temper

[ tem-per ]

noun

1. a particular state of mind or feelings.

   Synonyms: point of view, perspective, outlook, inclination, attitude, humor, frame of mind, cheer

2. habit of mind, especially with respect to irritability or patience, outbursts of anger, or the like; disposition:

   an even temper.

   Synonyms: temperament, spirit, nature, makeup, habit, grain, disposition

3. heat of mind or passion, shown in outbursts of anger, resentment, etc.

   Synonyms: petulance, irritation, irritability, crossness, annoyance, resentment

4. calm disposition or state of mind:

   to be out of temper.

   Synonyms: composure, equanimity

5. a substance added to something to modify its properties or qualities.
6. Metallurgy.
   1. the degree of hardness and strength imparted to a metal, as by quenching, heat treatment, or cold working.
   2. the percentage of carbon in tool steel.
   3. the operation of tempering.
7. Archaic. a middle course; compromise.
8. Obsolete. the constitution or character of a substance.

verb (used with object)

1. to moderate or mitigate:

   to temper justice with mercy.

2. to soften or tone down.
3. to bring to a proper, suitable, or desirable state by or as by blending or admixture.
4. to moisten, mix, and work up into proper consistency, as clay or mortar.
5. Metallurgy. to impart strength or toughness to (steel or cast iron) by heating and cooling.
6. to produce internal stresses in (glass) by sudden cooling from low red heat; toughen.
7. to tune (a keyboard instrument, as a piano, organ, or harpsichord) so as to make the tones available in different keys or tonalities.
8. to modify (color) by mixing with a medium.
9. Archaic. to combine or blend in due proportions.
10. Archaic. to pacify.

verb (used without object)

1. to be or become tempered.

temper

/ ˈtɛmpə /

noun

1. a frame of mind; mood or humour

   a good temper

2. a sudden outburst of anger; tantrum
3. a tendency to exhibit uncontrolled anger; irritability
4. a mental condition of moderation and calm (esp in the phrases keep one's temper, lose one's temper, out of temper )
5. the degree of hardness, elasticity, or a similar property of a metal or metal object

verb

1. to make more temperate, acceptable, or suitable by adding something else; moderate

   he tempered his criticism with kindly sympathy

2. to strengthen or toughen (a metal or metal article) by heat treatment, as by heating and quenching
3. music
   1. to adjust the frequency differences between the notes of a scale on (a keyboard instrument) in order to allow modulation into other keys
   2. to make such an adjustment to the pitches of notes in (a scale)
4. a rare word for adapt
5. an archaic word for mix

Derived Forms

• ˌtemperaˈbility, noun
• ˈtemperer, noun
• ˈtemperable, adjective

Other Words From

• temper·a·ble adjective
• temper·a·bili·ty noun
• temper·er noun
• non·temper·a·ble adjective
• re·temper verb (used with object)
• un·temper·a·ble adjective
• un·temper·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of temper¹

before 1000; (v.) Middle English tempren, Old English temprian < Latin temperāre to divide or proportion duly, temper; (noun) Middle English: proportion, derivative of the v.

Word History and Origins

Origin of temper¹

Old English temprian to mingle, (influenced by Old French temprer ), from Latin temperāre to mix, probably from tempus time

Idioms and Phrases

see hold one's temper ; lose one's temper .

Synonym Study

See disposition. See modify.

Example Sentences

For example, Trump, who tempered criticism of electric vehicles after Musk backed him, might end a $7,500 tax credit for electric vehicles.

From Los Angeles Times

A man lost his temper with his partner after a night out before he "beat and kicked and stamped her to death", a jury has heard.

From BBC

But longtime California election watchers were more tempered about what the outcome of the ballot measures say about the state’s political leanings.

From Los Angeles Times

With the election less than a week away, concerns about losing seats have been replaced by whispers among Democrats about whether it’s time to temper their dominance.

From Los Angeles Times

To be fair to Ratcliffe, back in February, he tried to temper expectations by warning that it could take three years before United were a true force again.

From BBC

Related Words

• abate
• allay
• alleviate
• assuage
• cool
• curb
• dilute
• ease
• lessen
• mitigate
• mollify
• restrain
• soften
• soothe
• tone down
• weaken