sweettempered

Sweet-tempered is an English adjective used to describe a person, animal, or situation characterized by a pleasant, gentle, and generally good-natured disposition. A sweet-tempered individual tends to be patient, calm, forgiving, and easy to be around, with a tendency to respond in a non-confrontational way. The term implies a consistency of mood rather than a single moment of kindness.

Etymology and usage notes: The term is formed from the components “sweet” and “tempered,” where tempered refers to moderation of temper or disposition. It is a straightforward compound common across dialects and suitable for both formal description and everyday speech. It often appears in character descriptions, biographies, and animal descriptions, signaling reliable amiability.

Examples and nuance: It is commonly applied to people but can describe animals noted for docility or easy handling, such as a sweet-tempered dog or pony. While positive, the expression emphasizes steadiness of temperament and sociability rather than unrelated virtues like generosity or courage. It contrasts with qualities like ill-tempered, irritable, or cantankerous.

Related terms: Similar descriptors include amiable, good-natured, mild-mannered, and even-tempered. Each carries subtle nuance: “even-tempered” stresses constancy of mood; “amiable” emphasizes sociable friendliness; “mild-mannered” suggests non-confrontational behavior. See also temperament and personality descriptors.