AP English Language Tone Words

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering tone descriptors, analytical diction, and rhetorical definitions for AP English Language.

Exculpatory

acting to clear of blame or guilt.

Exhortatory

advising, urging, or earnestly.

Facetious

not meant to be taken seriously or literally; sarcastic.

Farcical

ludicrous; absurd; humorous and highly improbable.

Foppish

of or characterized by vanity; dandified.

Insipid

without distinctive or interesting qualities; vapid

Nonplussed

puzzled, perplexed, or confused.

Obsequious

overly obedient or submissive.

Penitent

feeling or expressing sorrow wrongdoing or sin; repentant; contrite.

Recalcitrant

resisting authority or control; not obedient or compliant; refractory.

Risible

causing or capable of causing laughter; laughable; ludicrous.

Capricious

flighty; led by whims; erratic.

Conciliatory

to overcome the distrust or animosity of; appease.

Curt

rudely brief in speech or abrupt; brief; concise; terse; laconic.

Diffident

lacking confidence in one's own ability, or worth; timid; shy.

Oratorical

given to making speeches; pertaining to speech-like quality.

Pedantic

ostentatious in one's learning; overly concerned with minute details, esp. in teaching.

Colloquial

characteristic of conversation ratheR

than formal speech or writing; also informal.

Didactic

intended for instruction; instructive. proceeding in a straight line or by

Erudite

characterized by great knowledge;

learned or scholarly.

Wistful

characterized by melancholy; longing; yearning; pensive.

Absurd

ridiculous; silly.

Affectation

Speech or writing that is artificial

Bemused

bewildered, confused, lost in thought; preoccupied

Reticent

disposed to be silent or not to speak freely, reserved; restrained.

Solemn

grave, sober, or mirthless, as a person, the face, speech, tone, or mood.

Stately

imposing in elegance.

Stolid

not easily stirred or moved mentally;

unemotional.

Terse

neatly or effectively concise; brief and pithy, as language.