temperament
gb/tˈɛmpɚmənt/ us/tˈɛmpɚmənt/
B2
English
~ 4900
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
property
1
usual emotional nature
The usual way a person feels and reacts to things.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s temperament
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'temperament' with 'temperature' due to similar spelling; they are unrelated in meaning.
Synonyms
disposition (Refers broadly to someone's general attitude or mood, not only emotional reactivity.)
|
nature (More general; can refer to all aspects of personality, not just emotional tendencies.)
Antonyms
irritability (Refers specifically to a tendency to become easily annoyed or upset, which is opposite of a calm temperament.)
Collocations
calm temperament
|fiery temperament
|even temperament
|gentle temperament
|nervous temperament
Themes
emotions
|personality
|psychology
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her calm temperament made her an excellent mediator.
- He has a fiery temperament and often argues passionately.
- The teacher adapted her approach to suit each child's temperament.
- A gentle temperament is important when working with animals.
- Despite the stress, his even temperament kept the team focused.
Learner examples
- She has a calm temperament.
- My brother has a fiery temperament.
- The dog's temperament is gentle.
- A teacher needs a good temperament.
- His temperament is even and steady.
Noun
technical
C1
entity
2
musical tuning adjustment
A way of tuning musical instruments so they can play in many keys.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with emotional temperament; in music, it refers only to tuning systems.
Synonyms
tuning system (General term for any method of setting pitches on an instrument.)
Antonyms
natural tuning (Tuning based on pure intervals without adjustment for multiple keys.)
Collocations
equal temperament
|just temperament
|well temperament
Themes
music
|science
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- Equal temperament is the most common tuning system for pianos today.
- Baroque music often used well temperament instead of equal temperament.
- The guitar was adjusted to a specific temperament for the performance.
Learner examples
- Pianos use equal temperament.
- Old music used a different temperament.
- The guitar has a special temperament for this song.
Grammar
Dictionary form
temperament
IPA
GB/tˈɛmpɚmənt/
US/tˈɛmpɚmənt/
Syllables & stress
tem - pera - ment (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (tem)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: temperament
- Plural: temperaments
Word family
Forms
temperaments
noun
Core family
temperamental
adjective B2
Negative and opposite forms
intemperate
adjective
Advanced or less common
temperamentally
adverb C1
temperance
noun C1
Expressions
of a fiery temperament
1/əv ə fˈaɪɚi tˈɛmpɚmənt/
fixed phrase
passionate and quick-tempered nature
Used to describe someone who is quick to show strong feelings, especially anger or passion.
Examples
- He is of a fiery temperament and often speaks without thinking.
- Artists of a fiery temperament can be both inspiring and challenging.
of a nervous temperament
1/əv ə nˈɚvəs tˈɛmpɚmənt/
fixed phrase
naturally anxious nature
Used to describe someone whose natural way is to feel worried or tense easily.
Examples
- She is of a nervous temperament and avoids large crowds.
- The horse, being of a nervous temperament, needed careful handling.