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Tame - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Tame means to domesticate or make an animal gentle and obedient. It can also describe something dull or lacking excitement, like a tame party or a tame story.

tame

/teɪm/ /teɪm/

Definition:

Domesticated or trained to be obedient, gentle, or manageable.

Synonyms:

domesticated, docile, subdued, gentle

Part of Speech:

adjective, verb

Antonyms:

wild, untamed

Common Collocations:

tame animal, tame behavior, tame environment

Derivatives:

tameness, tamer

Usage Tips:

Use "tame" for animals or behavior that is controlled or not wild; avoid for inanimate objects unless metaphorical.

Common Phrases:

tame the beast, tame the wilderness, tame one's temper

Etymology:

From Old English "tam," meaning domesticated or subdued; related to German "zahm."

Examples:

  • 1. The zookeeper worked hard to tame the lion cub.
  • 2. She managed to tame her unruly hair with a new product.
  • 3. The once wild garden is now tame and orderly.
  • 4. His temper was difficult to tame during arguments.

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