temp
part of speech
noun (a temp, temps); verb (temp, temps, temped, temping); abbreviation (temp. = temperature, temporary)
meaning for a pupil
1) (informal) A temp is a worker who works for a company only for a short time, often through an agency. tree →
2) (informal) To temp is to work as a temp. tree →
3) (abbreviation, informal) Temp is short for temperature: «What's the temp outside?» tree →
4) (abbreviation) Temp is short for temporary, as in a temp job or a temp file. tree →
sense in the lessons
In everyday clipped talk and work life, a temp covers for someone who is away. In science and weather, «temp» is a quick way to write temperature (temp: 20 °C). Phrases: a temp job, temp agency, high temp.
examples
- Mum worked as a temp in an office for a month. tree →
- The temp answered the phone while the secretary was away. tree →
- My brother is temping this summer. tree →
- What's the temp today? About 25 degrees. tree →
- The dog has a high temp, so we're taking him to the vet. tree →
- Write the temp in your weather chart. tree →
note
Clipped informal word: in formal writing say «temporary worker» or «temperature». In tables it can be written «temp.» with a dot. In maths and science, temp is a number with units (°C or °F).
Trees and pragmatics
Every meaning and example of «temp» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.