Word
temptation
Phoneticstemp·ta·tion, stress on the second syllable
US/tɛmˈteɪʃən/
UK/tɛmptˈeɪʃən/
Definitions
01the desire to do something wrong
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the feeling of wanting to do something that you know is bad, wrong, or unhealthy.
n. the psychological state of being enticed toward a course of action that is typically unwise, immoral, or prohibited.
“He felt a strong temptation to check his phone during the quiet movie.”
“Despite his commitment to the diet, the temptation to indulge in the dessert buffet proved nearly impossible to resist.”
Usage
Often followed by an infinitive ('to do') or the preposition 'of'.
Pitfall
I had the temptation for eating the cake.
I had the temptation to eat the cake.
Use 'temptation to' followed by a verb, or 'temptation of' followed by a noun.
Antonyms
02an attractive thing
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. something that is very attractive and makes you want it, even if you should not have it.
n. an external object, person, or situation that serves as an inducement or enticement.
“The bright toys in the shop window were a great temptation for the children.”
“For a young professional in the city, the vibrant nightlife represents a constant temptation to overspend on socialising.”
Teaching tip
In this sense, the word is usually countable and can be used with 'a' or in the plural.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“When you get reviewed, and the reviewer doesn’t like what you do, there’s this temptation to write the sort of show that the reviewer would like.” “I really wanted a wildflower meadow and all advice was to seed it, but I resisted the temptation, as I have always been interested in nature's ability to recover itself.” Etymology
From Old French temptacion, from Latin temptatio. Morphologically tempt + -ation.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
In Music
Cover shown under fair use for identification and commentary.
Temptation · 1982 · New wave
- Artist:
- New Order
Released in 1982, this New Order track marks a shift toward a more dance-oriented sound. The title refers to the internal desire to act on one's feelings during the emotional aftermath of a breakup. It captures the struggle of resisting an impulse that the narrator knows might be better to avoid.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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