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
These factors, combined with Cincinnati’s temperamental plumbing, meant that during major storm events, the zoo’s runoff rainwater would flood the basements of area residents.
—
Leyla Shokoohe, Cincinnati Enquirer, 9 Sep. 2025
Struggling with temperamental skin?
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 5 Sep. 2025
Instead, opt for an outfit that suits the region’s temperamental temps.
—Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 16 Aug. 2025
On a more positive note, the U-2 also showed that the Soviets had been playing a fantastic game of bluff that made the world believe that a handful of bombers and temperamental missiles were a vast nuclear arsenal.
—David Szondy
august 10, New Atlas, 10 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for temperamental
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Leyla Shokoohe, Cincinnati Enquirer, 9 Sep. 2025
Struggling with temperamental skin?
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 5 Sep. 2025
Instead, opt for an outfit that suits the region’s temperamental temps.
—Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 16 Aug. 2025
On a more positive note, the U-2 also showed that the Soviets had been playing a fantastic game of bluff that made the world believe that a handful of bombers and temperamental missiles were a vast nuclear arsenal.
—David Szondy
august 10, New Atlas, 10 Aug. 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 13 Sep. 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
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