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

But the temperamental stallion ― its 950-hp hybrid engine can rocket the car to 60 miles an hour in 2.5 seconds ― needed a replacement for its specialized battery. —Marco Della Cava, USA TODAY, 13 Oct. 2024

The weather proved temperamental and fleeting, though, as there was no physical evidence of the rains just a few hours later, aside from a rogue rainbow or two. —Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 2 Oct. 2024

From doors that fall off its airplanes and a spacecraft with temperamental thrusters to a workforce threatening to strike, the company has clearly focused more on the bottom line than on quality engineering. —Georgina Torbet, The Verge, 12 Sep. 2024

Believe it or not, Taurus, a fixed sign, isn’t comfortable under the influence of the temperamental and inconsistent planet. —Lisa Stardust, refinery29.com, 30 Aug. 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