tempter: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Literary
Quick answer
What does “tempter” mean?
A person or thing that tempts, entices, or persuades someone to do something, often something unwise or wrong.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person or thing that tempts, entices, or persuades someone to do something, often something unwise or wrong.
A source of temptation or seduction; specifically, a conventional epithet for the Devil, Satan.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is equally recognized and used in formal/literary contexts in both varieties.
Connotations
Equally strong religious/literary connotations in both BrE and AmE.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, with a slight potential edge in AmE due to higher visibility of evangelical Christian discourse. Its primary use remains in elevated or stylistic writing.
Grammar
How to Use “tempter” in a Sentence
Tempter of [person/group]Tempter to [sin/wrong action]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “tempter” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- 'To tempt' is the base verb. 'He was tempted by the offer.'
American English
- 'To tempt' is the base verb. 'She tempted him with a better deal.'
adverb
British English
- 'Temptingly' is the adverb. 'The cake was temptingly displayed.'
American English
- 'Temptingly' is the adverb. 'The proposal was temptingly vague.'
adjective
British English
- 'Tempting' is the adjective. 'The dessert looked very tempting.'
American English
- 'Tempting' is the adjective. 'He received a tempting job offer.'
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could be used metaphorically: 'The quick-profit scheme was a dangerous tempter for inexperienced investors.'
Academic
Used in theology, literature, and moral philosophy to discuss concepts of temptation, free will, and evil.
Everyday
Very rare. Might be used in a semi-jocular, dramatic way: 'The cake in the fridge is a real tempter.'
Technical
Not applicable in scientific/technical fields outside specialized humanities.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “tempter”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “tempter”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tempter”
- Using 'tempter' in casual speech where 'temptation' is more natural (e.g., 'The chocolate was a big tempter' -> '...was very tempting/was a big temptation').
- Misspelling as 'temptor'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency, formal/literary word. In everyday language, people use 'temptation' or describe something as 'tempting'.
Yes, it can be used metaphorically for objects or situations that tempt (e.g., 'The idle afternoon was a tempter to procrastination'), though this is less common than the personal reference.
'Tempter' is the active agent (the one who tempts). 'Temptation' is the feeling or the thing that tempts. The tempter offers the temptation.
Not always, but it is a very strong conventional association. When capitalized ('the Tempter'), it almost exclusively refers to Satan. In lower case, it can refer to any person or force that tempts.
A person or thing that tempts, entices, or persuades someone to do something, often something unwise or wrong.
Tempter is usually formal, literary in register.
Tempter: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtɛm(p)tə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtɛm(p)tər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The Tempter (personification of Satan)”
- “Listen to the voice of the tempter”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of TEMP-ter: someone who tries to TEMPT you, often making you TEMPorarily lose your good judgment.
Conceptual Metaphor
TEMPTATION IS A SEDUCER / EVIL IS A PERSON (The Tempter).
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following sentences is 'tempter' used most idiomatically?