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
Sonny is superstitious and temperamental and unpredictable.
—
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 June 2025
Here in Southern California, with the exception of cilantro, which sprouts and goes to seed really quickly, and tarragon, which, like so many things French, has a reputation for being temperamental, fresh herbs are easy to grow year-round.
—Carolynn Carreño, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2025
As the Orioles' third base coach in 1969, Hunter took over for manager Earl Weaver in Game 4 of the 1969 World Series when the O's temperamental skipper was ejected; Baltimore lost the game in 10 innings to the eventual champion New York Mets.
—Jon Paul Hoornstra, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025
Kove played John Kreese, the temperamental sensei in the original three Karate Kid films, reprising the role in Netflix’s Cobra Kai alongside Ralph Macchio and William Zabka across the show’s six seasons.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for temperamental
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 June 2025
Here in Southern California, with the exception of cilantro, which sprouts and goes to seed really quickly, and tarragon, which, like so many things French, has a reputation for being temperamental, fresh herbs are easy to grow year-round.
—Carolynn Carreño, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2025
As the Orioles' third base coach in 1969, Hunter took over for manager Earl Weaver in Game 4 of the 1969 World Series when the O's temperamental skipper was ejected; Baltimore lost the game in 10 innings to the eventual champion New York Mets.
—Jon Paul Hoornstra, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025
Kove played John Kreese, the temperamental sensei in the original three Karate Kid films, reprising the role in Netflix’s Cobra Kai alongside Ralph Macchio and William Zabka across the show’s six seasons.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for temperamental
Cite this Entry
“Temperamental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/temperamental. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share