CAMBRIDGE ADVANCED VOCABULARY FOR IELTS

UNIT 1

clumsy

A clumsy person often has accidents because they do not behave in a careful, controlled way

awkward in movement or manner

not skilful in the way you deal with or express something

apprehensive

feeling worried about something that you are going to do or that is going to happen

I'm very apprehensive about tomorrow's meeting.

I've invited a lot of people to the party, but I'm a little apprehensive that no one will come.

assertive

Someone who is assertive behaves confidently and is not frightened to say what they want or believe

adolescent

used to describe an adult or an adult's behaviour that is silly and like a child's

cynical

believing that people are only interested in themselves and are not sincere

used to say that someone's feelings or emotions are used to your own advantage

cynical view

cynical about

desirable

sexually attractive

eccentric

strange or unusual, sometimes in a humorous way

a person who is—-

egotistical

thinking only about yourself and considering yourself better and more important than other people

gullible

easily deceived or tricked, and too willing to believe everything that other people say

idealized

involving thinking of or representing someone or something as better than that person or thing really is

inconsiderate

not thinking or worrying about other people or their feelings

self-assured

confident

self-absorbed

self-centered

only interested in yourself and your own activities

self-congratulatory

praising yourself or saying how well you have done something

self-deprecating

trying to make yourself, your abilities, or your achievements seem less important:

a self-deprecating manner/remark

self-deprecating humour/jokes

self-important

believing that you are more important or have a higher value than other people:

He never comes across as pompous or self-important.

I look at these very serious, self-important people, and I just don't want to be like that.

tactful

careful not to say or do anything that could upset someone:

Mentioning his baldness wasn't very tactful.

well adjusted

A well adjusted person is reasonable and has good judgment and their behaviour is not difficult or strange:

[ before noun ] a quiet, well-adjusted man

well bred

coming from a family that has a high social position:

[ before noun ] a well-bred young English woman

speaking or behaving in a way that is generally considered correct and polite

well brought up

People, especially children, who are well brought up are polite and act in a quiet and pleasant way, because they have been taught this behaviour at home:

Despite the family's problems, the children were well brought up.

well liked

A person who is well liked is popular:

She is an excellent student and well liked by her peers.

much-liked [ before noun ] She is a much-liked and respected figure.

self-conscious

nervous or uncomfortable because you are worried about what people think about you or your actions:

self-reliant

not needing help or support from other people:

Single parents have to be self-reliant and inventive.

inventive

very good at thinking of new and original ideas

out of character

completely different or differently from the way someone usually behaves, or from the particular qualities that a person, place, etc. has

It would be very out of character of her to lie.