Inglês

temperamental

gb/tˌɛmpɚmˈɛntəl/ us/tˌɛmpɚmˈɛntəl/
B2 Inglês
Aceções
0 aceções
adjective B2 property
1

moody and unpredictable

If someone is temperamental, their mood changes a lot and you cannot easily predict how they will react.

Padrão de uso: [someone] is (often/a bit/highly) temperamental
Erro comum:
Don’t use it to mean only “bad-tempered” or “angry”; it mainly means “moody/unpredictable.”
Sinónimos
moody (More general; less emphasis on unpredictability.) | volatile (Stronger; suggests sudden, intense changes and possible anger.) | mercurial (More literary; highlights rapid changes.)
Antónimos
even-tempered (Stays calm and consistent.) | steady (Reliable and not changeable in mood or reactions.)
Colocações
a temperamental person |a temperamental child |a temperamental partner |a temperamental boss |temperamental behavior |temperamental moods |a temperamental streak |highly temperamental |a bit temperamental |in a temperamental mood
Temas
emotions |personality |relationships |daily_life
Exemplos
  • She can be charming, but she’s also temperamental and gets upset over small things.
  • The director was temperamental, so the crew learned to avoid him when he was stressed.
  • He’s been more temperamental since he stopped sleeping well.
Exemplos para aprendentes
  • My brother is temperamental and changes his mood quickly.
  • She is temperamental, so I choose my words carefully.
adjective C1 property
2

unreliable; works inconsistently

If a machine is temperamental, it does not work the same way every time and sometimes stops working.

Padrão de uso: [thing] is temperamental
Sinónimos
unreliable (Neutral and broad; less person-like.) | finicky (Suggests it needs careful handling or exact conditions.) | faulty (Suggests an actual defect rather than inconsistency.)
Antónimos
reliable (Works consistently without problems.) | dependable (Emphasizes trustworthiness over time.)
Colocações
a temperamental car |a temperamental engine |a temperamental printer |a temperamental laptop |temperamental equipment |temperamental electronics |a temperamental system |a temperamental heating system |a temperamental old camera |temperamental machinery
Temas
technology |daily_life |work
Exemplos
  • My old printer is temperamental—it works one day and refuses the next.
  • The heating system is temperamental, so we keep a space heater as a backup.
  • It’s a great camera, but it can be temperamental in cold weather.
Exemplos para aprendentes
  • This car is temperamental and sometimes won’t start.
  • The printer is temperamental, so I save my work often.
adjective formal C1 relation
3

relating to a person’s temperament

Temperamental means connected to a person’s usual way of feeling and behaving.

Padrão de uso: temperamental [differences/traits/factors]
Erro comum:
This meaning is different from “moody”; in formal contexts it can mean simply “about temperament.”
Sinónimos
dispositional (More technical; common in psychology.) | personality (Broader; not limited to temperament.)
Antónimos
situational (Caused mainly by circumstances rather than stable tendencies.)
Colocações
temperamental differences |temperamental traits |temperamental factors |temperamental variation |temperamental predisposition |temperamental style |temperamental profile |temperamental characteristics |temperamental sensitivity |temperamental reactivity
Temas
psychology |personality |education
Exemplos
  • The study looked at temperamental differences in how toddlers react to noise and change.
  • Teachers may need different approaches for children with different temperamental traits.
  • She has a temperamental sensitivity to criticism that shows up in many settings.
Exemplos para aprendentes
  • People have different temperamental traits.
  • The report discusses temperamental differences in children.
Gramática
Forma de dicionário
temperamental
IPA
GB/tˌɛmpɚmˈɛntəl/
US/tˌɛmpɚmˈɛntəl/
Sílabas e acento
tem - pera - ment - al (4 sílabas)
Stress on 2nd syllable (pera)
Formas da palavra
Adjective
  • Base: temperamental
Expressões

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