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

Derived Forms

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

As Brent Griffiths at Business Insider explains, the "approach breaks people down into five types: Melancholy, Choleric, Sanguine, Supine, and Phlegmatic."

From Salon • Nov. 1, 2023

The repertory has plenty of shining opportunities for them too, like the title roles of “Prodigal Son” and “Apollo” and parts like the Phlegmatic variation in “The Four Temperaments.”

From New York Times • Feb. 2, 2018

I single out Christopher D’Ariano, who on Tuesday gave an exemplary account of the Phlegmatic variation, caught up in the movement as if infected by it; but I’m tempted to name several others, too.

From New York Times • Jun. 8, 2016

His roles in Balanchine ballets included the Cavalier in his “Nutcracker,” Puck in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and Phlegmatic in “The Four Temperaments.”

From New York Times • Jun. 24, 2015

Phlegmatic dealers of somber mien admitted some promise, but pointed out the difficulty of sales.

From The Titan by Dreiser, Theodore