Adjectives and Nouns in English

Flashcards containing important adjectives and nouns, categorized by connotation.

blunt

they say what they really think, even if what they say is impolite and will hurt or offend someone.

brash

they are annoyingly loud, overconfident and aggressive.

calculating

they get what they want by careful and clever planning, without caring about anyone else.

callous

they are cruel and heartless.

cantankerous

they are bad-tempered and tend to argue with people about insignificant things.

cheerful

they are happy and in a good mood.

curt

they are very abrupt (and rude, as a result) when they talk to another person.

fickle

they are not faithful or loyal to their friends.

inquisitive

they are always trying to find out about other people's lives.

meticulous

they are very careful about what they do, paying attention to small details.

persistent

they refuse to give up, despite difficulties or opposition.

reckless

they do dangerous things without thinking about the consequences of their actions.

ruthless

they are cruel and cold and have no mercy or feelings for others.

squeamish

they do not like the sight of, and are usually upset by, unpleasant things such as blood or needles.

sullen

they are bad-tempered and do not speak much.

unscrupulous

they are prepared to act in an immoral and dishonest way to get what they want.

volatile

they lose their temper very quickly and very easily.

withdrawn

they are very quiet and do not like talking to others.

glossy

Shiny and in good condition.

greasy

Dirty and oily.

lacklustre

Lacking life and without shine.

lank

Thin, straight and unattractive.

permed

That has been made curly by means of a chemical treatment.

tangled

Very untidy and full of knots.

unkempt

Very untidy, hasn’t been combed and probably needs to be cut.

chubby

Fat but in a pleasant, healthy way.

flabby

Having loose fat where there should be muscle.

plump

Pleasantly fat.

tubby

Short and a little fat.

bony

Very thin, so that all you can see is flesh-covered bone.

frail

Thin and very weak.

lanky

Unattractively tall and thin.

puny

Weak, thin and without muscles.

scrawny

Unattractively thin and weak-looking.

skinny

Very thin.

burly

Strong and heavy.

stocky

Short, heavy and strong.

strapping

Big, tall and strong.

an all-rounder

Sb who is good at everything.

a bystander

Sb standing near sth when it happens.

a daredevil

Sb who gets a thrill out of taking unnecessary risks.

a gatecrasher

Sb who goes to a party that he/she has not been invited to.

a has-been

Sb who is no longer famous or important.

a minor

Sb who is under the age of full legal responsibility.

a name-dropper

Sb who likes mentioning the names of famous people they know.

an opportunist

Sb who takes advantage of any situation to get on.

a smart alec

Sb who always knows the right answer to the extent that others find it annoying.

a snob

A middle or upper-class person who thinks they are better than those from a lower class.

a spoilsport

Sb who ruins the fun and enjoyment of others.

a squatter

Sb who lives in an empty building without permission.

a tomboy

A young girl who enjoys doing the same things as boys.

a troublemaker

Sb who causes trouble.

a wimp

A weak and pathetic person.

a yuppy

A young professional person who earns a lot of money.

conceited

Far too proud of one's abilities, achievements.

crafty

Good at getting what one wants by means of clever planning or deceiving others.

easy-going

Sb who is not easily annoyed, worried or upset.

gullible

Sb who will believe anything you tell them.

highly-strung

Sb who is very nervous, and easily gets upset or angry.

impulsive

Sb who has a tendency to do things suddenly without thinking about them carefully.

modest

Sb who does not like talking about their abilities.

outgoing

Sb who likes to meet and talk to new people.

petty

Sb who gives too much importance to insignificant things.

reserved

Sb who does not show their feelings or share their opinions.

sensible

Sb who has common sense.

sensitive

Sb who is easily offended or hurt by other people's comments.

spiteful

Deliberately cruel.

stubborn

Sb who is determined not to change their mind even when they know they are wrong.

sympathetic

Sb who will try to understand sb else's problems and give them help.

tactful

Careful not to offend or upset sb else.

vain

Having extreme pride in one's own beauty, intelligence, etc.

vindictive

Sb who never forgets that they have been harmed and seeks revenge.