tameness

/ˈteɪmnəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈteɪmnəs/ (ame, ipa)

tameness — noun

1. the calm, easy behaviour an animal shows near people because it has learned to l

1.名詞C1
釋義

the calm, easy behaviour an animal shows near people because it has learned to live comfortably around humans

例句

Visitors laughed at the goat's tameness when it followed them to the gate.

the tameness of [animal] around people

The deer's tameness worried park staff after children began feeding it.

同義詞
  • docility

    more strongly suggests willingness to obey or be controlled

  • gentleness

    focuses on being soft and kind, not specifically on comfort with people

  • tractability

    often sounds more formal and emphasises being easy to train

反義詞
  • wildness

    the opposite when an animal keeps its fear of people and natural instincts

  • skittishness

    focuses on nervous fear and quick, uneasy movement

文法句型

the tameness of [animal / bird / creature]

tameness around [people / strangers]

用法筆記

Usually used for animals, birds, or other creatures that stay calm near people. It focuses on a lack of fear and comfort with human contact, not simply on being gentle or affectionate.

常見錯誤

❌The dog's tameness means he likes every person.
✅The dog's tameness means he stays calm around people.
💡Tameness is about not fearing people, not necessarily about liking everyone.

2. the dull, overly safe quality something has when it brings little surprise, forc

2.名詞C1
釋義

the dull, overly safe quality something has when it brings little surprise, force, or interest

例句

Critics blamed the sequel's tameness on safe jokes and a weak ending.

criticize [work] for its tameness

Even Omar noticed the tameness of the school debate after the hardest topic was cut.

同義詞
  • blandness

    strongly suggests a lack of flavour, force, or personality

  • mildness

    can be positive in some contexts and is less critical than tameness

  • dullness

    focuses more directly on being boring

反義詞
  • boldness

    the opposite when something takes risks and makes a strong impression

  • intensity

    opposes tameness by suggesting strong energy or force

文法句型

the tameness of [film / show / debate / song]

criticize [something] for its tameness

用法筆記

Often used in reviews or criticism of entertainment, writing, debate, or style. It suggests that something avoids risk so much that it stops feeling lively or memorable.

常見錯誤

❌The lecture's tameness means the facts were simple.
✅The lecture's tameness means it felt dull and too safe.
💡This sense is about a lack of excitement or force, not about how easy the content was.