Looking up...
temperament
/ˈtemprəmənt/
natural emotional disposition
Her calm temperament makes her excellent in crisis management.
Her natural ability to stay calm helps her handle emergencies well.
general
The natural, innate qualities of a person's mind and character, especially regarding emotional reactivity and mood.
Children are often born with different temperaments, ranging from easy-going to difficult.
Kids are naturally born with varying levels of emotional ease or difficulty.
Unlike 'character' or 'personality', temperament is often viewed as biologically based and less changeable by experience.
informal
A state of mind or mood, especially one that is irritable or bad-tempered.
He has been in a foul temperament since he lost his job.
He has been in a bad mood since losing his job.
In this sense, it is often used with adjectives like 'bad', 'foul', or 'ill'.
Collocations
easy temperamenta calm and adaptable naturebad temperamentan irritable or angry moodcholeric temperamenta quick-tempered and aggressive nature
Synonyms
Antonyms
Pro Tip
Innate vs. Learned
Remember that temperament is usually considered 'hard-wired' or innate, whereas personality is shaped by environment and experience. If you can change it easily, it's likely a mood or habit, not a temperament.
Gold Rule
Collocation Check
Always pair 'temperament' with adjectives describing stability or reactivity (e.g., calm, volatile, sensitive), not with skills or preferences (e.g., talented, lazy).
Word Origin
From Latin 'temperamentum' meaning 'a due proportion' or 'mixture', derived from 'temperare' (to mix in due proportion). Historically linked to the theory of four humors.
Usage Notes
Use 'temperament' when referring to inherent, biological traits (e.g., a child's sensitivity). Use 'personality' for the broader combination of traits, attitudes, and behaviors developed over time. Use 'mood' for temporary emotional states.
Word Breakdown
temper-
to mix or adjust
root-ment
state or condition
suffixEnglish Dictionary