What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tempers
Example
He has a bad temper and gets angry very quickly. [temper: noun]
Example
She tried to control her temper during the argument. [temper: verb]
temperament
Example
Her cheerful temperament made her popular with everyone. [temperament: noun]
Example
He has a calm temperament and rarely gets upset. [temperament: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Temperament is more commonly used than temper in everyday language. Temperament is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while temper is less common and often associated with negative emotions.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between tempers and temperament?
Both temper and temperament can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, temperament is more commonly used in formal settings, such as psychology or academic writing, while temper is more informal and colloquial.