Vocab In Use Unit 8-31

opportunistic

using situations for own benefit

methodical

systematic, careful

chauvinistic

too patriotic

tends to get carried away

become too excited and lose control

superficial

not caring about serious things

insecure

not confident, uncertain about your own abilities

a perfectionist

someone who is not satisfied if things are not 100% perfect

tactless

inclined to say things that upset or offend people

intuitive

understanding instinctively

diligent / industrious

hard-working

placid

calm, does not easily become excited or angry

magnetic personality

personality that attracts people to you

distrustful

not trusting, suspicious of others

shrewd / astute

having good judgement

supportive

gives help or encouragement

extravagant

spends too much money or uses too much of something

down-to-earth

practical and sensible

altruistic

thinking of others rather than yourself

morose / sullen

gloomy

sharp-tongued

inclined to speak in a severe and critical way

naive

without enough experience of life, trusting too easily

generous / unstinting

giving freely, not withholding

resolute / dogged

determined, unwavering

thrifty / frugal

careful with money, avoiding waste

idealistic / principled

guided by high ideals or morals

sober / serious

grave, thoughtful, or solemn

witty / pithy

brief, forceful, and meaningful in expression

tolerant / open-minded

willing to respect alternative opinions or behaviors

chatty / talkative

fond of making conversation

stubborn / obstinate

refusing to change one's opinion or chosen course

stingy / parsimonious

unwilling to spend money

work-obsessed / workaholic

unable to stop working

dogmatic / inflexible

unwilling to alter one's beliefs or behavior

cunning / sly

having or showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit

brusque / terse

abrupt or offhand in speech or manner

unprincipled / unscrupulous

not guided by moral principles

verbose / garrulous

using or expressed in more words than are needed

slender

thin in an attractive way

lanky

tall and thin, and usually moving awkwardly

gangling / gangly

tall, with thin arms and legs and rather awkward movements

stocky

short and with a body that is wide across the shoulders and chest

lean

thin and healthy

wiry

thin but strong

unkempt

untidy, scruffy

immaculate

always well-dressed, neat and smart-looking

swarthy

dark-coloured, used about skin

haggard

his face looked ill and tired

grinning

giving a big smile

pouting

positioning your lips in an attractive way / showing you are annoyed

grimace

make an expression of pain or strong dislike

scowled

gave a bad-tempered, angry look

leering

looking in an unpleasant, sexually interested way

shrugged his shoulders

lifted his shoulders up and down to show he didn't know or couldn't answer

folded his arms

crossed one arm over the other close to his body

crossed his legs

crossed one leg over the other while sitting

twitching

suddenly making small movements

bites her nails

chews the edges of her fingernails nervously

clenched her fist

closed her hand tightly because of anger or impatience

tapping / drumming his fingers

made quick, light hitting movements on the table

impetuous

acts on a sudden idea without thinking first

impulsive

similar to impetuous, but can be used in a more positive way

effusive

gives exaggerated expression of pleasure, praise or gratitude

pushy

always selfishly promoting your own position or interests

self-conscious

nervous or uncomfortable because you know what people think about you

well-balanced

calm and reasonable and showing good judgement

taciturn

reserved or says very little

outgoing

energetic and friendly, finds it easy to be with others

extrovert

an outward-looking, energetic person

low self-esteem

has a low opinion of himself / lacks confidence

diffident

lacks confidence

reserved

not immediately sociable

aloof

unfriendly and not sociable

haughty

unfriendly and thinks herself better than others

disdainful

does not believe others deserve respect

unapproachable

unfriendly and not easy to talk to

conceited

thinks herself wonderful / has an exaggerated sense of her importance

self-important

prefers not to exaggerate her own qualities

modest

humble, does not boast

naive

willing to believe things, perhaps because of inexperience

gullible

easily deceived

conscientious

always took his work very seriously

restless

always looking for something new / never satisfied

obstinate

stubborn / refuse to change, despite persuasion

pig-headed

stubborn / similar to obstinate but stronger

infatuated

fitfully in love / delayed in other girls

besotted

blindly in love with

platonic relationship

relationship between people of the opposite sex that is not sexual

soulmates

people who feel close in spirit and understand each other deeply

hit it off

immediately, we're true soulmates

a man after my own heart

someone you admire because they do or think the same as you

get on like a house on fire

have a very good, enjoyable relationship

bosom friends / buddies / pals

very close, good friends

inseparable

always want to be together, very close

bond

relationship or feeling of togetherness

kindred spirits

very similar to each other / way you think and look at life

well-matched couple

perfect for each other

family ties

bonds between family members

mutual acquaintances

people known by both parties

holds / has a lot of respect for

admires someone greatly

thick as thieves

they share all their secrets / very close