Temp Worker Definition, Usage & Examples

Meaning 1：temporary worker (Temp Worker)

Temp Worker 🔊

/tɛmp ˈwɜːrkər/

A person who works for a company for a short, fixed time, often to cover extra work or someone's absence.

Temp worker sitting at temporary desk with visitor badge in modern office

temporary worker 🔊

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/ˈtɛmpəˌrɛri ˈwɜːrkər/

A person employed by a company for a limited, fixed period, usually to manage extra workload, replace absent staff, or fulfill short-term projects.

📁 Category：Social Roles 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Temp is a clipping of temporary (from Latin temporarius 'lasting for a time'); worker comes from Old English weorcere (work + -er).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a 'temporary tent' at a construction site — it's only there for a short time, just like a temp worker's job.

📖 Example

Our office manager said they need to hire a temp worker for two weeks to help with the holiday rush of orders. 🔊 The office manager stated they need to hire a temporary worker for two weeks to assist with the holiday order surge.

🔗 Collocations

hire a temp worker – To engage a temporary employee

work as a temp worker – To be employed on a short-term basis

temp worker agency – A company that supplies temporary staff

🔄 Synonyms

temporary employee (n.) – A person working for a limited time, often through a staffing agency.

temp (n.) – Informal short form of temp worker.

contract worker (n.) – A worker hired for a specific project or period under a contract.

🚫 Antonyms

permanent employee (n.) – A staff member with an ongoing, indefinite position.

full-time worker (n.) – An employee who works a standard weekly schedule, typically with benefits.

regular staff (n.) – Employees who are part of the standard permanent workforce.

🌱 Derivatives

temporary (adj.) – Lasting for a limited time.

temping (n.) – The activity of working as a temp worker.

temp agency (n.) – A company that places temp workers with client businesses.

📖 Cultural Story

The term 'temp worker' emerged in the mid-20th century with the rise of temporary employment agencies like Kelly Services (founded 1946). It reflects the post-war shift toward flexible labor markets.