Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

provisional

/pɹəˈvɪʒənəl/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.66 in modern English

Syllables: pro-vi-sion-al
IPA: /pɹəˈvɪʒənəl/

16

Scrabble Score

11

Letters

4

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Temporary, but with the intention of eventually becoming permanent or being replaced by a permanent equivalent.

noun

A postage stamp issued locally before an official issue is released.

noun

An interim denture.

noun

a member of the Provisional Irish Republican Army

Example Sentences

"Marsden and Jones were named in the provisional squad for the European Championships, to be confirmed before the 30 June deadline."
"The provisional date for the wedding is April 2, but it is subject to confirmation at the church."
"If this was not possible, then alternatives including provisionalizing with a complete denture or a tooth-supported fixed provisional and a staged treatment protocol should have been considered."

Etymology

From provision + -al, or else from Middle French provisionnal (modern French provisionnel). Compare Latin prōvīsiōnālis.

Origin

Source language: Middle French

Word Breakdown

Root: provisionnal
Suffix: provision

Inflected Forms

provisionals (plural) Provo (abbreviation)

Derived Forms

nonprovisional provisionality provisionally provisionalness provisionalize

Phrases

provisional government provisional job provisional license

Synonyms

provisory provisionary probationary tentative

Rhymes With

divisional collisional

Questions

How do you pronounce provisional?: The recorded pronunciation is /pɹəˈvɪʒənəl/.
What does provisional mean?: Temporary, but with the intention of eventually becoming permanent or being replaced by a permanent equivalent.
Where does provisional come from?: It is traced to Middle French.

How to pronounce provisional

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “provisional”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/pɹəˈvɪʒənəl/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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