umore

Umore is an Italian noun that denotes a person’s mood or temperament, referring to the current state of mind as well as to a general disposition over a period of time. It can be used for both transient emotional states and longer-standing temperamental traits.

The word’s etymology traces to Latin umor, meaning moisture. In ancient and medieval medicine, umore was connected with the theory of the four humors, which held that bodily fluids influenced health and temperament. Although this humoral theory is no longer scientifically valid, the historical concept shaped the way many languages, including Italian, relate bodily states to mood or temperament.

In modern usage, umore primarily designates emotional state. Common expressions include avere un buon umore (to be in a good mood) and essere di cattivo umore (to be in a bad mood). The term can also describe general temperament or disposition, but it is less precise than specialized terms such as stato d’animo (state of mind) or temperamento (temperament). In scientific contexts, mood is the preferred term for contemporary discussions of emotional states.

Beyond everyday speech, umore appears in cultural and literary contexts. The related term umorismo refers to humor or wit in writing and satire, reflecting a tradition that treats humor as an expressive stance rather than a mere emotional state. Overall, umore remains a common way to speak about how people feel and relate to their surroundings.