Temper: meaning, definitions and examples

😡
Add to dictionary

temper

 

[ ˈtɛmpər ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

emotions

Temper refers to a person's state of mind in terms of their mood and emotions.

Synonyms

disposition, emotions, mood.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
temper

See 'temper' above.

mood

Use 'mood' to describe temporary feelings or state of mind. It often relates to the overall atmosphere or vibe someone projects at a particular time.

  • He's in a good mood today.
  • The grey weather put everyone in a bad mood.
emotions

Use 'emotions' when referring to feelings in a broad sense, including happiness, sadness, anger, etc. This term can be used in various contexts, both personal and professional.

  • It's important to understand your emotions.
  • He couldn't hide his emotions during the movie.
disposition

Use 'disposition' to talk about someone's general attitude or nature. It is usually more neutral or positive.

  • She has a cheerful disposition, always smiling.
  • His calm disposition made him an excellent mediator.

Examples of usage

  • She has a quick temper and easily gets angry.
  • He has a calm temper and rarely loses his cool.
Context #2 | Noun

weather

Temper refers to the degree of hotness or coldness of a substance or environment.

Synonyms

climate, temperature.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
temper

This word denotes the degree of irritability, anger, or calmness in a person. It's often used to describe someone's mood or reaction in stressful situations. It can have a negative connotation when referring to frequent anger.

  • He lost his temper when he found out he was cheated.
  • She has a bad temper and often yells at people.
temperature

This term is used to describe the degree of heat or cold in an environment or object, commonly mentioned in weather reports, medical symptoms, or scientific contexts.

  • The temperature outside is dropping below freezing.
  • She has a high temperature and needs to see a doctor.
climate

This term refers to the long-term weather patterns in a particular area or the general atmosphere or mood of a place or situation. It's commonly used in discussions about geography, weather, or the overall feeling within an organization or society.

  • The climate in the tropics is very humid and hot.
  • The political climate in the country is tense.

Examples of usage

  • The water temperature is too high for swimming.
  • We need to adjust the air conditioning to regulate the room's temper.
Context #3 | Verb

refrain

Temper can also mean to moderate or adjust something, especially one's behavior.

Synonyms

balance, moderate, restrain.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
temper

Often used when referring to a person's mood, especially anger; can also mean to improve the toughness of metal.

  • He has a quick temper
  • The blacksmith will temper the blade to make it stronger
moderate

Implies keeping something within reasonable limits; often used in the context of consumption, behavior, or climates.

  • Eating a moderate amount of sweets is fine
  • The climate here is moderate, not too hot or cold
balance

Refers to maintaining a state where different elements are equal or in the correct proportions; used in various contexts from physical balance to life and finances.

  • He needs to balance his work and personal life
  • The gymnast showed an incredible balance during her performance
restrain

Conveys holding back or controlling something forcefully; can be used in physical, emotional, or legal contexts. It sometimes carries a negative connotation.

  • The police had to restrain the suspect
  • She restained her urge to shout at him

Examples of usage

  • She needs to temper her criticism with kindness.
  • He learned to temper his impulsive decisions with careful thought.

Translations

Translations of the word "temper" in other languages:

🇵🇹 temperamento

🇮🇳 स्वभाव

🇩🇪 Temperament

🇮🇩 temperamen

🇺🇦 темперамент

🇵🇱 temperament

🇯🇵 気性(きしょう)

🇫🇷 tempérament

🇪🇸 temperamento

🇹🇷 mizaç

🇰🇷 기질

🇸🇦 مزاج

🇨🇿 temperament

🇸🇰 temperament

🇨🇳 性情 (xìngqíng)

🇸🇮 temperament

🇮🇸 skapgerð

🇰🇿 мінез

🇬🇪 ტემპერამენტი

🇦🇿 xasiyyət

🇲🇽 temperamento

Etymology

The word 'temper' originated from Old English 'temprian', meaning 'to moderate', influenced by Latin 'temperare' and 'temperamentum'. The concept of 'temper' has evolved over time to encompass both emotional and physical aspects of moderation and adjustment.

See also: temp, tempest, templar, tempo, temporal.

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,297 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.