Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense tempers, present participle tempering, past tense, past participle tempered
1. variable noun
If you refer to someone's temper or say that they have a temper, you mean that they become angry very easily.
He had a temper and could be nasty.
His short temper had become notorious.
I hope he can control his temper.
Synonyms: irritability, anger, irascibility, passion More Synonyms of temper
2. variable noun [oft adjective NOUN, oft inNOUN]
Your temper is the way you are feeling at a particular time. If you are in a good temper, you feel cheerful. If you are in a bad temper, you feel angry and impatient.
I was in a bad temper last night.
He was in a very good temper.
In a fit of bad temper, Dougie threw the deep fat fryer overboard.
Synonyms: rage, fury, bad mood, passion More Synonyms of temper
3. verb
To temper something means to make it less extreme.
[formal]
For others, especially the young and foolish, the state will temper justice withmercy. [VERB noun + with]
He had to learn to temper his enthusiasm. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: moderate, restrain, tone down, calm More Synonyms of temper
4.
See in/into a temper
5.
See to lose your temper
More Synonyms of temper
temper in British English
(ˈtɛmpə)
noun
1.
a frame of mind; mood or humour
a good temper
2.
a sudden outburst of anger; tantrum
3.
a tendency to exhibit uncontrolled anger; irritability
4.
a mental condition of moderation and calm (esp in the phrases keep one's temper, lose one's temper, out of temper)
5.
the degree of hardness, elasticity, or a similar property of a metal or metal object
verb(transitive)
6.
to make more temperate, acceptable, or suitable by adding something else; moderate
he tempered his criticism with kindly sympathy
7.
to strengthen or toughen (a metal or metal article) by heat treatment, as by heating and quenching
8. music
a.
to adjust the frequency differences between the notes of a scale on (a keyboard instrument) in order to allow modulation into other keys
b.
to make such an adjustment to the pitches of notes in (a scale)
9. a rare word for adapt
10. an archaic word for mix
Derived forms
temperable (ˈtemperable)
adjective
temperability (ˌtemperaˈbility)
noun
temperer (ˈtemperer)
noun
Word origin
Old English temprian to mingle, (influenced by Old French temprer), from Latin temperāre to mix, probably from tempus time
temper in American English
(ˈtɛmpər)
verb transitive
1.
to make suitable, desirable, or free from excess by mingling with something else; reduce in intensity, esp. by the admixture of some other quality; moderate; assuage; mollify
to temper criticism with reason
2.
a.
to bring to the proper texture, consistency, hardness, etc. by mixing with something or treating in some way
to temper paints with oil, to temper steel by heating and sudden cooling, to temper clay by moistening and kneading
b.
to toughen, as by rigors or trying experiences
3. Rare
to fit; adapt
4. Archaic
to mix in proper proportions
5. Music
to adjust the pitch of (a note) or tune (an instrument) according to some temperament
verb intransitive
6.
to be or become tempered
noun
7.
the state of being tempered
; specif.,
a. Archaic
a properly proportioned mixture
b.
the state of a metal with regard to the degree of hardness and resilience
8.
frame of mind; disposition; mood
in a bad temper
9.
calmness of mind; composure
now only in the phrases lose one's temper and keep one's temper
10.
a tendency to become angry readily
to have a temper
11.
anger; rage
to go into a temper
12.
something used to temper a mixture, etc.
13.
the trend in thought and feeling (of an era, period, etc.); character
the temper of the times, the modern temper
14. Archaic
a middle course; mean
15. Obsolete
character; quality
SIMILAR WORDS: ˌdispoˈsition, mood
Derived forms
temperability (ˌtemperaˈbility)
noun
temperable (ˈtemperable)
adjective
temperer (ˈtemperer)
noun
Word origin
ME tempren < OE temprian & OFr temprer, both < L temperare, to observe proper measure, mix, regulate, forbear < tempus (gen. temporis), time, period, orig., a span < IE *tempos, a span < *temp-, to pull < base *ten-, to stretch > thin
COBUILD Collocations
temper
frayed tempers
Examples of 'temper' in a sentence
temper
He is not the only one suffering a dose of bad temper.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There are too many elements in the system that will temper that.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Investors may have to temper their enthusiasm.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In his equally lengthy reply, you can feel the owner straining to keep his temper.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Some rarely lose their temper but when they do, the red mist descends and anything can happen.
The Sun (2017)
I dare not press him, as he has a bad temper.
The Sun (2016)
Step three is to learn some basic techniques to control your temper.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
My husband loses his temper easily at the smallest thing.
The Sun (2014)
Where crowds come and depart freely and in good temper.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Judges should have a wide discretion to temper justice with mercy.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Drivers are more likely to lose their temper in the heat of their cars.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Criticism must be tempered by the extreme conditions.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Suggest he talks it over with a responsible family friend who could help to keep tempers calm.
The Sun (2007)
The party mood will inevitably be tempered by the lingering uncertainty.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Why join in unnecessary bad temper and fuss?
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Our enthusiasm was tempered by the agony and ecstasy of the bus journeys.
Davey, Ray Rev. & Cole, John A Channel of Peace (1993)
When did you last lose your temper?
The Sun (2009)
The early ambitions of youthful enthusiasm soon become tempered with realism.
Harris, Jean Everything You Need to Know for Success in Business (1990)
You need practical tactics to handle your feelings when tempers rise.
The Sun (2015)
But her frustration is tempered with hope.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Both sets of players then pushed and shoved each other before tempers calmed down.
The Sun (2011)
It has taken him a long time to learn to control his temper completely.
The Sun (2016)
He always loses his temper easily and ends up in fights when he plays football.
The Sun (2015)
Any importation of heat or temper would have spoilt the cool pleasure we took in the friendship.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
And also learn to keep his temper.
The Sun (2015)
His famously touchy temper will also be a target for opposition players.
The Sun (2014)
There are no negative reviews in either collection, and few that temper praise with criticism.
The Times Literary Supplement (2012)
His comment to examining boards was often'to temper justice with mercy '.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Many suggest a trial separation to allow tempers to cool, emotions to change, and clearer heads to prevail.
Christianity Today (2000)
In other languages
temper
British English: temper /ˈtɛmpə/ NOUN
If you say that someone has a temper, you mean that they become angry very easily.
I hope he can control his temper.
American English: temper
Arabic: مِزَاج
Brazilian Portuguese: temperamento
Chinese: 脾气
Croatian: ćud
Czech: prudká povaha
Danish: temperament
Dutch: temperament
European Spanish: humor genio
Finnish: kiukku
French: caractère
German: Wut
Greek: ιδιοσυγκρασία
Italian: temperamento
Japanese: かんしゃく
Korean: 화
Norwegian: temperament
Polish: usposobienie
European Portuguese: temperamento
Romanian: acces de mânie
Russian: нрав
Latin American Spanish: humor
Swedish: humör
Thai: อารมณ์โกรธ
Turkish: öfke patlaması
Ukrainian: характер
Vietnamese: cơn giận
Chinese translation of 'temper'
temper
(ˈtɛmpəʳ)
n(c/u)
脾气(氣) (píqi) (种(種), zhǒng)
vt
(frm, = moderate) 使缓(緩)和 (shǐ huǎnhé)
to be in a good/bad temper情绪(緒)好/坏(壞) (qíngxù hǎo/huài)
to lose one's temper发(發)怒 (fānù)
to have a bad temper脾气(氣)坏(壞) (píqi huài)
All related terms of 'temper'
to lose one's temper
发(發)怒 fānù
to have a bad temper
脾气(氣)坏(壞) píqi huài
to have a quick temper
脾气(氣)急躁 píqì jízào
to have a short temper
脾气(氣)暴躁 píqì bàozào
to be in a good/bad temper
情绪(緒)好/坏(壞) qíngxù hǎo/huài
to be in a mood/a bad temper
心情/脾气(氣)不好 xīnqíng/píqì bù hǎo
1 (noun)
Definition
a tendency to have sudden outbursts of anger
I hope he can control his temper.
Synonyms
irritability
Patients usually suffer from memory loss and irritability.
anger
He cried with anger and frustration.
irascibility
passion
resentment
Rigid policing can only feed resentment and undermine confidence.
irritation
annoyance
To her annoyance the stranger did not go away.
petulance
an angry display of petulance
surliness
ill humour
peevishness
hot-headedness
Opposites
goodwill
,
contentment
,
good humour
2 (noun)
Definition
a person's frame of mind
He's known for his placid temper.
Synonyms
frame of mind
She was not in the right frame of mind to continue.
character
There is a side to his character which you haven't seen yet.
nature
She trusted people. That was her nature.
attitude
the general change in attitude towards them
mind
mood
You are clearly in a good mood today.
constitution
a small research team looking into the chemical constitution of coal
humour
Could that have been the source of his good humour?
vein
He also wrote several works in a lighter vein.
temperament
His impulsive temperament regularly got him into difficulties.
tenor
disposition
his friendly and cheerful disposition
3 (noun)
Definition
a sudden outburst of anger
She was still in a temper when I arrived.
Synonyms
rage
I flew into a rage.
fury
bad mood
passion
Sam flew into a passion at the suggestion.
a crime of passion
paddy (British, informal)
Don't talk to him just now - he's in a real paddy.
wax (informal, mainly British)
tantrum
My son had a tantrum and banged his fist on the ground.
bate (British, slang)
fit of pique
foulie (Australian, slang)
hissy fit (informal)
strop (British, informal)
4 (noun)
Definition
a mental condition of moderation and calm
I've never seen him lose his temper.
Synonyms
self-control
I began to wish I'd shown more self-control.
composure
Stopping briefly to regain her composure, she described her ordeal.
cool (slang)
She kept her cool and managed to get herself out of the situation.
calm
good humour
tranquillity
He has a tranquillity and maturity that I desperately need.
coolness
They praised him for his coolness under pressure.
calmness
She faced her ordeal with admirable calmness.
equanimity
He faced his defeat with equanimity.
Opposites
anger
,
fury
,
wrath
,
irritation
,
indignation
,
agitation
,
pique
,
bad mood
,
excitability
,
vexation
,
grumpiness
,
irascibility
,
foul humour
,
foulie (Australian, slang)
1 (verb)
Definition
to modify so as to make less extreme or more acceptable
He had to learn to temper his enthusiasm.
Synonyms
moderate
They are hoping that she will be persuaded to moderate her views.
restrain
tone down
calm
She took a deep breath to calm her nerves.
soften
He could not think how to soften the blow of what he had to tell her.
soothe
He would take her in his arms and soothe her.
lessen
allay
He did what he could to allay the children's fears.
mitigate
ways of mitigating the effects of an explosion
abate
a government programme to abate greenhouse gas emissions
assuage
She was trying to assuage her guilt.
mollify
soft-pedal (informal)
palliate
Certain drugs can palliate the main symptoms.
admix
Opposites
intensify
,
arouse
,
heighten
,
excite
,
stir
,
provoke
,
aggravate
2 (verb)
Definition
to reduce the brittleness of (a hardened metal) by reheating it and allowing it to cool
a new way of tempering glass
Synonyms
strengthen
Such antagonism, he has asserted, strengthened his resolve.
harden
Their action can only serve to harden the attitude of landowners.
toughen
laminated and toughened glass
anneal
Opposites
soften
Additional synonyms
in the sense of abate
Definition
to make or become less strong
a government programme to abate greenhouse gas emissions
Synonyms
reduce,
slow,
relax,
ease,
relieve,
moderate,
weaken,
dull,
diminish,
decrease,
lessen,
alleviate,
quell,
mitigate,
attenuate,
slake
in the sense of allay
Definition
to reduce (fear, doubt, or anger)
He did what he could to allay the children's fears.
Synonyms
reduce,
quiet,
relax,
ease,
calm,
smooth,
relieve,
check,
moderate,
dull,
diminish,
compose,
soften,
blunt,
soothe,
subdue,
lessen,
alleviate,
appease,
quell,
mitigate,
assuage,
pacify,
mollify
in the sense of anger
Definition
a feeling of extreme annoyance or displeasure
He cried with anger and frustration.
Synonyms
rage,
passion,
outrage,
temper,
fury,
resentment,
irritation,
wrath,
indignation,
annoyance,
agitation,
ire,
antagonism,
displeasure,
exasperation,
irritability,
spleen,
pique,
ill temper,
vehemence,
vexation,
high dudgeon,
ill humour,
choler,
be on your back (slang)
Synonyms of 'temper'
temper
Explore 'temper' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of annoyance
To her annoyance the stranger did not go away.
Synonyms
irritation,
trouble,
anger,
bother,
grief (informal),
harassment,
disturbance,
hassle (informal),
nuisance,
provocation,
displeasure,
exasperation,
aggravation (informal),
vexation,
pique,
bedevilment
in the sense of assuage
Definition
to relieve (grief, pain, or thirst)
She was trying to assuage her guilt.
Synonyms
relieve,
ease,
calm,
moderate,
temper,
soothe,
lessen,
alleviate,
lighten,
allay,
mitigate,
quench,
palliate
in the sense of attitude
Definition
the way a person thinks and behaves
the general change in attitude towards them
Synonyms
opinion,
thinking,
feeling,
thought,
view,
position,
approach,
belief,
mood,
perspective,
point of view,
stance,
outlook,
viewpoint,
slant,
frame of mind
in the sense of calm
Definition
to make or become calm
She took a deep breath to calm her nerves.
Synonyms
soothe,
settle,
quiet,
relax,
appease,
still,
allay,
assuage,
quieten
in the sense of calmness
She faced her ordeal with admirable calmness.
Synonyms
coolness,
cool (slang),
composure,
poise,
equanimity,
sang-froid,
self-possession,
dispassion,
impassivity,
imperturbability
in the sense of character
Definition
the combination of qualities distinguishing an individual person, group of people, or place
There is a side to his character which you haven't seen yet.
Synonyms
personality,
nature,
make-up,
cast,
constitution,
bent,
attributes,
temper,
kidney,
temperament,
complexion,
disposition,
individuality,
marked traits
in the sense of composure
Definition
the state of being calm or unworried
Stopping briefly to regain her composure, she described her ordeal.
Synonyms
calmness,
calm,
poise,
self-possession,
cool (slang),
ease,
dignity,
serenity,
tranquillity,
coolness,
aplomb,
equanimity,
self-assurance,
sang-froid,
placidity,
imperturbability,
collectedness,
sedateness
in the sense of constitution
Definition
the make-up or structure of something
a small research team looking into the chemical constitution of coal
Synonyms
structure,
form,
nature,
make-up,
organization,
establishment,
formation,
composition,
character,
temper,
temperament,
disposition
in the sense of cool
Definition
calmness
She kept her cool and managed to get herself out of the situation.
Synonyms
calmness,
control,
temper,
composure,
self-control,
poise,
self-discipline,
self-possession,
QL
in the sense of coolness
They praised him for his coolness under pressure.
Synonyms
calmness,
control,
composure,
self-control,
self-discipline,
self-possession,
placidity,
level-headedness,
imperturbability,
collectedness,
sedateness,
placidness,
composedness,
dispassionateness
Additional synonyms
in the sense of disposition
Definition
a person's usual temperament
his friendly and cheerful disposition
Synonyms
character,
nature,
spirit,
make-up,
constitution,
temper,
temperament
in the sense of equanimity
Definition
calmness of mind or temper
He faced his defeat with equanimity.
Synonyms
composure,
peace,
calm,
poise,
serenity,
tranquillity,
coolness,
aplomb,
calmness,
phlegm,
steadiness,
presence of mind,
sang-froid,
self-possession,
placidity,
level-headedness,
imperturbability
in the sense of harden
Definition
to make or become stronger or firmer
Their action can only serve to harden the attitude of landowners.
Synonyms
reinforce,
strengthen,
fortify,
steel,
nerve,
brace,
toughen,
buttress,
gird,
indurate
in the sense of humour
Definition
a state of mind
Could that have been the source of his good humour?
Synonyms
mood,
spirits,
temper,
disposition,
frame of mind
in the sense of ill humour
Synonyms
irascibility,
sulks,
sharpness,
irritability,
spleen,
pique,
petulance,
bate (British, slang),
moodiness,
tartness,
grumpiness,
testiness,
moroseness,
sulkiness,
crossness,
crabbiness,
disagreeableness,
(bad) mood,
(bad) temper,
foulie (Australian, slang)
in the sense of mitigate
Definition
to make less severe or harsh
ways of mitigating the effects of an explosion
Synonyms
ease,
moderate,
soften,
check,
quiet,
calm,
weaken,
dull,
diminish,
temper,
blunt,
soothe,
subdue,
lessen,
appease,
lighten,
remit,
allay,
placate,
abate,
tone down,
assuage,
pacify,
mollify,
take the edge off,
extenuate,
tranquillize,
palliate,
reduce the force of
in the sense of mood
Definition
a temporary state of mind or temper
You are clearly in a good mood today.
Synonyms
state of mind,
spirit,
humour,
temper,
vein,
tenor,
disposition,
frame of mind
in the sense of nature
Definition
temperament or personality
She trusted people. That was her nature.
Synonyms
temperament,
character,
personality,
disposition,
outlook,
mood,
humour,
temper
in the sense of paddy
Definition
a fit of temper
Don't talk to him just now - he's in a real paddy.
Synonyms
temper,
tantrum,
bad mood,
passion,
rage,
pet,
fit of pique,
fit of temper,
wax (informal, British),
tiff,
bate (British, slang),
paddywhack (British, informal),
foulie (Australian, slang),
hissy fit (informal),
strop (informal)
in the sense of palliate
Definition
to lessen the severity of (pain or disease) without curing it
Certain drugs can palliate the main symptoms.
Synonyms
relieve,
relax,
ease,
moderate,
diminish,
temper,
soften,
soothe,
alleviate,
mitigate,
assuage,
mollify
Additional synonyms
in the sense of passion
Sam flew into a passion at the suggestion.a crime of passion
Synonyms
rage,
fit,
storm,
anger,
fury,
resentment,
outburst,
frenzy,
wrath,
indignation,
flare-up (informal),
ire,
vehemence,
paroxysm
in the sense of petulance
an angry display of petulance
Synonyms
sulkiness,
bad temper,
irritability,
spleen,
pique,
sullenness,
ill-humour,
peevishness,
querulousness,
crabbiness,
waspishness,
pettishness
in the sense of resentment
Rigid policing can only feed resentment and undermine confidence.
Synonyms
bitterness,
indignation,
ill feeling,
ill will,
hurt,
anger,
rage,
fury,
irritation,
grudge,
wrath,
malice,
animosity,
huff,
ire,
displeasure,
pique,
rancour,
bad blood,
umbrage,
vexation,
gall,
chip on your shoulder (informal)
in the sense of soften
Definition
to make or become more sympathetic and less critical
He could not think how to soften the blow of what he had to tell her.
Synonyms
lessen,
moderate,
diminish,
temper,
lower,
relax,
ease,
calm,
modify,
cushion,
soothe,
subdue,
alleviate,
lighten,
quell,
muffle,
allay,
mitigate,
abate,
tone down,
assuage
in the sense of soothe
Definition
to make (a worried or angry person) calm and relaxed
He would take her in his arms and soothe her.
Synonyms
calm,
still,
quiet,
hush,
settle,
calm down,
appease,
lull,
mitigate,
pacify,
mollify,
smooth down,
tranquillize
in the sense of tantrum
Definition
a childish outburst of bad temper
My son had a tantrum and banged his fist on the ground.
Synonyms
outburst,
temper,
hysterics,
fit,
storm,
paddy (British, old-fashioned),
wax (old-fashioned, British),
flare-up,
paroxysm (formal),
bate (British, slang, old-fashioned),
ill humour,
foulie (Australian, slang),
hissy fit (informal),
strop (British, informal)
in the sense of temperament
Definition
a person's character or disposition
His impulsive temperament regularly got him into difficulties.
Synonyms
nature,
character,
personality,
quality,
spirit,
make-up,
soul,
constitution,
bent,
stamp,
humour,
tendencies,
tendency,
temper,
outlook,
complexion,
disposition,
frame of mind,
mettle,
cast of mind
in the sense of toughen
Definition
to make or become tough or tougher
laminated and toughened glass
Synonyms
harden,
season,
strengthen,
reinforce,
temper,
fortify,
thicken,
stiffen,
coarsen,
rigidify
in the sense of tranquillity
Definition
a state of calmness or peace
He has a tranquillity and maturity that I desperately need.