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Added 9 October 2026

moderate

/ˈmɒdəɹət/ noun

In Latin: modicus, modestus Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about moderate at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A person who takes a position in the political center.

verb

Preside over.
John moderated the discussion
Make less fast or intense.
moderate your speed
Lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits.
moderate your alcohol intake

adjective

Being within reasonable or average limits; not excessive or extreme.
moderate prices
Not extreme.
a moderate penalty
Marked by avoidance of extravagance or extremes.
moderate in his demands

Origin

From Middle English moderat(e) (“moderate, temperate”), borrowed from Latin moderātus, perfect active participle of moderor (“to regulate, to restrain, to moderate”) (see -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), from moder-, modes-, a stem appearing also in modestus (“moderate, discreet, modest”), from modus (“a measure”); see mode and modest. Doublet of moderato. Displaced native Old English ġemetlīċ (“moderate”) and metegian (“to moderate”). Cognate with French modéré.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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