Describing People: Character and Attitudes

A set of vocabulary flashcards describing human character, intellectual abilities, and attitudes, including notes on positive and negative connotations as well as spoken versus written usage.

Intelligent, bright, talented, gifted, sharp, clever, brainy (colloquial), shrewd, or able

Terms used to describe positive intellectual ability.

Silly, dim, simple, half-witted, foolish, daft, dumb, stupid, or brainless

Terms used to describe a person lacking intellectual ability; the last four are predominantly colloquial.

Cunning, crafty, or sly

Clever in a negative way, using brains to trick or deceive.

Pessimistic

An attitude where one always expects the worst to happen.

Optimistic

An attitude where one looks on the bright side.

Extroverted

A personality trait where a person loves being the focus of attention.

Introverted

A personality trait where a person prefers to be alone with his thoughts.

Tense, wound up, or stressed out

Feeling nervous or under pressure, often after a very busy day at work.

Sensible, practical, or down-to-earth

A characteristic of a person who is realistic and would never do anything stupid.

Sensitive or worked-up (colloquial)

A characteristic of a person who gets very upset if they feel people are criticising them.

Sociable or gregarious (written)

Enjoying others' company.

Quarrelsome or argumentative

Frequently disagreeing with others.

Cruel or sadistic

Taking pleasure in others' pain.

Easy-going, even-tempered, or laid-back (spoken)

Relaxed in attitude to self and others.

Impolite, rude, ill-mannered, or discourteous (written)

Not polite to others.

Honest, trustworthy, reliable, or sincere

Telling the truth to others.

Jealous or envious

Unhappy if others have what one does not have oneself.

Determined vs. Obstinate, stubborn, or pig-headed

A positive association for being firm vs. the negative associations of the same trait.

Thrifty or economical vs. Stingy, mean, tight-fisted, or miserly (written)

Positive associations for being careful with money vs. the negative associations.

Self-assured or confident vs. Self-important, arrogant, or full of oneself (spoken)

Positive associations for believing in oneself vs. the negative associations.

Unconventional or original vs. Eccentric, odd, peculiar, or weird (spoken)

Positive associations for being different vs. the negative associations.

Frank, direct, or open vs. Blunt, abrupt, brusque, or curt

Positive associations for being straightforward vs. the negative associations.

Broad-minded vs. Unprincipled or permissive

Positive association for being tolerant vs. the negative associations.

Enquiring (written) vs. Inquisitive or nosy (spoken)

Positive association for being curious vs. the negative associations.

Generous vs. Extravagant

Positive association for giving vs. the negative association of spending too much.

Innocent vs. Naive

Positive association for being guiltless vs. the negative association of lacking experience.

Ambitious vs. Pushy (spoken)

Positive association for wanting success vs. the negative association.

Assertive vs. Aggressive or bossy (spoken)

Positive association for being firm vs. the negative associations.