temperament

American  

[tem-per-uh-muhnt, -pruh-muhnt, -per-muhnt] / ˈtɛm pər ə mənt, -prə mənt, -pər mənt /

noun

1. the combination of mental, physical, and emotional traits of a person; natural predisposition.

   Synonyms:

   makeup, nature

2. unusual personal attitude or nature as manifested by peculiarities of feeling, temper, action, etc., often with a disinclination to submit to conventional rules or restraints.

3. (old physiology) the combination of the four cardinal humors, the relative proportions of which were supposed to determine physical and mental constitution.

4. Music.

   1. the tuning of a keyboard instrument, as the piano, organ, or harpsichord, so that the instrument may be played in all keys without further tuning.

   2. a particular system of doing this.

5. Archaic. an act of tempering or moderating.

6. Archaic. climate.

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temperament British  

/ -prəmənt, ˈtɛmpərəmənt /

noun

1. an individual's character, disposition, and tendencies as revealed in his reactions

2. excitability, moodiness, or anger, esp when displayed openly

   an actress with temperament

3. the characteristic way an individual behaves, esp towards other people See also character personality

4. 1. an adjustment made to the frequency differences between notes on a keyboard instrument to allow modulation to other keys

   2. any of several systems of such adjustment, such as just temperament, a system not practically possible on keyboard instruments, mean-tone temperament, a system giving an approximation to natural tuning, and equal temperament, the system commonly used in keyboard instruments, giving a scale based on an octave divided into twelve exactly equal semitones See also just intonation

5. obsolete the characteristic way an individual behaves, viewed as the result of the influence of the four humours (blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile)

6. archaic compromise or adjustment

7. an obsolete word for temperature

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Related Words

See disposition.

Etymology

Origin of temperament

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin temperāmentum due mixture, equivalent to temperā ( re ) to mix properly + -mentum -ment

Explanation

While a mood can change, your temperament is your overall tone most of the time. Just like dogs, people have temperaments: some are aggressive; some are playful; and some are just happy to carry your slippers. Just as a temperature gives a reading of how hot or cold something is, your temperament gives a reading of your disposition, or general outlook. Some folks with optimistic temperaments see that glass as half full; other more pessimistic folks see it as half empty. And there are still others who prefer to drink straight from the bottle.

Example Sentences

Other key attributes are a love of play, confidence and a gentle temperament towards fellow animals is crucial.

From Barron's • May 20, 2026

Which is why today Slate is launching a new season of Slow Burn, Becoming Justice Gorsuch, exploring his life, judicial temperament, and character.

From Slate • May 13, 2026

Beagles are used in research partly for their size and even temperament.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

Setting the film in the Midwest helped tune it to Odenkirk’s particular temperament.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

He could neither frighten nor humiliate Fielding, because his temperament would reject all of it without trouble, he would not bring out the worst in Hooper, as Kingshaw himself did.

From "I'm the King of the Castle" by Susan Hill

Related Words

• attitude
• ego
• humor
• idiosyncrasy
• inclination
• individuality
• intellect
• mentality
• mettle
• mood
• nature
• outlook
• quality
• spirit
• tendency