What does temperamental mean?
Word: Temperamental
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Temperamental means likely to change mood suddenly. It is also used for a machine or the weather that does not behave in a steady way.
Synonyms: moody, unpredictable
Antonyms: steady
How do you spell temperamental?
Syllables: tem - per - a - men - tal
Tricky part: Pupils often drop the a after per and write tempermental, because that a is barely heard in quick speech.
Watch out for: tempermental, temprimental
Memory tip: However quickly you say the word, the lone a stays put on paper, straight after per.
Temperamental in a sentence
Example 1: The temperamental Wi-Fi in our flat drops out whenever it rains.
Example 2: Monsoon weather in Mumbai can be temperamental, sunny at breakfast and stormy by lunch.
Example 3: Ayaan's temperamental music player skips a song every few minutes.
Fun Fact
Gardeners often call orchids temperamental, because many of them flower well only when the light, warmth and water are just right.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Insert the correct pair of letters to form a word:
t_mperam_ntal
a) e, i
b) e, e
c) e, a
d) a, e
Show answer
b) e, e. Both gaps hold an e: tem- at the start and -men- near the end.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word temperamental as used in the sentence:
The temperamental old printer in the school office needs a gentle pat before every job.
a) modern
b) faithful
c) unreliable
d) sturdy
Show answer
c) unreliable. A printer that has to be coaxed cannot be relied on; sturdy and faithful say the opposite, and modern is about age.
Mingle-Mangle
The jumbled letters in the sentence hide a word. Choose it.
The pleatmermtane pony refused to walk past the puddle until Grandpa coaxed it.
a) sentimental
b) temperament
c) temperamental
d) temperature
Show answer
c) temperamental. Temperament stops two letters short, sentimental needs an s and temperature a u, so only temperamental is left.
Spell-o-Spell
Three of these words are spelt correctly. Choose the meaning of the one that is not.
1. temperamentle 2. sensible 3. stubborn 4. generous
a) happy to give or share
b) showing good judgement
c) refusing to change your mind
d) given to sudden ups and downs in behaviour
Show answer
d) given to sudden ups and downs in behaviour. Temperamental ends in -al; the other three words are spelt correctly.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A temperamental car is one that ____.
a) starts on some days and not on others
b) uses very little fuel
c) has just been painted
d) runs smoothly every single day
Show answer
a) starts on some days and not on others
2. Our cat is temperamental. Which sentence fits her best?
a) She always greets us at the door.
b) She sleeps in the same spot every day.
c) She eats exactly the same amount at every meal.
d) She purrs one minute and hisses the next.
Show answer
d) She purrs one minute and hisses the next.
