an event will happen soon.

in the twinkling of an eye

Focuses on how rapidly an event can occur or a feeling can change.

FAQs

How can I use "momentarily" in a sentence?

You can use "momentarily" to indicate something lasting a very short time, as in, "The screen flickered "momentarily"." It can also mean very soon, such as, "The train will arrive "momentarily"."

What's the difference between "momentarily" and "temporarily"?

"Momentarily" typically refers to a very brief period, almost instantly. "Temporarily" /s/temporarily indicates something lasting for a limited time, but often longer than just a moment.

What can I say instead of "momentarily"?

Depending on the context, you could use "briefly", "shortly", "presently", or "in a moment" /s/in+a+moment.

Is it correct to use "momentarily" to mean "very soon"?

Yes, "momentarily" can mean "very soon" or "in a moment". However, be aware that this usage might be ambiguous, as it also means "for a moment". Ensure the context makes your intended meaning clear.