Tempered

/ˈtɛmpərd/

Meaning & Definition

verb

to moderate or mitigate the impact of something.

He attempted to temper his enthusiasm with a sense of realism.

to strengthen or toughen (a material, especially metal) by heating and then cooling it.

The blacksmith tempered the iron to improve its durability.

adjective

having a moderate or restrained quality; not extreme.

She had a tempered response to the criticism, choosing to remain calm and thoughtful.

improved in strength or quality by the addition of a specific element.

The tempered steel is much stronger than regular steel, making it ideal for construction.

matched with a suitable or appropriate element.

The artist's tempered use of color created a beautiful balance in the painting.

Middle English, from Old French 'temprer', from Latin 'temperare', meaning to mix, moderate.

tempered steel

Steel that has been heat-treated to improve strength and durability.

well-tempered

Having a balanced and moderate temperament.

bad-tempered

Showcasing a tendency to become angry easily.

temper

The mood or emotional state of a person.

temperament

The nature or personality of a person, particularly in terms of their emotional response.

temperature

A measure of how hot or cold something is, often influencing physical state.

Slow to anger or react.

He's pretty tempered; it takes a lot to get him riled up.

Having a cool demeanor under stress.

She was so tempered during the crisis that everyone felt calm.