Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Kev Nair
1
Note: The Fluent English Dictionaries do not form part of Fluentzy: The
English Fluency Encyclopedia. They’re separate publications – meant for those
who want to specialize in fluency-oriented vocabulary. For details, visit www.
fluencybookz.com.
4
B17/S5
Fluency
in Speaking
about People
“Helps you master the semantic
and syntactic resources needed to
achieve fluency in speaking about
people...”
– The New Sunday Express.
Fourth Edition
TM
TM
Adult Faculties Council
6
For Uma
Contents
Chapter 1: A person’s “make-up”, 11
Chapter 2: Behaviour, 15
Group 1, 15
Group 2, 17
Group 3, 20
Group 4, 22
Group 5, 26
Group 6, 28
Chapter 7: Intelligence, 74
Group 1, 74
Group 2, 75
Words to speak about intelligence, 77
8
KEV Nair
Kochi, 2008.
10
Abbreviations
fml formal
infml informal
sb somebody
sth something
sw somewhere
11
A person’ s “make-up”
chapter 1
A person’s “make-up”
A person’s “make-up” is his/her nature or a combination of the
various qualities that form their character.
I have chosen this topic for you because this is an area in
which most people aren’t fluent.
If you monitor day-to-day conversations for a long time,
you’ll be convinced of one thing: There are four subjects that
very often come up during all conversations. They are:
1). A person’s behaviour.
2). A person’s personality and personality traits.
3). A person’s attitude.
4). A person’s intelligence.
These are the main elements in a person’s make-up, and
during conversations, most people fail miserably in expressing
ideas that have to do with these four subjects.
Why does this happen? Why do you often find it difficult
to speak about someone’s behaviour, attitude, intelligence,
personality or personality traits?
These are the chief reasons: Firstly, though you know the core
words in English, you may not have much experience in using
them to speak about these topics (a person’s behaviour, attitude,
etc.). Secondly, to speak about a person’s behaviour, attitude etc.,
you should be good at using English in the “descriptive style”
— and this style is quite different from the style of ordinary
functional English dialogues.
The second reason needs some explanation.
In very general terms, we can classify the English language as
“descriptive English” and “non-descriptive English”. Descriptive
English is the type of English that you use when you want to
12
A person’ s “make-up”
***
15
Behavio ur
Chapter 2
Behaviour
Group 1
• What I like about her is, she isn’t shy or embarrassed in
the company of other people. • He’s very harsh/cruel, and will
do anything to get what he wants. • He’s friendly, and enjoys
talking to other people. • He behaves differently from other
people. • He avoids too much of eating/drinking. • I found him
willing and eager to be helpful. • He’s lively and enthusiastic.
• He’s very concerned about unimportant details and is very
difficult to please. • She frequently changes her mood without
warning. • He was angry and upset. • His behaviour was stupid
and insensitive. • She never does what she’s told to do. • She
was in a bad situation, and she was willing to do anything to get
out of it. • He’s stubborn and determined to have his own way.
• She behaved as though she felt at ease. • He has the courage
to do what he believes is right. • He allows things other people
disapprove of. • He’s very aggressive and eager to argue. • I
found him humble and unassuming. • Even when he knows what
he has done is wrong, he doesn’t feel guilty or sorry about it. •
That was a difficult situation, but she was calm and unemotional.
• Stop behaving like a woman, can’t you, Ashok? • He’s very
unwilling to spend money. • He’s very reliable and respectable.
• I found him very confident and assured. • She was very upset
and was behaving in an uncontrolled way.
• Those children are noisy and not easily controlled. • He’s
not careful in obeying rules. • She often complains about things.
• She’s very sensitive and sympathetic towards other people.
• She’s rather reserved and behaves very correctly. • He keeps
trying to make people like him. • She feels embarrassed and
nervous when someone is looking at her. • He’s not afraid of
16
Behavio ur
Group 2
• He’s very religious and moral. • He was angry, irritated
and bored. • He was worried and unhappy about something. •
She’s cheeky, but lively and full of energy. • She’s easily upset by
unpleasant sights and situations. • He won’t hesitate to take risks
to achieve what he wants. • It was a dangerous situation, but
she showed courage. • He’s too self-confident and rather cheeky.
• He gets angry quickly and easily. • He recognizes and accepts
the true nature of situations, and tries to deal with them in a
practical way. • He never gives any importance to other people’s
opinions or beliefs. • He’s always careless about doing things. •
He was so upset and worried that he couldn’t think clearly. • He’s
very cheeky and always speaks rudely/disrespectfully. • I found
his behaviour/accent very artificial. • He always behaves in a
formal and unfriendly way. • He’s lively and full of enthusiasm
and excitement. • He only agrees with people if he considers
them to be important. • He has no hesitation in doing things even
if they’re morally wrong. • He has an enthusiastic nature and is
interested in everything he does. • He’s playful and unpredictable
rather than serious and practical.
• Why do you hesitate to show affection openly and freely?
• He has a strong belief in democracy. • He becomes angry and
upset very quickly about small, unimportant things. • He’s rather
shy and doesn’t enjoy talking about himself. • He’s very careful
and detailed in his work. • He’s willing to try out new and unusual
ways of doing things. • He’s prepared to be cruel to other people
and feels no pity for them. • He was angry and said a lot of
bitter things. • He’s very gentle, and he doesn’t get angry very
easily. • He’s very naïve and believes that everybody is honest.
• He’s a noble person. • Our new boss is bad-tempered and is
easily irritated. • He’s quiet and shy. • Her son is disobedient
18
Behavio ur
and behaves very badly. • Your behaviour was so bad that you
ought to be ashamed. • Our new boss is very strict and serious
— I don’t like him. • She must have been very courageous to go
into the burning building. • She always talks/behaves in a rude
and offensive way. • She’s very lively and easily excited. • He’s a
mild person, and he never shouts at other people. • He behaved
as though he didn’t like/respect them. • He’s full of confidence
and energy. • She seemed cold and aloof. • He does things
suddenly without thinking about them first. • She’s always ready
to quarrel. • He always behaves in a proud and unpleasant way
towards other people. • She deals with situations without anxiety
or emotional tension. • His behaviour was silly and immature.
• At parties and other social occasions, you can always
expect correct and proper behaviour from him. • He has a lot of
enthusiasm for photography. • What I don’t like about him is, he
tries to get things done in a forceful way. • He was very excited
and happy. • Most of us found his behaviour unacceptable. • I
found him cold and emotionally detached. • He’s very stern, and
he expresses it in his tone of voice. • Both his children are well-
behaved. • He behaves in a strange/peculiar way. • He behaved
disgracefully towards them. • He didn’t agree with it, and he
said he won’t allow it to happen. • He takes delight in causing
distress to people. • His behaviour is always logical and detached
and does not involve any emotion. • I have never seen him show
fear in difficult/dangerous situations. • He’s very secretive and
deceitful. • He’s always determined to do what he wants and
refuses to change his mind. • She’s a bit shy, but she enjoys
being noticed by other people. • He’s very sincere, and he really
means the things he says. • He was very excited about his new
job, and he didn’t hesitate to show how much he liked it by the
way he behaved and talked. • My grandfather is past 80, but is
still physically active. • He frequently changes his mind without
warning. • He seems very calm and not to worry or care about
things.
19
Behavio ur
Group 3
• He has strong views on everything, and this makes him
difficult to deal with. • She behaves too correctly and is too
easily shocked by anything rude/improper. • He does things
carefully and deliberately. • He’s pessimistic and cynical. • He
doesn’t care at all about morals. • He always behaves in a serious
way, as though he thinks he’s more important than he really is.
• Don’t follow what your lawyer says without thinking about it.
• He’s very bold and doesn’t care what other people think about
his behaviour. • He speaks very confidently and frankly. • If she
makes a decision, she refuses to be persuaded to change it. •
He’s always unfriendly and unhelpful. • He’s always serious and
thoughtful. • He’s fair with people even in difficult circumstances.
• He can be really nasty at times. • Young people like them seem
to forget they’re no longer children. • He was nice to me, but I
found him very tense and anxious. • He behaves in a calm way
and is not easily made angry or upset. • She’s impatient and
easily irritated. • He’s clumsy and awkward. • He’s very impolite
and doesn’t show any interest in what other people are saying.
• He’s a polite and courteous person. • He deliberately tries to
cause harm.
• He doesn’t easily become excited/upset. • One thing I like
21
Behavio ur
Group 4
• She always shows a strong desire to get things that belong
to other people. • His behaviour was horrible and disgusting. •
He treats everybody the same as each other, regardless of their
differences. • I found him unreasonable and difficult to deal with.
23
Behavio ur
never supports his friends — he even does things that could harm
them. • He’s noisy and rough and always causes trouble. • She’s
very anxious that they shouldn’t misunderstand her. • He’s eager
to tell her the news, and he doesn’t want to wait. • He’s very
difficult to control.
Group 5
• He keeps misleading us and encouraging us to believe
what’s not true. • He always does things secretly rather than
openly. • His opinions are clear and definite. • He was determined
and courageous. • He was happy and pleased, and he had a big
smile on his face. • He never shows any anger or excitement. •
I’ve never found him eager to be involved in any activity. • He’s
always interested in things that don’t concern him. • Whenever
things don’t happen the way he wants them to happen, he’s cross
and dissatisfied. • You behaved badly yesterday.
• He was so happy that he couldn’t relax. • She talks a lot.
• She behaves as though she’s right in her attitudes and beliefs,
and other people are wrong. • He’s always very lively, and he
enjoys everything that he does. • He acted as though he wanted
to finish the work as soon as possible. • He’s brave and is not
easily frightened. • He’s not very reliable, and he keeps changing
from one idea to another. • He behaves as though he has
rejected the values of society/his parents. • He’s bad-tempered
and unpleasant to people. • Her opinions are too extreme. • He
has good manners and is not rude to other people. • He’s a bad
person — he always behaves in a way that’s harmful to people.
• He behaved as though he was not very concerned about what
was happening. • He’s quiet and serious in his behaviour. • He’s
shy and avoids meeting other people. • He lacks taste, education
and good manners. • He always criticizes people nastily and
in a sarcastic way. • He acted as though he was not going to
benefit from what was going on. • He was impatient, bored and
dissatisfied. • She was very nervous and worried about something.
27
Behavio ur
Group 6
• He behaves as though he’s unaware of people’s feelings.
• She looked very graceful and dignified. • I found him very
confident and charming. • He doesn’t make people welcome
when they visit. • Why do you keep behaving in such a rough
and uncivilized way? • The children behaved well/admirably
throughout the party. • He’s very amusing and witty. • His manner
was very quiet and controlled. • His behaviour is intolerable. •
29
Behavio ur
• He was sad and worried about something and was very quiet.
• He has very strict beliefs and attitudes, and he’s unwilling to
change them. • I don’t know why, but he always behaves towards
me in a hostile/rather unkind way. • He always shows a great
desire for revenge. • He never does things that are against his
beliefs. • The trouble is, he isn’t experienced about the practical
aspects of life.
• His behaviour is bad, and nobody can make him behave
more sensibly. • She doesn’t like talking to other people, and
tries to avoid meeting them. • She’s always kind towards people
who’re suffering and shows that she understands their feelings.
• He’s always careful not to say anything that would offend or
upset other people. • He never shows thanks to anyone who
does something for him. • He doesn’t have a wide range of
experience and has simple tastes. • He likes to do things quietly
and secretively. • He was thinking about something and was
quiet and serious. • He’s charming and polite, but insincere. • He
behaved in a wild and uncontrolled way — as though he didn’t
care about how he should behave. • He stays calm, even when
upsetting/exciting things happen. • Her father is rarely warm or
affectionate. • He was angry/offended, and he started shouting
at them.
***
32
P ersonal it y & personal it y traits
Chapter 3
Group 1
• Whenever anybody laughs at him, he feels angry, and shows
it. • He’s a balanced person, and he makes sensible decisions.
• He’s a man of good character. • He’s very harsh and rude,
and most people here dislike him. • He can get on with almost
anyone. • When somebody criticizes his work, he gets anxious and
defensive. • He’s a person who makes life fun. • He likes going
out a lot. • He often loses his temper, but calms down quickly.
• He’s quiet and reserved. • He never turns to friends when he
has a problem. • He’s very friendly and likes meeting people and
talking to people. • He often does things without thinking, and
gets into trouble. • When he feels angry, he expresses it directly.
• She worries too long over humiliating experiences. • He’s very
cruel, and shows no concern for other people or their feelings.
• People here have a poor image of him. • He always watches
the clock when he’s working. • He’s a nervous person. • If his
friends say anything insulting, he’d break off the friendship. •
He behaves well and generously towards other people. • He’s
always willing to consider new ideas and suggestions. • He finds
it difficult to break out of a familiar routine. • When he’s ill in
33
P ersonal it y & personal it y traits
Group 2
• He enjoys making social contacts. • He’s pretty careful
about saying negative things. • I sometimes lose my confidence
under stress. • He doesn’t like people playing practical jokes on
him. • He never gives up or admits that he’s been defeated. •
He’s a nice person. • He cares only about himself and not about
other people. • She’s scared of open spaces/high places/heights.
• He keeps changing his mind about what to do. • He’s always
troubled by aches and pains. • He’s very clever and skilful at
achieving what he wants, especially by deceiving other people.
• He often tells jokes and stories. • He’s an upright man and
can be trusted. • He usually takes the initiative and rings up his
friends. • He has a likeable personality. • He was very difficult
and unreasonable. • He has a good speaking voice.
• He often blames other people when something goes wrong.
36
P ersonal it y & personal it y traits
Group 3
• He prefers to spend an evening reading a good book. •
He’s very modern and follows all the latest fashions in clothes/
ideas. • He’s practical and doesn’t allow emotions to affect his
38
P ersonal it y & personal it y traits
***
41
W ords to describe someone’ s personal it y & behavio u r
Chapter 4
Aa
able, above board, above reproach, above suspicion,
aboveboard, abrasive, absent-minded, absorbed, absorbing,
abstemious, abstract, acceptable behaviour, accommodating,
accomplished, accomplishment, accurate, ace (infml.),
43
W ords to describe someone’ s personal it y & behavio u r
Bb
babyish, backbone, backward, bad, bad behaviour, bad-
mannered, balance, bald, balky, barbarian, barbaric, barbarous,
barefaced, bashful, battle-scarred, be disloyal to, be faithful to,
be loyal to, be true to, be unfaithful to, be untrue to, beady-
eyed (infml.), beaming, bearing, beastly, beautiful, beefy
(infml.), beguiling, believing in yourself, belligerent, beneficent,
benevolence, benevolent, berserk, beside yourself with joy,
best, betray, bewitching, beyond, beyond comparison, beyond
reproach, biased, big, big-hearted, bigoted, bitter, blameless,
bland, blasé, blindly, blinkered, bloody-minded, blue-blooded,
bluff, blunt, blustering, boastful, bohemian, boisterous, bold,
bold as brass, bookish, boorish, bossy, bounce, bouncy, boyish,
brainless, brainy (infml.), brash, brass-neck, brassy (infml.),
brave, bravery, bravura, brawny, brazen, break faith with, break
44
W ords to describe someone’ s personal it y & behavio u r
Cc
calculating, calibre, callous, calm, calm and collected,
candid, candour, canny, cantankerous, capable, capacity,
capricious, captious, captivating, carefree, careful, careless,
caring, carnivorous, casual, categorical, catholic, catty, cautious,
cavalier, celebrated, cerebral, character, characteristic, charisma,
charismatic, charitable, charitableness, charity, charm, charming,
chary, chaste, chastity, chatty, chauvinist, chauvinistic, cheat,
cheating, cheeky, cheerful, cheery, chic, childish, childlike, chill,
chilly, chirpy, chivalrous, choosy, chosen few, chummy, churlish,
circumspect, civil, civility, civilized, class (infml.), clean, clean-
living, clear-sighted, clever, clinical, close-fisted, close-minded,
closest to your heart, clumsy, coarse, cock-a-hoop, cocksure
(infml.), cocky (infml.), cold, cold-hearted, collected, coloured,
colourful, colourless, combative, comely, comfort, comic/comical,
commanding, commendable, commercial, commiserating,
commiserative, commitment, committed, common, common
sense, commonsensical, communicative, companionable,
company-loving, compassionate, competent, competitive,
complacent, complaisant, complexion, compliant, composed,
compulsive, comradely, conceited, concerned, conciliatory,
condescending, confidence, confident, confrontational, confused,
congenial, conniving, conscientious, consequential, conservative,
considerate, consoling, constant, constructive, consummate,
contemplative, contemptuous, content, contented, contrary,
controlled, control-oriented, contumacious, conventional,
conversational, conviction, convincing, convivial, cool, cool-
headed, cooperative, cordial, correct, corrupt, cosmopolitan,
country, courage, courageous, courteous, courtesy, courtly,
covetous, cowardly, coy, crabbed, crabby, crack (infml.), crafty,
cranky, crass, craven, crazy, creative, credible, credulous, criminal
45
W ords to describe someone’ s personal it y & behavio u r
Ee
eager, eager to help, eager to please, eager to succeed, eagle-
eyed, earnest, earth, easily handled, easily hurt, easily offended,
easily upset, easy, easygoing, ebullient, eccentric, ecstatic, edgy,
educated, effective, effeminate, effervescent, efficient, effusive,
46
W ords to describe someone’ s personal it y & behavio u r
Ff
fair, fair play, fair treatment, fair-minded, fair-mindedness,
fairness, faith, faithful, faithfulness, faithless, fake, false,
falsely, famous, fanatical, far-seeing, far-sighted, fascinating,
fashionable, fatalistic, fault-finder, fault-finding, favourable,
favourably, favoured, favourite, fawning, fearful, fearless,
feckless, feeble-minded, feigned, feisty, ferocious, fertile mind,
fervent, fervid, feverish, fickle, fidgety, fierce, fiery, fighting,
fighting fit, filled with aplomb, fine, finicky, fire, firm, fit, fit as a
fiddle, flagrant, flamboyant, flatulent, flexible, flighty, flippant,
flirtatious, fluent, flushed, focussed, foolhardy, foolish, foolishly,
forbearing, forceful, forcefulness, foremost, forgiving, formal,
formalist, formidable opponent, forthright, fortitude, fortunate,
forward, forward-thinking, foxy (infml.), fractious, frail, frank,
frantic, fraudulent conduct, free, free and easy, free spirit, freely,
freethinking, fresh, fresh-faced, fretful, friendly, frigid, frisky,
frivolous, frugal, full of determination, full of energy, full of fun,
full of get-up-and-go (infml.), full of go (infml.), full of hope,
full of initiative, full of insight, full of integrity, full of life, full of
personality, full of spirit, full of vigour (infml.), full of yourself,
fulsome, fussy.
Gg
gabby (infml.), gallantry, garrulous, gauche, generosity,
47
W ords to describe someone’ s personal it y & behavio u r
Hh
hail-fellow-well-met, hair-splitter, hale and hearty, half-
hearted, handsome, happy, happy-go-lucky, hard, hard-boiled,
hard-headed, hardhearted, hard-nosed (infml.), hard-working,
hardy, hateful, haughty, have a good head on your shoulders
(infml.), have a good reputation, have all your wits about you
(infml.), have been around (infml.), have both (your) feet on
the ground (infml.), have your feet on the ground (infml.),
have experience, have eyes like a hawk, have special training
and experience, have the ability to do sth very well, have the
knowledge and ability (to do sth), have your eyes open/peeled/
skinned, have/show great knowledge, hawk-eyed, headstrong,
healthy, heartless, hearty, heedless, hefty, helpful, helpless,
Herculean, heroic, heroism, hesitant, hidebound, high energy, high
principles, high-born, high-handed, high-impact, highly rated,
highly regarded, highly thought of, highly-strung, high-minded,
high-principled, high-ranking, high-spirited, high-strung, hip
(infml.), honest, honest-to-goodness (infml.), honesty, honour,
honourable, honoured, hopefulness, hospitable, hostile, hot,
hot-blooded, huffy, human, humane, humanistic, humanitarian,
humanity, humble, humorous, humour, humourless, hunky
(infml.), husky (infml.), hypersensitive, hypnotic, hypnotizing,
hypocritical, hypothetical.
48
W ords to describe someone’ s personal it y & behavio u r
Ii
icy, idealist, idealistic, idealized, idiosyncrasy, idiosyncratic,
idiotic, idle, ill at ease, ill-bred, ill-mannered, ill-natured, illogical,
illuminating, illustrious, imaginative, immaculate, immature,
immodest, immoral, immoral conduct, immovable, immune
to, impact, impartial, impartiality, impassioned, impassive,
impatient, impeccable, imperious, impersonal, impertinent,
imperturbable, impetuous, impish, implacable, impolite,
impolitic, important, importunate, impossible, impractical,
improper conduct, imprudent, impudent, impulsive, in (good)
trim, in earnest, in good health, in good physical condition, in
good/high spirits, in style, in top form, inactive, inarticulate,
inattentive, inclement, incompetent, inconsiderate, incorruptible,
indecisive, indefatigable, independent, indifferent, indiscreet,
individual excellence, individualist, individualistic, individuality,
indolent, indomitable, indulgent, industrious, inefficient, inept,
inequitable, inexorable, inexperienced, inexpert, infallible,
infamous, infamy, inflexible, influential, informal, informative,
informed, ingenious, ingenuous, ingratiating, inhibited,
inhibition, inhospitable, inhuman, inimical, inimitable,
initiative, innocence, innocent, innocuous, inquisitive, insane,
insensitive, insidious, insightful, insincere, insistent, insolent,
insubordinate, insurgent, insurrectionary, integrity, intellectual,
intelligent, intelligible, intense, intent, intolerant, intractable,
intransigent, intrepid, introspective, inventive, investigative,
inveterate, invidious, invincible, invulnerable, inward-looking,
irascible, iron/strong will, iron-willed, irrational, irreconcilable,
irrepressible, irresolute, irresponsible, irreverent, irritable.
Jj
jaded, jaundiced, jaunty, jovial, jubilant, judicious, jumpy,
just, just dealing, juvenile.
Kk
keen, keen-eyed, keen-witted, keep a weather eye open,
49
W ords to describe someone’ s personal it y & behavio u r
keep faith with, keep your eyes open/peeled, keep your promise
to, kind, kind-hearted, kittenish, knowledgeable.
Ll
lacking in, ladylike, laid-back (infml.), law-abiding, lawless,
lax, lazy, leader, leading, learned, lecherous, leery (infml.), left-
wing, legendary, lenient, lethargic, level, level-headed, liberal,
liberated, licentious, lifeless, light, light on your feet, light-
footed, light-headed, light-hearted, like bull in a china shop,
likeable, liked, like-minded, lionhearted, listless, lithe, liveliness,
lively, loaded, lofty, logical, long-suffering, looked up to, loose,
loquacious, lordly, loud, lovable, loving, low spirits, lowly, loyal,
loyalty, lucid, lunatic, lusty.
Mm
Machiavellian, macho, mad, mad keen (infml.), madcap,
made of money (infml.), magisterial, magnanimous, magnetic,
magnetism, make good your promise to, maladroit, malevolent,
malicious, malleable, manageable, manfully, manipulative,
mannered, mannerly, martial, martyr, marvellous, master of your
own life, masterful, matter-of-fact, mature, maverick, mawkish,
mean (infml.), mean what you say, meek, mellow, melodramatic,
menacing, mentality, mercenary, merciful, merciless, mercurial,
methodical, meticulous, mettle, mettlesome, middle-of-the-
road, mild, militant, mincing, mindful, mindless, misanthropic,
mischievous, miscreant, miserly, model, moderate, moderation,
modern, modernistic, modest, moneyed, moral, moral excellence,
moral virtue, morale, morality, morally correct, morals, most-
liked, (have) motivation, motivated, motivation, mousy, mouthy
(infml.), mover and shaker, muddle-headed, multilingual,
munificent, muscular, mutinous, mystique.
Nn
naive, narcissistic, narrow-minded, nasty, natural, naughty,
neat, nefarious, neglectful, negligent, negligent conduct,
50
W ords to describe someone’ s personal it y & behavio u r
Oo
obdurate, obedient, objective, obliging, obnoxious,
obsequious, observant, obsessed, obstinate, obstreperous,
obtrusive, odd, oddball, oddity, odious, of distinction, of
good repute, of high standing, of influence, of noble birth, of
repute, of the best quality, offhand, officious, off-putting, oily,
OK (infml.), old, old-fashioned, on a short fuse, on cloud nine/
seven, on guard, on the alert, on the ball (infml.), on the go, on
the level (infml.), on the qui vive, on your best behaviour, on
your guard, on your toes, one-in-a-million (infml.), one-sided,
open to reason, open-minded, open-mindedness, opinionated,
opportunistic, optimism, optimistic, orderly, ordinary, organized,
original, orthodox, ostentatious, out of control, out of hand, out
of touch with reality, outgoing, outlandish, outsider, outspoken,
outstanding, over-assertive, overbearing, overconfident,
overjoyed, oversensitive, overwrought, owlish.
Pp
painstaking, panache, par excellence, paranoid, parental,
parsimonious, partial, partisan, passionate, patience, patient,
patriotic, peaceful, pedant, pedantic, peerless, peevish, penchant,
penetrating mind, pensive, pent-up, peppery, peppy (infml.),
perceptive, peremptory, perfect, perfectionist, performance-driven,
peripatetic, perk up, perky, permissive, pernickety/persnickety,
51
W ords to describe someone’ s personal it y & behavio u r
Qq
qualified, quality, quarrelsome, queer, querulous, quibbler,
quick, quick off the mark, quick on the uptake (infml.), quick
to bounce back, quick to recover, quick-tempered, quick-witted,
quiet, quirk, quixotic.
Rr
racialist, racist, racy, radiant, radical, raffish, rakish, raring
to go (infml.), rash, rat on sb (infml.), rational, rationality,
raucous, razor-sharp, reactionary, ready, realistic, reasonable,
reasonableness, reassuring, rebel, rebellious, recalcitrant,
receptive, reckless, recluse, reclusive, rectitude, redoubtable,
refined, reformist, refractory, regardful, regardless, relaxed,
relentless, reliable, religious, reluctant, remarkable, remiss,
remorseful, remorseless, remote, renegade, renowned, repugnant,
52
W ords to describe someone’ s personal it y & behavio u r
Ss
safe, saint-like, saintly, sally, sanctimonious, sane, sanguine,
sassy (infml.), saucy, savage, scheming, scholarly, scintillating,
scrupulous, seasoned, secluded, second to none, sedate,
seditious, seductive, self-assertive, self-assured, self-centred,
self-confident, self-conscious, self-contained, self-controlled, self-
esteem, selfish, self-made, self-motivated, self-possessed, self-
reliant, self-respect, self-righteous, self-sacrificing, self-satisfied,
self-standing, self-starter, self-sufficient, self-supporting, self-
sustaining, sell down the river (infml.), sensational (infml.),
sense of purpose, sensible, sensitive, sensual, sentimental,
serene, serious, serious-minded, servile, set in your ways, severe,
sexist, shabby, shady (infml.), shameful, shameless, sharp, sharp-
eyed, sharp-witted, sheepish, shifty (infml.), short, short-fused
(infml.), short-sighted, short-tempered, shrewd, shy, silly, silver-
tongued, simple, simple-minded, sincere, single-minded, sinister,
sinless, skilful, skilled, skittish, slick, slippery, slow, sluggish, sly,
small, small-minded, smart, smart-looking, smooth, smooth-
talking (infml.), smooth-tongued, smug, snaky, snappy, sneaky,
snide, snobbish, sober, sociable, social behaviour, soft, soft-
hearted, solemn, solicitous, solid, sophisticated, sophomoric,
sought-after, soul, sparing, sparky (infml.), special, specialist,
spineless, spirited, spiteful, splendid, spontaneous, sporting,
sportive, sportsmanship, sporty, spotless, sprightly, spry, spunk,
spunky (infml.), square, squeaky clean (infml.), squeamish, stab
53
W ords to describe someone’ s personal it y & behavio u r
Tt
taciturn, tactful, tactless, talent, talented, talentless,
talkative, tame, taste, tasteless, team player, tearful, temerity,
temper, temperament, temperamental, temperance, temperate,
tempestuous, tempting, tenacious, tenacity, tender, tender-
hearted, tense, terrific (infml.), testy, thankful, thankless, the
picture of health, theatrical, theoretical, thick-skinned, thieving,
thievish, thin-skinned, thorough, thoughtful, thoughtless, thrifty,
thrilled, thrilling, tidy, tight, timid, tipsy, tireless, tolerant, top,
torpid, touchy, tough, tough cookie, tough guy, tough-minded,
tractable, traditional, traditionalist, trained, tranquil, treacherous,
tremendous (infml.), drive, trendsetter, tricky, trim, troublesome,
truculent, true, true-blue, trustworthy, truthful, tumultuous,
turbulent, twitchy (infml.), tyrannical.
Uu
ugly, ultra-careful, unacceptable behaviour, unaffected,
unaffected by, unafraid, unagitated, unalarmed, unappeasable,
unapproachable, unasked, unassuming, unattractive,
54
W ords to describe someone’ s personal it y & behavio u r
Vv
vain, valiant, vehement, venerable, venerated, vengeful,
venturesome, verve, veteran, vibrant, vicarious, vicious, vigilant,
vigorous, vigour, vindictive, violent, violent behaviour, virile,
virtue, virtuoso, virtuous, visionary, vital, vitality, vivacious,
vocal, volatile, voracious, vulnerable.
Ww
wacky, wanton, warlike, warm, warm-hearted, warped, wary,
wasteful, watchful, wayward, weak, weak-minded, weak-willed,
weighted, well ordered, well- thought-of, well-born, well-bred,
55
W ords to describe someone’ s personal it y & behavio u r
XYZxyz
yellow, yielding, young, young-looking, youthful, zany, zeal,
zealous, zest, zip (infml.).
***
56
Words to describe a person
chapter 5
Aa
academic; accessory; accomplice; accountant; ace;
acquaintance; acrobat; actor; addict; adjutant; administrator;
admirer; adolescent; adult; adventurer; adversary; adviser;
advocate; agent; agitator; agnostic; agriculturalist; agriculturist;
aide; airman; alien; ally; alter ego; altruist; alumna; alumnus;
ambassador; analyst; anarchist; ancestor; ancestry; angel;
announcer; another; antagonist; antecedents; apostate; apostle;
applicant; apprentice; arbiter; arbitrator; archaeologist;
architect; aristocracy; aristocrat; arrival; arrogant; artisan;
artist; ass; assailant; assassin; assaulter; assistant; associate;
astronaut; attendance; attendant; attorney; attractive; auditor;
augur; author; authoritarian; authority; autocracy; automobile
mechanic; auxiliary; average; aviator.
Bb
baby; bachelor; backer; bad; bad person; baker; balck-
maketeer; ballet dancer; band; bandit; banker; barbarian; barber;
bearded; bearer; beatnik; beautician; beauty; beggar; beginner;
believer; benefactor; beneficiary; betting; big; bigot; black;
blackmailer; blacksmith; blind; board; body; bookkeeper; boor;
bore; boss; bounder; boy; boyfriend; braggart; brain; brat; brave;
bricklayer; bride; bridegroom; broker; brother; brutal; brute;
buddy; buff; buffoon; builder; bully; bum; bungler; burglar;
burly; business manager; businessperson; busybody; butcher;
buyer; bystander.
57
Words to describe a person
Cc
cad; cadre; candidate; cannibal; capitalist; captain; captive;
caretaker; caring; carpenter; cartoonist; cashier; casualty; caucus;
celebrity; chair; chairperson; chaperon; chaplain; character;
charlatan; charming; cheat; chef; chicken; chief; child; childish;
chipper; chum; circle; citizen; civilian; civilization; clairvoyant;
class; clergyperson; clerk; client; clientele; clique; clod; cloud;
clown; coach; cohort; collaborator; colleague; college student;
comedian; comic; commander; commentator; commuter;
companion; competitor; comrade; confederate; confidant;
congregation; connection; connoisseur; conqueror; conquest;
conservative; consort; consul; consultant; consumer; contingent;
convention; convert; convict; convoy; cook; coppersmith; corpse;
correspondent; cosmetologist; cost accountant; couch potato;
counsel; counselor; courier; court; coward; cowboy; craftsman;
craftsperson; craven; creative; creator; crew; criminal; critic;
crony; crook; crook (infml.); crowd; crown; crush; culprit;
cultivator; cultured woman; cur; custodian; customer; cynic.
Dd
dabbler; dairyman; dark; dark-hatred; darling; data entry
operator; date; day care worker; dead; deaf; dealer; dean; dear;
deceiver; decent; delegate; delinquent; demagogue; demon;
deputy; derelict; descendant; deserter; desperado; despot;
detective; devil; devotee; dictator; diehard; dilettante; diplomat;
director; disabled; disciple; disciplinarian; dishonest person;
displaced; dissident; doctor; dolt; domestic help; donor; dope;
doubter; driver; drone; drudge; drug dealer; drunk; drunkard;
dumbbell; dummy; dunce; dupe; dwarf.
Ee
eccentric; educator; efficiency expert; egomaniac; elder;
elderly; electrical technician; electrician; electronics technician;
elite; emigrant; emissary; employee; employer; enemy;
engineer; enrollment; entertainer; enthusiast; entourage;
58
Words to describe a person
Ff
faculty; failure; fair; fair-haired; fake; faker; family; famous;
famous name; fan; fanatic; farm worker; farmer; farmhand; fat;
father; favourite; federation; fellow; felon; female; feminine;
femininity; fiancé; fiancée; field workman; fiend; fighter; figure;
figurehead; financier; fine; fireman; fitter; flame; fledgling;
flesh; flirt; flyer; foe; follower; following; fool; force; foreigner;
forerunner; forger; fortune-teller; founder; fountainhead; frank
person; fraud; freak; free; friend; fugitive.
Gg
gallery; gambling; gangster; gardener; gathering; gay;
gender; genius; gentle; gentleman; gentleperson; giant; girl;
girlfriend; glassworker; glutton; gnome; go-between; godly
person; goldsmith; good; good child; good company; good person;
good-for-nothing; good-looking; gossip; gourmet; government
officer; governor; gracious host; gracious hostess; graduate;
great; great name; great wit; greenhorn; groom; grouch; grown-
up; guard; guardian; guest; guide; guru.
Hh
hack; hairdresser; hand; handsome; handworker; hanger-on;
happy; hard; head; heavy equipment operator; hedonist; heir;
help; helper; herald; hermit; hero; heroine; hired hand; hit man;
homeless; honest; honest person; horde; horrible; horticulturist;
host; hostage; huddle; human; humanitarian; humankind;
husband; hybrid; hypocrite.
Ii
idealist; idiot; idol; ill-mannered person; imbecile; immature;
immigrant; imp; important; imposter; impostor; infant; inferior;
59
Words to describe a person
Jj
janitor; jerk; jester; joke; joker; journalist; judge; justice;
juvenile.
Kk
kid; kind; kook (infml.).
Ll
labor; labourer; lad; lady; ladylike woman; landlord; lathe
operator; laundry worker; law-abiding citizen; lawbreaker;
lawyer; layperson; leader; learner; legal practitioner; legion;
legislator; liaison; liar; like-minded; little; loafer; local; lookout;
loser; lout; love; lovely; lover; lucky; luminary; lunatic.
Mm
machine operator; machinist; mad person; magician;
magnate; maintenance man; male; man; man of breeding; man
of his word; man of honor; manager; maniac; manual laborer;
manufacturer; mariner; married; martyr; masculine; masculinity;
mason; masses; master; mastermind; mate; maverick; mechanic;
media person; mediator; medical practitioner; member; member
of the intellectual elite; member of the ruling elite; membership;
menace; mentor; mercenary; merchant; messenger; metal worker;
middle person; middle-aged; midget; migrant; migrant worker;
militant; military person; mimic; minister; minor; misanthrope;
miscreant; miser; missing; missionary; mob; model; mogul;
monarch; monitor; monk; monster; moralist; moron; mortal;
mortality; mother; mugger; multitude; murderer; musician;
muster.
Nn
native; naughty child; negotiator; neighbor; newcomer;
60
Words to describe a person
Oo
oaf; obnoxious person; occupant; oddball; oddity; officer;
official; offspring; ogre; old; old hand; older; onlooker; operator;
opposition; ordinary; original; orphan; outcast; outgoing; outlaw;
outsider; outstanding; overseer; owner.
Pp
pack; packager; pagan; page; painter; pal; paperhanger;
parasite; parent; participant; participant; partisan; partner;
passenger; pastor; patient; patrician; patriot; patrol; patron;
pauper; pawn; peacemaker; peasant; peer; people; perfect
gentleman; person; personage; personality; personnel; pervert;
pessimist; pest; pet; philanderer; philanthropist; photographer;
physician; picket; pickpocket; pill; pillar; pilot; pioneer; pipe
fitter; planter; plasterer; platoon; player; playwright; pleasant
company; plebeian; plumber; poet; police; police officer; polished
man; polite listener; politician; poor; poor company; porter;
poser; postal clerk; powerful; practice; preacher; predecessor;
press; pressman; pretender; prey; priest; principal; printer;
prisoner; private; prodigal; prodigy; professional; professor;
profligate; progeny; programme presenter; proofreader;
prophet; proponent; proprietor; prostitute; protagonist; proud;
psychiatrist; psychopath; public enemy; public servant; publisher;
pundit; pupil; puppet; pushover.
Qq
quack; qualified; quiet.
Rr
racketeer; radical; radio assembler; radio operator; radio
61
Words to describe a person
Ss
sailor; saint; salesman; sap; savior; scapegoat; scholar;
school; scion; scoundrel; scout; scream; scum; second; secretary;
sectarian; seed; seller; senior; sensible; servant; sheet-metal
worker; showoff; sick; sight; singer; single; sister; skeptic; skilled
worker; skilled workman; slave; slinger; sneak; snob; snoop;
society; soldier; somebody; sovereign; specialist; spectator;
spendthrift; spokesperson; sponsor; sport; sports presenter;
spouse; spy; squad; square; staff member; star; stenographer;
stick-in-the-mud; straightforward person; strange; stranger;
student; subject; subordinate; substitute; suitor; superintendent;
superior; supervisor; support; supporter; surgeon; surrogate;
sweetheart; swindler; sycophant.
Tt
tailor; talented; target; tattler; tattletale; teacher; technocrat;
telephone operator; television presenter; tenant; textile worker;
thief; thin; tool; tool designer; top name; tough; tourist; trained
employee; trainer; traitor; tramp; traveller; trespasser; trickster;
troop; troops; troublemaker; troubleshooter; truck driver;
trustworthy person; tutor; twin; tycoon; typist; tyrant.
Uu
ugly; umpire; underdog; underworld character; unemployed;
unique; unprincipled person; unscrupulous person; unskilled
worker; upholsterer; upright person; urchin; usher.
Vv
vagabond; vagrant; vandal; vendor; veteran; victim; victor;
62
Words to describe a person
Ww
wag; wage earner; waif; waiter; waitress; wanderer; wanton;
ward; warden; warm; warrior; watch-keeper; weakling; welder;
well-bred woman; well-mannered person; white; white-collar
worker; whizz; whizz kid (infml.); wicked; wife; winner; wise;
wit; witch; witness; wizard; wolf in sheep’s clothing; woman;
woman of breeding; woman of education; woman of good taste;
woman of quality; wonk; worker; workman; writer.
XYZxyz
yokel; young; young child; young man/woman; youngster;
youth; yuppie.
***
63
Attitude
Chapter 6
Attitude
Group 1
• He has his own particular way of looking at things. • He’s
always hopeful and confident about his future. • Whenever
anybody praises him, he feels embarrassed and ashamed. • He
shows a professional attitude to work. • I like him — he has
a devil-may-care attitude. • The situation was very serious, but
he acted as though he wasn’t aware of it at all. • He’s always
logical in his approach. • He has an aggressive attitude. • She
very much wants it to happen. • He’s a reasonable man — he’ll
understand your difficulties. • He’s rather lazy and doesn’t show
much interest in what he does. • He felt sad and discouraged.
• He’s very refined and never uses foul language. • He doesn’t
have the temperament for this sort of work. • His mentality
towards the working class seems to have changed. • He’s very
interested in his new project, and it takes up all his attention and
energy. • He wasn’t particularly friendly, but he was civil to them
when they met him. • When he starts doing something, it holds
his attention completely. • He’s more responsible now — I don’t
know what caused him to change his attitude. • He looked sad
and upset as though he had a serious disappointment. • I didn’t
like his attitude — it was quite unfriendly. • He’s always realistic
about things — he doesn’t base his decisions on unlikely hopes.
• He’s always afraid that something bad is going to happen. • He
freely gives money to people who need it. • I found his attitude
impossible to explain. • He appreciates good music. • She felt
sad and pessimistic. • She was very warm and friendly, but her
husband was very snobbish and treated us as though we were
somehow inferior to him. • I think he has an attitude problem. •
He has just the right mentality for this work. • He shows courage/
64
Attitude
Group 2
• He has a good knowledge of culture and fashion. •
Whenever he discusses something, he tries to be fair to all sides.
• He felt proud to be involved in that project. • He’s happy and
satisfied with his life. • One thing I like about him is, he isn’t
easily discouraged. • I felt an urge to slap across his face. • He’s
an optimist, and I like his general attitude towards life. • He likes
doing jobs that others turn down. • They were very grateful for
their support. • I like his down-to-earth common sense. • He
was very excited, and he was doing everything very quickly. •
He reacted well to the news. • He’s a man of definite opinions.
• I found his attitude annoying. • He has a lot of unreasonable
religious beliefs. • He’s too cautious and slow to act. • She
was unable to speak, and she looked at him with surprise and
horror. • He’s very annoying at times. • I like him — he’s very
sophisticated. • He was frightened, and he was behaving in a
wild, desperate way. • Their attitude irritated him. • He wasn’t
satisfied with the situation he was in. • His attitude to this idea is
very strange. • Let’s be realistic about this — there’s going to be
fierce competition for the contract. • He seems to be very eager
to make money and become rich. • He’s an easy-going person
and is casual about everything.
• He always tries to prevent changes. • He has a positive
outlook on life. • She’s well-educated and has a very cultivated
mind. • He’s been having difficulties, and he was unhappy and
sad. • I spoke to him for a long time, but I couldn’t shake him out
of his attitude. • He has a short temper, and it often gets him into
difficulties. • He’s got a negative attitude, and he always makes
you feel unhappy and without hope. • He finds decisions/choices
like these very difficult to make. • He always speaks out about
66
Attitude
Aa
abashed; absentee; absent-minded; absorbed; absorbing;
absorption; abstract; abstraction; accession; accustomed; ache;
addled; adverse; affected; affectionate; afraid; aggravation;
aggressive; aggrieved; aghast; agility; agog; agonize; agonizing;
agony; airy; alarm; alert; alienation; alter-ego; alternative;
full of hope; amazement; ambivalent; amorous; analytical;
anger; angle; angry; anguish; antagonistic; anti; anticipation;
68
Attitude
Bb
bad; balmy; basic; beaten; behalf; belief; believable;
belligerent; belonging; bent; bewildered; bewitched; bigoted;
bigotry; bitterness; black; blasé; bleak; bleak;; blissful; blithe;
blue; blues; boast; boiling; boredom; bosom; bouncy; breakdown;
breast; breathless; breezy; bright; bristle; broad; broad-minded;
broken; broken-hearted; bubbly; bullish; buoyancy; buoyant;
burning.
Cc
calculating; capitulation; caprice; captive; care; carefree;
carnal; casual; caution; cautious; cavalier; censure; certain;
chagrin; chain; changing; cheer; cheerful; cheerless; cheery;
chipper; circumspect; clairvoyance; clairvoyant; clear;
clemency; cogitation; cold; collapse; comfort; committed;
common; compassion; compassionate; complacent; complex;
composure; compulsion; compunction; conception; concern;
concerned; conciliatory; confident; conflicting; confused;
confusion; conquest; conscious; conservative; consideration;
considered; consolation; constancy; constructive; contemplation;
contemplative; content; contented; contentment; contrary;
contrite; contrition; conventional; conviction; convictions;
convinced; cool; corollary; correct; crabbed; crabby; cranky;
crazy; creative; credit; credulous; crestfallen; critical; cross;
crotchety; cult; curiosity; curious; cynical.
Dd
daft; damaging; dark; darkness; daze; dearly; decided;
decision; deep; defeat; defeatist; defensive; deference;
69
Attitude
Ee
eager; earnest; ease; easy-going; ebullient; economic; ecstasy;
ecstatic; elated; elation; embarrassment; emotion; emotional;
emotionless; enamored; encouragement; energetic; engrossed in;
enjoyment; enthusiastic; envious; envy; equanimity; euphoria;
exaltation; exasperation; excited; excitement; exhaustion;
exhilaration; expectancy; expectant; expectation; expert;
extreme; exuberant; exultant; exultation.
Ff
fallacy; fanatical; fascinated; fatalistic; favourable; fed up;
feeling; feelings; fervent; festive; fever; fiery; fighting; firm;
firmness; first; flaming; flexible; flushed; fluster; fog; foggy;
folly; forbearance; force; foresight; forethought; forgetful;
forgetfulness; forgotten; forlorn; formal; fortitude; forward;
forward-looking; frame of mind; frantic; frazzle; free and easy;
free will; frenetic; frenzy; fresh; fret; fretful; friendly; fright;
70
Attitude
Gg
gay; general; glad; gladly; gladness; glee; gleeful; gloom;
gloom-ridden; gloomy; good; grateful; gratification; gratitude;
greedy; grief; grieve; grim; grumpy; gut.
Hh
half-baked; happily; happiness; happy; happy-go-lucky;
hard; hardbitten; hard-boiled (infml.); hardened; headstrong;
health; healthy; heart; heartbreak; hearty; heat; heaven; heavy;
hesitation; high; high-spirited; historical; holistic; hope; hopeful;
hopeless; hostile; hot; huff; huffy; humiliation; humour; hurt;
hysteria; hysterical.
Ii
idealistic; ideas; ideological; idiocy; ill at ease; ill-disposed;
imagination; immediate; impartial; impassioned; impressionable;
impulse; in no doubt; in suspense; inattentive; incensed;
inclination; inconsolable; incredulous; independent; indifference;
indifferent; indignant; indignity; indirect; indiscriminate;
infatuated; inflexible; informal; informed; inimical; initial;
injurious; innovative; insane; insanity; insatiable; insecure;
insight; instability; instinctive; insular; integrated; intent; intently;
interested; interpretation; intolerant; intoxicated; introspection;
invidious; irate; ire; irrational; irresolute; irreverent; irritable.
Jj
jaundiced; jaunty; jealous; jitters; jovial; joy; joyful; joyless;
joyous; jubilant; judicious.
Kk
keen; keyed up; kick; knee-jerk.
71
Attitude
Ll
lackadaisical; laid back (infml.); laid-back; lament;
lamentation; languid; lascivious; lateral; letdown; lethargic;
lethargy; level-headed; levity; liberal; lively; livid; logical; lonely;
lonesome; longing; lost; low; lucid; lukewarm; lunacy; lunatic.
Mm
mad; majority; malaise; malleable; mania; maniacal;
manic; martyrdom; melancholy; mental; merriment; merry;
merrymaking; mindful; mindless; mirth; miserable; mistake;
mixed; monotony; mood; moody; mope; moral; morale; morbid;
morose; mourn; mourning; muddle; muddled.
Nn
narrow; narrow-minded; natural; nausea; negative; neglect;
nerveless; nerves; nervous; nervousness; neurosis; neurotic;
neutral; new; new age; nonchalant; noncommittal; no-nonsense;
normal; nostalgia; nostalgic; novel; numb; nuts; nutty.
Oo
objection; objective; oblivion; oblivious; observance;
observant; observation; obsessed; obsession; obstructive;
offensive; opinion; opposed; opposing; optimism; optimistic;
orientation; original; originality; orthodox; outlook; overcome;
overjoyed; overwrought.
Pp
pain; panic; paradise; paroxysm; partial; passion;
passionate; pathos; patronizing; peace; penance; penitence;
penitent; pensive; pent-up; perception; personal; perspective;
persuasion; pessimism; pessimistic; petty; philosophical; pique;
pity; platonic; pleasure; point of view; political; poor; position;
positive; posture; pout; practical; pragmatic; precaution;
predisposed; predisposition; premonition; preoccupied; prepared;
prepossessed; presage; presence; presentiment; prevailing;
72
Attitude
Qq
qualm; quarter; queasy; quick.
Rr
rabid; radical; rage; raging; rancour; rapt; rapture; rational;
rave; reaction; ready; realistic; reflective; regret; regretful;
rejoice; relaxed; religious; remorse; repent; repentance; repose;
repulse; resent; resentment; resignation; resistance; resolute;
resolution; resolve; responsible; restless; restlessness; retrospect;
right; rigid; romantic.
Ss
sad; saddening; sadness; sane; sanguine; sanity; sardonic;
satisfaction; scare; scared; sceptical; scientific; scoffing; second;
sectarian; secure; security; self-satisfaction; senile; sensation;
sensibility; sensitive; sensitivity; sentiment; sentiments; serene;
serious; seriousness; servitude; sexual; shame; sharp; sick; silly;
simmer; simplistic; skeptical; slant; slump; sob; solace; solemn;
solicitous; solicitude; sombre; sore; sorrow; sorrowful; sorry;
soul; sound; sour; spellbound; spirited; spiritless; spontaneous;
stance; standpoint; state; steady; stew; stout; strain; strength;
stress; strong; structured; subconscious; subdued; subjective;
sullen; sunny; surprise; susceptible; suspense; suspicious;
sympathetic; sympathy; systematic.
Tt
tearful; technical; tedium; telepathy; temper; temperament;
temperamental; temperance; tender; tense; tension; testy;
thankful; theoretical; thinking; thirsty; thought; thoughtful;
thoughtless; thoughts; tired; tolerance; tolerant; torment;
touched; tough; traditional; triumph; turn.
73
Attitude
Uu
ugly; umbrage; unadvised; unbalanced; unbelieving;
uncertainty; uncomfortable; uncommitted; uncomplimentary;
uncompromising; unconcerned; uncooperative; undecided;
uneasy; unemotional; unenthusiastic; unfaltering; unfavourable;
unfeeling; unflattering; unfriendly; unhappy; uninterested;
unresponsive; unrest; unsettled; unsound; unsympathetic;
untouched; untroubled; unwary; unworried; upbeat; upbeat
(infml.); upright; upset; useful.
Vv
vanity; vantage point; vehement; versed; view; viewpoint;
vigorous; violent; vivacious; vulnerable.
Ww
wacky; waiting; warm; wary; waver; way of looking; way
of thinking; weak; weary; wholehearted; willing; wishful;
wistful; wonder; world-weary; worried; worry; wrath; wrathful;
wretched; wrong.
XYZxyz
zeal; zealous; zest.
***
74
I ntel l igence
Chapter 7
Intelligence
Group 1
• He has the ability to learn things quickly and well. • He
likes finding out about things. • He’s got brains, but he doesn’t
use them. • He has the ability to make good judgments and
quick decisions. • He’s very sensible and thinks very clearly. •
He’s shallow and has no intellectual depth or understanding.
• He always makes sensible decisions. • He’s intellectual and
rational, rather than emotional. • He has brains and ambition,
but he never tries hard. • He always acts on practical ideas and
understanding. • He has a great interest in learning new things.
• His judgment is never mistaken and is always correct. • He’s
very thorough in analyzing situations. • He’s a very bright and
intelligent person. • Those children seem to be more intelligent
than average. • He shows a good understanding of people and
situations. • He has a scientific bent. • He can understand
situations well and knows how to take advantage of them. • He
can predict things that are going to happen. • He’s not stupid,
but never makes an effort to understand things. • She’s very
clever and can think quickly. • He never stops to think that his
actions may have negative consequences. • She’s full of original
and unusual ideas. • He introduces changes and new ideas.
• He often does stupid things. • He knows a lot about this
subject. • He has a good brain and he can understand things
quickly. • He’s an intellectual, and has an amazing brain. • He’s
experienced about life and is not easily shocked/impressed. • He
can express his thoughts in a clear and calm way. • He notices
and understands things quickly. • He has a good understanding
and practical knowledge of these things. • His son has a bent for
mathematics. • She’s a brilliant/talented person. • She always
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I ntel l igence
Group 2
• He’s a man of outstanding skill/ability. • He has a keen
intellect. • He often forgets things, and is unable to organize his
thoughts properly. • He’s good at judging the quality of things
and people. • He’s a very innovative person. • He has a good
mind, and is sure to figure out a way to get out of this difficulty.
• He’s full of clever and original ideas. • He has a capacity for
languages. • He doesn’t think clearly and is emotionally/mentally
unbalanced. • He has a lot of creative abilities/powers/talents.
• He’s very good at persuading people to believe what he says.
• She’s got a good/bad memory. • She’s a very clever woman
and can understand things easily. • He tends to say things that
confuse everybody’s mind/thoughts.
• He spends a lot of time studying and thinking about
complicated things and ideas. • He often becomes confused and
unable to think properly. • He’s clear-headed. • He has a keen/
sharp mind. • He’s a man of considerable intellect. • He’s quick
at learning things. • He’s intelligent and good at thinking quickly.
76
I ntel l igence
Aa
able, abreast, abstruse, academic, accomplishment,
accuracy, acquaintance, acuity, acumen, acute, acuteness, adept,
advisability, alert, alertness, amenable, analytic, analytical,
anticipation, appreciation, appreciative, apprehension, apt,
aptitude, aptness, artfulness, astute, astuteness, attainment,
attention, awake, aware, awareness.
Bb
backward, balance, bent, bewildered, blank, blind, brain,
brain cells (infml.), braininess (infml.), brainpower, brains,
brainy, breadth, bright, brilliance, brilliant.
Cc
calculable, calculation, canniness, canny, capability, capacity,
carefulness, caution, childish, clairvoyance, clairvoyant, clarity,
78
I ntel l igence
Dd
dark, darkness, deducible, deep, delirious, delusion,
dense, depth, designedly, dexterity, dexterous, dim, discerning,
discernment, discretion, discrimination, dizzy, dopey, down-to-
earth, dull, dullness, dumb.
Ee
educated, education, efficiency, efficient, elevated, empathy,
empty, empty-headed, endowment, enlightened, enlightenment,
enthusiasm, erudite, erudition, experience, experienced, expert,
expertise, expertness.
Ff
faculty, familiar, familiarity, fancy, far-sighted, farsightedness,
fatuous, feeling, finesse, flair, foresight, foresightedness,
forgotten, forte, frivolous.
Gg
genius, gift, gifted, giftedness, a good head (infml.), good
judgment, good sense, good taste, grasp, grey matter (infml.),
grip, guile, gullible.
Hh
hardheadedness, harebrained, hazy, head, horse sense
(infml.).
Ii
idiocy, idiotic, ignorance, ignorant, illiterate, illumination,
imagination, imbecile, impressionable, incisive, incisiveness,
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I ntel l igence
Jj
judgment, judicious.
Kk
keen, keenness, keen-sightedness, knack, know-how (infml.),
knowing, knowledge, knowledgeable.
Ll
learned, learning, level-headedness, light, literacy, logical,
long-headedness, lucid, lucidity.
Mm
marbles (infml.), memory, mental ability, mental acuteness,
mental capacity, mental faculties, mental health, mentality,
mind, mindful, misconception, mistaken, misunderstanding,
moderation.
Nn
naiveté, native wit, nimble, nous (infml.).
Oo
oblivious, observance, observant, observation, obtuse,
obtuseness, omniscient, originality.
Pp
penetrating, penetration, perception, perceptive,
perceptiveness, percipience, perspicacious, perspicacity,
perspicuity, philosophic, philosophical, poise, power, powers
of reasoning, practicability, practical knowledge, practicality,
80
I ntel l igence
Qq
quick, quick sense, quickness, quickness of mind, quickness
of perception, quick-witted, quick-wittedness.
Rr
range, rashness, rational, rational faculty, rationality, reach,
readiness, ready, reason, reasonable, reasonableness, reasoning,
reasoning power, refinement, resourceful.
Ss
sagacious, sagacity, sane, sanity, sapience, savoir faire, savvy
(infml.), scatterbrained, scholarly, senile, sense, senses, sensibility,
sensible, sensitivity, shallow, sharp, sharpness, sharp-wittedness,
shrewd, shrewdness, simple, simplicity, skill, skillful, slick, slow,
smart, smartness, smarts (infml.), soft, solidity, sophistication,
soul, soundness, soundness of, stability, stolid, studious, stupidity,
subtle, subtlety, sympathy.
Tt
tact, talent, taste, thick, thought, thoughtful, thoughtless,
touched, turn.
Uu
unaware, understanding, uneducated, unfamiliar, unwise,
upper storey (infml.).
Vv
vacant, vacuous, versed, veteran, vigilance, vision.
Ww
weak, wiliness, wisdom, wise, wit, wits.
***
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F ee l ings & emotions
Chapter 8
Group 2
• She surprised everybody by her knowledge of history. •
She was overcome by a feeling of despair. • When she repeated
the question, he looked annoyed. • It was a sad film, and it made
her cry. • We’re poor, and we aren’t ashamed of it. • He never
expresses any gentle or caring feelings. • He was glad about what
happened. • He was very nervous, and her voice was shaking. •
He’s a hard-worker, and his boss has taken a liking to him. •
Most of them reacted to the decision with surprise. • She was
overcome by fear and started screaming. • The election results
have made him feel disappointed/sad and pessimistic. • He was
afraid they’d do something violent to him. • What’s the use of
envying them? Let’s try and be as successful as them. • I was
irritated by his behaviour. • I’m looking forward to the chance of
another outing like this. • He felt sorry when he heard of what
happened there. • She was very pleased about the news. • He
made me appear stupid, and I felt very embarrassed. • She didn’t
want to show her real feelings. • I don’t like that man. • Indian
politics really surprises everyone. • They had to undergo a lot
of frightening/shocking/disgusting experiences during the war.
• They were very sad over his death. • She was overcome with
panic and felt helpless. • You gave me a real scare when you
shouted like that.
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F ee l ings & emotions
for him. • There were so many choices available that I was very
confused. • He couldn’t decide what to do, and he stood looking
out of the window. • He didn’t seem at all frightened. • He didn’t
say anything, but inside, he was boiling with anger. • There was
no emotion in her voice. • She’s very worried, and I don’t know
what to do to set her mind at rest. • He was very unfortunate,
and I felt sorry for him. • For the first time, he felt a deep sense
of shame.
• She seemed satisfied with the suggestion I made. •
Everybody was shocked by his behaviour, and couldn’t say
or do anything. • He was very upset and he said all this in a
choked voice. • He’s very fond of his family and friends. • She
was very upset, and I didn’t know what to do to comfort her.
• He’s quick to react to people and to show emotions. • She
was afraid to complain. • He couldn’t cope with the problem,
and he felt frustrated and angry. • There was a general feeling
of shock at the news. • When she heard the news, she stopped
feeling depressed and became cheerful. • He couldn’t win any
of the games, and he felt hopeless/desperate. • Everybody was
glad a step forward had been taken. • He likes to go fishing,
and it gives him great pleasure. • He looked upset — the news
seemed to have shaken his confidence. • He’s more successful
than them, and they’re jealous of him. • He’s in love with that
girl. • We were confused by the variety of goods on offer. • When
the fire alarm went off, she started shivering with fear. • When
he loses his temper, he becomes violent. • You really gave me a
shock, creeping up on me like that. • I didn’t know what to say to
help him stop worrying. • The announcement was so sudden and
unexpected that it surprised everybody. • For the first time, he
had a feeling of guilt about the way he had treated her. • He was
sad and upset about the whole situation. • Her moods change
often and suddenly. • She was very frightened, and her voice
was choked with emotion. • He hates violence. • I know he said
all those things only to comfort me. • He’s never sympathetic
to other people’s feelings. • She’s still scared of the dark. • He
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F ee l ings & emotions
***
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W ords to speak about feel ings and emotions – Part 1
Chapter 9
Aa
a chip on your shoulder; a flush of anger; a flush of
excitement; a flush of pleasure; a furrowed brow; a slap on the
back; abashed; abjectly; absorbing; abuzz; ache; acquisitive;
actually; acute; acutely; addiction to; admirable; admirably;
admiration; admire; admirer; admiring; admiringly; adorable;
adore; adoring; adventurer; adventurous; adventurously;
aesthetic; aesthetically; affection; affectionate; affectionately;
affections; affinity; afflict; afraid; afterglow; agape; aggrieved;
aghast; agitate; agitated; agitation; agog; agonized; agonizing;
agonizingly; agony; agreeably; airy; alarm; alarmed; alarming;
alarmingly; alert; alienate; allure; alluring; alluringly; aloud;
altruism; amaze; amazed; amazement; amazing; amazingly;
ambitious; amiability; amused; amusement; anaemic novel/
performance; anathema; angel; angelic; angelically; anger;
angrily; angry; angry feelings; anguish; anguished; animate;
animated; animatedly; animation; animosity; annoy; annoyance;
annoyed; annoying; annoyingly; anonymous; antagonism;
antagonize; antipathy; anxiety; anxious; anxiously; apathetic;
apathy; apoplectic; appalled; appeal; appealing; appealingly;
appear; appearance; appetite; applaud; applause; appreciate;
appreciation; appreciative; appreciatively; apprehension;
apprehensive; apprehensively; approve; ardent; ardently; ardour;
argumentative; argumentatively; aroma; aromatic; arouse;
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W ords to speak abo u t feel ings and emotions – Part 1
Bb
baby; backslapping; bad blood; bad conscience; bad feeling;
bad mood; bad temper; bad-tempered; baffle; bafflement;
baffling; bait; balk; balm; banal; bane; bane of your life; bang;
bankrupt; barefaced; barnstorming; bashful; bashfully; bask;
bawl; be a credit to sb/sth; be a revelation; be a sucker for sb/
sth (infml.); be attached to sb/sth; be consumed by/with; be
favourably disposed towards; be ill-disposed towards; be in a
dither about; be in raptures; be into sth; be kicking; be lacking
in; be loath to do; be mad about; be one for; be pooped; be potty
about; be raring to do; be rid of; be riveted; be subject to; be taken
aback; be the butt of; be undone; be well disposed towards; be
witness to; be/feel disinclined to; be/get cross with sb; beaming;
bear hug; bearable; beautification; beautiful; beautifully; beauty;
beckon; bedlam; befuddled; begrudge; beguiling; beguilingly;
beheld; belly laugh; belong; bemused; bent; berserk; besotted;
bête noire; bewilder; bewildered; bewildering; bewilderment;
bewitch; bewitching; bias; bide; big-head; big-headed; bigoted;
bigotry; bile; bilious; bind; biological urge; bitter; bitterness;
bittersweet; black look; black mood; bland; blandly; blank;
blankly; blasé; blast; blaze; bleak; blearily; bleary; bleary-
eyed; bleep; blench; blessing; blind; blindside; blinkered; bliss;
blissful; blissfully; blistering; blithely; blood-curdling; bloodless;
blooming; blow; blows; blubber; blush; boast; boastful; boastfully;
body odour; boggle; boiling point; boisterous; boisterously; bold;
boldly; bombast; bombastic; bon vivant; boohoo; boorish; boost;
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W ords to speak abo ut fee lings and emotions – Part 1
Cc
cabin fever; cackle; cacophony; cagey; cagily; calculated risk;
callous; calm; calmly; calmness; can; can’t face; cantankerous;
captivate; captivating; capture; care; carefree; carelessly;
carelessness; caress; careworn; caricature; caring; car-mad;
casual; casually; casualty; catalyst; catcall; catchy; censure; chafe
against/at/under; chagrin; challenge; chaos; chaotic; chaotically;
character; characterless; charged; charisma; charismatic;
charitable; charity; charm; charm/diplomatic offensive; charmed;
charming; charmingly; charmless; chase; cheer; cheerful;
cheerfulness; cheerily; cheering; cheerless; cheerlessness; cheery;
cherish; cherubic; chic; chill; chilling; chillingly; chime; chink of
light; chintzy; chirpy; chivalrous; chivalrously; chivalry; choked;
chuckle; chug; citation; civility; civilized; civilly; clack; clap;
clash; classical; classy; clear; click; climactic; clinch; clinging;
clinical; clinically; clink; clinking; cloud; cloud nine; cloy; cloying;
cloyingly; clumsy; cold; cold eyes; cold sweat; cold towards
sb; cold-eyed; coldly; collected; colour; colourful; colourless;
come as a revelation; comfort; comfortable; comfortably;
commitment; committed; commotion; compassion; compassion
fatigue; compassionate; compelling; complacency; complacent;
complacently; complement; compliment; complimentary;
composed; composure; compromise; compulsion; compulsive;
compunction; conceit; conceited; conceitedly; concern; concerned;
condemnation; condescending; condescendingly; condescension;
condolence; confidence; confident; conflict; confound; confuse;
confused; confusion; congenial; congratulate; congratulation;
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W ords to speak abo u t feel ings and emotions – Part 1
Dd
daintily; dainty features; dainty feet; dainty flowers;
damp squib; danger; danger of; dangerous; dangerously; dare;
daredevil; daren’t; daring; daringly; dark; darkly; darling; dart;
dart a glance; dart a look at; dashing; dashingly; dazed; dazzle;
dazzling; dead eyes; dead voice; deadpan; deafening; dear; death
trap; death-defying; deck; decorate; decoration; decorative;
decoratively; dedicate; dedication; deep; deep affection; deep
regret; deep-down; deepen; defeatism; defeatist; defensive;
deferential; deferentially; deflate; deflated; defuse; degrade;
degrading; deify; deign; deign to do sth; dejected; dejectedly;
dejection; delicacy (and understanding); delicate; delicately;
delicious; deliciously; delight; delighted; delightedly; delightful;
delightfully; delirium; demand; demean; demeaning; demented;
demon; demonstrative; demonstratively; demoralization;
demoralize; demoralized; demoralizing; demotivating;
demure; demurely; depravity; deprecating; depress; depressed;
depressing; depressingly; depression; deprived; depth; derision;
derisive; desirability; desirable; desirably; desire; desire for;
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W ords to speak abo ut fee lings and emotions – Part 1
Ee
eager; eagerly; eagerness; eagle eye; eagle-eyed; earnest;
ear-piercing; ear-splitting; earth-shaking; earth-shattering;
easy-going; ebullience; ebullient; ebulliently; ecstasy; ecstatic;
ecstatically; edgily; edgy; effervescent; effusive; effusively;
ego; ego trip; egocentric; egocentrically; egocentricity; egoism;
egomania; egotism; egotistic; egotistical; elated; elation;
electric; electrify; electrifying; elegance; elegant; elegantly;
embarrass; embarrassed; embarrassing; embarrassingly;
embarrassment; embitter; embittered; emerge; emergence;
emotion; emotional; emotional blackmail; emotional comfort;
emotional cripple; emotionalism; emotionally; emotionless;
emotive; empathy; emphasis; emphasize; emphatic; emptiness;
empty word/promises; enchant; enchanted; enchanting;
enchantment; encounter; encouragement; endanger; endearing;
endearingly; endearment; endurable; endurance; endure;
energetic; energetically; energize; energy; engaging; engrossed;
engrossing; enigma; enigmatic; enigmatically; enjoy; enjoyable;
enjoyment; enmity; enrage; enterprising; entertain; entertaining;
entertainingly; enthral; enthralling; enthuse; enthusiasm;
enthusiast; enthusiastic; enthusiastically; entice; enticement;
enticing; enticingly; enviable; enviably; envious; enviously;
envy; equable; equably; equanimity; eroticism; estimation;
euphemism; euphemistic; euphoria; euphoric; euphorically;
evangelical; evaporate; even; evenly; even-tempered; eventful;
evil intentions; exasperate; exasperated; exasperatedly;
exasperating; exasperatingly; exasperation; excitable; excite;
excited; excitedly; excitement; exciting; excitingly; exhilarate;
exhilarated; exhilarating; exhilaration; expectation; experience;
explode; explosion; explosive; explosively; exposure; express;
express yourself; expressionless; exquisite; exquisitely; extravert;
extrovert; exuberance; exuberant; exude; exultantly; exultation;
eye contact; eye-catching; eyeing; eye-opener; eyesight;
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W ords to speak abo ut fee lings and emotions – Part 1
eyesore.
Ff
face; face falls; faceless; faint-hearted; falling-out; familiarity;
fan; fan club; fanatic; fanatical; fanatically; fanaticism; fancy;
fascinate; fascinated; fascinating; fascination; fatherly; favour;
favourable; favourite; favourite son; favourite thing; fear; fearful;
fearfully; fearless; fearlessly; fearlessness; feast for the ears; feast
for the eyes; featureless; fed up; feel; feel sorry for sb/yourself;
feel-good; feeling; feeling for; feeling low; feelingly; feelings;
feelings of guilt; fellow feeling; fervour; festive; feud; fever; fever
pitch; fiddle; fidget; fidgety; fiend; fierce; fiery; fight; fighting
spirit; fillip; finger sth; fire; fit of anger; fit of bad temper; fit
of fury; fit of ill temper; fit of pique; fit of rage; fit of temper;
fix; fixation with; fizz; fizzle; flag; flair; flash; flat; flat-footed;
flatly; flatter; flicker; flinching; flirtation; flurry; flush; flushed;
fluster; flustered; flutter; focus; fog; fogey (infml.); folk hero;
fond; fondle; fondly; fondness for; foolhardy; footloose; footstep;
for effect; force; forcefulness; foreboding; forget; forlornly; fox;
foxy; fractious; fragrance; fragrant; frantic; frantically; fraught;
fray; frayed; free; frenzy; frenzy of anger; frenzy of rage; fresh;
fret; fretful; fretfully; friction; friendliness; friendly; friendship;
fright; frighten; frightened; frightening; frighteningly; friskily;
frisky; frisson; frolic; frown; frustrate; frustrated; frustrating;
frustration; fulfil; fulfilled; fulfilling; fulfilment; full; full-
blooded; fume; fun; furious; furiously; furore; furrow; furrowed;
fury; fuss; fussily; fussy.
Gg
gaiety; gall; gallantly; gallantry; galling; gamble; gape;
garbled; gasp; gather; gay; gaze; generosity; geniality; genteel;
gentle; gentlemanly; genuineness; ghoulish; gibe; giggle;
giggler; giggly; give; give a start; give vent to; glad; gladly;
glamorize; glamorous; glamorously; glamour; glance; glare;
glaze; gleam; glee; gleeful; gleefully; glimpse; glitter; glittering;
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W ords to speak abo u t feel ings and emotions – Part 1
Hh
hackneyed; haggard; hair-raising; half-hearted; half-
heartedly; hallowed; hand; handclap; handle; handsome; hands-
on; hangdog; hanger-on; hankering; happily; happiness; happy-
go-lucky; harass; harassed; hard feelings; hard-bitten; hardship;
harmonious; harmoniously; harmony; harried; harrowing;
hatchet-faced; hate; hate mail; hatred; haughtily; haughty;
haunt; haunted; haunting; have a down on; have a quick
temper; have a soft spot for; have palpitations; have/keep an
open mind; have/take a gander; have/take a peek; havoc; hawk-
eyed; heart; heartache; heartbreak; heartbreaking; heartbroken;
heartily; heartstrings; heart-warming; hearty; heat; heated;
heatedly; heaven; heavenly; Heavens (above)!; heaviness of
heart; heavy-hearted; hedonist; hedonistic; hell; hell on earth;
hell’s bells; hero; hero worship; heroic; heroically; heroics;
heroine; heroism; hero-worship; hidebound; hideous; hideously;
high; high spirits; highfalutin; high-flown; highly; highly-strung;
high-pitched; high-spirited; high-strung; hiss; hoarse; hoarsely;
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W ords to speak abo ut fee lings and emotions – Part 1
Ii
I wish (that)...; ice-breaker; icily; icy; idol; idolization;
idolize; if you please; ignominy; ill feeling; ill humour; ill
temper; ill will; illiberal; ill-tempered; I’m sorry; imagination;
imagine; immodesty; immorality; immune; impartial;
impartiality; impartially; impassioned; impassive; impassively;
impassivity; impatience; impatient; impatiently; imperceptible;
imperious; imperiously; imperturbable; impetuosity; impetuous;
impetuously; imposing; impressive; impressively; impulse;
impulse buy; impulse buying; impulsive; impulsively; in good
spirits; in high spirits; in honour of; in low spirits; in need; in
the doldrums; in the heat of the moment; inaudibility; inaudible;
inaudibly; incandescent; incendiary; incensed; incentive;
incestuous; incitement; inclination; inclined; inconsolable;
inconsolably; inconspicuous; inconspicuously; incredulity;
indebted; indebtedness; indefatigably; indifference to; indifferent;
indifferently; indignant; indignantly; indignation; indignity;
indistinct; indistinctly; indomitable; indomitably; indulgence;
indulgent; indulgently; inelegant; inequity; inexplicable;
inexplicably; inexpressible; inexpressive; infatuated; infatuation;
infect; infectious; inflame; inflammatory; influence; infuriate;
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W ords to speak abo u t feel ings and emotions – Part 1
Jj
jaded; jangle; jar; jarring; jauntily; jaunty; jaws; jealous;
jealously; jealousy; jeopardize; jet lag; jet-lagged; jewel; jibe;
jigsaw (puzzle); job satisfaction; jolly; jolt; jovial; joviality;
jovially; joy; joyful; joyfully; joyless; joylessly; jubilant; jubilantly;
jubilation; jump.
***
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W ords to speak about feel ings and emotions – Part 2
Chapter 10
Kk
keen; keenness; keep; keyed up; kick; kill; killer instinct;
killjoy; kind-hearted; kindliness; kindness; kiss; knock; kowtow.
Ll
lackadaisically; lacklustre; lament; lampoon; laudably; laugh;
laughingly; laughter; lazy; leaden; leaning; lecherous; lechery;
leer; leisurely; let-down; lethargic; lethargy; level voice; level-
headed; liberal; liberalism; liberality; liberalization; licentious;
life-affirming; lifeless; lighten up; light-hearted; like; like it or
lump it; likes; liking; lilting; lionize; listen; listless; listlessly;
live; live wire; liveliness; lively; livid; loathe; loathing; loftily;
lofty; loneliness; lonely; lonesome; long for; long-awaited;
longing; longingly; long-suffering; look; lord it over sb; lordly;
loss of face; loudly; lovable; love; love affair; love for; loveable;
loveless; lovely; lover; lovesick; love-struck; loving; loving
kindness; lovingly; low-key; low-pitched; low-spirited; loyal
following; lukewarm; lull; lump it; lure; luscious; lust; lust for
power; lustful; lustre; luxurious; lyrical.
Mm
madden; maddening; maddeningly; madly; madness;
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W ords to speak abo u t feel ings and emotions – Part 2
Nn
nail-biter; nail-biting; narcissism; narcissist; narcissistic;
narrow-minded; nasty; needy; negative; negatively; negativism;
nerve/courage; nerveless; nerve-racking; nerves; nerve-
wracking; nervous; nervously; nervy; nestle; nettle; neutral;
neutrality; newsworthy; nibble; nice; nice-looking; nicely;
niggle; niggling; no disrespect to; nobility; noble; noise; noise
pollution; noiseless; noiselessly; noisily; noisy; nonchalance;
nonchalant; nonchalantly; non-judgmental; nonplussed; nosey;
nosily; nostalgia; nostalgic; nostalgically; nosy; not bothered;
noted; nudge; numb; numbly; nurse; nuzzle (up).
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W ords to speak abo ut fee lings and emotions – Part 2
Oo
objective; objectively; objectivity; obsession with; odour;
odourless; of marginal interest; off balance; offence; offend;
officious; officiously; ogle; old hat; on tenterhooks; open
mind; open-eyed; open-minded; open-mouthed; opinionated;
opposition; oppress; oppression; oppressive; optimism; optimist;
optimistic; optimistically; out of tune; outburst; outgrow;
outpouring; outrage; outraged; ovation; overawe; overbearing;
overeager; overflow; overhear; overheated; overjoyed; overtake;
overtax; overtired; overwhelm; overwork; overworked;
overwrought.
Pp
pacific; pacifier; pacify; pain; pained; painful; pale; pall;
pallid; palpable; palpitation; pang; pangs; pangs of conscience;
panic; panic attack; panic-stricken; paradise; paranoid; pardon
(me); parochial; paroxysm; paroxysm of anger; paroxysm of rage;
parsimony; partiality; passing fancy; passion for; passionate;
passionately; passionless; passions; pat; patience; patient;
patiently; patronize; patronizing; patter; paw; peace; peace of
mind; peaceable; peaceably; peaceful; peacefully; peacefulness;
peace-loving; peeve; peevish; peevishly; pen pusher; penchant;
penchant for; pencil pusher; penetrating; pensive; pent-up;
peppery; perceptive; perceptively; perfume; perkily; perky;
permissive society; perplex; perplexed; perplexing; perplexity;
persecution complex; pert; pessimism; pessimist; pessimistic;
pessimistically; pester; pet; pet aversion; petrified; petrify; petty;
petulance; petulant; petulantly; philanthropy; philosophical;
philosophically; photogenic; picturesque; picturesquely;
piercing; piercing eyes; piercing gaze; piercing glance; piercing
look; piercingly; pine (away); pious; pious hope; pipe dream;
pique; piqued; pissed off; pitter-patter; pity; placate; placid;
placidity; placidly; plaintive; plaintively; playboy; playful;
pleasant; pleasantly; pleasantness; please; pleased; pleasure;
plonk (infml.); plummy; poetic; poetical; poetry; poignant;
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Qq
quake; quarrel; quarrelsome; quick temper; quick-tempered;
quiet; quieten; quietly; quiver; quizzical; quizzically.
Rr
rabid; rabidly; racy; raddled; radiance; radiant; rage;
rampage; ramshackle; rank; rankle; rapport; rapt attention; rapt
expression; raptures; rapturous; rapturously; raring; rash; rashly;
rasp; raspy; rattle; raucous; raucously; raver; raving; ravishing;
razor-sharp; reality check; reappear; reappearance; rebellious-
spirited; receptive; reckless; recklessly; red; red herring; reek;
reel; refined; refreshed; refreshing; refreshingly; regard for;
regret; regretful; regretfully; rejuvenate; relax; relaxation;
relaxed; relaxing; release; relief; relieved; relish; reluctance;
reluctant; reluctantly; remorse; remorseful; renowned; repel;
repentance; repress; repressed; repression; reprisal; repulsion;
require; requirement; resent; resentful; resentfully; resentment;
reserve; reserved; resignation; resigned; resignedly; resonant;
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Ss
sad; sadden; sadly; sadness; safety valve; salvo; sardonically;
satisfaction; satisfied; satisfy; satisfying; scandalize; scare;
scared; scaremongering; scary; scent; scented; scintillating; scoff;
scoffer; scolding; scorn; scowl; scream; screech; screw; sear;
search; searing; seat-of-the-pants; second thought; second wind;
security risk; sedate; sedately; seduce; seduction; seductive;
seductively; seeker; seethe; seething; self-accusation; self-
appointed; self-condemnation; self-conscious; self-consciously;
self-consciousness; self-deprecating; self-effacement; self-
effacing; self-effacingly; self-fulfilled; self-fulfilment; self-
importance; self-important; self-importantly; self-indulgence; self-
indulgent; selfless; self-opinionated; self-pity; self-pitying; self-
possessed; self-possession; self-reproach; self-satisfaction; self-
satisfied; sensation; sensational; sensationalism; sensationalist;
sensationalize; sensationally; sense; sense of achievement;
sense of well-being; sensibilities; sensitive; sensitivity; sensual;
sensuality; sensuous; sensuously; sentiment; sentimental;
sentimentality; sentimentally; sentiments; serene; serenely;
serenity; serious; settle; seventh heaven; sex drive; sexless; sex-
mad; sexual appetite; sexual attraction; sexual attractiveness;
sexual desire; sexual longing; sexual passion; sexuality; shame;
shamefaced; shamefacedly; shameful; shamefully; shameless;
shamelessly; shapeliness; shapely; sharp; sharp-eyed; sharply;
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Tt
take a dim view of sth; take umbrage; taken aback; taken with/
by; tame; tangle; tantalize; tantalizing; tantalizingly; tantrum;
taste; tasteful; tastefully; tasteless; tastelessly; tastes; taunt;
taut; tear; teardrop; tearful; tearfully; tease; tedious; tediously;
tedium; telegenic; temper; temperament; temperamental;
temperamentally; temperature; tempestuous; tempestuously;
tempt; temptation; tempting; temptingly; tender; tender-hearted;
tense; tensely; tension; tenterhooks; tepid; terrified; terrify;
terrifying; terrifyingly; terror; terrorize; terror-stricken; testily;
testy; tetchy; texture; thank; thank you; thankful; thankfully;
thanks; thaw; the deuce; the dickens; the doldrums; the faint-
hearted; the hiccup; the human touch; thick skin; thin skin;
think highly of; thin-skinned; thoughtful; thought-provoking;
threadbare; threat; threaten; threatening; threateningly; thrill;
thrilled; thrilling; thrilling experience; throb; throes; throw;
throw a wobbly; thud; thunder; thunderbolt; thundering;
thunderous; thunderstruck; tight-fisted; timid; timidity; timidly;
timorous; timorously; tinge of; tingle; tinkle; tinny; tire; tired;
tired out; tiredly; tireless; tirelessly; tiresome; tiresomely; tit
for tat; titillate; titillation; titter; tolerance; tolerant; tolerantly;
tolerate; toll; tone; tonelessly; torment; torpor; torrid; torture;
touch; touched; touchily; touching; touchy; tough-spirited;
towering rage; tragedy; tragic; tragically; tranquil; tranquillity;
tranquilly; transfixed; traumatic; traumatically; traumatize;
traumatized; treacherous; treacly; tread; treadmill; treasure;
treat; tremble; trembling; tremour; trepidation; trigger-happy;
trite; tritely; triumph; triumphant; triumphantly; trouble;
troubling; troublingly; truculence; truculent; truculently; trust;
try; trying; tug at the heartstrings; tumultuous; tuneful; tunefully;
tuneless; tunelessly; tunnel vision; turbulence; turmoil; tussle;
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Uu
ugly; ugly duckling; unabashed; unaccountable;
unaccountably; unappealing; unappreciative; unashamed;
unashamedly; unassuming; unattractive; unattractively;
unbelievable; unbiased; uncomfortable; uncomfortably;
uncomplaining; uncomplainingly; uncomplimentary;
unconcerned; unconcernedly; uncouth; undaunted; undergo;
understanding; underwent; undesirable; unease; uneasily;
uneasiness; uneasy; uneventful; uneventfully; unexplained;
unfashionable; unfavourable; unflappable; unflattering;
unflinching; unfulfilled; ungrateful; unhappily; unhappiness;
unhappy; unimpressed; unimpressive; uninhibited; uninspired;
uninspiring; uninterested; uninteresting; uninviting; unlovable;
unmentionable; unmoved; unnerve; unnerving; unnervingly;
unobtrusive; unobtrusively; unpopular; unpopularity;
unrepentant; unresponsive; unrest; unruffled; unselfish; unsettle;
unsettled; unsettling; unsmiling; unwanted; unwelcome;
unwilling; unwillingly; unwind; uproar; uproarious; ups and
downs; upset; upsetting; urbane; urbanely; urge; urgency.
Vv
vacant; vacantly; vague; vain; valiant; valiantly; vanish;
vanishing; vanity; vehemence; vehement; vehemently; vengeance;
venom; venomous; venomously; vent; verve; vexation; vibrant;
vibrantly; victim; view; vigilance; vigorous; vigorously; vigour;
vindictive; vindictively; violence; visibility; visible; vision; visual;
visually; vitality; vitriol; vivacious; vivaciously; vivacity; vocal;
vocalize; vocally; voice; voluptuous; voracious; vulgar; vulgarity;
vulgarly.
Ww
wail; wanderlust; want; wanton; war of words; warm; warm
feelings; warm-hearted; warmth; washed-out; watch; watchful;
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XYZxyz
yawn; yearn; yearning; yelp; yowl, zeal; zealous; zealously;
zest; zestful; zestfully.
That’s it. Bye for now.
***