Like the related noun temper (which most often refers to a person's tendency to become angry, but also has a neutral sense very close to that of temperament, among other meanings) temperament traces back to a Latin word, temperare, which means "to mix or blend." The a in temperare lives on in the modern spelling of temperament.
Temperament is an old word (it dates to the 15th century) with multiple meanings, but in modern use it typically refers to the usual attitude, mood, or behavior of a person or animal. If you're adopting a dog, you might look for one with a sweet temperament; you might describe someone who is often nervous as having a nervous temperament.
What is the difference between disposition and predisposition?
What exactly is someone's disposition? And is it different from a predisposition? A person's disposition is his or her usual mood or attitude. Are you typically pretty happy? You could be described as having a happy—or cheerful, or sunny—disposition. Animals have dispositions too; a dog with a nervous disposition doesn't easily relax into a restful pup curled up at someone’s feet. In this use, disposition is a synonym of temperament; both words refer to the complex set of attitudes and inclinations that guide behavior.
Disposition can also mean "tendency" or "inclination," and in such cases it has a surprising synonym: predisposition. A disposition to exaggerate is the same as a predisposition to exaggerate. A disposition toward humility is likewise the same thing as a predisposition toward humility. The fact of being "in advance" that the prefix pre- implies hardly matters when tendency and inclination are concerned, since both concern what is likely to happen in the future.
While phrases like "a disposition to cooperate" are about as common as "a predisposition to cooperate," when the context is medical, predisposition is far more common. Phrases like "a genetic predisposition to nearsightedness" appear much more frequently in published, edited text than similar phrases employing disposition.
disposition implies customary moods and attitude toward the life around one.
a cheerful disposition
temperament implies a pattern of innate characteristics associated with one's specific physical and nervous organization.
an artistic temperament
temper implies the qualities acquired through experience that determine how a person or group meets difficulties or handles situations.
a resilient temper
character applies to the aggregate of moral qualities by which a person is judged apart from intelligence, competence, or special talents.
strength of character
personality applies to an aggregate of qualities that distinguish one as a person.
a somber personality
Examples of temperament in a Sentence
The two women were opposite in temperament.
looking for a dog with a sweet temperament
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Some research has indicated that parenting styles are influenced by parental personality traits, the child's temperament, social support, and partner satisfaction.—👁 Image Kelley King Heyworth, Parents, 5 Apr. 2026 His friend's temperament was spirited.—👁 Image Danielle Parker, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026 During interviews with state investigators, Kids R Kids employees said they were discouraged from reporting incidents to the state and that staff were selected based on their willingness to accept a low wage rather than qualifications or temperament.—👁 Image Lina Ruiz
april 1, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026 Beyond the jokes, the video became a celebration of dachshund temperament.—👁 Image Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for temperament
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, "regulation of the body's vital spirit, proportion of humors in the body," borrowed from Latin temperāmentum "mixture of substances in proper proportion, mean between hot and cold, compromise between extremes, moderation" (Medieval Latin, "proper balance of bodily humors"), from temperāre "to moderate, bring to a proper strength or consistency by mixing, maintain in a state of balance" + -mentum-ment — more at temper entry 2
