tame

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "tame" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a subdued or gentle animal or person, or to describe something that is not wild or uncontrolled. Example sentence: The lion was tamed by the circus trainer.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It would be too tame to call cats Liberals.

The Guardian - Opinion

Maguire, on loan from Aberdeen, put Jimmy Calderwood's side ahead from close range in the 32nd minute after Paul Gallacher spilled a tame shot from Craig Bryson.

The Guardian - Sport

01455 292888, thedandelionhideaway.co.uk If climbing and abseiling on normal mountains is too tame, how about doing both underground in a disused mine?

The Guardian - Travel

You can rent a kayak or paddle-boat from Lake Burley Griffin Boat Hire and explore the lake's outer reaches, where abundant wildlife – including a large mob of tame kangaroos at Weston Park – can be spotted along the forested shores.

The Guardian - Travel

Every would-be statesman with something to say has a tame spin doctor on hand, selling a particular story from a particular sweet stall.

The Guardian

And Shaw goes on to note that the ferocity of the wolf "is greatly mitigated by an early education; of which the individual specimen from which the present figure was taken, is a remarkable instance;" it had, he wrote, "been rendered in a great degree tame and gentle by the assiduity of the late Sir Ashton Lever".

The Guardian

But Cameron's tame trustee through election time?

The Guardian

One very tame example: Wife: 'A letter came for you marked Very Personal.' Husband: 'What did it say?' What the archive really shows is that, where cracker mottos were once tailor-made for particular social groups, now they're universal.

The Guardian

The inflation caused by the depreciation of the krona has been tame and growth prospects are rosy.

The Guardian - Business

The move would be unprecedented, but the election showed haywire voting patterns – Muslim Malays supporting a secularist, left-leaning Chinese party in Penang, for instance – while stories of cronyism and judicial corruption filled the ever-more-confident and influential blogosphere, which reports what tame newspapers won't.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mostly the speech hailed the success of "denationalisation" (as privatisation was still called), the need to conquer inflation, tame the unions, cut tax ("too high") and reform Europe.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tame" to describe an animal, ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're referring to the process of taming or the animal's current state. For example, "He is trying to tame the wild horse" versus "The horse is now tame."

Common error

Avoid using "tame" when a stronger verb like "suppress" or "curb" is more appropriate to convey the intensity of control or restraint being exerted. For example, use "curb inflation" instead of "tame inflation" if the goal is to significantly reduce it.

Linguistic Context

The word "tame" functions primarily as an adjective describing a state of being (not wild) or a quality (mild, unexciting). It can also function as a verb meaning to domesticate or subdue. This is confirmed by Ludwig and its examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "tame" functions as both an adjective and a verb, denoting a state of reduced wildness or the act of subduing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and versatile, fitting into various contexts from describing domesticated animals to unexciting events. Predominantly found in "News & Media", its neutral register allows for broad application. When using "tame", consider the subtle difference between describing a state versus an action, and choose stronger verbs when a greater intensity of control needs to be expressed. Alternatives include "domesticated" or "subdued", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

domesticated

Focuses specifically on the process of bringing something under human control for domestic use.

subdued

Emphasizes the act of bringing something or someone under control, often through force or authority.

docile

Specifically relates to being easily led or managed.

gentle

Highlights the mild and non-aggressive nature of something.

cultivated

Implies refinement and control, often in the context of personal development or land.

controlled

Indicates a state of being managed or restrained.

manageable

Refers to something that is easy to handle or deal with.

lackluster

Describes something as uninspired or unexciting.

unexciting

Directly indicates a lack of stimulation or interest.

inoffensive

Highlights the lack of any controversial or challenging aspects.

FAQs

How can I use "tame" in a sentence?

You can use "tame" to describe animals that are no longer wild, as in "They have a "tame wildcat"". It can also describe something mild or not exciting, such as "This party is too "tame for me"".

What are some synonyms for "tame" when referring to animals?

When referring to animals, synonyms for "tame" include "domesticated", "gentle", or "domesticise". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what context is "tame" used to mean "not exciting"?

"Tame" can be used to describe events, entertainment, or situations that lack excitement or are considered mild. For instance, "The movie was surprisingly "tame thriller"" indicates it wasn't very thrilling.

Is it correct to use "tame" to describe efforts to control abstract concepts, like "tame inflation"?

Yes, "tame" can be used metaphorically to describe efforts to control or manage abstract concepts, such as "tame inflation". This usage suggests a process of moderating or subduing something that is initially uncontrolled.