Tone Words List #1 with Definitions

Question-and-answer style flashcards covering Tone Words from AP English Language and Composition notes (List #1, 30 words).

What does Abject mean?

sunk to or existing in a low state or condition; showing resignation or hopelessness; Servile or spiritless.

What does Acerbic mean?

harsh or severe, as of temper or expression; sour or acidic.

What does Acrimonious mean?

caustic, biting, or rancorous especially in feeling, language, or manner; bitter or sharp.

What does Admonitory mean?

serving to warn; cautionary.

What does Affronted mean?

personally offended, particularly by perceived rudeness or disrespect.

What does Aloof mean?

at a distance, especially in feeling or interest; apart; remote.

What does Amiable mean?

having or showing pleasant, good-natured personal qualities; affable; friendly; sociable.

What does Apathetic mean?

having or showing little or no feeling or emotion; not interested or concerned; indifferent.

What does Apprehensive mean?

Anxious or fearful about the future; uneasy.

What does Avid mean?

characterized by enthusiasm and vigorous pursuit; showing great enthusiasm or interest.

What does Awed mean?

filled with or expressing reverence, respect, dread, and wonder inspired by authority, genius, great beauty, sublimity, or might.

What does Blithe mean?

Carefree and lighthearted; lacking or showing a lack of due concern; casual.

What does Bombastic mean?

high-sounding; high-flown; inflated; pretentious.

What does Buoyant mean?

tending to float; tending to float.

What does Captious mean?

marked by an often ill-natured inclination to stress trivial faults and raise objections.

What does Caustic mean?

Corrosive and bitingly trenchant; cutting; Capable of burning, corroding, dissolving, or eating away by chemical action.

What does Chagrined mean?

A keen feeling of mental unease, as of annoyance or embarrassment, caused by failure, disappointment, or a disconcerting event.

What does Chary mean?

Very cautious; wary; not giving or expending freely; sparing.

What does Circumspect mean?

Heedful of circumstances and potential consequences.

What does Composed mean?

free from agitation: calm; serenely self-possessed.

What does Conciliatory mean?

intended or likely to placate, pacify, or appease.

What does Courteous mean?

polite and respectful; well-mannered.

What does Cynical mean?

distrusting or disparaging the motives of others; believing or showing the belief that people are motivated chiefly by base or selfish concerns.

What does Deferential mean?

polite and showing respect; giving way to the opinions and preferences of other.

What does Derogatory mean?

showing strong disapproval and not showing respect; making something or someone feel less than they are; belittling.

What does Derisive mean?

Mocking or jeering in a contemptuous manner.

What does Didactic mean?

designed to teach; intended to convey information; morally instructive.

What does Diffident mean?

hesitant in acting or speaking, especially from a lack of self-confidence; shy; timid; reserved; unassertive.

What does Disconsolate mean?

Seeming beyond hope; extremely dejected; cheerless; gloomy.

What does Disgruntled mean?

Unhappy or discontented; ill-humored.