temperamental
adjective
tem·per·a·men·tal ˌtem-p(ə-)rə-ˈmen-tᵊl 
ˌtem-pər-ˈmen-
1
a
: marked by excessive sensitivity and impulsive mood changes
a temperamental child
b
: unpredictable in behavior or performance
a temperamental computer
2
: of, relating to, or arising from temperament : constitutional
temperamental peculiarities
temperamentally
ˌtem-p(ə-)rə-ˈmen-tᵊl-ē
adverb ˌtem-pər-ˈmen-
Synonyms
- moody
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The actor is known for being temperamental. The old computer is temperamental. They divorced due to temperamental differences.
Recent Examples on the Web Much like a soufflé, this baby can be temperamental and might deflate. 
Kim Sunée, Anchorage Daily News, 8 Sep. 2022 Harrelson, 61, plays the yacht’s problematic captain presiding over temperamental guests, including a Russian oligarch and a British arms dealer. Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 30 Aug. 2022 Copper is a fascinating metal that has a reputation for being temperamental. Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Aug. 2022 Intermingled with her friend’s fate is that of a young, temperamental cow on a nearby farm, whose future depends on her ability to breed. Sam Sacks, WSJ, 19 Aug. 2022 Turns out, this particularly temperamental grape variety loves the coast for many of the same reasons we humans do. Krista Simmons, Sunset Magazine, 18 Aug. 2022 Models based on continua, such as the intensity of the individual's experienced trauma and invalidation, genetic and temperamental vulnerability, etcetera, may be more accurate and useful. Scientific American, 1 Aug. 2022 Her Diana was temperamental, petty and crass, but ultimately winning. New York Times, 7 Aug. 2022 Their grandfather, a high-ranking commander in the Soviet military, was temperamental and belligerent and possibly mentally ill, Kravchenko said. New York Times, 5 Aug. 2022 See More
Kim Sunée, Anchorage Daily News, 8 Sep. 2022 Harrelson, 61, plays the yacht’s problematic captain presiding over temperamental guests, including a Russian oligarch and a British arms dealer. Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 30 Aug. 2022 Copper is a fascinating metal that has a reputation for being temperamental. Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Aug. 2022 Intermingled with her friend’s fate is that of a young, temperamental cow on a nearby farm, whose future depends on her ability to breed. Sam Sacks, WSJ, 19 Aug. 2022 Turns out, this particularly temperamental grape variety loves the coast for many of the same reasons we humans do. Krista Simmons, Sunset Magazine, 18 Aug. 2022 Models based on continua, such as the intensity of the individual's experienced trauma and invalidation, genetic and temperamental vulnerability, etcetera, may be more accurate and useful. Scientific American, 1 Aug. 2022 Her Diana was temperamental, petty and crass, but ultimately winning. New York Times, 7 Aug. 2022 Their grandfather, a high-ranking commander in the Soviet military, was temperamental and belligerent and possibly mentally ill, Kravchenko said. New York Times, 5 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
borrowed from New Latin temperāmentālis "of the temperament," from Latin temperāmentum temperament + -ālis -al entry 1
First Known Use
1646, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Kids Definition
temperamental
adjective
tem·per·a·men·tal ˌtem-pə-rə-ˈmen-tᵊl
-prə-ˈmen-tᵊl
1
: likely to become angry or upset The actor is known for being temperamental and storming off stage.
2
: unpredictable in behavior or performance
a temperamental car
temperamental
adjective
1
as in moody
frequently influenced by moods and especially bad moods one of those temperamental actresses who can make life difficult for everyone around her Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- moody
- volatile
- impulsive
- unstable
- irritable
- changeful
- mercurial
- fickle
- capricious
- unsettled
- uncertain
- variable
- irascible
- fluctuating
- inconstant
- changeable
- mutable
- sulky
- whimsical
- freakish
- petulant
- peevish
- testy
- snappish
- pouty
- crotchety
- grouchy
- short-tempered
- choleric
- unsteady
- waspish
- grumpy
- fluid
- crabby
- quick-tempered
- cross
- cranky
- snippy
- snippety
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- even
- inflexible
- immutable
- invariable
- constant
- equable
- stable
- unchangeable
- steady
- unalterable
- unchanging
- settled
- changeless
2
as in volatile
likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly stock prices have been pretty temperamental lately, often fluctuating wildly Synonyms & Similar Words
- volatile
- unpredictable
- unstable
- mercurial
- inconsistent
- changeful
- variable
- capricious
- fickle
- uncertain
- unsettled
- changeable
- inconstant
- fluctuating
- mutable
- erratic
- skittish
- unreliable
- fluid
- unsteady
- random
- flickery
- scattered
- ambivalent
- haphazard
- shaky
- wavering
- arbitrary
- stray
- undependable
- slapdash
- vacillating
- aimless
- up in the air
- untrustworthy
- dicey
- desultory
- hit-or-miss
- hesitating
- protean
- irregular
- versatile
- adaptable
- mobile
- shilly-shallying
- shilly-shally
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- certain
- constant
- stable
- invariable
- immutable
- predictable
- steady
- stationary
- unchangeable
- unchanging
- unvarying
- persistent
- equable
- settled
- permanent
- even
- uniform
- changeless
- reliable
- durable
- dependable
- lasting
- trusty
- trustworthy
- abiding
- true
- sure
- tried
- tried-and-true
- all well and good
- all wet
- all wright effect
- all year round
- all' ottava
- all' unisono
- all's fair in love and war
- all's well that ends well
- all-
- all-a-mort
- all-america
- all-American
- All-American Canal
- all-around
- all-arounder
- all-arounders
- all-comers
- all-commodity rate
- all-consuming
- all-court press
- all-day
- all-day sucker
- all-embracing
- all-encompassing
- all-expense