noun

temperament

TEHM-puh-ruh-muhnt

noun

A person's natural way of thinking, reacting, and behaving, especially as it shows up in mood.

"Even as a baby, she had a calm, easygoing temperament."

"His fiery temperament made negotiations difficult."

A tendency to become irritable or moody.

"The chef was famous for his temperament in the kitchen."

How to Use Temperament

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone's natural disposition or mood pattern — calm, fiery, patient, and so on.

Easily confused with

temperature →

Common pairings

a calm temperament artistic temperament

temperaments plural

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Even as a baby, she had a calm, easygoing _____.

From Middle French tempérament, from Latin temperāmentum, related to the same root as "temper."

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