Summer Vocabulary Flashcards
AMBIVALENT
-Having or showing very different feelings (such as love and hate) about someone or something at the same time.
EXAMPLE- he felt ambivalent about his job (he nothing liked and disliked his job)
APATHETIC
-Not having or showing much emotion or interest
-a politically apathetic (indifferent, uninterested) generation
BAFFLED
-Completely confused
Example- His explanation left me baffled (confused) than I had felt before
BELLIGERENT
-Angry and aggressive; feeling or showing readiness to fight
Example- He was drunk and belligerent
CYNICAL
-believing that people are generally selfish and dishonest
Example- Cynical people say there is no such thing as true love
CONTEMPLATIVE
-involving, allowing or causing deep thought
Example- She’s in a contemplative mood today. (she is quiet and thoughtful today)
DIFFIDENT
-Lacking confidence; not feeling comfortable around people
Example- He becomes diffident (shy timid) around girls.
DIDACTIC
-Designed or intended to teach people something+ used to describe someone or something that tries to teach something (such as proper or moral behaviour) in a way that is annoying or unwanted
Example- Audiences were turned off by the movies didactic qualitiy
DISDAINFUL
Feeling strong dislike or disapproval for something or someone you deserve respect; feeling or showing distain
Example- he looked at the waiter with a distainful glare
DEJECTED
-sad because of failure, loss, etc.
Example- shes been so dejected (depressed, unhappy) since her sister moved way.
DERISIVE
-formal; the feeling that people express when they criticise and laughter set someone or something in an insulting way.
Example- derisive (scornful) laughter
DROLL
-having an odd and amusing quality
Example- A droll little man with a peculiar sense if humour
EMPATHETIC
-understanding and sharing another persons experiences and emotions.
Example- he was very empathetic. He felt great empathy with/for/toward the poor
FAWNING
-disapproving
-trying to get the approval of an important or powerful person by giving that person praise, special attention, etc…
Example: a sports star surrounded by fawning fans
FLIPPANT
-lacking proper respect or seriousness
Example- he made/gave a flippant response to a serious question
FURTIVE
-quiet and secret: trying to avoid being noticed
Example- he cast a furtive glance in out direction
HARRIED
-bothered by many problems or worries: very worries or anxious
Examples- harried shoppers/travelers
INDIGNANT
-feeling or showing anger because of something that is unfair or wrong; very angry
He was/got/became very indignant about/over the changes.
MOROSE
-of a person; very serious, unhappy, and quiet
-very sad or unhappy
Example-he became morose and withdrawn and would not talk to anyone
OBSEQUIOUS
-disapproving; too eager to help or obey someone important
Example- she’s constantly followed by obsequious assistants who will do anything she tells them to.
PATRONIZING
-disapproving; showing that you believe you are more intelligent or better than other people
Example- she spoke to us in a patronising tone.
PEDANTIC
-disapproving; announcing other people by correcting small errors and tic nit too much attention to minor details.
Examples- a pedantic insistence in following the rules exactly.
PESSIMISTIC
-having or showing a lack of hope for the future; expecting bad things to happen
Example- most doctors were pessimistic that a cure could be found
PLAINTIVE
-formal; expressing suffering or sadness; having a sad sound
Example- we could hear the plaintive cry of a wounded animal in the woods.
