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noun C1 Advanced Uncommon

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 notes

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

Easily confused with
Common pairings
a calm temperament artistic temperament

Word forms

temperaments plural

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Fill the gap

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

Etymology

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

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for temperament

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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.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial