providing or serving for the time being only; existing only until permanently or properly replaced; temporary

a provisional government.

accepted or adopted tentatively; conditional; probationary.

( usually initial capital letter ) of or being the wing of the Irish Republican Army that follows a policy of violence.

Philately . a stamp that serves temporarily, pending the appearance of the regular issue, or during a temporary shortage of the regular stamps.

a provisional member of a group.

( usually initial capital letter ) a member of the Provisional wing of the Irish Republican Army.

adjective

certain , definite , permanent

adjective

conditional , dependent , ephemeral , experimental , interim , limited , makeshift , passing , pro tem , provisionary , provisory , qualified , rough-and-ready , stopgap * , temporary , test , transient , transitional , impermanent , short-range , short-term , acting , ad interim , tentative , ad hoc , circumstantial , contingent , iffy