English · Word Candidate

temporal

/ˈtɛm.pə.ɹəl/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: temporals

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Of or relating to the material world, as opposed to sacred or clerical.

Adjective

temporal power, temporal courts

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

Relating to time: — Of limited time, transient, passing, not perpetual, as opposed to eternal.

Adjective

The things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

Anything temporal or secular; a temporality.

Noun

for God's people love always to be dealing as well in temporals as spirituals

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

Of or situated in the temples of the head or the sides of the skull behind the orbits.

Adjective

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

What does “temporal” mean?

Of or relating to the material world, as opposed to sacred or clerical.

Is “temporal” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.