temperature
/ˈtem.prə.tʃə/ IELTSAcademic
noun
- 1.
The degree of heat or cold in the air, a room, a body, or another object. It is often measured in degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit.
- The temperature fell sharply overnight.
- Her temperature was 38 degrees Celsius.
- 2.
A measure of how hot a person’s body is. A high temperature can be a sign of illness.
- He had a high temperature and stayed home.
- The nurse checked my temperature.
Adinary Nuance
Temperature is the general word for how hot or cold something is. Use it instead of 'heat' when you want a measurable amount, not just the feeling. Use 'weather' or 'climate' for broader conditions, and 'fever' for a body temperature that is too high because of illness.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- nhiệt độ
- Spanish
- temperatura
- Chinese
- 温度
- Japanese
- 温度
- Korean
- 온도
Etymology
Temperature came into English in the 1600s from French température, from Latin temperatura, meaning 'a proper mixing' or 'a right state'. The word later came to mean heat level.
Common phrases
room temperaturebody temperaturetemperature risetemperature drop
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between temperature and heat?
- Temperature is a measure. Heat is the energy that makes something warm.
- Can I say 'my temperature is high' in everyday English?
- Yes. It usually means your body temperature is high, often because of illness.
- Is temperature used in business or academic writing?
- Yes. It is common in science, medicine, weather reports, and technical writing.