adjective / verb
tame
TAYM/teɪm/
Brought out of wildness and under control.
The tame rabbit rests on her lap as she gently strokes it.
Etymology
Old English tam described something domesticated or docile. The idea of subdued wildness also developed into a figurative lack of spirit or excitement, giving tame its sense “dull or uninspiring.”
In context
However, properly trained moose can be very tame and trusting.
More examples
- It takes patience to tame a frightened horse.
- This brush helps tame my unruly hair.
- The movie's fight scenes seem tame after that intense opening.
Forms
tame · tames · tamed · taming · tamer · tamest
tameness noun — The state of being gentle and controllable.
Similar words
- domesticated
- Emphasizes adaptation to living with or serving humans.
- docile
- Emphasizes willingness to accept handling or direction without resisting.
- subdue
- Emphasizes bringing something under control, often through force.