99 English words
English vocabulary for feelings and personality
Useful English words about emotions, attitudes, character and behaviour, with meanings, pronunciation and example sentences.
Words
A
- aloneadjectiveA2without other peopleShe lives alone in a small apartment.
- appeaseverbC2to calm someone by giving them what they wantThe government tried to appease the protesters with promises.
- attitudenounB1the way you think and feel about something, shown in how you behaveHe has a very positive attitude toward work.
- austereadjectiveC1very plain and simple, without decoration or comfortThe monks lived in small, austere rooms.
- avaricenounC2an extreme desire for money or wealthThe bankers’ avarice helped cause the crisis.
- aversionnounC1a strong dislike of somethingShe has an aversion to crowds.
B
- badadjectiveA1not good or not pleasantWe had bad weather all week.
- beautifuladjectiveA1very attractive or pleasant to look at, hear or experienceWhat a beautiful view!
- beguileverbC2to charm or attract someone, sometimes in a way that deceives themVisitors are beguiled by the island’s beauty.
- behaviornounB1the way a person or animal actsThe teacher praised the children’s good behavior.
- blueadjectiveA1having the color of a clear skyShe has bright blue eyes.
C
- candidadjectiveC1honest and direct, even when the truth is not pleasantTo be candid, I don’t think the plan will work.
- capricenounC2a sudden change of mind or behavior that has no good reasonThe staff were tired of the manager’s caprices.
- careverbA2to feel that something or someone is important to youI don’t care what other people think.
- characternounA2a person in a book, film or playThe main character is a young detective.
- conceitnounC2too much pride in yourself and your abilitiesHis conceit made him hard to work with.
- concernnounB1a feeling of worry, or something that worries youSafety is our main concern.
- conscientiousadjectiveC1careful to do your work well and do what is rightShe is a conscientious student who never misses a deadline.
- contemptnounC1a strong feeling that someone or something is worthless and deserves no respectHe looked at the offer with contempt.
- cowerverbC2to bend down or move back because you are afraidThe dog cowered in the corner during the storm.
D
- deferencenounC2polite respect shown to someone, often by accepting their opinion or wishesHe spoke to the old professor with great deference.
- depraveverbC2to make someone morally bad or evilSome critics claimed violent films would deprave young viewers.
- despairnounC1a feeling of having lost all hopeIn despair, he gave up looking for work.
- disconcertverbC2to make someone feel uneasy, confused or embarrassedHis long silence disconcerted the interviewer.
- discreetadjectiveC1careful not to cause embarrassment or reveal private informationPlease be discreet; nobody else knows yet.
- dispositionnounC2a person’s natural character or usual moodShe has a cheerful disposition.
- doggedadjectiveC2refusing to give up, even when things are difficultHer dogged determination finally paid off.
E
- earnestadjectiveC2very serious and sincere, sometimes too seriousHe was an earnest young man who never told jokes.
- enjoyverbA1to get pleasure from doing or experiencing somethingI really enjoy cooking for my friends.
- esteemnounC1respect and admiration for someoneShe is held in high esteem by her colleagues.
- exasperateverbC1to annoy someone a lot, especially when they cannot do anything about itHis constant excuses exasperated his teachers.
- experiencenounA2knowledge or skill you get from doing something for a long timeDo you have any experience working with children?
F
- fancyadjectiveB1expensive, stylish or with a lot of decorationThey had dinner at a fancy restaurant downtown.
- fearnounB1the bad feeling you have when you think something dangerous may happenShe has a fear of flying.
- feelverbA1to experience an emotion or a physical stateI feel tired after that long walk.
- feelingnounA2an emotion, like happiness or angerIt’s hard to describe my feelings right now.
- ferventadjectiveC1feeling or showing very strong and sincere emotion or beliefHe is a fervent supporter of animal rights.
- fineadjectiveA1healthy, well or acceptable“How are you?” “I’m fine, thanks.”
- fortitudenounC2courage and strength of mind when facing pain or difficulty over a long timeShe showed great fortitude during her long illness.
- frayverbC1(of cloth or rope) to become worn so that threads come loose at the edgeThe cuffs of his old shirt had started to fray.
- frustrateverbB2to make someone feel annoyed because they cannot do what they wantThe slow internet really frustrates me.
G
H
- happyadjectiveA1feeling pleased, glad or enjoying lifeThe kids were happy to see their grandparents.
- heartnounA1the organ in your chest that pumps blood around your bodyExercise keeps your heart strong.
- hopeverbA2to want something to happen and think that it mightI hope you feel better soon.
- humbleadjectiveB2not proud; not thinking you are better than othersDespite her fame, she remained humble.
- humiliateverbC1to make someone feel stupid or ashamed, especially in front of othersThe coach humiliated him in front of the whole team.
I
- impertinentadjectiveC2rude and not showing enough respect, especially to someone older or more importantThe boy was punished for an impertinent remark to his teacher.
- inspireverbB2to give someone the wish, energy or idea to do somethingHer teacher inspired her to become a scientist.
- interestingadjectiveA1making you want to know more or pay attentionThat was a really interesting book.
- intimateadjectiveC1very close and personal, or privateThey shared their most intimate secrets.
K
L
- languidadjectiveC2slow and relaxed, showing little energy or effortShe gave a languid wave from her deck chair.
- laughverbA1to make sounds with your voice because something is funnyEveryone laughed at his joke.
- likeverbA1to enjoy something or think someone or something is niceI really like this song.
- loathadjectiveC2unwilling to do somethingI was loath to leave such a beautiful place.
- loftyadjectiveC2of very high moral standard or ambition, sometimes unrealisticallyThe charity has lofty goals.
- loveverbA1to have very strong feelings of caring for someoneI love my family.
M
- malicenounC1the wish to hurt or upset someoneI don’t think he did it out of malice.
- missverbA2to feel sad because someone or something is not with youI really miss my family when I travel.
- modestadjectiveB2not talking much about your own abilities or achievementsHe’s very modest about his success.
- morbidadjectiveC1having an unhealthy interest in death or unpleasant thingsShe has a morbid fascination with true crime stories.
- mortifyverbC2to make someone feel extremely embarrassed or ashamedI was mortified when I realized my mistake.
O
P
- pacifyverbC1to make someone who is angry or upset become calmThe manager tried to pacify the angry customer.
- pallnounC2a dark cloud of smoke or a heavy, gloomy feeling covering somethingThe news cast a pall over the celebrations.
- patientnounB1a person who is getting medical careThe doctor sees thirty patients a day.
- peacenounB1a situation with no war or fightingBoth countries want lasting peace.
- piousadjectiveC2deeply religious and careful to follow religious practicesHer grandmother was a pious woman who prayed every day.
- popularadjectiveA2liked or enjoyed by many peopleThis café is very popular with students.
- positiveadjectiveB1hopeful and confident, or thinking about the good parts of a situationTry to stay positive during the job search.
- pressurenounB1a worried feeling caused by having too much to do or too many demandsStudents are under a lot of pressure during exams.
- provokeverbC1to cause a reaction, especially a strong or negative oneThe new law provoked widespread protests.
S
- scrupulousadjectiveC2very careful to do everything correctly and pay attention to detailsShe keeps scrupulous records of her expenses.
- seriousadjectiveA2bad or dangerous enough to make you worryHe was in a serious accident.
- smileverbA2to make your mouth curve up because you are happy or friendlyShe smiled when she saw me.
- sobverbC1to cry loudly while taking short, noisy breathsThe child sobbed in her mother’s arms.
- specialadjectiveA1different from usual and often better or more importantTonight is a special occasion.
- staidadjectiveC2serious, old-fashioned and not adventurousThe once staid bank is trying to look modern.
- sublimeadjectiveC2extremely beautiful or excellent, causing great admirationThe view from the summit was sublime.
- sufferverbB1to feel pain, illness, or sadnessShe suffers from headaches.
T
- tempernounB2a tendency to become angry easily, or a sudden angry moodHe has a terrible temper.
- thankverbA1to tell someone you are grateful for somethingI want to thank you for your help.
- toughadjectiveB1difficult to do or deal withIt was a tough decision.
- troublenounA2problems, difficulties, or worryI had trouble finding your house.
V
- vainadjectiveC1too proud of your looks, abilities or achievementsHe’s so vain he checks his reflection in every window.
- venerateverbC2to respect and admire someone or something very deeplyThe old teacher was venerated by her students.
- vexverbC2to annoy or worry someoneThe constant noise vexed the neighbors.
W
- wantverbA1to wish to have or do somethingI want a cup of tea.
- wantonadjectiveC2(of cruel or harmful acts) done deliberately and for no good reasonThe report condemned the wanton destruction of the forest.
- wishverbA2to want something that is not true or not likely to happenI wish I had more free time.
- wistfuladjectiveC2a little sad because you are thinking about something you cannot have or that is in the pastShe gave a wistful smile as she looked at old photos.
- worryverbA2to keep thinking about problems or things that could go wrongDon’t worry; everything will be fine.