temperate

Not too strong or extreme, especially neither very hot nor very cold.

• The island has a temperate climate.
• These plants prefer temperate conditions.
• Temperate heat made the afternoon pleasant.

Similar words: moderate, mild

Opposites: extreme

Common phrases: temperate climate, temperate zone, temperate heat

Calm and controlled, without anger or violence.

• Her reply was temperate and polite.
• He used temperate language during the heated debate.
• We welcomed their temperate response to the criticism.

Similar words: restrained, measured, calm

Opposites: heated

Common phrases: temperate language, temperate response, temperate tone

Careful not to eat, drink, or enjoy pleasures too much.

• He was temperate in his drinking.
• Her temperate habits kept household spending low.
• They lived a temperate life with few luxuries.

How to use it: temperate in something (She was temperate in her eating and drinking.)

Similar words: moderate, abstemious

Opposites: self-indulgent

Common phrases: temperate habits, temperate in something

Living or growing naturally in regions that are neither very hot nor very cold.

• Temperate fishes need cooler water.
• These temperate plants struggle in tropical heat.
• Researchers compared tropical and temperate species.

Common phrases: temperate fishes, temperate species, temperate plants