noun · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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Received-Pronunciation:/tɪˈmɛɹ.ɪ.ti/
Received-Pronunciation:/təˈmɛɹ.ɪ.ti/
General-American:/təˈmɛɹ.ə.ti/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -ɛɹəti
CMU ARPABET:T AH0 M EH1 R AH0 T IY0
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
Reckless boldness; foolish bravery.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: uncountable
Examples
1569, Thomas Pearson, trans., "The Second Paradox," in The booke of Marcus Tullius Cicero entituled Paradoxa Stoicorum, T. Marshe (London), Neyther the spightfull temerity and rashnes of variable fortune, nor the envious hart burning and in iurious hatred of mine enemies shold be able once to damnify me.
From Middle English temerite, temeryte, from Old French temerité, from Latin temeritās (“chance, accident, rashness”), from temere (“by chance, casually, rashly”). By surface analysis, temer(arious) + -ity.
Across languages
Translations
47 source translations are retained for this English entry.
