Adjectives (General) Flashcards
(145 cards)
Paramount
More important than anything else:
There are many priorities, but reducing the budget deficit is paramount/is of paramount importance.
Trifling
A trifling matter or amount of money is small or not important:
SYNONYM trivial
It was such a trifling sum of money to argue about!
She didn’t pay attention to the trifling details of the contract, and ended up signing something she later regretted.
The company’s CEO was outraged at the employee’s trifling behavior during the important meeting, which showed a lack of respect for their colleagues.
He spent his time on trifling matters instead of focusing on the important work that needed to be done.
Riveting
extremely interesting:
SYNONYM engrossing
It was a riveting story
The movie was so riveting that I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen.
The book was a riveting account of the author’s journey across the Sahara desert.
The speaker’s riveting presentation kept the audience engaged from start to finish.
The play’s riveting storyline had the audience on the edge of their seats.
The game was so riveting that I lost track of time and played for hours.
The documentary was a riveting exploration of the world’s most dangerous natural disasters.
Dull
Lacking in brightness or color: For example, a dull sky on a cloudy day or a dull gray suit.
Lacking in sharpness or clarity: For example, a dull knife that cannot cut well or a dull lecture that is uninteresting.
Lacking in excitement or interest: For example, a dull movie that puts you to sleep or a dull conversation that fails to engage you.
Lacking in intelligence or wit: For example, a dull person who is not quick-witted or clever.
Outstanding
clearly very much better than what is usual:
SYNONYM: perfect / superb
an outstanding performance/writer/novel/year
It’s an area of outstanding natural beauty.
Dreadful
very bad, of very low quality, or shocking and very sad:
SYNONYM: awful / horrible / vile / horrendous
The food was bad and the service was dreadful.
I was beginning to think I’d made a dreadful mistake.
The news report was so dreadful that I just had to switch it off.
The news of the car accident was absolutely dreadful, and I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
The weather forecast predicted a dreadful storm that would hit the city in the next few days.
The experience of losing a loved one can be a dreadful and overwhelming ordeal.
The food at the restaurant was dreadful, and I wouldn’t recommend anyone to eat there.
The exam results were dreadful, and it meant that I would have to retake the course again.
Quaint
attractive because of being unusual and especially old‑fashioned:
a quaint old cottage
The small, quaint village was surrounded by rolling hills and lush green fields.
The quaint little cottage was the perfect spot for a romantic weekend getaway.
The antique store was filled with quaint trinkets and knick-knacks from bygone eras.
The village had a quaint tradition of hosting a summer fair every year, complete with carnival games and live music.
The café had a quaint, old-fashioned charm with its mismatched chairs and vintage décor.
The bed and breakfast was a quaint, cozy retreat nestled in the heart of the countryside.
Hideous
extremely ugly or bad:
SYNONYM revolting
They’ve just built some hideous new apartment blocks on the seafront.
She wears the most hideous colour combinations you could ever imagine
The dress she was wearing was so hideous that it made everyone turn their heads in disgust.
The room was decorated with the most hideous wallpaper I have ever seen.
The smell emanating from the garbage can was simply hideous.
The comedian’s jokes were so inappropriate and tasteless that they were simply hideous.
The horror movie was filled with hideous creatures and gore.
The food that was served at the party was so hideous that no one wanted to eat it.
Baffling
to cause someone to be completely unable to understand or explain something
I found what he was saying completely baffling
The baffling array of features on baby monitors can be overwhelming.
Straightforward
easy to understand or simple:
SYNONYM easy
Just follow the signs to Bradford ‑ it’s very straightforward.
Sizeable
large:
SYNONYM considerable
a sizeable amount/area/house
The company made a sizeable profit this year, thanks to its successful marketing campaign.
She inherited a sizeable fortune from her grandparents, which she used to start her own business.
The new apartment has a sizeable living room, which is perfect for entertaining guests.
The project requires a sizeable investment of both time and money.
The earthquake caused a sizeable amount of damage to the city’s infrastructure.
Facetious
not serious about a serious subject, in an attempt to be funny or to appear clever :
SYNONYM flippant
facetious remarks
He’s just being facetious.
Churlish
rude, unfriendly, and unpleasant:
They invited me to dinner and I thought it would be churlish to refuse.
It would be churlish of you to complain about a free service
His churlish behavior made it difficult for anyone to get along with him.
It was churlish of her not to thank her host for the dinner party.
The customer’s churlish complaints made it difficult for the salesperson to assist him.
The politician’s churlish remarks were criticized by the media.
It would be churlish of us not to acknowledge the hard work that the volunteers put in.
Petty
not important and not worth giving attention to:
Prisoners complain that they are subjected to too many petty rules and restrictions.
I can’t believe he’s still holding a grudge over such a petty issue.
She got into a petty argument with her friend over what to have for lunch.
It’s not worth getting upset over something so petty and insignificant.
He was accused of being petty for always complaining about small details.
The manager was criticized for his petty behavior towards his employees
(disapproving) small and unimportant
SYNONYM minor
I don’t want to hear any more about your petty squabbles.
a petty bureaucrat/official (= who does not have much power or authority, although they might pretend to)
petty corruption/tyranny/jealousies/feuds
You are being petty, there are far more important problems to worry about
Tiresome
causing a person to be tired and/or bored:
Simple repetitive tasks can be very wearisome
SYNONYM tedious
a repetitive and tiresome task
I was beginning to find her endless chatter very tiresome
Pertinent
appropriate to a particular situation
SYNONYM relevant
a pertinent question/fact
pertinent to something
Please keep your comments pertinent to the topic under discussion.
Chapter One is pertinent to the post-war period.
Flimsy
flimsy argument, excuse, etc. is weak and difficult to believe:
SYNONYM feeble
When I asked him why he was late, he gave me some flimsy excuse about having car trouble.
difficult to believe
a flimsy excuse/explanation
The evidence against him is pretty flimsy.
He keeps calling on the flimsiest of pretexts.
Trite
boring because it has been expressed so many times before; not original
SYNONYM banal
As trite as it sounds, I had forgotten what greenness was until I saw those palms.
His lyrics about love and peace are too trite for me to take them seriously.
I know it will sound trite, but I’ve loved being part of this club.
Fervent
used to describe beliefs that are strongly and sincerely felt or people who have strong and sincere beliefs
having or showing very strong and sincere feelings about something
SYNONYM ardent
a fervent supporter of the communist party
It is his fervent hope that a peaceful solution will soon be found.
a fervent admirer/believer/supporter
a fervent belief/hope/desire
After experiencing a fervent love for his girlfriend, he proposed to her in front of their families.
The politician gave a fervent speech about the importance of climate change action, inspiring many in the audience to take action.
The athlete had a fervent desire to win the championship, and trained tirelessly for months leading up to the competition.
The musician’s fans showed their fervent support by camping out overnight to be first in line for concert tickets.
Scathing
criticizing someone or something in a severe and unkind way
criticizing somebody or something very severely in a way that shows no respect
SYNONYM withering
scathing criticism
He was very scathing about the report, saying it was inaccurate.
a scathing attack on the new management
Her father gave her a scathing look.
scathing about somebody/something
He was scathing about the government’s performance.
Swanky
fashionable and expensive in a way that is intended to impress people
a swanky new hotel
The word “swanky” is an adjective used to describe something that is stylish, elegant, luxurious, or fashionable. It is often associated with high-end, upscale or expensive things. Here are some examples:
She was dressed in a swanky black gown for the gala event.
The hotel’s swanky lobby was adorned with marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and leather furniture.
He drove a swanky sports car that turned heads wherever he went.
The new restaurant in town is swanky and offers a menu of gourmet cuisine and fine wines.
The millionaire’s mansion was the epitome of swanky living, complete with a private cinema, indoor pool, and a helipad.
The fashion model was seen wearing a swanky designer handbag that cost thousands of dollars.
The casino was filled with swanky slot machines and high-roller poker tables.
Bucolic
relating to the countryside
a stream winding through stately parks and bucolic meadows
The painting shows a typically bucolic scene with peasants.
The bucolic countryside scenery was so serene and peaceful that it was hard to believe that the bustling city was only an hour’s drive away.
The farmer’s market in the small town had a bucolic charm that attracted tourists from all over the world.
The artist found inspiration in the bucolic landscapes of the countryside and often painted scenes of rolling hills and lush green meadows.
Tightly knit
(of a family or community) with all the members having strong, friendly relationships with one another
closely/tightly knit (also close/tight-knit)
a tight-knit mining community
a very close-knit family
The two communities are closely knit by a common faith.
Picturesque
(especially of a place) attractive in appearance, especially in an old-fashioned way
(of a place, building, scene, etc.) pretty, especially in a way that looks old-fashioned
SYNONYM quaint
the picturesque narrow streets of the old city
a picturesque cottage/setting/village