What does temper mean?
Temper has two common roles: as a noun, it names a person's state of mind, especially anger or irritation, and by extension a person's characteristic disposition or constitution. As a verb, temper means to moderate or soften something, as in temper anger with patience or temper a severe punishment. The phrase lose one's temper captures the noun's common emotional sense, while a cheerful temper suggests an enduring disposition. The word can also refer to a material's hardness or quality, as in the temper of steel, and it appears in established phrases such as keep one's temper and temper justice with mercy. Its connotations are practical as well as emotional: tempering implies balance, restraint, and control rather than merely calmness. The same flexibility makes temper useful in discussion of personality, conflict, moderation, and metallurgy. It is a versatile word because it connects an inward state with the deliberate adjustment of something external.
A person's state of mind or characteristic disposition, especially one involving anger or irritation; by extension, a person's constitution or the quality of a material.
"Despite his temper, he continued the discussion calmly."
The singular is standard in idioms such as keep one's temper and lose one's temper. The plural is uncommon in modern usage.
To make something less extreme or harsh, or to adjust the hardness and toughness of a material, especially metal or glass, through controlled heating and cooling.
"The medication helped to temper the pain."
The figurative verb often carries a formal tone and implies the restoration of restraint, proportion, or moderation.
The plural is uncommon; most speakers use the singular in expressions such as lose one's temper and keep one's temper.
"His frequent tempers made the team hesitant to approach him."
Temper began as an idea of mixing, and the word still carries the notion that excessive force should be brought back into balance.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does temper come from?
Temper entered Middle English from Anglo-French temperer, a verb derived from Latin temperāre, “to mix, regulate, or moderate.” Latin temperāre also underlies cognates including temperament, temperature, and tempera. Its development from notions of mixing and regulation explains the later sense of bringing excessive force or severity into a measured balance.
Related word forms
How temper is actually used
The noun is especially common in expressions concerning anger, patience, or emotional restraint, but it can also describe a stable personal disposition. The verb is relatively formal and commonly appears in figurative constructions involving anger, criticism, punishment, or severity. There is no major British–American difference in meaning or pronunciation.
Easily confused with temper
Temper often refers to a momentary state of mind or a particular reaction, whereas temperament more often denotes a person's relatively stable disposition.