Good-tempered describes someone who stays calm, pleasant, and easygoing, even when things don't go their way. A good-tempered person doesn't snap at others when frustrated or become grumpy over small annoyances.

Think about how different people react when their plans get ruined. If your family's beach trip gets canceled because of rain, a good-tempered sibling might shrug and suggest making the best of a rainy day at home, while someone less good-tempered might sulk for hours. At school, a good-tempered classmate doesn't get angry when they lose at kickball or when someone accidentally bumps into them in the hallway.

The word tempered relates to temperament, which is your general mood and emotional style. Being good-tempered means having a pleasant, balanced temperament most of the time. It's similar to being even-tempered, though good-tempered emphasizes cheerfulness while even-tempered emphasizes steadiness.

Good-tempered people make reliable friends because you don't have to worry about them suddenly getting angry or offended. Their steady, positive mood helps everyone around them feel more relaxed. You might describe a favorite teacher as good-tempered because she stays patient and encouraging even when the class struggles with difficult material.