Tone Words Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering tone words and their verbatim definitions across five lecture note sources.

Apathetic

Showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern about something

Audacious

being very bold, daring, or willing to take brave risks

Belligerent

hostile, aggressive, and eager to fight or argue, or formally engaged in war

Brash

being overly confident and aggressive in a way that is rude, noisy, or lacking respect for others.

Choleric

Someone who is easily angered, bad-tempered, or quick to display intense irritation.

Disgruntled

feeling or showing unhappiness, annoyance, and dissatisfaction

Facetious

treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor, or saying things that are not meant to be taken seriously

Haughty

being proudfully and scornfully arrogant, acting as if you are better or more important than other people

Indignant

feeling or showing anger because of something unfair, wrong, or insulting

Inflammatory

tending to stir up strong anger and hostility or Causing physical inflammation in the body. Substance.

Superficial

located on the surface or lacking depth, thoroughness, and genuine

Surly

bad-tempered, rude, and unfriendly

Authoritative

trusted, reliable, & backed by expert knowledge or Official power

Benevolent

Kind, generous, showing a desire to help others

Complimentary

expressing praise or given to you for free

Consoling

making someone feel better, or intended to give comfort

Ecstatic

overwhelming happiness

Exuberant

overflowing with lively energy, excitement, and happiness, or growing in extreme abundance

Fanciful

driven by imagination rather than reason, fact, or reality

Jovial

being very cheerful, friendly, and full of hearty good humor

Jubilant

feeling or expressing great joy, happiness, or triumph, Usually because of a success or victory

Lighthearted

free from worry, cheerful, and not overly serious

Vibrant

full of life, energy, and activity

Whimsical

playful, imaginative, & unusually charming or quirky.

Bombastic

speech, writing, or behavior that sounds grand, loud, & important, but actually lacks real meaning, depth, or Substance

Colloquial

words, phrases, or speech that are casual, informal, and better suited for everyday conversation than for formal writing or professional settings.

Connotative

the emotional or cultural feeling that a word carries beyond its exact dictionary definition.

Esoteric

intended for or likely to be understood by only a small group of people with specialized knowledge or interest. niche

Euphemistic

using a polite, mild, or indirect word or expression instead of a harsh, blunt, or offensive one

Grotesque

something that is very ugly, bizarre, or distorted in an unnatural or Shocking way.

Homespun

made at home, simple, plain, unpolished, rustic

Idiomatic

using, containing, or conforming to the natural-sounding expressions, structures, and idioms typical of a specific language

Insipid

lacking flavor, taste, or interesting & Stimulating qualities

Jargon

Specialized words, phrases, or technical terms used by a particular profession, trade, or group that outsiders often find difficult to understand

Learned

Sophisticated, upper language

Moralistic

judging other people's behavior and trying to force your own strict ideas of right and wrong onto them

Obscure

not well-known, difficult to understand, or hidden from view

Obtuse

Slow to understand, lacking mental sharpness, or describing a geometric angle

Pedantic

Overly scholarly, bookish, common/pedestrian, boring

Pretentious

Someone or something trying to appear more important, intelligent, cultured, or impressive than they actually are

Provincial

relating to a province, living outside a capital city, or having a narrow, unsophisticated Outlook. Not progressive

Scholarly

involving or relating to serious, detailed academic Study, research, or expertise

Sensuous

providing pleasure or deep appreciation through the physical senses rather than through the intellect

Trite

idea, Phrase, or expression that is boring, unoriginal, and dull because it is over-used

Droll

amusing, funny, or comical in an odd, whimsical, or understated way, maybe boring

Sardonic

mocking, cynical, or scornful in a dry, witty way

Lugubrious

exaggeratedly mournful, dark, dramatic, dismal

Morose

Sullen, gloomy disposition

Mock-heroic

a piece of literature or art that uses a very grand, Serious Style to poke at a small or silly Subject

Caustic

tone, joke, or comment that is biting, critical, or mean

Contemptuous

feeling/showing a deep lack of respect, disdain, Or Scorn

Cynical

believing that people are motivated purely by self-interest rather than by honor, Sincerity or unselfish motives

Disdainful

Showing a strong dislike or disapproval of Someone something because you think they are inferior

Flippant

lacking proper respect, Seriousness

Insolent

rude, arrogant, & showing a deliberate, insulting lack of respect for authority or others

Mock-serious

pretending to be serious in a joke or playful way

Pompous

too serious & full of Self-importance, behaving as if you are more significant than others

Quizzical

questioning, or slightly amused expression

Ribald

humor, speech, or behavior that refers to sex in a rude, crude, or off-color way, but with a funny or earthy twist

Wry

something clever, Ironic, or dryly humorous as well as a facial expression that is twisted or lopsided

Apprehensive

feeling worried, anxious, or fearful that Something bad or unpleasant may happen in the future

Dejected

feeling sad, unhappy, or without hope, usually because of a disappointment, failure, or loss

Foreboding

Strong inner feeling or sign that something bad, dangerous or evil is going to happen

Grave

extremely serious situation

Melancholy

deep, lasting, & often quiet feeling of sadness or thoughtful reflection

Pessimistic

expecting the worst possible outcome or focusing on the negative

Poignant

evoking a strong, sharp feeling of sadness, pity, or deep emotional reflection

Resigned

you accept an unpleasant situation or fact without complaining because you know you cannot change it

Sober

a serious, calm, or plain quality

Somber

dark, gloomy, or extremely serious & sad.

Staid

Serious, settled, unadventurous

Admonitory

giving a warning, caution, or gentle reprimand Intended to correct someone's behavior

Allusive

making indirect or implied references to something else without mentioning it directly.

Macabre

death as a subject, dwelling on gruesome

Callous

being emotionally hardened, cruel, and showing no Sympathy or care for the suffering of others

Clinical

without emotion, cold, detatched, or plain & simple

Coarse

rough or rude & unrefined in behavior & language

Didactic

something designed or intended to teach, instruct, or convey a moral lesson.

Earnest

being serious, sincere, and deeply focused on a goal or purpose

Fervent

having / showing very strong, sincere, & intense feelings Or beliefs

Forthright

being direct, honest, and clear in speech or behavior without hiding your true thoughts

Frivolous

lacking importance, Seriousness, not deserving of Serious attention

Histrionic

overly dramatic, exaggerated, or theatrical behavior that is often insincere & used to gain attention

Incredulous

being unwilling or unable to believe something is true

Lyrical

writing, art, or speech that expresses deep personal emotions in a beautiful, song-like way.

Obsequious

trying too hard to please or obey someone, Usually an authority figure, in a way that feels fake or Servile.

Wistful

a feeling of vague, sad longing or yearning for Something in the past or for something you cannot have

Zealous

feeling or showing strong, energetic, and passionate for a person, goal, or cause