Interim — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective /ˈin-tə-rəm/ in·ter·im

Meaning & Definition of Interim

Interim (noun)

  1. an intervening time, interval

Interim (adjective)

  1. done, made, appointed, or occurring for an interim

Interim (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. intended to last, continue, or serve for a limited time

    "putting up some students in local motels is obviously just an interim solution to the college's housing shortage"

    similar: ad interim, impermanent, provisional, provisionary, provisory, short-term, temporary
    related: acting, alternate, proxy, substitute, expedient, improvised, makeshift, intermediary, intermediate, transitional, ephemeral, fleeting, fugitive, short-lived, transitory, conditional, contingent, limited, qualified, short-range, tentative, replaceable, terminable, terminate
    opposite: long-term, permanent
    near: final, fixed, set, settled, unconditional, unlimited, unqualified, extended, lasting, long-range, standing, dateless, deathless, endless, enduring, eternal, everlasting, immortal, perpetual, timeless, undying, unending

  2. serving in a position for the time being

    "will serve as interim head of the police department until the investigation is completed"

    similar: acting, ad interim, provisional, provisionary, provisory, temporary
    related: alternate, backup, jackleg, make-do, makeshift, proxy, stopgap, substitute
    opposite: long-term, permanent

Interim (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a break in continuity

    "there was a brief interim in the proceedings while everyone got organized"

    similar: discontinuity, gap, hiatus, hiccup, interlude, intermission, interregnum, interruption, interstice, interval, parenthesis
    related: caesura, comma, interspace, lag, pause, space, time lag, window, entr'acte, bumper, adjournment, discontinuance, lapse, suspension, lull, recess, respite, rest, subinterval
    opposite: continuation, continuity
    near: continuum, run, stretch, procession, progression

Related Entry: Ad interim (adjective)

Ad interim is a different word from Interim. The synonyms below are for ad interim, not for interim.

  1. intended to last, continue, or serve for a limited time

    "will serve as the ad interim CEO until the merger of the two corporations is complete"

    similar: impermanent, interim, provisional, provisionary, provisory, short-term, temporary
    related: acting, alternate, proxy, substitute, expedient, improvised, makeshift, intermediary, intermediate, transitional, ephemeral, fleeting, fugitive, short-lived, transitory, conditional, contingent, limited, qualified, short-range, tentative, replaceable, terminable, terminate
    opposite: long-term, permanent
    near: final, fixed, set, settled, unconditional, unlimited, unqualified, extended, lasting, long-range, standing, dateless, deathless, endless, enduring, eternal, everlasting, immortal, perpetual, timeless, undying, unending

  2. serving in a position for the time being

    "an ad interim government until the new constitution goes into effect"

    similar: acting, interim, provisional, provisionary, provisory, temporary
    related: alternate, backup, jackleg, make-do, makeshift, proxy, stopgap, substitute
    opposite: long-term, permanent

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Interim

The most common words with a similar meaning to Interim:

ad interim, impermanent, provisional, provisionary, provisory, short-term, temporary, acting, discontinuity, gap, hiatus, hiccup, interlude, intermission, interregnum, interruption, interstice, interval, parenthesis

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Interim

Words with the opposite meaning of Interim:

long-term, permanent, continuation, continuity

Related Words for Interim

alternate, proxy, substitute, expedient, improvised, makeshift, intermediary, intermediate, transitional, ephemeral, fleeting, fugitive, short-lived, transitory, conditional, contingent, limited, qualified, short-range, tentative, replaceable, terminable, terminate, backup, jackleg, make-do, stopgap, caesura, comma, interspace

Near Antonyms of Interim

final, fixed, set, settled, unconditional, unlimited, unqualified, extended, lasting, long-range, standing, dateless, deathless, endless, enduring, eternal, everlasting, immortal, perpetual, timeless, undying, unending, continuum, run, stretch, procession, progression

Origin & Etymology of Interim

Latin, adverb, meanwhile, from inter between inter-

First known use: circa 1580

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Interim

Words & Phrases Containing Interim

ad interim, in the interim

Frequently Asked Questions about Interim

What does "Interim" mean?

"Interim" means an intervening time, interval. As an a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: an intervening time, interval. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Interim"?

Other words for "Interim" include ad interim, impermanent, provisional, provisionary, provisory, short-term, temporary and acting. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Interim" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Interim"?

There are 65 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Interim". Common alternatives include ad interim, impermanent, provisional, provisionary, provisory, short-term, temporary, acting, discontinuity and gap.

What is the opposite of "Interim"?

Antonyms of "Interim" include long-term, permanent, continuation and continuity. Near antonyms include final, fixed, set and settled.

How do you use "Interim" in a sentence?

Examples of "Interim" in a sentence: "putting up some students in local motels is obviously just an interim solution to the college's housing shortage"; "will serve as interim head of the police department until the investigation is completed"; "there was a brief interim in the proceedings while everyone got organized".

Is "Interim" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Interim" can be used as a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.

Is "Interim" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Interim" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Interim"?

"Interim" is pronounced /ˈin-tə-rəm/ and divided into syllables as in·ter·im.