temperature

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'temperature' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when discussing the degree of hotness or coldness of an object or atmosphere. For example: "The temperature in the room was uncomfortably warm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Environment

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We've now got tangible figures of the quantities and locations of fossil fuels that should remain unused in trying to keep within the 2C temperature limit," said Christophe McGlade, at University College London (UCL), and who led the new research published in the journal Nature.

The Guardian

A Labour government would push for even tougher climate change targets to stop the world's temperature warming to a dangerous level, Caroline Flint has told the Guardian.

The Guardian

Related: Climate change is more than an environmental issue | Ed Miliband With 250 days to go until the end of the Paris climate summit, Flint – who was shadow energy secretary in the last parliament – has raised concerns that current plans submitted by countries do not go far enough to stop a 2C rise in global temperature.

The Guardian

"We have a whole new generation that is interested in climate change", he said as he predicted that putting taxes on the use of carbon would trigger a wave of clean technology which would lift people out of poverty in the developing world while preventing the global temperature from rising by more than 2C above pre-industrial levels.

The Guardian

But if you don't have access to a microwave at work, then making pasta meant to taste best at room temperature is a lunchtime no-brainer.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Hypothermia expert Tomasz Darocha told the Polish PAP news agency that until now the most dramatic case of recovery from hypothermia involved a Scandinavian woman whose body temperature had dropped to 13.7C.

The Guardian

Hickox defied the order and went for a bike ride, later challenging the restrictions in court and winning permission to move freely while regularly monitoring her temperature.

The Guardian

They found a strong relationship between the outgoing long wavelength radiation (infrared energy) and temperature; however, this relationship varies substantially across the planet.

The Guardian

A number of studies have analyzed the observations, and recent changes in Earth's temperature, to say something about climate sensitivity.

The Guardian

If the sun won't shine and the temperature won't rise, then let's create the warmth ourselves.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Kate's temperature reading showed she was hypothermic.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In scientific writing, always specify the units of measurement (e.g., Celsius, Fahrenheit, Kelvin) when reporting "temperature" values to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "temperature" and heat interchangeably. "Temperature" is a measure of the average kinetic energy of particles, while heat is the transfer of thermal energy. While related, they are not the same.

Linguistic Context

The word "temperature" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a measure of hotness or coldness expressed in terms of any of several arbitrary scales. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts, including environmental conditions and body states.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Lifestyle

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "temperature" is a versatile noun widely used across various domains, as Ludwig AI confirms. Its core function involves quantifying the degree of hotness or coldness, making it essential in both scientific discussions and everyday communication. While generally neutral in tone, its usage can shift depending on the context, appearing in formal scientific reports and casual news articles. The examples extracted by Ludwig highlight its prevalence in News & Media and Lifestyle articles. Understanding the proper use of "temperature" – and avoiding confusion with related concepts like heat – can greatly enhance the clarity and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

degree of heat

Focuses on the intensity of heat rather than a general measure.

level of warmth

Emphasizes the sensation of warmth specifically.

thermal state

A more scientific and technical term for the condition of an object regarding heat.

heat index

Specifically refers to how hot it feels to humans, considering humidity.

coldness level

Focuses on the intensity of cold, an opposite to heat, measured to obtain a "temperature" result.

atmospheric warmth

Specifically refers to warmth of air.

body heat

Refers to the heat produced by a living being.

ambient heat

The overall heat of the surrounding area.

thermal energy

Focuses on energy related to heat.

climate condition

Refers to the prevalent weather of an area.

FAQs

How can I use "temperature" in a sentence?

You can use "temperature" to describe the degree of hotness or coldness of an object or environment. For example, "The room "temperature" was too high", or "The scientist measured the "temperature" of the liquid".

What's the difference between "temperature" and "heat"?

"Temperature" is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance, while "heat" is the transfer of thermal energy between objects or systems due to a difference in "temperature". So, "temperature" describes a state, and heat describes a process.

What can I say instead of "high temperature"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "elevated temperature", "high degree of heat", or "sweltering heat".

Which is correct, "temperature is high" or "the temperature is high"?

"The "temperature" is high" is generally more correct because it specifies which "temperature" you're referring to. "Temperature is high" could be used in specific contexts, but it is less common.