provisional Definition
- 1arranged or existing for the present, possibly to be changed later
- 2not final or permanent
Using provisional: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "provisional" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The provisional government was established after the revolution.
Example
We have made a provisional booking at the hotel.
Example
The agreement is only provisional and may be changed later.
provisional Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with provisional
a driver's license that is issued to new drivers, allowing them to drive with certain restrictions until they pass a driving test
Example
She got her provisional license last week and can now drive with an adult in the car.
a vote that is cast but not counted on election day because the voter's eligibility cannot be immediately confirmed
Example
He had to cast a provisional ballot because his name was not on the voter registration list.
a type of patent application that provides temporary protection for an invention while the inventor prepares a regular patent application
Example
He filed a provisional patent for his invention to protect it while he worked on a full patent application.
Origins of provisional
from Latin 'provisionalis', from 'provisio' meaning 'a providing'
Summary: provisional in Brief
The term 'provisional' [prəˈvɪʒənl] refers to something arranged or existing for the present, but subject to change later. It is often used to describe temporary or conditional situations, such as a provisional booking or provisional license. The term comes from the Latin word 'provisio', meaning 'a providing'.