taming

IPA/teɪm/
KK[tˈemɪŋ]IPA/teɪm/

taming — adjective

  • tamingpositive
  • more tamingcomparative
  • most tamingsuperlative

1. Describes an animal that is comfortable near people and does not try to attack o

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

Describes an animal that is comfortable near people and does not try to attack or run away, usually because it has been trained or raised by humans.

Example

The zoo keeper said the rabbit was very tame and children could pet it gently.

be + tame: describing animal temperament

The bird looked wild, but it was tame and ate seeds from Tuan's hand.

Common collocations
  • tame animal
  • quite tame
  • become tame
  • seem tame
Synonyms
  • domesticated

    more formal; describes animals selectively bred by humans over generations

  • gentle

    focuses on mild temperament, not necessarily the absence of wildness

  • docile

    emphasises willingness to obey or be handled

Antonyms
  • wild

    living in a natural state, not trained or controlled by humans

  • feral

    describes a domestic animal that has returned to a wild state

Grammar Patterns

be + tame

a tame + noun

Usage Note

Often used to contrast a domestic animal with its wild relatives. A tame animal may still have natural instincts, but it has lost its fear of humans.

Common Mistakes

The wild fox was very tame after we fed it for a week.
The wild fox became very tame after we fed it for a week.
'tame' describes a state, not a single action.

2. Describes something that is not exciting, interesting, or intense enough to hold

2.adjectiveB1
Definition

Describes something that is not exciting, interesting, or intense enough to hold your attention or feel worthwhile.

Example

Charlotte found the movie so tame that she fell asleep halfway through it.

so + tame + that-clause: emphasising lack of excitement

After the action films we watched last week, the documentary felt a bit tame.

Common collocations
  • a bit tame
  • quite tame
  • rather tame
  • feel tame
Synonyms
  • boring

    stronger and more direct; 'tame' is softer

  • dull

    similar in register, but suggests lack of brightness or sharpness

  • mild

    less negative; can be neutral

  • unexciting

    more neutral; simply states the absence of excitement

Antonyms
  • exciting

    full of interest and energy

  • thrilling

    even stronger; causing intense excitement

  • wild

    informal use meaning very exciting or extreme

Grammar Patterns

be + tame

a tame + noun

too + tame

Usage Note

Common in informal conversation when comparing expectations to reality. Often used with 'too', 'quite', 'a bit', 'surprisingly'.

Common Mistakes

The lecture was tame and I learned a lot.
The lecture was tame, so I lost interest quickly.
'tame' has a negative meaning; it does not mean 'calm and productive.'

taming — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/2

These four verbs all involve managing something powerful, but they differ in tone and scope. 'Tame' is the most vivid metaphor — it pictures a wild creature being brought under human authority, so it works best when the thing being managed feels alive or untamed (a temper, a river, a market). 'Control' is the most neutral and general: you can control anything from a car to a crowd. 'Subdue' is stronger, implying force or resistance, and often suggests the target is dangerous or hostile (subdue a rebellion, subdue an attacker). 'Harness' is more positive and productive, focusing on capturing energy for useful work (harness the wind, harness solar power). For everyday situations like managing emotions or costs, 'tame' and 'control' are most natural. Example: 'She worked hard to tame her fear of public speaking.' Compare: 'The government hopes to tame inflation with new policies.'

tame ↗control ↗subdue ↗harness ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

  • fully tamed
  • easily tamed
  • partially tamed
  • slowly tamed

Phrases

  • tame the beast
  • tame the wild
  • tame one's nerves
  • tame the market

Prepositions

  • tame for
  • tame into
  • tame with

Etymology

Old EnglishGermanicEnglish

The word comes from Old English 'tam' (adjective), which traces back to a Germanic root meaning 'domesticated' or 'household'. This root also gave rise to words like 'domestic' in Latin and 'to build' in Sanskrit. The verb form developed naturally from the adjective, first recorded around the 1200s meaning 'to make a wild animal gentle'. By the 1600s, people were using it metaphorically for controlling powerful forces or emotions, and later for cultivating land.

First known use

12th century

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Verb