Provisional for Dummies

Provisional is a word that we use to describe something that is temporary or not permanent. It's like when you want to eat a delicious ice cream cone on a hot summer day, but you don't have one at the moment, so you settle for a popsicle instead. The popsicle is a provisional treat because it's satisfying your craving for something cold and sweet, but it's not the exact thing you wanted.

In a similar way, when we say something is provisional, it means that it's not permanent or set in stone. It's a temporary solution, plan, or state of being. For example, imagine you want to build a sandcastle on the beach, but you're aware that the tide will eventually wash it away. So, instead of putting in a lot of effort, you decide to build a small and provisional sandcastle that you can enjoy for a little while before it gets washed away.

Now, let's look at another meaning of provisional. Sometimes, when there's a special situation or circumstance, we might have provisional rules or arrangements put in place. These rules or arrangements are not the usual ones we follow every day, but they are temporary and made specifically for that particular situation. It's like when you visit a friend's house and they let you stay in their playroom for the night. You know it's not your usual bedroom, but it's a provisional sleeping arrangement that works for that specific night.

In summary, when we say something is provisional, we mean that it's temporary, not permanent, and subject to change. It's like a placeholder or a temporary solution until something better or more permanent can be put in place. It's important to keep in mind that provisional can have different meanings depending on the context, but the idea of it being temporary and subject to change remains consistent.