Page 20 - Starting Strong: English Essentials

Vocabulary

Words to Describe Personality Traits

Here are some examples of adjectives that you can use to describe people’s personality traits.

Word Pronunciation Meaning
argumentative /ˌɑːɡjəˈmentətɪv/ often argue or want to argue
bossy /ˈbɒsi/ always tell people what to do
diligent /ˈdɪlɪdʒənt/ show care and effort in your work or duties
Generous /ˈdʒenərəs/ give or willing to give freely
helpful /ˈhelp.fəl/ willing to help
honest /ˈɒnɪst/ sincere and telling the truth
humorous /ˈhjuːmərəs/ funny, or making you laugh
kind /kaɪnd/ do things to help others and show that they care about them
moody /ˈmuːdi/ have moods that change quickly and often
outgoing /ˈaʊtɡəʊɪŋ/ friendly, talks a lot, and enjoys meeting people
rude /ruːd/ show a lack of respect for other people and their feelings
selfish /ˈselfɪʃ/ caring only about yourself and not other people
talkative /ˈtɔːkətɪv/ talk a lot

Exercises

Match each word describing personality trait with its antonym.
• untruthful • humorless • selfless • cooperative • boring
• ill-mannered • unhelpful • quiet • anti-social • generous

No Word Antonym
1 argumentative cooperative
2 helpful
3 honest
4 humorous
5 kind
6 outgoing
7 selfish
8 talkative

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