MOMENTARILY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does momentarily mean? 

• MOMENTARILY (adverb)
  The adverb MOMENTARILY has 2 senses:

1. for an instant or moment

2. at any moment

  Familiarity information: MOMENTARILY used as an adverb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• MOMENTARILY (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

For an instant or moment

Synonyms:

momentarily; momently

Context example:

a cardinal perched momently on the dogwood branch

Sense 2

Meaning:

At any moment

Synonyms:

momentarily; momently

Context example:

she will be with you momently

 Context examples 

I would have got past Mr. Rochester's chamber without a pause; but my heart momentarily stopping its beat at that threshold, my foot was forced to stop also.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

The wind had been momentarily increasing, and the sun, after a few angry gleams, had disappeared.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Even though you will surely take your eyes off the road momentarily at work this month, your career will still show vibrant signs of life.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

As she spoke, Lucy turned crimson, though it was only momentarily, for her poor wasted veins could not stand for long such an unwonted drain to the head.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Since moons outside our solar system – known as exomoons – cannot be imaged directly, their presence is inferred when they pass in front of a star, momentarily dimming its light.

(Astronomers Find First Evidence of Possible Moon Outside Our Solar System, NASA)

Gravitational microlensing occurs when the gravity of a foreground star bends and amplifies the light of a background star that momentarily aligns with it.

(Hubble Finds Planet Orbiting Pair of Stars, NASA)

I passed an hour in this state of mind, when suddenly I reflected how fearful the combat which I momentarily expected would be to my wife, and I earnestly entreated her to retire, resolving not to join her until I had obtained some knowledge as to the situation of my enemy.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

My father had risen to depart, but the admiral, with that kindliness which he ever showed to the young, and which had been momentarily chilled by the unfortunate splendour of my clothes, still paced up and down in front of us, shooting out crisp little sentences of exhortation and advice.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I grieve to leave Thornfield: I love Thornfield:—I love it, because I have lived in it a full and delightful life,—momentarily at least.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

The previous evening he had reasoned himself into the blues, and I had been waiting momentarily for one of his characteristic outbursts.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)