Unit 8, 10 / Describing people / Vocab in Use

reserved

Slow to reveal emotions or opinions; not openly demonstrative. Suggests quiet self-control, not necessarily unfriendliness. [neutral]
Collocates: ~ manner, ~ personality, very ~

• He was a ~ man who preferred listening to speaking in large groups.

• Her ~ nature was often mistaken for aloofness.

aloof

Not friendly or forthcoming; emotionally distant and disinterested. Implies a conscious separation from others. [negative]
Collocates: remain ~, ~ attitude, ~ from the crowd

• The manager remained ~ from his team's social activities.

• She gave an ~ nod, then returned to her book.

sullen

Bad-tempered, gloomy, and silent, often after being upset. Implies a resentful, passive-aggressive moodiness. [negative]
Collocates: ~ silence, ~ teenager, ~ expression

• He gave a ~ shrug when asked about his failed exam.

• The child sat in a ~ silence after being reprimanded.

morose

Sullen, gloomy, and ill-tempered. Similar to sullen but suggests a deeper, more habitual sadness or bitterness. [formal]
Collocates: ~ mood, become ~, ~ individual

• His failure left him ~ and withdrawn for weeks.

• The ~ old man rarely spoke to his neighbors.

dour

Relentlessly severe, stern, and gloomy in manner or appearance. Suggresses an unyielding, cheerless severity. [formal]
Collocates: ~ expression, ~ Scot, ~ personality

• The headmaster's ~ demeanor intimidated the students.

• They faced the ~ prospect of another month of hard labour.

taciturn

(Of a person) reserved or uncommunicative in speech; saying little. Focuses specifically on silence. [formal]
Collocates: ~ man, ~ by nature, ~ response

• The ~ farmer offered only a grunt by way of greeting.

• His ~ nature made him a difficult interview subject.

haughty

Arrogantly superior and disdainful. Suggests a pride based on high social status or rank. [negative]
Collocates: ~ tone, ~ aristocrat, ~ look

• She dismissed the idea with a ~ wave of her hand.

• His ~ contempt for "commoners" was offensive.

disdainful

Showing contempt or lack of respect. Focuses on the expression of scorn towards something considered unworthy. [negative]
Collocates: ~ sneer, ~ of popular culture, ~ remark

• He was ~ of their attempts to negotiate.

• She gave a ~ look at the cheap imitation.

conceited

Excessively proud of oneself; vain. Implies an exaggerated sense of one's own abilities or attractiveness. [negative]
Collocates: ~ pop star, unbearably ~

• The ~ actor couldn't pass a mirror without admiring himself.

• He became ~ after his first small success.

self-important

Having an exaggerated sense of one's own importance; pompous. Similar to conceited, but more focused on status and gravitas than appearance. [negative]
Collocates: ~ official, ~ bureaucrat

• The ~ manager loved holding long, unnecessary meetings.

• She spoke in a ~ tone about her minor role in the project.

obliging

Willing to do a service or kindness; helpful. Suggests a friendly and accommodating nature. [positive]
Collocates: ~ assistant, very ~

• The ~ stranger helped us carry our luggage.

• He was always ~, no matter how small the request.

unstinting

Given or giving generously; without restriction. Emphasizes lavish and unwavering generosity. [formal/positive]
Collocates: ~ support, ~ generosity, ~ effort

• She was ~ in her praise for the team's hard work.

• We thank you for your ~ support of this cause

placid

Not easily upset or excited; calm and peaceful. Suggests a tranquil, even-tempered nature. [neutral/positive]
Collocates: ~ temperament, ~ lake, ~ expression

• The ~ cow grazed undisturbed by the noise.

• Her ~ demeanor had a calming effect on everyone.

resolute

Admirably determined, purposeful, and unwavering. Implies firmness in the face of difficulty. [formal/positive]
Collocates: ~ determination, stand ~, ~ refusal

• She remained ~ in her decision to quit.

• The team was ~ in their pursuit of victory.

cunning

Having or showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit or evasion. Cleverness used for trickery. [negative]
Collocates: ~ plan, ~ as a fox, ~ politician

• The thief used a ~ distraction to steal the jewels.

• He was a ~ adversary who was always two steps ahead.

sly

Having a cunning and deceitful nature; operating in a secretive, furtive way. Suggests sneakiness. [negative]
Collocates: ~ grin, ~ look, ~ dog

• He gave a ~ smile, knowing he had gotten away with it.

• That was a ~ trick to play on your brother.

dogged

Having tenacious determination; persistent. Less formal than resolute, often implying stubborn perseverance. [neutral/positive]
Collocates: ~ determination, ~ pursuit, ~ effort

• Through ~ perseverance, she finally finished the marathon.

• His ~ refusal to give up inspired the whole team.

industrious

Diligent and hard-working. Emphasizes constant, productive effort. [formal/positive]
Collocates: ~ worker, ~ student, ~ ants

• The ~ clerk had already processed all the paperwork.

• She was the most ~ person in the office.

astute

Having the ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one's advantage; shrewd. Implies sharp judgment. [formal/positive]
Collocates: ~ observer, ~ businessman, ~ analysis

• The ~ investor sold his shares before the market crashed.

• It was an ~ observation that changed our entire strategy.

shrewd

Having sharp powers of judgment; astute, especially in business or politics. Similar to astute, but can imply a touch of cunning. [neutral/positive]
Collocates: ~ investment, ~ judge of character, ~ move

• She made a ~ deal that secured the company's future.

• He was a ~ politician who rarely made a mistake.

sharp-tongued

Characterized by harsh or critical speech. Prone to speaking in a biting, sarcastic manner. [negative]
Collocates: ~ critic, ~ remark, ~ woman

• The ~ reviewer demolished the author's new novel.

• His ~ comments often hurt people's feelings.

terse

Sparing in the use of words; abrupt. Suggests brevity that may seem rude or impatient. [neutral]
Collocates: ~ reply, ~ message, ~ style

• His ~ "No" ended the discussion.

• She sent a ~ email with just the essential details.

pithy

(Of language or style) concise and forcefully expressive. The positive counterpart to terse. [positive]
Collocates: ~ comment, ~ saying, ~ summary

• The professor was known for his ~ and memorable quotes.

• She concluded her speech with a ~ statement of their goals.

unscrupulous

Having or showing no moral principles; not honest or fair. Willing to do anything to achieve a goal. [strongly negative]
Collocates: ~ businessman, ~ methods, ~ behaviour

• The ~ lawyer used blackmail to win the case.

• They used ~ tactics to drive their competitors out of business.

garrulous

Excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters. Suggests rambling, pointless chatter. [formal]
Collocates: ~ old man, ~ companion, become ~

• The ~ taxi driver talked non-stop throughout the journey.

• He became ~ after a few glasses of wine.

impetuous

Acting or done quickly and without thought or care; impulsive. Suggests rashness driven by emotion. [negative]
Collocates: ~ decision, ~ youth, ~ nature

• She later regretted her ~ decision to resign.

• His ~ actions often got him into trouble.

effusive

Expressing feelings of gratitude, pleasure, or approval in an unrestrained, heartfelt way. Can be positive or suggest a lack of restraint. [neutral]
Collocates: ~ praise, ~ greeting, ~ in thanks

• She was ~ in her thanks for the unexpected gift.

• The critic was ~ in his praise for the film.

obstinate

Stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or chosen course of action, despite attempts to persuade. A more formal synonym for stubborn. [negative]
Collocates: ~ child, ~ refusal, ~ streak

• His ~ refusal to listen to advice led to his downfall.

• The ~ mule wouldn't move an inch.

pushy

Excessively or unpleasantly self-assertive or ambitious; aggressively trying to get what one wants. [informal/negative]
Collocates: ~ parent, ~ salesperson, ~ behaviour

• The ~ reporter shoved a microphone in the actor's face.

• Her ~ attitude made her unpopular with colleagues.

pig-headed

Stupidly obstinate; refusing to change one's mind even when clearly wrong. Stronger and more insulting than obstinate. [informal/negative]
Collocates: ~ refusal, ~ fool, ~ insistence

• Don't be so ~! Just admit you made a mistake.

• His ~ pride prevented him from apologizing.

diffident

Modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence; hesitant to put oneself forward. The opposite of confident. [formal]
Collocates: ~ manner, ~ smile, ~ about speaking

• She was ~ about offering her opinion in the meeting.

• He gave a ~ shrug when complimented on his work.