What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
provisionary
Example
The company made a provisionary agreement with the union to avoid a strike. [provisionary: adjective]
Example
The government implemented a provisionary policy to address the immediate crisis. [provisionary: adjective]
provisional
Example
The team's provisional roster included several new players. [provisional: adjective]
Example
The court issued a provisional ruling until further evidence could be presented. [provisional: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Provisional is more commonly used than provisionary in everyday language. Provisional is a more versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while provisionary is less common and may be considered outdated in some situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between provisionary and provisional?
Both provisionary and provisional are relatively formal words that may be more appropriate in academic or professional settings than in casual conversation.