interim

Everyday

1. Interim means for the time being, until something permanent is arranged; temporary. tree →
2. (formal) In the interim means in the time between two events; meanwhile. tree →

In the lessons

In formal and news speech: an interim head teacher, an interim report, an interim result. In exam writing: "In the interim, the water cooled." Phrases: interim report, interim measure, in the interim.

Examples

• The school has an interim head until a new one is chosen. tree →
• The team wrote an interim report halfway through the project. tree →
• The new road will open next year; in the interim, use the old one. tree →
• The interim coach led the team for three matches. tree →
• We set up an interim shelter after the storm. tree →
• An interim payment was made before the full amount. tree →

Note

Formal. Similar everyday words: temporary, meanwhile. It does not change form. Stress on the first syllable: IN-ter-im.