temperamental
Americanadjective
-
having or exhibiting a strongly marked, individual temperament.
-
moody, irritable, or sensitive.
a temperamental artist.
-
given to erratic behavior; unpredictable.
-
of or relating to temperament; constitutional.
temperamental differences.
adjective
-
easily upset or irritated; excitable; volatile
-
of, relating to, or caused by temperament
-
informal working erratically and inconsistently; unreliable
a temperamental sewing machine
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of temperamental
First recorded in 1640–50; temperament + -al 1
Explanation
If your moods change quickly and dramatically, people might describe you as temperamental. If you weren't so temperamental, maybe your friends would open up to you more. Did I say something wrong? The adjective temperamental can also be used to describe objects that behave unpredictably. A temperamental air conditioner can make for a long, hot summer. Fortunately, you're not temperamental or you might have smashed it to bits by now. The second “e” in temperamental gets swallowed so that it sounds like "temp-ra-MENT-al" (four syllables).
Vocabulary lists containing temperamental
Into the Wild
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Lightning Thief
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
This Week In Culture, April 26–May 2, 2020
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Temperamental stars, sometimes more trouble the more fame they receive.
From Salon • May 6, 2023
Raoul is the stock Handsome Heroic Figure, the Phantom is the Tortured Genius, Christine is barely fleshed out beyond the Ingenue and Carlotta is a flimsy Temperamental Diva.
From Washington Post • Jul. 22, 2016
Temperamental horses with unnecessary movement or exuberance show poorly.
From New York Times • Dec. 28, 2012
His independent label, Strange Feeling, is releasing Love and Its Opposite, though the pair haven't worked together as Everything But the Girl since 1999's Temperamental album.
From The Guardian • May 26, 2010
Temperamental antagonisms may be suffered, but like feuds of emperors, who fight dignifiedly across kingdoms.
From Representative Men by Emerson, Ralph Waldo
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
