What does intemperateness mean?
Intemperateness means a lack of restraint or moderation, especially when someone indulges too freely in food, drink, entertainment, or other pleasures. In modern usage, it is particularly associated with excessive eating and drinking and with the physical or social harm that can result from such behavior. The word is formal and distinctly disapproving, although its intensity varies with context: it may describe everyday excess or a serious pattern of self-indulgence. It can also be used more broadly for conduct that is excessive, uncontrolled, or offensive to accepted standards of restraint. The related adjective intemperate is more commonly encountered, as in intemperate consumption or an intemperate speech. Because the noun emphasizes behavior as a general quality, it often carries a moral or cautionary implication rather than simply reporting a large amount of something.
nounExcessive or uncontrolled indulgence, especially in eating, drinking, or other forms of pleasure. It can also refer more generally to conduct that lacks moderation or self-control.
- Excessive indulgence, especially in eating or drinking.
- Behavior marked by a lack of moderation or self-control.
"Years of intemperateness eventually undermined his health."
"The doctor advised him to avoid the intemperateness that had been damaging his stomach."
"Her remarks revealed an intemperateness that was unusual for such a measured public figure."
Rare; the word is ordinarily used as an uncountable noun.
"The novel traces the intemperatenesses of a society preoccupied with status and display."
Intemperateness hides a simple warning: pleasure becomes a problem when moderation goes out the window.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does intemperateness come from?
Intemperateness was formed in the 16th century from the adjective intemperate and the suffix -ness, which creates a noun denoting a quality or state. Intemperate in turn comes from Latin temperatus, meaning moderated or restrained, a development associated with temperare, “to moderate” or “to mix in due proportion.” Related English words include temper, temperate, temperament, and temperature, all reflecting the same broad idea of proportion, moderation, or tempered condition.
Related word forms
How intemperateness is actually used
The word is formal and strongly disapproving. It is especially associated with excessive drinking or eating, but it may also describe other unrestrained behavior. The more familiar adjective is intemperate.