a person's state of mind seen in terms of their being angry or calm, a tendency to become angry easily, a person's state of mind seen in terms of their being excited or calm

lose one's temper, in a temper, have a temper like a bear with a sore head

short temper, keep one's temper, out of temper

Formal and Informal Expressions of temper

In different contexts, you can replace 'temper' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'disposition, temperament' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'mood, attitude' is a commonplace synonym.

temper: Explore its Definition & Usage

temper Definition

1a person's state of mind seen in terms of their being angry or calm
2a tendency to become angry easily
3a person's state of mind seen in terms of their being excited or calm

Using temper: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "temper" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
He has a bad temper and gets angry easily.
Example
She lost her temper when she saw the mess in the kitchen.
Example
The coach's temper flared up when the team lost the game.
Example
He tried to control his temper during the argument.

temper Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for temper

Antonyms for temper

Idioms Using temper

lose one's temper
to become very angry and lose control of one's emotions
Example
She lost her temper when she found out that her project had been canceled.
in a temper
in a state of anger or irritation
Example
He stormed out of the room in a temper when he heard the news.
have a temper like a bear with a sore head
to have a very bad temper and become angry easily
Example
Don't mess with him - he has a temper like a bear with a sore head.

Phrases with temper

short temper
a tendency to become angry quickly and easily
Example
He has a short temper and often loses his cool over small things.
keep one's temper
to remain calm and composed, especially in a difficult situation
Example
It's important to keep your temper when dealing with difficult customers.
out of temper
in a bad mood or easily angered
Example
He's been out of temper all day because he didn't get enough sleep last night.

Origins of temper

from Latin 'temperare', meaning 'to mix, regulate, restrain'

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Summary: temper in Brief

The term 'temper' [ˈtɛmpər] refers to a person's state of mind, whether calm or angry, or excited. It can also denote a tendency to become angry easily. Phrases like 'short temper' and 'keep one's temper' describe specific behaviors, while idioms like 'lose one's temper' and 'in a temper' convey the loss of control over one's emotions. 'Temper' is often used in informal contexts to refer to a person's mood or attitude.