TEM-pur
/ˈtɛmpɚ/
temper is pronounced TEM-pur (/ˈtɛmpɚ/). Temper means to moderate or soften something, especially a feeling or reaction, by balance or restraint. It can also refer to tempering metal, a controlled process that increases toughness. In everyday use it describes regulating intensity, mood, or tone, often to suit a situation. The noun temper denotes a person’s characteristic mood or temperament. (2-4 sentences, ~60 words).
Temper means to moderate or soften something, especially a feeling or reaction, by balance or restraint. It can also refer to tempering metal, a controlled process that increases toughness. In everyday use it describes regulating intensity, mood, or tone, often to suit a situation. The noun temper denotes a person’s characteristic mood or temperament. (2-4 sentences, ~60 words)
"Her frustration was tempered by a calm explanation."
"The chef tempered the chocolate to prevent it from seizing."
"The jury's verdict was tempered by careful deliberation."
Pronounce it as TEM-per, with primary stress on the first syllable. IPA: US /ˈtɛm.pɚ/; UK /ˈtempə/; AU /ˈtempə/. The first syllable uses a short open-mid front vowel /ɛ/ like 'bed', followed by a clear /m/ nasal. The second syllable reduces to a schwa /ə/ in many informal contexts, but final /ɚ/ (US) or /ə/ (UK/AU) may occur in careful speech. Try saying ‘TEM’ with a pressed p, then a quick ‘-per’ with a light, unstressed vowel.” ,
Common errors include turning the first vowel into a longer /iː/ or /eɪ/ (tem-per instead of TEM-per) and over-pronouncing the second syllable. Another mistake is placing secondary stress on the second syllable, which weakens the natural rhythm. Correction: keep primary stress on TEM, use a short /ɛ/ vowel, and reduce the second syllable to a quick schwa or /ɚ/ depending on your accent. Practice the sequence TEM + small, quick -per to lock the rhythm.
In US English, you hear /ˈtɛm.pɚ/ with a rhotic r and a pronounced final /ɚ/. UK English tends to /ˈtempə/ with a non-rhotic final and a schwa; AU follows US-like rhoticity but often exhibits the clipped, non-stressed final vowel in casual speech. Focus on rhotic vs non-rhotic differences and vowel quality: US keeps a rhotic vowel; UK and AU often reduce final vowels more. Ensure the first vowel remains /ɛ/ rather than a broader /e/.” ,
The difficulty lies in the short, lax /ɛ/ vowel in the first syllable and the subtle reduction of the second syllable to /ɚ/ or /ə/. Learners also struggle with the quick, light /p/ release between the syllables and the lack of strong stress on the second syllable. Mastery requires precise timing: a crisp /t/ onset, a strong /m/ closure, and a fast, reduced second syllable. Practice combining a clear TEM with a smooth, almost silent -per.
Yes, the key is the contrast between the tense, clipped first syllable and the very short, reduced second syllable. The -per suffix is typically unstressed, creating a swift, almost sigh-like ending in many accents. Additionally, the rhotic vs non-rhotic pattern (US vs UK/AU) affects final vowel realization. Practicing with minimal pairs emphasizing first-syllable crispness and second-syllable reduction helps solidify the unique TEM-per pattern.
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Temper derives from the Latin temperare, meaning to mix, proportion, or regulate, from tempera ‘seasoning, mixture,’ from tempus ‘time, season.’ The word traveled into Old French as temperer, then into Middle English as temperen, gaining senses of adjusting, moderating, and softening. Originally tied to blending or mixing metals to achieve a desired quality, temper also captured the idea of balancing moods, hence the psychological sense of temperament or temperament as a quality of character. The sense of “to temper a reaction” appears in the late medieval period, with figurative use expanding in Early Modern English as people described tempering passions or opinions to fit social norms. First known usage in English traces to writings around the 14th–15th centuries, evolving through Renaissance to modern times where temper encompasses both material processing and personal disposition, retaining core ideas of control, balance, and refinement.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "temper" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "temper"
-ber sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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