Origin: Latin suffix -al
Provisional has 4 different meanings across 1 category:
A postage stamp issued locally before an official issue is released.
"The security checkpoint stopped every provisional before they could enter the city center."
a member of the Provisional Irish Republican Army
In plain English: A provisional is something that exists only temporarily until it can be made permanent.
"The provisional served as their temporary residence while they searched for a permanent home."
under terms not final or fully worked out or agreed upon
"probationary employees"
"a provisional government"
"just a tentative schedule"
Temporary, but with the intention of eventually becoming permanent or being replaced by a permanent equivalent.
"The provisional manager will oversee the department until a permanent director is appointed next year."
In plain English: Provisional means something is temporary and only valid until it can be officially confirmed later.
"The provisional results showed that rain would be heavy later in the day, but they were not yet final."
Usage: Use provisional to describe arrangements that are temporary and intended to be followed by a final decision rather than something permanently fixed from the start. This term applies only when there is a clear expectation of replacement, distinguishing it from situations where no permanent outcome is planned.
The word provisional comes from the combination of the noun "provision" and the suffix "-al," which was likely borrowed directly from Middle French. It originally described something that serves as a temporary measure or arrangement until a more permanent solution is established.