phlegmatic

[ fleg-mat-ik ]

adjective

1. not easily excited to action or display of emotion; apathetic; sluggish.

   Synonyms: torpid, dull, uninterested, cold, cool, stoical

2. self-possessed, calm, or composed.

   Synonyms: quiet, placid, unruffled, collected, cool

3. of the nature of or abounding in the humor phlegm.

phlegmatic

/ flɛɡˈmætɪk /

adjective

1. having a stolid or unemotional disposition
2. not easily excited

Derived Forms

• phlegˈmaticalness, noun
• phlegˈmatically, adverb

Other Words From

• phleg·mat·i·cal·ly adverb
• phleg·mat·i·cal·ness phleg·mat·ic·ness noun
• un·phleg·mat·ic adjective
• un·phleg·mat·i·cal adjective
• un·phleg·mat·i·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of phlegmatic¹

1300–50; < Late Latin phlegmaticus < Greek phlegmatikós pertaining to phlegm, equivalent to phlegmat- (stem of phlégma phlegm ) + -ikos -ic; replacing Middle English fleumatik < Middle French fleumatique < Late Latin, as above

Example Sentences

I have a fairly phlegmatic temperament, but my Spider-Sense has been tingling ever since Donald Trump declared in December 2015 that he was calling for a “total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering” America.

From Salon

Under his guidance, the British people came to see themselves as the phlegmatic and resolute defenders of their island home, the latest in a great line of underdog warriors.

From Seattle Times

Fraser Brown, a phlegmatic operator who would look at the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and say he's seen better, gushes about Darge's professionalism, his breakdown work, his footwork, his carrying power and his essential toughness.

From BBC

Observing the frenzy which greets the onset of cold weather, he is phlegmatic.

From BBC

But, unlike many I spoke to in the north, this phlegmatic and jovial farmer does think a wider war can be averted.

From BBC