English vocabulary · B2
Tantrum
/ˈtæn.trəm/ · n.
It means a sudden burst of anger where someone cries, screams, or refuses to calm down.
Continue in the learning app for video lessons and review.
Example sentences
- The child had a tantrum and threw his food.
- She threw a tantrum when the store closed early.
Synonyms and nuances
- OUTBURST — sudden expression of feeling (Sudden & Sharp)
- MELTDOWN — complete emotional collapse (Total Loss of Control)
- FIT — brief angry reaction (Casual & Short)
Similar words
- outburst
- meltdown
- fit
Lesson notes
Tantrum. It means a sudden burst of anger where someone cries, screams, or refuses to calm down.
Similar words are outburst, meltdown, and fit. Use tantrum when someone loses control over something small.
The child had a tantrum and threw his food. She threw a tantrum when the store closed early.
Tantrum has no known origin. It first appeared in English around 1748. No one knows where it came from — but everyone knows what it feels like.