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Added 9 October 2026

temperate

/ˈtɛmpəɹət/ adjective

In Latin: modicus First recorded: 1380 Wiktionary

adjective Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about temperate at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

(of weather or climate) free from extremes; mild; or characteristic of such weather or climate.
a temperate region
Not extreme in behavior.
temperate in his habits
Not extreme.
a moderate penalty

Origin

The adjective is first attested in 1380, in Middle English, the verb in 1540; borrowed from Latin temperātus, perfect passive participle of temperō (“to moderate, forbear, combine properly”), see -ate (adjective-forming suffix) and -ate (verb-forming suffix). See temper. Displaced native Old English ġemetegod.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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