diff --git a/documentation/ref-manual/ref-variables.xml b/documentation/ref-manual/ref-variables.xml
index 714346fc18..f7217a4c0e 100644
--- a/documentation/ref-manual/ref-variables.xml
+++ b/documentation/ref-manual/ref-variables.xml
@@ -3989,16 +3989,18 @@ recipes-graphics/xorg-font/font-alias_1.0.3.bb:PR = "${INC_PR}.3"
         <glossentry id='var-TMPDIR'><glossterm>TMPDIR</glossterm>
             <glossdef>
                 <para>
-                    This variable is the temporary directory the OpenEmbedded build system
-                    uses when it does its work building images.
-                    By default, the <filename>TMPDIR</filename> variable is named
-                    <filename>tmp</filename> within the
+                    This variable is the base directory the OpenEmbedded
+                    build system uses for all build output and intermediate
+                    files (other than the shared state cache).
+                    By default, the <filename>TMPDIR</filename> variable points
+                    to <filename>tmp</filename> within the
                     <ulink url='&YOCTO_DOCS_DEV_URL;#build-directory'>Build Directory</ulink>.
                 </para>
 
                 <para>
-                    If you want to establish this directory in a location other than the
-                    default, you can uncomment the following statement in the
+                    If you want to establish this directory in a location other
+                    than the default, you can uncomment and edit the following
+                    statement in the
                     <filename>conf/local.conf</filename> file in the
                     <ulink url='&YOCTO_DOCS_DEV_URL;#source-directory'>Source Directory</ulink>:
                     <literallayout class='monospaced'>