phlegmatic

American  

[fleg-mat-ik] / flɛgˈmæt ɪk /

Also phlegmatical

adjective

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

   Synonyms:

   torpid, dull, uninterested, cold, cool, stoical

2. self-possessed, calm, or composed.

   Synonyms:

   quiet, placid, unruffled, collected, cool

3. of the nature of or abounding in the humor phlegm.

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phlegmatic British  

/ flɛɡˈmætɪk /

adjective

1. having a stolid or unemotional disposition

2. not easily excited

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Other Word Forms

• phlegmatically adverb
• phlegmaticalness noun
• phlegmaticness noun
• unphlegmatic adjective
• unphlegmatical adjective
• unphlegmatically adverb

Etymology

Origin of phlegmatic

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

Explanation

Yes, phlegmatic has roots in that colorless, mucousy stuff called phlegm, but people who are phlegmatic aren't called that because they have lots of mucus. They are just a little dull in expressing feelings or showing emotion. It may be their training more than their natural behavior, but those palace guards who wear the red coats and big hats and show absolutely no expression on their faces are phlegmatic. Attempts to make them laugh, smile, or twist their faces in irritation won’t work, because being phlegmatic is important to their role as stone-faced keepers of the palace. Phlegmatic people show less emotion on the outside — but who knows, they may be jumping up and down on the inside.

Example Sentences

The fact that credit markets had been at record-tight levels running into the Iranian war heightens the vulnerability of credit markets, although Bergeron did acknowledge the market reaction thus far has been phlegmatic.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

Under his guidance, the British people came to see themselves as the phlegmatic and resolute defenders of their island home, the latest in a great line of underdog warriors.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 8, 2024

Observing the frenzy which greets the onset of cold weather, he is phlegmatic.

From BBC • Jan. 22, 2024

The real winner was a man who wasn’t there: McConnell, the phlegmatic leader of the nonanarchic Senate GOP.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 8, 2023

They are anything but a phlegmatic people, yet they are obdurate, they are pertinacious, they finish plastering joints.

From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin