Temperate — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈtem-p(ə-)rət/ tem·per·ate

Meaning & Definition of Temperate

Temperate (adjective)

  1. having a moderate climate which especially lacks extremes in temperature
  2. found in or associated with a moderate climate
  3. marked by moderation

Temperate (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. avoiding extremes in behavior or expression

    "rather temperate in his appraisal of the movie, calling it good but not great"

    similar: moderate
    related: controlled, curbed, disciplined, inhibited, restrained, self-controlled, self-denying, self-disciplined, calculated, deliberate, measured, levelheaded, rational, reasonable, sensible, average, mediocre, medium, modest, run-of-the-mill, run-of-the-mine, so-so, normal, ordinary, regular, routine, typical, usual
    opposite: immoderate, intemperate
    near: excessive, extreme, inordinate, radical, irrational, unreasonable, unreasoning, extremist, fanatic, rabid, unbridled, unchecked, uncontrolled, unrestrained

  2. marked by temperatures that are neither too high nor too low

    "escaped a cold Midwestern winter by vacationing in a more temperate climate down south"

    similar: balmy, clement, equable, genial, gentle, mild, moderate, soft
    related: clear, cloudless, fair, rainless, sunny, sunshiny, calm, halcyon, peaceful, placid, tranquil, delightful, fine, pleasant
    opposite: harsh, inclement, intemperate, severe
    near: blustering, blustery, breezy, gusty, rough, squally, stormy, windy, misty, rainy, showery, bleak, cloudy, dismal, foggy, gloomy, gray, hazy, overcast, sunless, bitter, dirty, foul, nasty, raw

  3. given to or marked by restraint in the satisfaction of one's appetites

    "a soft-spoken, serious-minded person of temperate habits"

    similar: abstemious, abstentious, abstinent, continent, self-abnegating, self-denying, sober
    related: ascetic, austere, disciplined, self-controlled, self-disciplined, self-governed
    opposite: self-indulgent
    near: gluttonous, greedy, rapacious, voracious, Cyrenaic, hedonistic, self-pleasing, sensual, sybaritic, voluptuous, voluptuary, masturbatory, onanistic

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Temperate

The most common words with a similar meaning to Temperate:

moderate, balmy, clement, equable, genial, gentle, mild, soft, abstemious, abstentious, abstinent, continent, self-abnegating, self-denying, sober

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Temperate

Words with the opposite meaning of Temperate:

immoderate, intemperate, harsh, inclement, severe, self-indulgent

Related Words for Temperate

controlled, curbed, disciplined, inhibited, restrained, self-controlled, self-disciplined, calculated, deliberate, measured, levelheaded, rational, reasonable, sensible, average, mediocre, medium, modest, run-of-the-mill, run-of-the-mine, so-so, normal, ordinary, regular, routine, typical, usual, clear, cloudless, fair

Near Antonyms of Temperate

excessive, extreme, inordinate, radical, irrational, unreasonable, unreasoning, extremist, fanatic, rabid, unbridled, unchecked, uncontrolled, unrestrained, blustering, blustery, breezy, gusty, rough, squally, stormy, windy, misty, rainy, showery, bleak, cloudy, dismal, foggy, gloomy

Word Forms of Temperate

Derived words: temperately (adverb), temperateness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Temperate

Middle English temperat, temperate "restrained, moderate in nature or habits, having the bodily humors in balanced proportion, moderate in temperature or climate," borrowed from Latin temperātus "(of persons) restrained, (of temperature or climate) moderate, between extremes," from past participle of temperāre "to exercise moderation, moderate" temper:2

First known use: 14th century

Words & Phrases Containing Temperate

temperate rainforest, temperate zone

Frequently Asked Questions about Temperate

What does "Temperate" mean?

"Temperate" means having a moderate climate which especially lacks extremes in temperature. As an adjective, it is defined as: having a moderate climate which especially lacks extremes in temperature. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Temperate"?

Other words for "Temperate" include moderate, balmy, clement, equable, genial, gentle, mild and soft. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Temperate" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Temperate"?

There are 59 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Temperate". Common alternatives include moderate, balmy, clement, equable, genial, gentle, mild, soft, abstemious and abstentious.

What is the opposite of "Temperate"?

Antonyms of "Temperate" include immoderate, intemperate, harsh, inclement, severe and self-indulgent. Near antonyms include excessive, extreme, inordinate and radical.

How do you use "Temperate" in a sentence?

Examples of "Temperate" in a sentence: "rather temperate in his appraisal of the movie, calling it good but not great"; "escaped a cold Midwestern winter by vacationing in a more temperate climate down south"; "a soft-spoken, serious-minded person of temperate habits".

Is "Temperate" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Temperate" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Temperate"?

"Temperate" is pronounced /ˈtem-p(ə-)rət/ and divided into syllables as tem·per·ate.

What is the origin of the word "Temperate"?

"Temperate" comes from Middle English temperat, temperate "restrained, moderate in nature or habits, having the bodily humors in balanced proportion, moderate in temperature or climate," borrowed from Latin temperātus "(of persons) restrained, (of temperature or climate) moderate, between extremes," from past participle of temperāre "to exercise moderation, moderate" temper:2. First known use: 14th century.