Meaning of tame in English
Table of contents
Pronunciation
/teɪm/US accent
UK accent
to browse different examples of pronunciation.Verb
tameDefinitions
1. correct by punishment or discipline- 2. make less strong or intense
Examples
- « soften »
- « Tone down that aggressive letter »
- « The author finally tamed some of his potentially offensive statements »
Derived terms
- 3. adapt (a wild plant or unclaimed land) to the environment
Examples
- « domesticate oats »
- « tame the soil »
Derived terms
- 4. overcome the wildness of
Examples
- « make docile and tractable »
- « He tames lions for the circus »
- « reclaim falcons »
Derived terms
- 5. make fit for cultivation, domestic life, and service to humans
Examples
- « The horse was domesticated a long time ago »
- « The wolf was tamed and evolved into the house dog »
Classifying Adjective
tameDefinitions
1. flat and uninspiringSynonyms
- 2. very docile
Examples
- « tame obedience »
- « meek as a mouse- Langston Hughes »
Synonyms
Qualitative Adjective
tameEtymology
Old English tam (adjective), temmian (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch tam and German zahm, from an Indo-European root shared by Latin domare and Greek daman‘tame, subdue’Definitions
1. very restrained or quietExamples
- « a tame Christmas party »
- « she was one of the tamest and most abject creatures imaginable with no will or power to act but as directed »
Synonyms
Antonyms
- 2. brought from wildness into a domesticated state
Examples
- « tame animals »
- « fields of tame blueberries »
Synonyms
Antonyms
Famous quotes
- « I had a very famous trainer tell me once, 'You can usually train a wild animal but never tame a wild animal, ever.' They are always going to be wild, no matter what anybody says. » Jack Hanna
- « Three things have been difficult to tame: the oceans, fools and women. We may soon be able to tame the oceans fools and women will take a little longer. » Spiro T. Agnew