AP Tone Word Study Chart

Vocabulary flashcards covering literary and rhetorical tone words and their meanings based on the AP Tone Word Study Chart.

bantering

Playful, lighthearted, witty

audacious

Bold, daring, pushing boundaries

facetious

Treating a situation unseriously, lighthearted, silly

self-deprecating

Humorous statements about yourself

pompous

Someone or showing an exaggerated sense of self-important

irreverant

Showing a lack of seriousness towards people or rules that are typically held in high regard

grim

Describing something gloomy, unpleasant, or serious

elegiac

Expressing sorrow, sadness, or a nostalgic longing for a person, time, or thing that is past

exuberant

Filled with high spirits, excitement, and spirits

Objective

Neutral style of writing completely free of opinions and biases

colloquial

Informal or casual language

cavalier

Showing a lack of concern towards matter or feelings, dismissive, careless

Reflective

Thinking deeply in a quiet way, deep thinking usually about the past

laudatory

Expressing containing or giving praise, applause

clinical

Direct observation, purely neutral, emotionless

grave

Situation that is serious, important, sometimes dangerous

earnest

Intense and serious, sincere conviction, genuine and honest, authentic

haughty

Superior, proud, thinking your better than someone

sardonic

Skeptical, humorous, mocking, sarcastic

cynical

Selfish, dishonest, motivated by their own interests

fervent

Showing sincere emotions, deep enthusiasm, steady warmth

Condescending

Acting or speaking in a way that shows you believe you are more intelligent and better

didactic

Intended to teach or instruct a lesson which is often a moral one (usually negative)

pensive

Engaged in involving or reflecting a deep quiet thought

effusive

Expressing a lot of emotion, enthusiasm

erudite

Having or showing great knowledge through study and reading scholarly

contemplative

Someone or something involving deep thought

resigned

Having an accepting attitude

bitter

Feeling angry cause if unfair treatment

inflammatory

Inciting anger or violence

Insolent

Being rude, impolite. Showing lack of respect

awestruck

Being filled with a powerful feeling of admiration, respect, or wonder

Reverent

Feeling deep respect or admiration for someone or something

wistful

Feeling or showing sad longing for something in the past you cannot have

solemn

Formal serious and dignified mark, funerals etc

Indignant

Feeling of showing anger and surprise because of something you think is unfair

Forthright

Being completely honest, direct, straightforward

matter-of-fact

Being direct, straightforward, and without emotion

Urgent

Very important and needing attention

disdainful

Showing a strong dislike, scornful, contemp

Apathetic

Showing very little interest in something they should care about

Defiant

Someone who proudly refuses to listen to authority

Derisive

malicious, mean, mockery

Patronizing

acting or speaking to someone fake kindness while secretly feeling superior

callous

lacking sympathy, uncaring

caustic

bitter harshly speaking or writing meant to shame someone

zealous

showing intense enthusiasm, eagerness, and passion

sincere

honest, genuine, and showing what you truly think