temperature
A2Neutral (used across all registers from casual to technical)
Definition
Meaning
A measure of how hot or cold something is.
A degree of internal heat in a living body; also used metaphorically for emotional or social intensity.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word is primarily a noun. The metaphorical sense of emotional or social 'heat' is common but still figurative.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
British English more commonly uses 'temperature' in the context of illness (e.g., 'run a temperature'). American English also uses this but may use 'fever' more directly. Spelling and pronunciation differ slightly.
Connotations
In both, implies precision and measurement, but can also suggest clinical concern or physical state.
Frequency
Extremely common in both dialects. The collocation 'room temperature' is universal.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
have a temperaturetake the temperature of somethingrun a temperaturereach a temperature of Xat a temperature of XVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “raise the temperature (increase tension)”
- “take the temperature (gauge opinion)”
- “run a temperature (be feverish)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in logistics (e.g., 'temperature-controlled supply chain') and workplace discussions (e.g., 'office temperature settings').
Academic
Central in physics, chemistry, biology, meteorology, and engineering. Precise definitions and scales (Celsius, Kelvin, Fahrenheit) are key.
Everyday
Weather, cooking, health, and home comfort (e.g., 'set the thermostat', 'check if the child has a temperature').
Technical
Specific terms like 'absolute zero', 'Curie temperature', 'ignition temperature' in respective fields.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- A temperature-controlled environment is essential.
- The temperature-sensitive vaccine must be kept cold.
American English
- The temperature-controlled shipment arrived safely.
- This is a temperature-sensitive chemical.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The temperature today is 20 degrees.
- My sister has a high temperature.
- Water boils at a high temperature.
- The doctor took my temperature with a digital thermometer.
- We need to store this food at a cool temperature.
- The temperature dropped suddenly last night.
- Global temperatures have been rising steadily over the past century.
- The reaction will only occur at a specific temperature and pressure.
- He was running a temperature, so he stayed home from work.
- The negotiations proceeded at a glacial temperature, with little progress for weeks.
- The alloy's properties change dramatically past its critical temperature.
- The article examines how political temperatures flared in the run-up to the election.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
TEMPER-ature: Think of your TEMPER getting hot when you're angry, which relates to heat and intensity.
Conceptual Metaphor
EMOTIONAL/SOCIAL INTENSITY IS HEAT (e.g., 'The debate reached a boiling point', 'She has a warm personality').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'temperatura' for emotional state directly (e.g., 'high political temperature' is figurative in English).
- In Russian, 'температура' almost always implies illness in personal contexts; in English, it is a neutral measurement unless specified ('have a temperature').
- Do not translate 'room temperature' word-for-word as 'комнатная температура'; the English phrase is a fixed collocation.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'temperture', 'temparature'.
- Incorrect preposition: 'in a temperature' vs. 'at a temperature'.
- Using 'temperature' as a verb (not standard).
- Confusing 'temperature' with 'weather' (temperature is one aspect of weather).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a common metaphorical use of 'temperature'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is usually uncountable when referring to the general concept or measurement (e.g., 'temperature is important'). It can be countable when referring to a specific instance, especially a fever (e.g., 'She has a temperature').
'Temperature' is a specific measurement of heat/cold. 'Weather' is a broader term encompassing temperature, precipitation, wind, humidity, etc.
No, 'temperature' is not a standard verb in modern English. Use verbs like 'heat', 'cool', 'measure the temperature of', or 'regulate the temperature of'.
In both British and American English, the first 't' is aspirated /t/. The second 't' is often pronounced as a 'ch' sound /tʃ/ in the cluster '-ture'. In rapid speech, the syllable after the first 'p' may be elided ('temp-rit-chur').
Collections
Part of a collection
Weather
A2 · 45 words · Describing the weather, climate and seasons.
Environment
B1 · 47 words · Nature, ecology and environmental issues.