short term

/ʃɔːrt tɜːrm/
noun phraseIntermediate
general

a brief period of time, typically less than a year

She took a short-term loan to cover unexpected expenses.

She borrowed money for a few months to handle urgent costs.

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Often used in finance and business contexts to describe temporary arrangements.

💼Business
Business

a temporary solution or strategy with limited duration

The company implemented a short-term strategy to boost sales.

They used a temporary plan to increase revenue quickly.

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Contrasts with 'long-term' strategies that focus on sustained growth.

technical

a period of limited duration in psychology or therapy

The therapist recommended short-term cognitive behavioral therapy.

A brief treatment plan to address immediate mental health concerns.

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Used in clinical settings to describe time-limited interventions.

Collocations

short-term goalan objective to be achieved quicklyshort-term memorythe ability to retain information brieflyshort-term contracta temporary employment agreement

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

long termphrase
a prolonged period of time
short-term memoryphrase
the ability to retain information briefly

💡Pro Tip

Context Matters

The meaning of 'short term' can vary by field. In finance, it often refers to less than a year, while in psychology, it may describe brief therapy sessions.

Gold Rule

Avoid Confusion

Do not confuse 'short-term' with 'immediate' or 'urgent'. Short-term implies a defined but limited duration.

📖Word Origin

From 'short' (limited in time) + 'term' (a defined period). Commonly used since the 16th century.

📝Usage Notes

Often contrasted with 'long-term' to emphasize brevity. In finance, it may refer to investments or loans lasting less than a year.

Word Breakdown

short
limited in time or duration
adjective
+
term
a defined period of time
noun
English Dictionary