How to pronounce temperamental
Say it like tem-pruh-MEN-tul. Temperamental has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (MEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce temperamental. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- tem
- pruh
- MEN
- tul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Temperamental pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- temGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- pruhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- MENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- tulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of temperamental
American and British speakers say temperamental in essentially the same way: /ˌtɛmprəˈmɛntəl/ in the US and /ˌtɛmprəˈmɛntəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: tem-pruh-MEN-tul.
What does temperamental mean?
- Of, related to, or caused by temperament.
- Subject to changing and unpredictable emotional states; moody, capricious.
- User-unfriendly, unstable, that is complicated or has poorly written instructions and is subsequently difficult to operate; unpredictable and erratic.
Where does temperamental come from?
From temperament + -al.
Words that rhyme with temperamental
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of temperamental.
- environmental
- fundamental
- experimental
- gentle
- dental
- rental
- continental
- instrumental
- accidental
- developmental
Questions about saying temperamental
How do you pronounce temperamental?
Say tem-pruh-MEN-tul. The American pronunciation is /ˌtɛmprəˈmɛntəl/. In British English it is /ˌtɛmprəˈmɛntəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in temperamental?
Temperamental has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (MEN). Broken into parts: tem · pruh · MEN · tul.
Do Americans and Brits say temperamental the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌtɛmprəˈmɛntəl/ and the British form is /ˌtɛmprəˈmɛntəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.