Adjectives I (Behaviour and Traits)

Question 1

blunt

Answer 1

(-/+) if sb is blunt, they say what they really think, even if what they say is impolite and will hurt or offend someone
e.g. a blunt reply / remark / refusal

Question 2

brash

Answer 2

(-) if sb is brash, they are annoyingly loud, overconfident and aggressive
e.g. That TV presenter is far too noisy and brash for my liking.

Question 3

calculating

Answer 3

(-) if sb is calculating, they get what they want by careful and clever planning, without caring about anyone else
e.g. Percy is disliked by most of his colleagues because of his sly and calculating ways of getting what he wants.

Question 4

callous

Answer 4

(-) if sb is callous, they are cruel and heartless

e.g. His callous disregard of her feelings upset her.

Question 5

cantankerous

Answer 5

(-) if sb is cantankerous, they are bad-tempered and tend to argue with people about insignificant things
e.g. Paul is not an easy person to have as a friend, because he is so cantankerous.

Question 6

cheerful

Answer 6

(+) if sb is cheerful, they are happy and in a good mood

e.g. Why are you so cheerful today?

Question 7

curt

Answer 7

(-) if sb is curt, they are very abrupt (and rude, as a result) when they talk to another person
e.g. I knew from his curt tone that he was angry.

Question 8

fickle

Answer 8

(-) if sb is fickle, they are not faithful or loyal to their friends
e.g. How can you have trusted someone as fickle as Joan?

Question 9

inquisitive

Answer 9

a) (-) if sb is inquisitive, they are always trying to find out about other people’s lives, often by asking a lot of questions
b) (+) interested in many different things and always wanting to know more about them (often used about children)
e.g. She was nervous. The man in front of her was being unusually inquisitive.
He is a very inquisitive child. He’s going to love school.

Question 10

meticulous

Answer 10

(-/+) if sb is meticulous, they are very careful about what they do, paying attention to small details and making sure that everything is correct or in order
e.g. Mother was always meticulous about her appearance.

Question 11

persistent

Answer 11

(-/+) if sb is persistent, they refuse to give up, despite difficulties or opposition
e.g. The customer was most persistent and refused to speak to anyone but the manager.

Question 12

reckless

Answer 12

(-) if sb is reckless, they do dangerous things without thinking about the consequences of their actions (a reckless driver) [Note: reckless driving also used to describe actions]
e.g. That was a very reckless thing to do. Do you realise you put your own life in danger?

Question 13

ruthless

Answer 13

(-) if sb is ruthless, they are cruel and cold and have no mercy or feelings for others [Note: also used to describe actions]
e.g. a ruthless decision / (in football) a ruthless tackle
The dictator was ruthless in silencing opposition and had the mass media strictly censored.

Question 14

squeamish

Answer 14

(-/+) if sb is squeamish, they do not like the sight of, and are usually upset by, unpleasant things such as blood or needles
e.g. This horror film is not for people who are squeamish.

Question 15

sullen

Answer 15

(-) if sb is sullen they are bad-tempered and do not speak much
e.g. Rob sat in his room, in one of his sullen moods again.

Question 16

unscrupulous

Answer 16

(-) if sb is unscrupulous, they are prepared to act in an immoral and dishonest way to get what they want
e.g. He’s probably the most unscrupulous businessman I’ve ever met. He’d do anything to make a profit.

Question 17

volatile

Answer 17

(-) if sb is volatile, they lose their temper very quickly and very easily
e.g. We need someone who is calm, patient and level-headed. Joe is far too volatile.

Question 18

withdrawn

Answer 18

(-/+) if sb is withdrawn, they are very quiet and do not like talking to others
e.g. Katy is so withdrawn and introverted that you can hardly get a word out of her.