Words / C1

pr-uh-VIZH-uh-nl/prəˈvɪʒənl/

Provisional means arranged for the present and likely to be changed: a provisional n, a provisional spare. Temporary (already in the dictionary) is everyday; “soon” is not a cell.

Meaning

Arranged for the present and likely to be changed (from temporary, already in the dictionary).

Examples

• “A provisional n is still a methods hole until the raw count is in the cell.”
• “Temporary is already in this course. Interim is already in this course. Soon is a slogan. A codebook line is methods. Write the raw number; then mark it provisional if the rule still allows it.”

Good to know

Temporary, pending a final figure. Everyday: temporary (already in the dictionary). “Soon” ≠ a filled n.

Near in meaning

temporary, interim, stopgap

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