temperament
C1Formal, academic, and everyday (in psychological/personal contexts).
Definition
Meaning
A person's or animal's nature, especially as it permanently affects their behavior; the characteristic balance of moods, emotions, and innate disposition.
1. The adjustment of intervals in tuning a piano or other musical instrument so as to fit the scale for use in different keys. 2. The quality of being easily upset or irritable.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Refers to inherent, relatively stable personality traits rather than temporary moods. Often implies a distinctive, sometimes difficult, character. In music, it's a technical term for tuning systems.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or usage. The musical term is identical in both varieties.
Connotations
In both varieties, often carries a slight connotation of being strong-willed or having pronounced characteristics.
Frequency
Similar frequency. Slightly more common in formal/psychological writing than in casual conversation in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
have/possess a [adjective] temperamentbe of a [adjective] temperamenttemperament for [noun/gerund]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A fit of temperament”
- “To have the temperament for something”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in HR contexts: 'Assessing a candidate's temperament for high-pressure roles.'
Academic
Common in psychology, musicology, and animal behavior studies: 'The study correlated childhood temperament with adult outcomes.'
Everyday
Used to describe people or pets: 'Our new puppy has a very gentle temperament.'
Technical
Specific meaning in music theory: 'Equal temperament is the standard tuning system for Western pianos.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A. 'Temperament' is not used as a verb. The related verb is 'temper'.
American English
- N/A. 'Temperament' is not used as a verb. The related verb is 'temper'.
adverb
British English
- N/A. The related adverb is 'temperamentally'.
- He is temperamentally unsuited to routine work.
American English
- N/A. The related adverb is 'temperamentally'.
- They are temperamentally quite different.
adjective
British English
- N/A. The related adjective is 'temperamental'.
- She is known for her temperamental nature.
American English
- N/A. The related adjective is 'temperamental'.
- The old car was temperamental in cold weather.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Dogs can have different temperaments.
- She has a happy temperament.
- The teacher's calm temperament helps manage the classroom.
- His artistic temperament means he is very sensitive to criticism.
- The success of the partnership relied on their compatible temperaments.
- The volcanic temperament of the director was legendary in the industry.
- Modern psychology often categorises infant temperament along several key dimensions.
- The philosopher argued that a melancholic temperament was conducive to deep thought.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of TEMPER (mood) + AMENT (as in 'element') → the elemental mood or nature of a person.
Conceptual Metaphor
TEMPERAMENT IS A FORCE OF NATURE (e.g., volcanic, stormy, sunny). TEMPERAMENT IS A PHYSICAL CONSTITUTION (e.g., strong, weak, nervous).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'температура' (temperature).
- Closer to 'характер' or 'нрав', but implies more innate, biological basis than 'характер'.
- The musical term 'темперация' is a direct cognate.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'temper' (a noun meaning anger) interchangeably with 'temperament'.
- Confusing 'temperamental' (moody) with having 'a temperament'.
- Using it to describe temporary states: 'He's in a good temperament today.' (Incorrect)
Practice
Quiz
In which field does 'temperament' have a specific technical meaning related to tuning?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Temperament refers to innate, biologically-based behavioral tendencies (like reactivity), often seen as the foundation. Personality is broader, encompassing temperament, learned habits, attitudes, and values shaped by experience.
Not typically for inanimate objects. It is used for living beings (people, animals). Figuratively, it might be used for things like 'the temperament of the engine', meaning its characteristic behavior, but this is poetic or rare.
Usually negative. For people, it means moody, unpredictable, or easily upset. For machines, it means unreliable or working only under certain conditions.
An ancient theory (from Hippocrates/Galen) categorising human nature into four types: Sanguine (cheerful, active), Choleric (ambitious, leader-like), Melancholic (analytical, quiet), and Phlegmatic (relaxed, peaceful).