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

• moody

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

Like many great comedians — the Marx Brothers and W.C. Fields before him, or Albert Brooks in his own time — Mull was a temperamental outsider who achieved the success of an insider, while remaining essentially untamed. —Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2024

The new box office queen is… a temperamental teenager. —Shania Russell, EW.com, 23 June 2024

Studying under the tutelage of Chef Terry (guest star Olivia Colman), Richie finds a new purpose in his work, which brings a new sense of calmness to the temperamental manager. —Jessica Sager, Peoplemag, 26 June 2024

Limited amounts of these metals lead massive stars to lose less material during their temperamental later years, meaning there's more material around when the supernova happens. —John Timmer, Ars Technica, 16 Apr. 2024

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

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