Phlegmatic
/flɛɡˈmætɪk/
adjectiveC2
Definition
Phlegmatic means someone who stays calm and does not show strong feelings, even in difficult or exciting situations. This person is steady and relaxed, not quick to react with anger or joy. It often describes a quiet, peaceful personality.
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See It in Action
Describing a calm and unemotional personality
- •She remained phlegmatic even during the stressful meeting.
- •His phlegmatic nature helped him handle problems without panic.
- •The phlegmatic student did not show excitement or fear before the exam.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "phlegmatic" like "calm" or "quiet," but even more steady and not easily moved by emotions
- ✓Picture a calm lake with no waves, smooth and still, no matter what the weather is like around it
- ✓It's the feeling when you stay cool and relaxed, even if others around you are worried or excited
- ✓Sounds like "fleg-MATIC" → imagine a machine (automatic) that always stays steady and never changes speed or mood
- ✓Think of characters in movies who never lose their cool, like a calm detective or a peaceful monk
- ✓NOT like "excited" (shows strong feelings), phlegmatic people keep their feelings inside and do not show them easily
- ✓NOT like "nervous" or "anxious," phlegmatic means relaxed and steady, not worried or tense
- ✓NOT like "cold" (unfriendly), phlegmatic means calm, not unfriendly or mean
Try Other Words
- •Calm: peaceful and quiet (Use when describing general quietness and relaxation)
- •Unemotional: not showing feelings (Use when focusing on lack of visible feelings)
- •Stoic: showing little emotion even in pain or trouble (Use when emphasizing endurance without emotion)
- •Serene: very calm and peaceful (Use when describing a peaceful and relaxed mood)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: From Greek "phlegma" meaning "inflammation" or "mucus," historically linked to a body humor thought to cause calmness
- •Etymology: Comes from ancient Greek medicine where "phlegmatic" described a personality type with slow and steady temperament
- •Historical development: Used since the 1500s to describe people with calm, unemotional temperaments based on old body humor theory
- •Modern usage: Now used to describe calm, steady people who do not show strong emotions easily
Reflect & Connect
•How might being phlegmatic help or make life harder in different situations?
•Can someone be phlegmatic in some moments but not in others? How does this change how people see them?
Fill in the blanks
1.A phlegmatic person usually stays ___ and does not get ___ easily.
2.During the argument, her phlegmatic attitude helped her avoid ___.
3.Unlike an excited or nervous person, a phlegmatic person shows very little ___.
4.When someone is phlegmatic, they often speak in a ___ and steady voice.
5.The phlegmatic student did not ___ when the teacher gave a surprise test.
6.People describe him as phlegmatic because he never ___ or loses control.
7.If someone reacts quickly with strong feelings, they are not phlegmatic but more ___ or emotional.