AP Lang Adj Terms

Acquiescent

agreeing, but not really thrilled about it

Anecdotal

telling a story

Allusive

referring to literary works, history, etc.

Apprehensive

nervous

Bemused

stupefied, bewildered, dazed, engrossed, deep in thought, absorbed

Complacent

Satisfied, smug

Contentious

Quarrelsome

Depraved

marked by corruption or evil, perverted

Didactic

designed or intended to teach; instructive

Droll

humorously odd, charmingly amusing, comical

Ephemeral

lasting a very short time, transient

Erudite

educated, scholarly, learned, possessing or displaying knowledge acquired chiefly from books

Exultant

jubilant, triumphant, elated, filled with great joy

Grotesque

ludicrously eccentric or strange, bizarre, departing markedly from the natural

Haughty

blatantly and disdainfully proud

Inimical

unfriendly, hostile

Lofty

elevated in character and spirit, noble, impressively high

Lugubrious

very sad, mournful, dirge like, lamenting

Narcissistic

in love with one's self, egocentric

Oratorical

showy in style

Pedagogical

relating to or befitting a teacher or education

Pedantic

too narrowly concerned with learned matters; bookish

Philosophical

calm or unflinching in face of trouble, defeat, or loss

Righteous

morally correct or virtuous

Sanguine

cheerful, optimistic

Sardonic

sarcastic, sneering and ironical

Scornful

contemptuous

Solicitous

showing care or concern for another's welfare

Tempered

characterized by moderation or restraint

Whimsical

fanciful, often with a touch of humor, capricious