temperamental
Temperamental (adj) means Prone to sudden, unpredictable changes in mood; easily upset. Example: “The lead actor was famously temperamental and difficult to work with.”
How to use temperamental
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMoody and unpredictable — used for both people and machines that behave inconsistently.
Word forms
more temperamental comparative, most temperamental superlative
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.
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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