adj
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temperamental
tehmp-ruh-MEHNTL
Temperamental (adj) means Prone to sudden, unpredictable changes in mood; easily upset. Example: “The lead actor was famously temperamental and difficult to work with.”
adj
1
Prone to sudden, unpredictable changes in mood; easily upset.
"The lead actor was famously temperamental and difficult to work with."
2
Unreliable or unpredictable in performance, especially of a machine.
"The old printer is temperamental and jams if you're not careful."
How to use temperamental
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMoody and unpredictable — used for both people and machines that behave inconsistently.
Common pairings
a temperamental artist
a temperamental engine
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more temperamental
- Superlative
- most temperamental
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The lead actor was famously _____ and difficult to work with.
Etymology
Formed from temperament plus the adjective ending -al.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for temperamental
mental
dental
rental
parental
Oriental
elemental
accidental
ornamental
judgmental
incidental
monumental
regimental
See all rhymes for temperamental →
Frequently asked questions
What does “temperamental” mean?
The word “temperamental” means prone to sudden, unpredictable changes in mood; easily upset. In plain terms, moody and unpredictable — used for both people and machines that behave inconsistently.
How do you pronounce “temperamental”?
“Temperamental” is pronounced tehmp-ruh-MEHNTL (/ˌtɛmp(ə)ɹəˈmɛntl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “temperamental” in a sentence?
Here is “temperamental” used in a sentence: “The lead actor was famously temperamental and difficult to work with.”
What part of speech is “temperamental”?
“Temperamental” is an adjective.
How many meanings does “temperamental” have?
“Temperamental” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: prone to sudden, unpredictable changes in mood; easily upset.
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