Temperate

UK: /ˈtɛmpərət/

US: /ˈtɛmpərɪt, ˈtɛmprɪt/

US: (tem′pər it, tem′prit)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

tem•per•ate /ˈtɛmpərɪt, ˈtɛmprɪt/   adj. 

1. moderate or self-restrained;
   not easily losing one's temper.
2. moderate in behavior, as in the use of alcoholic liquors.
3. Meteorology moderate in respect to temperature:
   the more temperate mountainous regions of Kenya.

tem•per•ate•ly, adv. 
tem•per•ate•ness, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

tem•per•ate  (tem′pər it, tem′prit), adj. 

1. moderate or self-restrained;
   not extreme in opinion, statement, etc.:
   a temperate response to an insulting challenge.
2. moderate as regards indulgence of appetite or passion, esp. in the use of alcoholic liquors.
3. not excessive in degree, as things, qualities, etc.
4. Meteorology moderate in respect to temperature;
   not subject to prolonged extremes of hot or cold weather.
5. Microbiology (of a virus) existing in infected host cells but rarely causing lysis.

• Latin temperātus, past participle of temperāre to exercise restraint, control. See temper, -ate¹
• Middle English temperat 1350–1400

tem′per•ate•ly, adv. 
tem′per•ate•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. sober, dispassionate. See moderate. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

temperate / ˈtɛmpərɪt ˈtɛmprɪt/ adjective

1. having a climate intermediate between tropical and polar; moderate or mild in temperature
2. mild in quality or character; exhibiting temperance

Etymology: 14th Century: from Latin temperātus

ˈtemperately adverb

ˈtemperateness noun