temperament
TEHM-puh-ruh-muhnt
Temperament (noun) means a person's natural way of thinking, reacting, and behaving, especially as it shows up in mood. Example: “Even as a baby, she had a calm, easygoing temperament.”
noun
1
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."
2
A tendency to become irritable or moody.
"The chef was famous for his temperament in the kitchen."
How to use temperament
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone's natural disposition or mood pattern — calm, fiery, patient, and so on.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a calm temperament
artistic temperament
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like temperament.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- temperaments
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Even as a baby, she had a calm, easygoing _____.
Etymology
From Middle French tempérament, from Latin temperāmentum, related to the same root as "temper."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for temperament
lament
ornament
ligament
armament
filament
sacrament
testament
firmament
tournament
parliament
predicament
disarmament
See all rhymes for temperament →
Frequently asked questions
What does “temperament” mean?
The word “temperament” means a person's natural way of thinking, reacting, and behaving, especially as it shows up in mood. In plain terms, someone's natural disposition or mood pattern — calm, fiery, patient, and so on.
How do you pronounce “temperament”?
“Temperament” is pronounced TEHM-puh-ruh-muhnt (/ˈtɛm.pɚ.ə.mənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “temperament” in a sentence?
Here is “temperament” used in a sentence: “Even as a baby, she had a calm, easygoing temperament.”
What part of speech is “temperament”?
“Temperament” is a noun.
Where does the word “temperament” come from?
The word “temperament” comes from Latin. From Middle French tempérament, from Latin temperāmentum, related to the same root as "temper.".
Is “temperament” a common word?
“Temperament” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “temperament” have?
“Temperament” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person's natural way of thinking, reacting, and behaving, especially as it shows up in mood.
