temperamental
adjective
tem·per·a·men·tal
ˌtem-p(ə-)rə-ˈmen-tᵊl 
ˌtem-pər-ˈmen-
1
a
: marked by excessive sensitivity and impulsive mood changes
a temperamental child
b
: unpredictable in behavior or performance
a temperamental computer
2
: of, relating to, or arising from temperament : constitutional
temperamental peculiarities
Examples of temperamental in a Sentence
The actor is known for being temperamental.
The old computer is temperamental.
They divorced due to temperamental differences.
Recent Examples on the Web
The last frost date is a date that helps gardeners avoid frost damage on their plants from temperamental spring weather.
—
The Enquirer, 27 Feb. 2024
February has been a temperamental month for weather this year and even broke the high temperature record Monday.
—Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 27 Feb. 2024
As with all fish-out-of-water stories, the fish (or giant humanoid space lizard) will grow increasingly used to the air, and his temperamental aloneness will war with his increasing need for community, while his love-hate relationship with humanity, its pop culture and food, evolves.
—Los Angeles Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2024
The win marks a stunning turnaround for a three-time presidential candidate with a reputation for being temperamental, pounding tables and fiery nationalist speeches.
—Tribune News Service, Orange County Register, 14 Feb. 2024
As such, a dog that's subservient, loyal and playful is a much better housemate than an aloof, temperamental wolf.
—Max Bennett, Discover Magazine, 7 Feb. 2024
But sustaining life is a finicky, temperamental business.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 5 Feb. 2024
Fussy, temperamental novelist Charles finds himself in a supernatural love triangle when a medium’s séance summons the spirit of his first wife, who begins competing with his new wife for his affections.
—Duante Beddingfield, Detroit Free Press, 23 Feb. 2024
The difference in the Ravens loss was temperamental more than physical, as McDaniel smartly pointed.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 2 Jan. 2024
The Enquirer, 27 Feb. 2024
February has been a temperamental month for weather this year and even broke the high temperature record Monday.
—Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 27 Feb. 2024
As with all fish-out-of-water stories, the fish (or giant humanoid space lizard) will grow increasingly used to the air, and his temperamental aloneness will war with his increasing need for community, while his love-hate relationship with humanity, its pop culture and food, evolves.
—Los Angeles Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2024
The win marks a stunning turnaround for a three-time presidential candidate with a reputation for being temperamental, pounding tables and fiery nationalist speeches.
—Tribune News Service, Orange County Register, 14 Feb. 2024
As such, a dog that's subservient, loyal and playful is a much better housemate than an aloof, temperamental wolf.
—Max Bennett, Discover Magazine, 7 Feb. 2024
But sustaining life is a finicky, temperamental business.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 5 Feb. 2024
Fussy, temperamental novelist Charles finds himself in a supernatural love triangle when a medium’s séance summons the spirit of his first wife, who begins competing with his new wife for his affections.
—Duante Beddingfield, Detroit Free Press, 23 Feb. 2024
The difference in the Ravens loss was temperamental more than physical, as McDaniel smartly pointed.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 2 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'temperamental.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near temperamental
Cite this Entry
“Temperamental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/temperamental. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
temperamental
adjective
tem·per·a·men·tal
ˌtem-p(ə-)rə-ˈment-ᵊl
1
: of or relating to temperament
temperamental peculiarities
2
a
: likely to be easily upset
a temperamental movie star
b
: unpredictable in performance
a temperamental motor
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