provisionally
UK[prəˈvɪʒənəli]US[prəˈvɪʒənəli]
adv
For the present time, subject to future confirmation or change; temporarily.
Morpheme Breakdown
provision
ally
provision
act of providing
ally
adverb suffix
Etymology
The word "provisionally" is built upon the noun "provision," which originates from the Latin verb providere, meaning "to foresee" or "to attend to." This verb itself is a compound of pro- (forward, ahead) and videre (to see), literally painting a picture of "seeing ahead" to make preparations. Over time, "provision" evolved from the abstract act of foresight to denote the concrete supplies or measures put in place for the future. By adding the adverbial suffix "-ally," the word shifts from a thing ("provision") to describe the manner of an action—specifically, an action done in a preparatory or interim way, pending final arrangement. Thus, "provisionally" carries the logical sense of something being arranged "for the time being," based on foresight and subject to future review.
Analysis
Structure: provision (act of providing) + ally (adverb suffix)
- provision: From Latin provisio (a foreseeing, preparation), from providere (to foresee, provide). Acts as the core noun stem.
- ally: A suffix forming adverbs from adjectives, from Latin -aliter (via Old French -el + -ment). Indicates the manner or quality.
Examples
The committee has provisionally approved the new policy, pending a final review next month.
She was provisionally appointed as the department head while a permanent candidate was sought.
The treaty was provisionally signed, with the understanding that details could be renegotiated.