ADJECTIVES FOR DESCRIBING PERSONALITY TRAITS
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| Qualities generally considered positive: |
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Qualities generally considered negative: |
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| ambitious | angry | ||
| brave | annoying | ||
| bold | apathetic | ||
| carefree | argumentative | ||
| careful | bad | ||
| caring | bad-tempered | ||
| cautious | big-headed | ||
| charming | boring | ||
| cheerful | cantankerous | ||
| conventional | careless | ||
| conservative | close-minded | ||
| crazy | cold-hearted | ||
| dependable | conceited | ||
| diligent | cowardly | ||
| earnest | crass | ||
| enjoyable | crotchety | ||
| entertaining | cruel | ||
| extroverted | dishonest | ||
| free-spirited | disloyal | ||
| friendly | dull | ||
| fun | dull-witted | ||
| fun-loving | dumb | ||
| generous | flirtatious | ||
| giving | full of oneself | ||
| good | ill-tempered | ||
| good-natured | insane | ||
| happy | introverted | ||
| hard-working | jealous | ||
| honest | jumpy | ||
| kind | lazy | ||
| laid-back | loud | ||
| lively | mean | ||
| loyal | mealy-mouthed | ||
| lovely | miserly | ||
| loving | moody | ||
| modest | narrow-minded | ||
| naive | naughty | ||
| nuts | nervous | ||
| open-minded | obnoxious | ||
| optimistic | overbearing | ||
| polite | overwhelming | ||
| proud | pessimistic | ||
| realistic | petty | ||
| reliable | quarrelsome | ||
| self-confident | small-minded | ||
| sensible | selfish | ||
| sensitive | shy | ||
| sympathetic | stubborn | ||
| talkative | strict | ||
| trustworthy | two-faced | ||
| understanding | unfriendly | ||
| unreliable | |||
| weird |
self-righteous: smug, sanctimonious, self-satisfied, superior
tight-fisted: ungenerous, miserly, mean, stingy
to be tactless: not have tact, be unintentionally impolite
rude: (false friend) impolite
rash: impetuous, impulsive
clumsy: awkward, uncoordinated, inept
doer: person who "does", active person
outgoing: extrovert
self-centred: selfish, egocentric
ruthless: brutal, cruel, merciless, relentless, without pity
straight-forward: uncomplicated
selfish: egotistical
quick-witted: alert, astute, smart
resourceful: clever, capable, ingenious, inventive
two-faced: insincere
threatened: under attack, menaced
fickle: changeable, unpredictable, volatile
whimsical: capricious
nevertheless: however, despite this
self-assured: confident, self-confident
to come across (intransitive): seem, appear
bossy: authoritarian, despotic, dictatorial
boastful: arrogant, having a tendency to talk about his/her successes (= "victories")
gullible: credulous, innocent, naive
flattery: adulation, sycophancy
shy: timid
humble: modest
methodical: meticulous, systematic
picky: critical, fussy
petty: obsessed about unimportant details
truthful: sincere, honest
reliable: dependable, predictable, responsible, trustworthy
easy-going: relaxed
carefree: untroubled, without worries (=preoccupations), easy-going
spiteful: vindictive
scatological: (semi-false friend) showing an unpleasant interest in excrement, sex and death. strong-willed: determined, resolute
to be aware of: be conscious of
withdrawn: reserved
forthright: frank, direct, candid
control-freak: person who needs to be controlling everything and everyone.
sensible: (false friend) responsible
thoughtful: contemplative, pensive, reflective
moody: melancholic, sullen
gentle: tender
lively: vivacious
stubborn: obstinate
selfless: altruistic, self-sacrificing
unstable: unbalanced
fickle: changeable, unpredictable, volatile
weak-willed: indecisive