phlegmatic

[ fleg-mat-ik ]

/ flɛgˈmæt ɪk /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for phlegmatic on Thesaurus.com

adjective

not easily excited to action or display of emotion; apathetic; sluggish.

self-possessed, calm, or composed.

of the nature of or abounding in the humor phlegm.

OTHER WORDS FOR phlegmatic

1 stoical, cool, cold, uninterested, dull, torpid.

2 cool, collected, unruffled, placid, quiet.

See synonyms for phlegmatic on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Also phleg·mat·i·cal

[fleg-mat-i-kuhl] /flɛgˈmæt ɪ kəl/ .

Origin of phlegmatic

1300–50; <Late Latin phlegmaticus<Greek phlegmatikós pertaining to phlegm, equivalent to phlegmat- (stem of phlégmaphlegm) + -ikos-ic; replacing Middle English fleumatik<Middle French fleumatique<Late Latin, as above

OTHER WORDS FROM phlegmatic

phleg·mat·i·cal·ly, adverbphleg·mat·i·cal·ness, phleg·mat·ic·ness, nounun·phleg·mat·ic, adjectiveun·phleg·mat·i·cal, adjective

un·phleg·mat·i·cal·ly, adverb

Words nearby phlegmatic

phlebotomize, phlebotomus fever, phlebotomy, Phlegethon, phlegm, phlegmatic, phlegmy, Phlm., phloem, phloem necrosis, phloem ray

How to use phlegmatic in a sentence

Such were the emotions he triggered among this city's usually phlegmatic residents.
How Rahul Gandhi Blew the Indian Rape Crisis|Dilip D’Souza|January 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Phlegmatic though he might have been, Levine had a wonderfully dry, self-deprecating sense of humor.
The Man With the Sharpest Pen|David Margolick|December 30, 2009|DAILY BEAST
An upright, phlegmatic man who finally led the contemplative life of one of the ancient hermits.
Repertory Of The Comedie Humaine, Complete, A -- Z|Anatole Cerfberr and Jules Franois Christophe
If one remains silent and controlled, then one is "phlegmatic," "cool-blooded," "unpatriotic."
Famous Adventures And Prison Escapes of the Civil War|Various

But a deafening peal of thunder cut short the sentence of the phlegmatic prince lecturing the royal spouse.
Balsamo, The Magician|Alexander Dumas
Though giants are often phlegmatic, his big frame embedded highly-strung nerves.
Reminiscences of Charles Bradlaugh|George W. Foote
The marvellous exhibition of endurance aroused the phlegmatic Turk to real enthusiasm.
Jack Harkaway's Boy Tinker Among The Turks|Bracebridge Hemyng

British Dictionary definitions for phlegmatic

phlegmatic

phlegmatical

/ (flɛɡˈmætɪk) /

adjective

having a stolid or unemotional disposition

not easily excited

Derived forms of phlegmatic

phlegmatically, adverbphlegmaticalness or phlegmaticness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

phlegmatic

OTHER WORDS FOR phlegmatic

Origin of phlegmatic

OTHER WORDS FROM phlegmatic

Words nearby phlegmatic

Words related to phlegmatic

How to use phlegmatic in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for phlegmatic

phlegmatical

Derived forms of phlegmatic