IB English Useful Vocabulary for Paper 1 and 2

hollow

Empty, void

Without significance or value- meaningless

allusive

having reference to something implied or inferred; containing, abounding in, or characterized by allusions.

restrained

controlled, restricted

poignant

Deeply moving; strongly affecting the emotions- touching, moving, sad

detached

Impartial, disinterested; unconcerned, distant, aloof

audacious

(adj.) bold, adventurous, recklessly daring

somber

(adj.) dark, gloomy; depressed or melancholy in spiri

giddy

(adj.) dizzy; light-headed; lacking seriousness

sentimental

of or prompted by feelings of tenderness, sadness, or nostalgia

emotional, nostalgic

fanciful

Over-imaginative and unrealistic

highly ornamental or imaginative in design.

complimentary

expressing a compliment; praising or approving

flattering, appreciative

condescending

patronizing, supercilious, superior, snobbish, snobby, scornful, disdainful, lofty, lordly, haughty, imperious;

contemptuous

scornful, disdainful, disrespectful, insulting, insolent, full of contempt; derisory, derisive, mocking, sneering, jeering, scoffing, taunting, withering, scathing, snide; condescending, supercilious, arrogant

nostalgic

Longing for the past-wistful, evocative, longing/yearning/pining for the past, romantic, sentimental, emotional about the past, regretful, dewy-eyed, maudlin, homesick

zealous

Extremely active, eager, devoted

irreverent

(adj.) disrespectful

candid

(adj.) frank, sincere; impartial; unpose

satiric

(adj.) mocking

whimsical

lightly acting in a fanciful or capricious manner; unpredictable

learned

having acquired much knowledge through study- scholarly, erudite, well educated, knowledgeable, well read, intellectual, intelligent, clever, academic, literary, bookish, highbrow, studious, sage, wise, sagacious, discerning, donnish, cerebral, enlightened, illuminated, sophisticated, pedantic;

mock-heroic

A purposefully done over-imitation of something heroic

objective

Based on real facts and not influenced by personal beliefs or feelings

diffident

(adj.) shy, lacking self-confidence; modest, reserved

petty

(informal terms) small and of little importance

elegiac

Expressing sorrow or lamentation

disdainful

Full of bitter scorn and pride; aloof

lugubrious

sorrowful; mournful; dismal

pedantic

excessively concerned with minor details or rules; overscrupulous

indignant

(adj.) filled with resentment or anger over something unjust, unworthy, or mean

flippant

Humorous in a disrespectful, casual way; rudely witty

patronizing

Condescending, humilating

facetious

Humorous; playfully joking, flippant, jocular

clinical

very efficient and without feeling; coldly detached.

mock-serious

jokingly serious

inflammatory

(adj.) causing excitement or anger; leading to violence or disorder

benevolent

(adj.) kindly, charitable

burlesque

a ludicrous, mocking, lewd imitation

incisive

(adj.) sharp, keen, penetrating (with a suggestion of decisiveness and effectiveness)

scornful

Feeling or expressing contempt or derision

effusive

Emotionally excessive; overly demonstrative

colloquial

Characteristic of ordinary conversation rather than formal speech or writing

compassionate

Feeling or showing sympathy and concern for others.

impartial

unbiased; neutral

insipid

Dull

pretentious

(adj.) done for show, striving to make a big impression; claiming merit or position unjustifiably; making demands on one's skill or abilities, ambitious

vibrant

Lively; full of vitality

moralistic

characterized by or displaying a concern with morality; didactic, overly instructive

taunting

reproaching in scornful or sarcastic language; jeering; mocking

turgid

Pompous;

sardonic

cynical; scornfully mocking

contentious

argumentative; quarrelsome; causing controversy or disagreement

insolent

Boldly disrespectful

jargon

(noun) specialized technical terminology; a characteristic language of a particular group

vulgar

Crude; indecent

scholarly

Intellectual, academic

esoteric

known or understood only by a few

connotative

The ideas or concepts a word suggests in addition to its literal definition

literal

Exactly true, rather than figurative or metaphorical

artificial

insincere or affected

euphemistic

substituting a mild, indirect, or vague term for one considered harsh, blunt, or offensive.

sensuous

Appealing to the senses

figurative

departing from a literal use of words; metaphorical

bombastic

pompous in speech and manner

abstruse

Difficult to understand

grotesque

(adj.) unnatural, distorted; bizarre

concrete

existing in a material or physical form; not abstract- tangible, tactile

idiomatic

characteristic of a particular language

cultured

Educated, polished, and refined

picturesque

1. visually very appealing or impressive, often by virtue of quaintness or unusualness or through seeming fit for a painting or photograph

homespun

Simple and unsophisticated

provincial

unsophisticated, narrow-minded, parochial, small-town, suburban, insular, parish-pump, inward-looking, limited, restricted, localist, conservative, narrow;

small-minded, petty, blinkered, illiberal, inflexible, bigoted, prejudiced, intolerant;

trite

(adj) commonplace; overused, stale

obscure

Difficult to see, vague

awe

A feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder

veneration

Profound Respect

solemn

Not cheerful or smiling; serious; gloomy

reverence

A feeling or attitude of deep respect

sanguine

ruddy; cheerfully optimistic

mirth

Gladness and gaiety; great merriment.

relish

(n.) enjoyment or satisfaction; something that adds a pleasing flavor; (v.) to enjoy greatly

bliss

Extreme happiness

despondent

Downhearted; hopeless; overwhelmed with sadness

dismal

Causing gloom or depression

funereal

sad; solemn; suitable for a funeral

saturnine

gloomy, dark, sullen, morose

dejection

Lowness in spirits; sadness; depression

morose

(adj) having a gloomy or sullen manner; not friendly or sociable

bleak

Depressing, discouraging, harsh, cold, barren, raw

remorse

Deep and painful regret for wrongdoing

guilt

agony

Great pain of mind or body; suffering

anguish

(n.) great mental suffering, distress, or pain; (v.) to be deeply tormented by pain or sorrow

barren

too poor to produce much or any vegetation.

showing no results or achievements; unproductive.

bleak and lifeless

affection

A fond or tender feeling

cherish

be fond of, love, adore

fondness

affinity

romantic

conducive to or characterized by the expression of love

platonic

intimate and affectionate but not sexual

adoration

(noun) admiration

passion

Fervor, ardor

lust

have a strong desire for something