How to pronounce tempered
Say it like TEM-perd. Tempered has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TEM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce tempered. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TEM
- perd
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tempered pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TEMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- perdKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of tempered
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: TEM-pud.
What does tempered mean?
- made hard or flexible or resilient especially by heat treatment“a sword of tempered steel”“tempered glass”
- adjusted or attuned by adding a counterbalancing element“criticism tempered with kindly sympathy”
Where does tempered come from?
From Middle English tempred, itempered, ytempred, ytemprid, from Old English ġetemprod (“tempered, moderate, goverened, cured”), past participle of Old English ġetemprian (“to temper, moderate, govern, cure”), equivalent to temper + -ed.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying tempered
How do you pronounce tempered?
Say TEM-perd. The American pronunciation is /ˈtɛmpɚd/. In British English it is /ˈtɛmpəd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tempered?
Tempered has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TEM). Broken into parts: TEM · perd.
Is tempered pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈtɛmpəd/ (TEM-pud).