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

That's assuming, of course, the temperamental Arctic weather cooperates. —Ryan Craggs, Travel + Leisure, 31 Jan. 2025

The former energy executive struggled as chief diplomat to a temperamental president who frequently conducts foreign policy through social media posts. —Francesca Chambers, USA TODAY, 15 Jan. 2025

Dearden and Dourif are particularly good at opposite ends of the temperamental spectrum. —Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 3 Jan. 2025

Launched in 2018, the Parker Solar Probe was designed to study our temperamental sun, specifically its solar wind activity that’s known to disrupt satellites and jam up telecommunications on Earth. —Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Dec. 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