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English

tame

gb/tˈeɪm/ us/tˈeɪm/
A2 English
~ 6500
Senses
0 senses
adjective A2 property
1

(of animals) not wild

Describes an animal that is not wild and is calm with people, so it is not dangerous.

Usage pattern: [animal] is tame
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "tame" to describe shy or quiet people in neutral situations (e.g., *She is very tame*). In everyday English, this can sound odd or negative; it usually suggests someone is too controlled or boring. Use "shy" or "quiet" instead unless you want the negative meaning.
Synonyms
domesticated (Common technical term for animals bred and kept by humans; slightly more formal and factual than "tame".) | docile (Emphasizes the animal’s gentle, obedient nature rather than its living with humans.)
Antonyms
wild (Describes an animal living in nature, not controlled or trained by humans, often unpredictable or dangerous.) | feral (Describes an animal that has escaped from domestication and become wild again.)
Collocations
tame animals |tame birds |tame lion |quite tame |seem tame |become tame
Themes
animals |daily life |daily_life |core_vocabulary
Examples
  • The horses on the farm are very tame and let the children ride them.
  • After a few weeks of feeding, the stray cat became tame enough to touch.
  • These zoo monkeys are too tame to survive in the jungle now.
  • Unlike wolves, most pet dogs are tame and friendly with strangers.
Learner examples
  • The dog is tame and does not bite.
  • These birds are tame, so you can hold them.
  • The lion looks scary, but it is tame.
  • After many days, the rabbit became tame.
Verb B1 action
2

train an animal to be tame

To teach or control a wild animal so it becomes calm and safe with people.

Usage pattern: to tame [an animal]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"tame a person"* in neutral or positive contexts. In English, using "tame" for people usually sounds negative or figurative, implying control or loss of spirit. Use verbs like "train," "teach," or "discipline" instead for normal situations.
Synonyms
domesticate (More formal and technical, often used in scientific or historical contexts (e.g., "domesticate cattle").) | train (Focuses on teaching behavior; can be used for tame animals but is broader and not limited to wild animals.)
Antonyms
re-wild (To return animals or land to a wild state; opposite result of taming, though less common in everyday speech.)
Collocations
tame a horse |tame wild animals |tame lions |tame wolves |difficult to tame |try to tame
Themes
animals |daily life |daily_life |core_vocabulary
Examples
  • It took the circus years to tame the tigers for the show.
  • Early humans learned to tame wolves, which later became dogs.
  • She specializes in taming nervous horses that other trainers refuse to handle.
  • The villagers slowly tamed the young elephant by feeding it every day.
Learner examples
  • They are trying to tame the wild horse.
  • Farmers tamed these animals many years ago.
  • The man tamed the big dog with food and care.
  • It is hard to tame a tiger.
adjective B2 property
3

boring or not exciting

Describes something that is not very fun or exciting, and feels a bit boring or weak.

Usage pattern: [event/experience] is [quite/rather] tame
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this sense with the basic animal sense and say things like *"a tame day"* when they mean "quiet" or "calm." While possible, it can sound unusual. For everyday conversation, "quiet," "calm," or "boring" are often clearer; use "tame" mainly when comparing something to a more exciting or extreme version.
Synonyms
dull (Very close in meaning; strongly suggests boredom or lack of interest.) | uneventful (Focuses on the lack of action or incidents, without necessarily sounding as negative or critical as "tame".)
Antonyms
wild (Describes events or behavior that are extremely lively, uncontrolled, or crazy; the opposite feeling of a "tame" party or night out.) | exciting (Directly opposite; suggests a high level of interest, energy, or emotion.)
Collocations
tame party |tame movie |tame performance |pretty tame |rather tame |a bit tame
Themes
entertainment |opinions |daily life |arts_entertainment |daily_life |core_vocabulary
Examples
  • The concert was a bit tame compared to last year’s wild show.
  • For a movie about car racing, it felt surprisingly tame.
  • The debate was disappointingly tame, with no strong challenges or hard questions.
  • His jokes seemed tame to an audience used to edgier comedy.
Learner examples
  • The party was tame, and we went home early.
  • The film was too tame for teenagers.
  • The game was tame and not very fun.
  • The show was tame, but my parents liked it.
Verb B2 action
4

bring something under control

To make something strong or hard to control, like anger, prices, or wild hair, weaker and easier to manage.

Usage pattern: to tame [force/problem/feeling]
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse "tame" with anything difficult, even when "solve," "fix," or "manage" sound more natural (e.g., *tame the homework*). In English, this sense is most common for powerful forces, emotions, prices, markets, or unruly hair—not for ordinary tasks.
Synonyms
control (Very general; does not always include the idea of reducing strength, just keeping something within limits.) | subdue (More formal and strong; often used for people, emotions, or forces that are actively resisted or fought.)
Antonyms
inflame (To make emotions or situations more intense or worse, especially anger or conflict.) | fuel (To make something like anger, conflict, or growth stronger instead of weaker.)
Collocations
tame inflation |tame your temper |tame my hair |tame the problem |tame the market |tame the chaos
Themes
business |emotions |daily life |core_vocabulary
Examples
  • The central bank raised interest rates to tame inflation.
  • She took a deep breath to tame her anger before speaking.
  • I need a stronger gel to tame my curly hair in this humidity.
  • New regulations were introduced to tame the chaotic housing market.
  • The teacher struggled to tame the noise in the classroom.
Learner examples
  • The government is trying to tame high prices.
  • He drank water to tame his strong headache.
  • I use this cream to tame my dry hair.
  • We need a plan to tame this big problem.
adjective C1 property
5

submissive or too controlled

Describes people or groups that do not fight, question, or show strong ideas, and are easily controlled by someone else.

Usage pattern: [person/group] is [quite/too] tame
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use this meaning in positive contexts (e.g., *He is very tame, so he is a good boss*). In modern English, calling a person "tame" usually sounds negative, suggesting they are weak, boring, or controlled, not simply calm or polite.
Synonyms
submissive (Emphasizes obedience and giving in to others; often used for people in relationships or hierarchies.) | compliant (More formal; focuses on following rules or instructions without resistance.)
Antonyms
rebellious (Describes people who actively resist control and challenge authority.) | independent (Describes a person or group that makes its own decisions instead of being controlled by others.)
Collocations
tame crowd |tame audience |tame journalist |politically tame |remarkably tame |a little too tame
Themes
social |politics |opinions |relationships |core_vocabulary
Examples
  • The crowd was surprisingly tame and left quietly after the match.
  • Some critics say he only gives interviews to tame journalists.
  • The discussion was far too tame; no one questioned the company’s strategy.
  • Her normally tame students suddenly began to argue back.
Learner examples
  • The class was tame, and no one asked hard questions.
  • They hired a tame reporter who would not criticize them.
  • The fans were tame and did not shout.
  • He is too tame to lead the team.
Grammar
Dictionary form
tame
IPA
GB/tˈeɪm/
US/tˈeɪm/
Syllables & stress
tame (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (tame)
Word forms
Adjective
  • Base: tame
  • Comparative: tamer
  • Superlative: tamest
Verb
  • Base: tame
  • 3rd Person Singular: tames
  • Present Participle: taming
  • Past: tamed
Word family
Forms
tames verb taming verb tamed verb tamer adjective tamest adjective
Core family
tamely adverb tameness noun
Related words
tameable adjective
Negative and opposite forms
untamed adjective wild adjective A2
Expressions

as tame as a lamb

1
/ˈæz tˈeɪm ˈæz ə lˈæm/
idiom

extremely calm and gentle

Very calm, gentle, and not aggressive at all.

Examples
  • Don’t worry about the dog; he’s as tame as a lamb.
  • The children looked wild, but once the movie started, they were as tame as a lamb.

tame down

1
/tˈeɪm dˈaʊn/
phrasal verb

make something less strong or wild

To make something less loud, bright, strong, or wild so it becomes calmer or easier to accept.

Examples
  • They asked the designer to tame down the bright colors in the logo.
  • He tried to tame down his speech so it wouldn’t upset anyone.
  • You should tame down the party plans if children are coming.
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