Definition of tempered
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 combinationshort-tempered
3a : 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
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Test Your Vocabulary
Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times
- What is an earlier meaning of nice?

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times
Do you know these earlier meanings of words?
Take the quizWords of Snow and Ice Quiz
A selection of words from the chillier parts of t...
Take the quizSpell It
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
Take the quizWord Winder's CrossWinder Play the game
Share tempered
Time Traveler for tempered
The first known use of tempered was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century