World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesIll-tempered
/ˈɪlˌtɛm.pərd/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
Having a bad temper; easily annoyed or made angry; irritable and surly.
"The ill-tempered manager snapped at his staff for a minor mistake." - 2
Characterized by bad humor or uncooperative sullenness.
"Her ill-tempered response made it clear she did not want to be disturbed."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Combining the Middle English adverb 'ill' (derived from Old Norse 'illr', meaning bad or difficult) with 'tempered' (from Old English 'temprian', meaning to moderate or restrain), the compound developed in the late 14th century. Historically, it referred to an imbalanced bodily humor, but it evolved over centuries to describe a chronically grumpy, irritable, or bad-natured disposition.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Ill-tempered"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Ill-tempered" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
de mauvaise humeur
Transliteration: duh mah-vuhz oo-moor
"Il est souvent de mauvaise humeur le matin."
gelaunt
Transliteration: shleht guh-launt
Script: schlecht gelaunt
"Der Chef war heute sehr schlecht gelaunt."
irritabile
Transliteration: ee-ree-tah-bee-leh
"Era di umore irritabile per tutto il giorno."
malhumorado
Transliteration: mal-oo-mo-rah-do
"El vecino está siempre malhumorado."
mal-humorado
Transliteration: mal oo-mo-ra-du
"Ele acordou mal-humorado hoje."
चिड़चिड़ा
Transliteration: chirchira
Script: चिड़चिड़ा स्वभाव
"वह सुबह बहुत चिड़चिड़ा होता है।"
脾气暴躁的
Transliteration: píqi bàozào de
"他今天显得脾气暴躁。"
성격이 나쁜
Transliteration: seonggyeogi nappeun
Script: 성격이 나쁜 사람
"그는 성격이 나쁜 사람으로 유명하다."
機嫌が悪い
Transliteration: kigen ga warui
"上司は機嫌が悪かった。"
Related Vocabulary Words to Explore
View all English termsA fixed source of illumination that does not move, often used as a navigational beacon, landmark, or stage lighting fixture.
A fine wire of high resistance, typically made of tungsten, that becomes incandescent when an electric current passes through it in an incandescent lamp.
A software suite or organizational framework designed to manage, track, and execute the deployment and configuration of software packages or physical equipment.
Explore Nuanced Synonyms for "Ill-tempered"
Discover exact matches, context-specific alternatives, and antonyms with intensity ratings in the VocabDictionary Thesaurus.
Enhance Your Writing & Grammar Precision
Linguistic Origins & Word Stories
View all stories →How Are Palisade Cells Adapted for Photosynthesis (and Why Are They Called 'Palisade')?
Palisade mesophyll cells are column-shaped, densely packed with chloroplasts, and positioned near the leaf's upper surface to maximize light absorption for photosynthesis. Their name comes from the French word for a defensive fence of wooden stakes, referencing their tightly aligned, upright cellular structure.
What is a SLOT SWOT Analysis and How Do You Actually Do One?
A SLOT SWOT analysis is an expanded strategic planning framework that blends personal or organizational 'SLOT' (Strengths, Limitations, Opportunities, Threats) metrics with traditional 'SWOT' dynamics. It provides a granular approach to evaluating internal capabilities against external market realities.