adj

temperamental

tehmp-ruh-MEHNTL

adj

Prone to sudden, unpredictable changes in mood; easily upset.

"The lead actor was famously temperamental and difficult to work with."

Unreliable or unpredictable in performance, especially of a machine.

"The old printer is temperamental and jams if you're not careful."

How to Use Temperamental

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishMoody and unpredictable — used for both people and machines that behave inconsistently.

Common pairings

a temperamental artist a temperamental engine

more temperamental comparative, most temperamental superlative

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Can you complete this real example?

The lead actor was famously _____ and difficult to work with.

Formed from temperament plus the adjective ending -al.

mental dental rental parental Oriental elemental accidental ornamental judgmental incidental monumental regimental