quick-tempered

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "quick-tempered" is correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that has a short temper or that tends to be easily angered or provoked. For example: "He's very quick-tempered, so be careful what you say around him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Eric is quick-tempered, cynical, and amusing.

The New Yorker

He's quick-tempered," Ri said.

The New Yorker

He was quick-tempered and tended to lash out.

The Guardian - Arts

Her mother was Scottish born and bred — irrational, raucous, bony, quick-tempered, and noisy.

The New Yorker

A proud, shy person, Peel was by nature quick-tempered, courageous, stubborn, and often autocratic.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He was quick-tempered and sometimes violent, and he had to struggle against his gluttony.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

He is essentially impossible to manage, quick tempered and threatening to those around him.

Nature

Charlene was portrayed as a feisty, quick tempered and outspoken tomboy.

Wikipedia

She's quick tempered, wears her heart on her sleeve, and projects nervous energy.

Huffington Post

He was later renamed as Veer Bhadra, a title earned by once defeating a tiger single handedly.He is quick tempered and is husband to Krittika.

Wikipedia

They can be quick tempered but they also easily forgive and forget.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character, use "quick-tempered" to effectively convey their propensity to anger without resorting to more aggressive or violent descriptions.

Common error

Avoid using "quick-tempered" interchangeably with "impulsive". While a "quick-tempered" person might react impulsively, the core trait is the ease of becoming angry, not necessarily acting without thought.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quick-tempered" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective, modifying nouns (usually people) to indicate a propensity for anger or irritability. As Ludwig examples show, this term commonly modifies nouns, providing insight to character traits.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Encyclopedias

16%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "quick-tempered" is a commonly used and grammatically correct adjective phrase that describes someone easily angered. According to Ludwig, the term follows standard grammar rules, is primarily used in contexts like news and encyclopedias, and carries a neutral register. While it effectively conveys a propensity for anger, it's essential to avoid confusion with impulsiveness. Consider alternatives like "easily angered" or "short-fused" depending on the nuance you wish to convey. As such, "quick-tempered" remains a valuable term for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

easily angered

Focuses on the ease with which someone gets angry.

hot-headed

Similar to "quick-tempered" but emphasizes impulsiveness.

easily irritated

Highlights the ease with which someone becomes annoyed or impatient.

short-fused

Implies a rapid onset of anger, similar to a short fuse on explosives.

irascible

A more formal and less common term for being easily provoked to anger.

choleric

An older term indicating a disposition to be easily angered.

testy

Describes someone who is easily annoyed and impatient.

volatile

Suggests an explosive temper and unpredictable mood swings.

fiery

Implies a passionate and intense nature, often prone to anger.

thin-skinned

Refers to someone who is easily offended or upset by criticism.

FAQs

How can I use "quick-tempered" in a sentence?

You can use "quick-tempered" to describe someone who gets angry easily. For example, "He was a "quick-tempered" man who often lost his cool over minor issues."

What's a less common synonym for "quick-tempered"?

A less common synonym for "quick-tempered" is "irascible", which also describes someone easily provoked to anger.

Is it appropriate to use "quick-tempered" in formal writing?

Yes, "quick-tempered" is appropriate for formal writing, but consider the context. In some cases, a more nuanced or professional term might be preferable. However, it's generally considered acceptable. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is a correct and commonly used term.

What's the difference between "quick-tempered" and "angry"?

"Angry" is a general term for feeling or showing anger, while "quick-tempered" specifically describes someone who becomes angry easily or often. A "quick-tempered" person is predisposed to anger more readily than others.