Ad-hoc Meaning and Definition
Ad-hoc
Pronunciation
/æd hɒk/
Part of Speech
Noun or Adjective
Definition
A temporary or improvised solution, arrangement, or group formed in response to a particular need or situation.
Examples
- The team assembled an ad-hoc committee to tackle the crisis.
- The software team formed an ad-hoc group to address a recurring bug.
Synonyms
- Unofficial
- Temporary
- Special
Etymology
The word “ad-hoc” originates from Latin, in which it means “for this purpose” or “specifically for this”. It has been adopted into English to describe a temporary or improvised solution or arrangement.
Usage Notes
Ad-hoc is often used to describe a temporary or one-time arrangement, such as an ad-hoc committee or an ad-hoc team. It can also be used to describe a situation or solution that is not part of the standard or usual procedure.
Cultural References
The term ad-hoc has been used in various TV shows and movies to describe a temporary or improvised solution or arrangement.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
“Ad-hoc” is often used in idiomatic expressions such as “ad-hoc committee”, “ad-hoc team”, or “ad-hoc meeting”.
Related Words or Phrases
Related words or phrases include “temporary”, “improvised”, “unofficial”, and “special”.
Collocations
Ad-hoc is often collocated with words such as “meeting”, “committee”, “team”, “solution”, or “arrangement”.
Frequency of Use
The term “ad-hoc” is relatively rare in everyday language, but it is commonly used in professional and technical contexts, such as business, education, and software development.
Common Misspellings
Common misspellings of “ad-hoc” include “ad hoc” or “ad-hock”.