1 phlegmatic | Definition of phlegmatic
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

phlegmatic

adjective
phleg·​mat·​ic | \ fleg-ˈma-tik How to pronounce phlegmatic (audio) \

Definition of phlegmatic

1 : resembling, consisting of, or producing the humor phlegm
2 : having or showing a slow and stolid temperament
Other Words from phlegmatic Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Phlegm and the Four Temperaments Example Sentences Learn More about phlegmatic

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from phlegmatic

phlegmatically \ fleg-​ˈma-​ti-​k(É™-​)lÄ“ How to pronounce phlegmatically (audio) \ adverb

Choose the Right Synonym for phlegmatic

impassive, stoic, phlegmatic, apathetic, stolid mean unresponsive to something that might normally excite interest or emotion. impassive stresses the absence of any external sign of emotion in action or facial expression. met the news with an impassive look stoic implies an apparent indifference to pleasure or especially to pain often as a matter of principle or self-discipline. was resolutely stoic even in adversity phlegmatic implies a temperament or constitution hard to arouse. a phlegmatic man unmoved by tears apathetic may imply a puzzling or deplorable indifference or inertness. charitable appeals met an apathetic response stolid implies a habitual absence of interest, responsiveness, or curiosity. stolid workers wedded to routine

Phlegm and the Four Temperaments

According to the ancient Greeks, human personalities were controlled by four bodily fluids or semifluids called humors: blood, black bile, yellow bile, and phlegm. Each humor was associated with one of the four basic elements: air, earth, fire, and water. Phlegm was paired with water—the cold, moist element—and it was believed to impart the cool, calm, unemotional personality we now call the "phlegmatic type." That's a bit odd, given that the term derives from the Greek phlegma, which literally means "flame," perhaps a reflection of the inflammation that colds and flus often bring.

Examples of phlegmatic in a Sentence

Some people are phlegmatic, some highly strung. Some are anxious, others risk-seeking. Some are confident, others shy. Some are quiet, others loquacious. We call these differences personality … — Matt Ridley, Genome, 1999 Why would a man live like this? Alone on the godforsaken prairie surrounded by whispering cornfields and phlegmatic Swedes if instead you could go to picture shows and snazzy restaurants and dance with a beautiful woman with her head on your shoulder and her perfume driving you wild? — Garrison Keillor, WLT: A Radio Romance, 1991 But Einstein was phlegmatic: when a book was published entitled 100 Authors Against Einstein, he retorted, "If I were wrong, then one would have been enough!" — Stephen W. Hawking, A Brief History of Time, 1988 a strangely phlegmatic response to what should have been happy news
See More

Recent Examples on the Web

 Instead his Paterno is a phlegmatic Lear, an old man attempting to hide from an unsavory reality in what had always been his retreat and obsession — football. — Frank Fitzpatrick, Philly.com, "HBO's film on Joe Paterno is a tragedy, not a documentary," 6 Apr. 2018 The dancers were unassisted by a somewhat phlegmatic rendition of Paul Hindemith's score by the Chicago Philharmonic. — Irene Hsiao, Chicago Reader, "The Joffrey’s Modern Masters could—and should—do better," 8 Feb. 2018 The topic is Hippocrates’ psychological prototypes — melancholic, sanguine, phlegmatic and choleric — based on ancient beliefs in four corresponding humors: black bile, blood, phlegm and yellow bile. — Lauren Warnecke, chicagotribune.com, "Joffrey’s intense, anything-but-safe ‘Modern Masters’ shows how American ballet got here," 8 Feb. 2018 Yet, even so phlegmatic a personality as DiMaggio eventually yielded to temptation. — Steven Goldman, Slate Magazine, "Let’s marvel at the deep stupidity of the Red Sox’s sign-stealing scheme.," 7 Sep. 2017 In the current moment, Representative Maxine Waters, who is decidedly more phlegmatic than Jordan, has been slotted into this role. — Brittney Cooper, Cosmopolitan, "Get Off Kamala Harris's Back," 7 Aug. 2017 Orwell’s increasingly phlegmatic and introverted personality, combined with a fierce idealism and a devotion to accuracy in writing, brought him as a writer to fight to protect a private place in that modern world. — Mary Ann Gwinn, chicagotribune.com, "What do George Orwell and Winston Churchill have in common? A new book has the answer," 31 May 2017 Orwell’s increasingly phlegmatic and introverted personality, combined with a fierce idealism and a devotion to accuracy in writing, brought him as a writer to fight to protect a private place in that modern world. — Mary Ann Gwinn, chicagotribune.com, "What do George Orwell and Winston Churchill have in common? A new book has the answer," 31 May 2017 Having reluctantly unhooked himself from the Internet of Trees, Bran (along with his long-suffering pal Meera Reed) has made it down to the Wall, where he’s greeted by the strapping but phlegmatic boys of the Night’s Watch. — vanityfair.com, "Game of Thrones Season 7 Premiere Recap: Guess Who’s Back," 17 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'phlegmatic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of phlegmatic

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for phlegmatic

see phlegm

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for phlegmatic

phlegmatic

adjective
How to pronounce phlegmatic (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of phlegmatic

literary : not easily upset, excited, or angered

See the full definition for phlegmatic in the English Language Learners Dictionary

phlegmatic

adjective
phleg·​mat·​ic | \ fleg-ˈmat-ik How to pronounce phlegmatic (audio) \

Medical Definition of phlegmatic

1 : resembling, consisting of, or producing the humor phlegm
2 : having or showing a slow and stolid temperament

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!