PERSONALITY

bright (a), clever (a)

She's probably the brightest student in her year.

intelligent; quick to learn

sharp (a)

It was very sharp of you to see that!

(of people or their minds, eyes, etc.) quick to notice or understand things or to react

shrewd (a)

He was shrewd enough not to take the job when there was the possibility of getting a better one a few months later

​clever at understanding and making judgements about a situation

= astute

gifted (a)

She's very gifted at maths.

having special ability in a particular subject or activity

= talented

foolish (a)

I was foolish enough to believe what Jeff told me.

= stupid, silly

pessimistic

They appeared surprisingly pessimistic about their chances of winning.

expecting bad things to happen or something not to be successful; showing this feeling

optimistic (a)

He remained strongly optimistic that an agreement could be reached.

expecting good things to happen or something to be successful; showing this feeling

extroverted (a)

Ben is extroverted, he loves being the focus of attetion while Jake prefers to be alone with his thoughts.

>< introverted

crafty (a)

That was a crafty move/touch.

clever, in a negative way, using brain to trick or deceive

= cunning ( He was as cunning as a fox.)

= sly (She’s a sly one—never lets on what she’s thinking.)

tense (a)

I was feeling a little tense and restless.

(of a person) nervous or worried, and unable to relax

wound up (a)

I feel very tense/ wound up/ stressed out after a very busy day at work.

very worried, nervous or angry

down to earth (a)

Our manager is down to earth, so the team works well together.

sensible and practical, in a way that is helpful and friendly

gregarious (a) _{common in written more than in spoken}

Hugh was a popular and gregarious man.

= sociable

liking to be with other people

quarrelsome (a)

Seeing his slovenly and quarrelsome wife's face, he leaves his meal and goes outside.

= argurmentative

(of a person) often arguing with other people

sadistic (a)

He took sadistic pleasure in taunting the boy.

getting pleasure, especially sexual pleasure, from hurting other people

laid - back (a) _informal

She’s very laid-back about her exams.

calm and relaxed; seeming not to worry about anything

easy - going (a)

She can be very firm when she wants to, although mostly she is so easy-going.

relaxed and happy to accept things without worrying or getting angry

even-tempered (a)

always calm and never angry or too excited about anything

ill-mannered (a)

The majority of drivers of motor vehicles on the road to-day are ill-mannered when it comes to considering others on the road.

= rude

>< well mannered

discourteous (a)

I felt it was discourteous of him to leave immediately after his talk.

>< courteous

having bad manners and not showing respect for other people

trustworthy (a)

Women were seen as more trustworthy and harder working.

= sincere, reliable

telling the truth to others

envious (a)

Everyone is so envious of her having the chance to study abroad.

wanting to be in the same situation as somebody else; wanting something that somebody else has

jealous (a)

He's only talking to her to make you jealous.

feeling angry or unhappy because somebody you like or love is showing interest in somebody else

determined (a)

• determined to do something I'm determined to succeed

• determined that… They were quite determined that he wasn't going to do it.

wanting to do something very much and not allowing anyone or any difficulties to stop you

obstinate (a)

He can be very obstinate when he wants to be!

= stubborn, pig-headed

refusing to change your opinions, way of behaving, etc. when other people try to persuade you to; showing this

thrifty (a)

They have plenty of money now, but they still tend to be thrifty.

careful about spending money and not wasting things

economical (a)

It would be more economical to buy the bigger size.

providing good service or value in relation to the amount of time or money spent

stingy (a)

He's really stingy and never buys anyone a drink when we go out.

= mean, tight-fisted

not given or giving willingly; not generous, especially with money

self-assured (a)

He grew more self-assured as he got older.

= confident

arrogant (a)

He was a rude, arrogant young man.

= self-important

= full of yourself _{common in spoken}

behaving in a proud, unpleasant way, showing little thought for other people

unconventional (a)

The magazine describes him as having unconventional good looks.

= original (a)

different from what is usual or from the way most people do things

eccentric (a)

• eccentric behaviour/clothes

• She was the classic eccentric old lady, living with a houseful of cats.

considered by other people to be strange or unusual

odd (a)

There's something odd about that man.

strange or unusual

peculiar (a)

The meat tasted rather peculiar.

strange or unusual, especially in a way that is unpleasant or makes you worried

frank (a)

To be frank with you, I think your son has little chance of passing the exam.

honest and direct in what you say, sometimes in a way that other people might not like

open (a)

• open with somebody She was always open with her parents.

• open about something He was quite open about his reasons for leaving.

= honest, frank, direct

blunt (a)

I'll be blunt - that last piece of work you did was terrible.

very direct; saying exactly what you think without trying to be polite

abrupt (a)

He is sometimes very abrupt with clients.

= brusque, curt

using too few words when talking, in a way that seems rude and unfriendly

broad-minded (a)

Today there are much more broad-minded attitudes towards sexuality.

>< narrow - minded

willing to listen to other people’s opinions and accept behaviour that is different from your own

unprincipled (a)

She saw him as an unprincipled student.

>< principled

having or showing no moral rules or standards of good behaviour

permissive (a)

• permissive attitudes

• permissive parents (= who allow their children a lot of freedom)

• Even in the most permissive times fidelity in marriage is important to many.

allowing or showing a freedom of behaviour that many people do not approve of, especially in sexual matters

inquisitive (a)

Don't be so inquisitive. It's none of your business!

= curious

asking too many questions and trying to find out about what other people are doing

generous (a)

It was very generous of them to take the time to help.

>< ungenerous

willing to give money, help, kindness, etc., especially more than is usual or expected

extravagant (a)

I felt very extravagant spending 10 million VND on a dress.

spending a lot more money or using a lot more of something than you can afford or than is necessary

innocent (a)

The accused person should always be presumed innocent until proved guilty.

not guilty of a crime, etc.; not having done something wrong

naive (a)

It would be naive of us to think that football is only a game.

not showing enough knowledge, good judgement or experience of life; too willing to believe that people always tell you the truth

pushy (a) _{^{common in spoken}}

Her parents were never pushy although they encouraged her acting ambitions from an early age.

trying hard to get what you want, especially in a way that seems rude

assertive (a)

People today are more assertive in their demands for social justice.

>< submissive

expressing opinions or desires strongly and with confidence, so that people take notice

aggressive (a)

The firm is extremely aggressive in seeking new markets.

angry, and behaving in a threatening way; ready to attack

bossy (a)

We were told to move by a bossy official in a green uniform.

​always telling people what to do