Adjectives (General) Flashcards
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
Suburban
an area on the edge of a large town or city where people who work in the town or city often live
an area where people live that is outside the centre of a city
suburban schools/housing
They live in suburban Washington.
suburban areas
a suburban street
life in suburban London
Coastal mountainous
I am from a coastal town
a mountainous region
Nondescript
having no interesting or unusual features or qualities
very ordinary, or having no interesting or exciting features or qualities:
SYNONYM dull
Their offices are in a nondescript building on the edge of town.
a nondescript person/building/town
Run-down
(of a building or place) in very bad condition; that has not been taken care of
SYNONYM neglected
an old run-down factory
run-down inner-city areas
a rather run-down part of town
Drab
(comparative drabber, superlative drabbest)
without interest or colour; boring
boring, especially in appearance; having little colour and excitement:
She longed to be out of the cold, drab little office.
drab women, dressed in browns and greys
She walked through the city centre with its drab, grey buildings and felt depressed.
I feel so drab in this grey uniform.
Notable for
important and deserving attention, because of being very good or interesting:
This attractive building is particularly notable for its woodland setting.
notable (for something) The town is notable for its ancient harbour.
forthcoming
happening soon:
We have just received the information about the forthcoming conference.
produced, supplied, or given:
No explanation for his absence was forthcoming.
Will financial support for the theatre project be forthcoming?
Solitary
[usually before noun] done alone; without other people
She enjoys long solitary walks.
He led a solitary life.
alone, with no other people or things around
SYNONYM single
a solitary farm
A solitary light burned dimly in the hall.
Embedded
fixed into the surface of something:
The thorn was embedded in her thumb.
If an emotion, opinion, etc. is embedded in someone or something, it is a very strong or important part of him, her, or it:
A sense of guilt was deeply embedded in my conscience.
palatable
Palatable food or drink has a pleasant taste:
a very palatable wine
The meal was barely palatable.
lighthearted
amusing and not serious:
The documentary takes a lighthearted look at the world of filmmaking.
quirky
Quirky” is an adjective that describes something or someone that is unconventional, unusual, or characterized by unexpected or peculiar behavior or qualities. It often refers to things that are charmingly or amusingly strange or peculiar in a positive sense.
For example, a quirky person might have unusual habits or interests that make them stand out from others. A quirky piece of art might have a unique style or composition that is different from traditional art.
A quirky idea might be unconventional or offbeat but still creative and interesting. Overall, quirky is a term that implies originality, individuality, and an unconventional or eccentric nature.
unusual in an attractive and interesting way:
He was tall and had a quirky, off-beat sense of humour.
ever changing
en constante cambio
how the ever-changing role of colour in society has been reflected
groomed
used to describe the way in which a person cares for their clothes and hair
She is always perfectly groomed.
deformed
not having the usual or natural shape because of having developed wrongly or being damaged
They throw out any deformed or bruised fruits.
The disease was so severe it left his spine deformed.
hollow
having a hole or empty space inside
a hollow ball/centre/tube/tree
a hollow metal cylinder
The tree trunk was hollow inside.
The politician’s promises were hollow - they sounded good in the moment, but there was no real substance behind them.”
“She felt hollow inside after the breakup, like all the love and joy had been drained from her life.”
“The company’s mission statement was hollow - it was full of buzzwords and cliches, but didn’t actually say anything meaningful.”
“He put on a brave face, but she could tell his words were hollow and he was really struggling with his illness
distinct from
clearly different or of a different kind
The results of the survey fell into two distinct groups.
distinct from something
Jamaican reggae music is quite distinct from North American jazz or blues.
We are talking about rural areas, as distinct from major cities.
statutory
fixed by law; that must be done by law
The authority failed to carry out its statutory duties.
When you buy foods you have certain statutory rights.
The company failed to comply with the statutory regulations regarding health and safety in the workplace.
The statutory age for drinking alcohol in this country is 21 years old.
The statutory rights of workers must be respected and protected by the employer.
doomed
certain to fail, die, or be destroyed:
The Titanic was doomed from the moment it hit the iceberg.
The team’s chances of winning the championship were doomed when their star player got injured.
The company’s decision to ignore the warning signs was a doomed strategy that ultimately led to its downfall.
The film was doomed to fail because it was poorly written and had a weak plot.
The town was doomed when the river flooded and destroyed most of the buildings.
ineluctable
impossible to avoid:
The ineluctable truth of aging is that our bodies gradually lose their vitality and resilience over time.
Despite his best efforts to deny it, the ineluctable conclusion was that he had made a mistake in his calculations.
The ineluctable reality of climate change demands that we take immediate action to reduce carbon emissions.
The ineluctable march of technology has transformed nearly every aspect of our lives.
Indignant
angry because of something that is wrong or not fair:
She wrote an indignant letter to the paper complaining about the council’s action.
He became very indignant when it was suggested he had made a mistake.
When the customer service representative told her that they could not refund her money, she became indignant and demanded to speak to a manager.
The politician was indignant at the accusations of corruption and denied them vehemently.
As a passionate animal lover, she was indignant at the mistreatment of animals in the circus and organized a protest.
Appealing
attractive or interesting:
The idea of not having to get up early every morning is rather appealing (to me).
He had a nice smile and an appealing personality.
The new marketing campaign was very appealing to customers, and sales increased significantly.
The defendant’s lawyer argued that the verdict was not fair and made an appealing case for an appeal.
The scenery on the hiking trail was so appealing that I decided to take a few photographs to remember it by.
The job offer from the startup was very appealing, with a generous salary and flexible work hours.
vulnerable
able to be easily physically or mentally hurt, influenced, or attacked:
I felt very vulnerable, standing there without any clothes on.
It is on economic policy that the government is most vulnerable.
Tourists are more vulnerable to attack, because they do not know which areas of the city to avoid.
incompetent
not having the ability to do something as it should be done:
an incompetent teacher/doctor
He has described the government as corrupt and incompetent.
dated
old-fashioned:
Spy thrillers with plots based on the Cold War look particularly dated nowadays.
Bearable
If an unpleasant situation is bearable, you can accept or deal with it:
As far as she was concerned, only the weekends made life bearable.
The pain was bearable, so I decided to go to work despite feeling unwell.
The hot weather was bearable thanks to the cool breeze coming from the sea.
The workload was heavy, but it was bearable because I had help from my colleagues.
The wait in line was long, but bearable thanks to the entertainment provided by street performers
Ubiquitous
seeming to be everywhere:
Leather is very much in fashion this season, as is the ubiquitous denim.
The Swedes are not alone in finding their language under pressure from the ubiquitous spread of English.
The mobile phone, that most ubiquitous of consumer-electronic appliances, is about to enter a new age.
In today’s world, smartphones are ubiquitous - it seems like everyone has one.”
“The company’s logo was so ubiquitous that it had become instantly recognizable to consumers all over the world.”
“Coffee shops are ubiquitous in big cities - you can’t walk more than a few blocks without finding one.”
“The use of social media has become ubiquitous among young people - it’s a way for them to stay connected with friends and peers.”
Arcane
secret and mysterious and therefore difficult to understand
the arcane rules of cricket
The alchemist’s laboratory was filled with arcane symbols and esoteric knowledge.
The old tome contained arcane secrets that had been lost to the world for centuries.
The wizard’s incantations were filled with arcane power that could bend reality itself.
The ancient ruins were covered in arcane glyphs that seemed to pulse with an otherworldly energy.
Commendable
deserving praise and approval
They always conduct their affairs with commendable honesty.
She showed commendable loyalty to the family firm.
It is commendable that the company has committed to reducing its carbon footprint by 50% within the next five years.
The student’s dedication to studying for the exam every day for three months is commendable.
The organization’s efforts to provide free meals to the homeless are commendable, and many volunteers have joined in to help.
Unasked
an unasked question is one that you have not asked even though you would like to know the answer
The stranger at the bar kept offering unasked advice on how to live my life.
My boss frequently gives unasked criticism, making it difficult to feel motivated at work.
The salesman launched into an unasked pitch, trying to sell me something I didn’t need.
My neighbor always shares unasked opinions about politics, even though we disagree.
The friend who always invites herself over is known for making unasked demands on my time.
Telling
having a strong or important effect; effective
a telling argument
Although he didn’t score a goal, Tevez made a telling contribution to the game.
These are telling points, but the argument is by no means over.
A telling example
The expression on her face was telling of her disappointment.
His reaction to the news was very telling of his true feelings.
The way she held herself was telling of her confidence and self-assuredness.
The statistics are telling of the impact of climate change on our planet.
The way he avoided eye contact was telling of his guilt.
The painting is telling of the artist’s emotions and state of mind.
The fact that he didn’t show up for the meeting was telling of his lack of commitment.
perplexing
making you confused or worried because you do not understand something
SYNONYM puzzling
a perplexing problem
I found the whole thing extremely perplexing.
Experts gathered to try to answer this extremely perplexing question.
Poky
of a room or a building) too small; without much space
SYNONYM
cramped
a poky little room
(both North American English) extremely slow and annoying
lesser
used to describe something that is not as great in size, amount, or importance as something else:
A lesser man (= a man who was not as strong or brave) might have given up at that point.
The charge of murder was altered to the lesser (= less serious) charge of manslaughter.
Ethiopia and, to a lesser extent/degree, Kenya will be badly affected by the drought.
Although he was a great athlete, he never achieved the same level of success in his lesser-known sports.
The lesser of two evils is still evil, but sometimes you have to make a difficult choice.
She was offered a job with a lesser salary than she had hoped for, but decided to take it because she wanted to gain experience in her field.
The restaurant had a wide selection of dishes, but some of the lesser-known ones were actually the most delicious.
