style words tone

abstract

existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence

colloquial

informal language used in ordinary conversation

concrete

existing in a material or physical form; real or solid; not abstract

connotative

suggesting an idea or feeling in addition to the literal or primary meaning

conversational

appropriate to an informal conversation

denotative

having the power of explicitly denoting or designating or naming

detached

showing lack of emotional involvement

emotional

pertaining to or involving emotion or the emotions

esoteric

intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest

euphemistic

using or of the nature of a euphemism; inoffensive expression substituted for an offensive one

exact

strictly accurate or correct

factual

concerned with what is actually the case rather than interpretations of or reactions to it

formal

following or according with established form, custom, or rule

grotesque

distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous

idiomatic

using, containing, or denoting expressions that are natural to a native speaker

informal

having a relaxed, friendly, or unofficial style, manner, or nature

insipid

lacking flavor; weak or tasteless

jargon

special words or expressions used by a profession or group that are difficult for others to understand

Latinate

relating to, or derived from Latin

learned

having much knowledge; scholarly; erudite

moralistic

characterized by or displaying a concern with morality

obscure

not discovered or known about; uncertain

pedantic

over correcting minor errors

persuasive

capable of convincing

picturesque

visually attractive, especially in a quaint or pretty style

plain

easily understood; clear and simple

poetic

relating to or characteristic of poetry

precise

marked by exactness and accuracy of expression or detail

scholarly

concerned with academic learning or research

scientific

based on or characterized by the methods and principles of science

sharp

having an edge or point that is able to cut or pierce something

simple

easily understood or done; presenting no difficulty

slang

a type of language consisting of words and phrases that are regarded as very informal

straightforward

uncomplicated and easy to do or understand

vulgar

lacking sophistication or good taste; unrefined

Clarity

the quality of being coherent and intelligible

explicit

stated clearly and in detail, leaving no room for confusion or doubt

lucid

expressed clearly; easy to understand

palpable

able to be touched or felt

Obscurity

the state of being unknown, inconspicuous, or unimportant

convoluted

extremely complex and difficult to follow

vague

of uncertain, indefinite, or unclear character or meaning

Conformity

compliance with standards, rules, or laws

commonplace

not unusual; ordinary

exemplary

serving as a desirable model; representing the best of its kind

ordinary

with no special or distinctive features; normal

Unconformity

absence of compliance with standards, rules, or laws

bizarre

very strange or unusual

extraordinary

very unusual or remarkable

singular

exceptionally good or great; remarkable

Plainness

the quality of being simple or ordinary

commonplace

not unusual; ordinary

idyllic

extremely happy, peaceful, or picturesque

mundane

lacking interest or excitement; dull

pastoral

relating to the countryside or to the lives of people who live in the country

prosaic

dull, unimaginative

severe

of a strict or stern bearing or manner

unvarnished

not covered with a glossy finish; plain and straightforward

Embellishment

a decorative detail or feature added to something to make it more attractive

bombastic

high-sounding but with little meaning; inflated

decorous

in keeping with good taste and propriety; polite and restrained

florid

elaborately or excessively intricate or complicated

flowery

full of elaborate or literary words and phrases

gothic

relating to the style of architecture prevalent in western Europe in the 12th-16th centuries

ornate

made in an intricate shape or decorated with complex patterns

poetic

relating to or characteristic of poetry

Elegance

the quality of being graceful and stylish in appearance or manner

classic

judged over a period of time to be of the highest quality and outstanding of its kind

graceful

having or showing grace or elegance

polished

elegantly developed or presented; refined and sophisticated

symmetrical

made up of exactly similar parts facing each other or around an axis; showing symmetry

urbane

having worldly experience, well learned

Inelegance

lack of elegance or refinement

graceless

lacking grace or elegance

informal

having a relaxed, friendly, or unofficial style, manner, or nature

labored

done with great effort and difficulty

ponderous

slow, dull, boring, serious

tasteless

lacking in aesthetic quality or capacity

vulgar

lacking sophistication or good taste; unrefined

Conciseness

the quality of being brief and to the point

brief

of short duration; not lasting for long

laconic

using very few words to express complex ideas

pithy

brief, forceful, and meaningful in expression

succinct

briefly and clearly expressed

taciturn

reserved or uncommunicative in speech; saying little

terse

sparing in the use of words; abrupt

Diffuseness

the quality of being long-winded or wordy

convoluted

extremely complex and difficult to follow

hyperbolic

exaggerated; enlarged beyond truth or reasonableness

loquacious

tending to talk a great deal; talkative

protracted

lasting for a long time or longer than expected or usual

rambling

lengthy and confused or inconsequential

tangential

hardly touching a matter; peripheral

ponderous

slow and clumsy because of great weight

verbose

using or expressed in more words than are needed

wordy

using or expressed in more words than are needed

Vigor

physical strength and good health

forcible

done by force

graphic

described in a very clear and detailed way

impassioned

filled with or showing great emotion