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

temperamentally

ˌtem-p(ə-)rə-ˈmen-tᵊl-ē 

ˌtem-pər-ˈmen-

adverb

Synonyms of temperamental

• moody
• volatile
• impulsive
• unstable

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 temperamental Moon in your 11th House of Friends squares passionate Mars in your 8th House of Intimacy and Shared Resources, stirring tension around trust, contribution, and control. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2026

Your 11th House of Friendship lights up as the temperamental Moon conjoins ambitious Mars there, so group plans heat up and leadership may naturally come your way. — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 11 July 2026

The guest rooms felt dated, the vintage plumbing was temperamental, and the noisy window air-conditioning units distracted from the historic charm. — Jill Robbins, Southern Living, 11 July 2026

Your 3rd House of Communication is stirred by the temperamental Moon, while the life-giving Sun boosts your 7th House of Partnership, aligning words with steady commitments. — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin temperāmentālis "of the temperament," from Latin temperāmentum temperament + -ālis -al entry 1

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for temperamental

• coincidental
• developmental
• environmental
• experimental
• intersegmental
• nongovernmental
• transcontinental
• unsentimental
• accidental
• compartmental
• continental
• detrimental

Kids 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

temperamentally

-ᵊl-ē 

adverb