tantrum

/ˈtæntrəm/ (bre, ipa) · [tˈæntrəm] /ˈtæntrəm/ (ame, ipa) · [tˈæntrəm] /ˈtan-trəm How to pronounce tantrum (audio)/ (ame, mw)

tantrum — noun

  • tantrumsingular
  • tantrumsplural

1. a short burst of angry behavior in which someone shouts, cries, or acts in a chi

1.名詞B2
釋義

a short burst of angry behavior in which someone shouts, cries, or acts in a childish way because they are upset or have been refused something.

例句

When Nora heard the trip was canceled, she threw a tantrum in the kitchen.

collocation: throw a tantrum

After Sahil took away the red tablet, the toddler's tantrum lasted ten minutes.

common trigger: being refused something

同義詞
  • fit

    more informal and often used in the fixed phrase 'have a fit'; it can also mean a seizure in other contexts

  • outburst

    broader and more neutral; it can describe many sudden displays of emotion, not only childish anger

  • meltdown

    often stronger and more dramatic, especially when someone completely loses control under pressure

用法筆記

Most often used in the collocations 'throw a tantrum' and 'have a tantrum'. It can describe adults too, but it suggests childish loss of control rather than ordinary anger.

常見錯誤

❌Nora made a tantrum when her mother said no.
✅Nora threw a tantrum when her mother said no.
💡English usually uses 'throw' or 'have' with 'tantrum', not 'make'.