tame
5 synonyms and 0 antonyms for tame, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Not wild; brought under human control, especially of an animal.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use tame
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English tam ("domesticated"), from a Germanic root meaning "brought into the home."
Full origin of tame →Frequently asked questions
What does “tame” mean?
The word “tame” means not wild; brought under human control, especially of an animal. In plain terms, under control and no longer wild or dangerous — or, of an experience, disappointingly mild.
How do you pronounce “tame”?
“Tame” is pronounced taym (/teɪm/ in IPA).
How do you use “tame” in a sentence?
Here is “tame” used in a sentence: “The park has a few tame deer that will eat from your hand.”
What part of speech is “tame”?
Depending on how it is used, “tame” can be an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “tame” come from?
The word “tame” comes from Old English. From Old English tam ("domesticated"), from a Germanic root meaning "brought into the home.".
Is “tame” a common word?
“Tame” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “tame” have?
“Tame” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not wild; brought under human control, especially of an animal.
What is the difference between tame and domesticated?
Tame describes an individual animal that is not wild and has been brought under human control, regardless of species. Domesticated refers to a species that has been bred over generations to live alongside humans, such as dogs or cattle. A domesticated species can still have individual animals that are not tame, and a wild species can occasionally have a tame individual.
What does it mean to describe something as a tame version of an event?
When tame describes an event, story, or experience, it means lacking excitement or edge, or being milder than expected, such as a tame party or a tame movie. This figurative sense contrasts with wild, extreme, or intense.
What is the difference between tame and gentle?
Tame specifically implies that a wild nature has been brought under control, often through training, while gentle simply describes a mild, soft temperament without implying anything about wildness or control. An animal can be gentle by nature without ever having been wild.