temperamental behavior
- noun
- /ˌtɛmpəˈrɛmənˌtəl bɪˈheɪvjər/
:
comportamiento temperamental
- His temperamental behavior often frustrated colleagues who preferred a more predictable work environment.
Examples
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Many directors have tolerated actors' temperamental behavior because of their undeniable talent.
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His temperamental behavior can change from cheerful to moody within minutes.
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Her temperamental behavior made it difficult to anticipate how she would react in new situations.
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Her temperamental behavior often surprises her friends.
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Many artists exhibit temperamental behaviors during creative processes.
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Her temperamental behavior often leads to conflicts during team projects.
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People find it hard to work with her because of her unpredictable temperamental behavior.
Synonyms
5
4.3
Frequent changes in feelings that make someone sad, angry, or sulky
1
8.9
A pattern of sudden, unpredictable changes in mood or plans
1
9.4
A tendency to change quickly, especially in mood or health
A person whose mood or attitude changes quickly without warning
Unpredictable and inconsistent behavior
A tendency to change plans or feelings suddenly without thinking
Nervous, strange actions that make people feel uneasy
A strong, stormy feeling that causes sudden emotional change
Antonyms
How Temperamental
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is a straightforward adjective+noun composition: 'temperamental' (prone to sudden mood changes) modifies 'behavior', so the combined meaning "behavior marked by unpredictable or sudden changes in mood" is directly derivable from the constituents. This follows standard compositional patterns found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both words would readily understand it.
Etymology
The phrase temperamental behavior comes from the word temper, which meant a person's mood or nature. Think of a small fire that suddenly flares up and then goes out—that image shows sudden mood changes, so the phrase means 'unpredictable or sudden changes in mood or attitude'.