temperamental

adjective

tem·​per·​a·​men·​tal ˌtem-p(ə-)rə-ˈmen-tᵊl How to pronounce temperamental (audio)
ˌtem-pər-ˈmen-
1
a
: marked by excessive sensitivity and impulsive mood changes
a temperamental child
b
: unpredictable in behavior or performance
a temperamental computer
2
: of, relating to, or arising from temperament : constitutional
temperamental peculiarities
temperamentally adverb

Examples of temperamental in a Sentence

The actor is known for being temperamental. The old computer is temperamental. They divorced due to temperamental differences.
Recent Examples on the Web Fussy, temperamental novelist Charles finds himself in a supernatural love triangle when a medium’s séance summons the spirit of his first wife, who begins competing with his new wife for his affections. Duante Beddingfield, Detroit Free Press, 23 Feb. 2024 The difference in the Ravens loss was temperamental more than physical, as McDaniel smartly pointed. Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 2 Jan. 2024 The form of the entire work is a discussion between four people, which in the second movement breaks down into more temperamental arguments. Christian Hertzog, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Nov. 2023 In Beef, Wong portrayed the temperamental business owner Amy Lau opposite Steven Yeun. Brendan Le, Peoplemag, 15 Jan. 2024 Their personalities are different: Su is reserved and stoic; Huang is temperamental and expressive. Stephen Witt, The New Yorker, 27 Nov. 2023 Money aside, certain years just find Hollywood in a temperamental funk. Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Dec. 2023 The year’s temperamental relationship to wealth signals our own profound discomfort with it. Hazlitt, 6 Dec. 2023 However, even as wind and solar grow, so does the need to store electricity from those temperamental sources. IEEE Spectrum, 29 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'temperamental.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin temperāmentālis "of the temperament," from Latin temperāmentum temperament + -ālis -al entry 1

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of temperamental was in 1646

Dictionary Entries Near temperamental

Cite this Entry

“Temperamental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/temperamental. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

temperamental

adjective
tem·​per·​a·​men·​tal ˌtem-p(ə-)rə-ˈment-ᵊl How to pronounce temperamental (audio)
1
: of or relating to temperament
temperamental peculiarities
2
a
: likely to be easily upset
a temperamental movie star
b
: unpredictable in performance
a temperamental motor
temperamentally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on temperamental

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