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temperament

TEM-pruh-munt /ˈtɛmprəmənt/

nounC1GRETOEFLIELTS

academicformal

An individual's innate emotional reactivity, mood tendencies, and characteristic intensity of response.

Refers to biological, constitutionally based personality aspects visible from infancy, before social environment shapes character.

The story behind the word. Derived from Latin 'temperare' (to mix in due proportion). Ancient Greco-Roman medicine held that human disposition depended on a proper mixture of four bodily humors (blood, phlegm, yellow bile, black bile).

Word relationships

disposition: 'Disposition' refers to general mood outlook, whereas 'temperament' emphasizes biologically inherited reactivity.
nature: 'Nature' is broad, while 'temperament' specifically targets emotional responsiveness.

Commonly confused with

personality: 'Personality' is the sum of thoughts, values, and traits built over time, whereas 'temperament' is the biological foundation present at birth.

Word family

temperamental (adjective): Unpredictable or subject to mood swings.
temperamentally (adverb): By inherent disposition.

Collocations

difficult temperament
easy temperament
innate temperament
child temperament

Example sentences

"An infant with an easy temperament adapts quickly to routine changes and remains calm under mild stress." Infant study research paper
"Understanding a toddler's innate temperament helps parents tailor their caregiving strategies effectively." Parenting guidance literature

Memory hook

Temperament sets the temperature of your emotional responses. Innate emotional temperature at birth.

When not to use

Do not confuse with 'character' or 'morality', which are socially built over time.

Fun facts

Thomas and Chess categorized infant temperament into three main types: easy, difficult, and slow-to-warm-up.