tempered

adjective

tem·​pered ˈtem-pərd 

1

: treated by tempering

especially, of glass : treated so as to impart increased strength and the property of shattering into pellets when broken

2

: having a specified temper

—used in combination

short-tempered

3

a

: having the elements mixed in satisfying proportions : temperate

b

: qualified, lessened, or diluted by the mixture or influence of an additional ingredient : moderated

a pale gleam of tempered sunlight fell through the leaves

—W. H. Hudson †1922

4

: conforming to adjustment by temperament

—used of a musical interval, intonation, semitone, or scale

Examples of tempered in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The set includes two chairs with padding and a compact coffee table with a tempered glass surface. —Isabel Garcia, People.com, 30 Mar. 2025

The standard model comes with a tempered glass screen, stainless steel case, and a 20mm silicone sport band. —Victoria Song, The Verge, 7 Jan. 2025

The more tempered advocates point to how its value lies in the way existing infrastructures of digital video ultimately solve the problem of discovery long bemoaned by podcasters. —Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2024

The quality of this build is in plain view through the tempered glass panel, with its top-of-the-line components showcasing the latest technology. —PCMAG, 6 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Phrases Containing tempered

• bad-tempered
• even-tempered
• good-tempered
• hot-tempered
• ill-tempered
• quick-tempered
• short-tempered

Rhymes for tempered

• distempered
• untempered

Kids Definition

tempered

adjective

tem·​pered ˈtem-pərd 

1

: made moderate

strictness tempered by compassion

2

: having a particular kind of temper

—used in combination

a bad-tempered dog

3

: brought to the desired state (as of hardness, toughness, or flexibility)

tempered steel

tempered glass