Basic Details
Word: Temporal
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: To do with time, or with life in this world rather than spiritual life. In biology it also refers to the temples, the sides of the head.
Synonyms: worldly, earthly, secular
Antonyms: spiritual, eternal
How to Spell Temporal
Syllables: tem - por - al
Tricky part: The middle is por, with an o, and the ending is al. Students write temperal, tempral or temporel.
Watch out for: temperal, tempral, temporel, tempooral
Memory tip: Tempo is the speed of music in time. Temporal = tempo + ral, and both are about time.
Usage Examples
Example 1: Day and night follow a regular temporal pattern.
Example 2: The story jumps between past and present, so pay attention to its temporal order.
Example 3: Medieval kings and popes often argued over temporal power.
Fun Fact
Temporal comes from Latin tempus, time, the same root that gives temporary, tempo and contemporary.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the meaning of the correctly spelt word:
1. temporal 2. cronology 3. perenial 4. anuall
a) lasting for many years
b) to do with time
c) the order in which events happened
d) happening once a year
Show answer
b) to do with time. Chronology starts with chr, as in chronic; perennial and annual both come from the Latin annus, year, with nn.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word 'temporal' as used in the sentence:
The old priest cared far less for temporal power than for his daily prayers.
a) earthly
b) worldly
c) secular
d) spiritual
Show answer
d) spiritual. Worldly, earthly and secular are close to temporal here; spiritual means the life of the soul.
Word Cookie
Insert the correct letters to form a word:
temp_r_l
a) e, a
b) o, e
c) o, a
d) a, a
Show answer
c) o, a. Tempo gives the o, and the ending is al.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. The temporal bones are found in the ____.
a) arm
b) leg
c) chest
d) skull
Show answer
d) skull
2. Temporal is closest in meaning to which phrase?
a) relating to heat
b) relating to time
c) relating to temples of worship
d) relating to temper
Show answer
b) relating to time
