DictionaryAI

temperature

noun
TEM-pur-uh-chur/ˈtɛm.pəɹˌt͡ʃɚ/UKTEM-pruh-chuh/ˈtɛmp(ə)ɹət͡ʃə(ɹ)/

Pluraltemperatures

6 meanings of temperature

Practice

  1. 1
    hot or coldnouncountable or uncountable
    A measure of how hot or cold something is.

    Like the number on a thermometer that tells you how warm or cold the air is.

    The temperature outside dropped below freezing last night.

    We checked the temperature of the water before the baby's bath.

    UsageSay the temperature is high or low, and it can rise or drop.

  2. 2
    fevernounusually singular
    A higher-than-normal body heat that comes with many illnesses, also called a fever.

    Like a body alarm that turns up the heat when you are sick.

    The baby felt hot and clearly had a temperature.

    She stayed home from school with a temperature and a sore throat.

    UsageYou have a temperature when your body is hotter than normal. A nurse takes your temperature to measure it.

    Similarfever

    Note
  3. 3
    moodnounfigurativelyusually singular
    The shared feeling or mood in a group or place.

    Like the feeling in the air at a party: calm, happy, or tense.

    The temperature in the room changed the moment the boss walked in.

    The coach's calm words helped lower the temperature after the fight.

    UsageOften lower the temperature, meaning calm people down.

    Similarmood, climate, atmosphere, tone

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 4
    characternounarchaiccountable
    The balance of bodily fluids, or a person's character once thought to depend on that balance.
    Only a strong dose of love will cure / A woman with an angry temperature.
    1993, James Michie, trans. OvidHere, temperature means a person's nature or mood.
    Our intemperence it is that pulls so many several incurable diseases on our heads, that hastens old age, perverts our temperature, and brings upon us sudden death.
    1624, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The Anatomy of Melancholy
    Note
  2. 5
    nounobsoleteuncountable
    The state of being made gentler or kept in balance.
    Note
  3. 6
    noun
    A setting that decides how random or surprising a computer program's answers are.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of temperature apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

It comes from Latin temperatura, from the verb tempero, meaning "I temper."

Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 3 facts