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
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
See All Example Sentences for temperamental
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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
See All Example Sentences for temperamental
Cite this Entry
“Temperamental.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/temperamental. Accessed 27 Feb. 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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