What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
transitionary
Example
The company is in a transitionary phase as it moves towards a new business model. [transitionary: adjective]
Example
The team is currently in a transitionary period as they adjust to a new coach. [transitionary: noun]
transitional
Example
The transitional government was established to guide the country towards democracy. [transitional: adjective]
Example
The company is undergoing a transitional period as it shifts its focus to sustainability. [transitional: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Transitional is more commonly used than transitionary in everyday language. Transitional is a versatile adjective that can be used in various contexts, while transitionary is less common and may be limited to specific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between transitionary and transitional?
Both transitionary and transitional are formal words that are appropriate for academic or professional writing. However, transitional is more commonly used and may be considered more formal than transitionary.
