Personality — English Vocabulary
30 essential words about personality in the live bank, with meanings and examples. Open any word for its full page.
lazy /ˈleɪzi/ adjective B1
Unwilling to work or use energy; preferring rest to activity. Also (of a period) slow and relaxed.
Example: He is too lazy to clean his room.
strict /strɪkt/ adjective B1
Demanding that rules be followed exactly, and punishing those who break them; also (of rules) that must be obeyed exactly.
Example: Our teacher is strict about homework.
easygoing /ˌiːziˈɡəʊɪŋ/ adjective B1
Relaxed and not easily worried or annoyed; happy to accept things as they are.
Example: My dad is easygoing about noise.
silly /ˈsɪli/ adjective B1
Showing a lack of thought or judgment; foolish in a playful or light way; funny and not serious.
Example: He made a silly mistake on the form.
selfish /ˈselfɪʃ/ adjective B1
Caring only about yourself and your own needs, without thinking of others.
Example: It was selfish of him to take the last piece without asking.
honest /ˈɒnɪst/ adjective B1
Truthful; not lying, cheating, or stealing. Also frank — saying what you really think.
Example: She is honest — she always tells the truth.
moody /ˈmuːdi/ adjective B1
Changing mood often and suddenly, sometimes becoming sad or annoyed without a clear reason.
Example: Teenagers can be moody.
gentle /ˈdʒentəl/ adjective B1
Kind, soft, and calm; not rough or violent. Also (of movement, slopes, exercise) mild and not strong.
Example: She is gentle with the baby.
sensible /ˈsensəbəl/ adjective B1
Having or showing good judgment and practical sense; making decisions based on reason, not emotion.
Example: It was sensible to save money for a car.
bossy /ˈbɒsi/ adjective B1
Always telling other people what to do, in a way that can be annoying.
Example: Older sisters can be bossy.
mature /məˈtʃʊər/ adjective B2
Behaving like a responsible adult; fully grown or developed.
Example: She's very mature for her age.
reliable /rɪˈlaɪəbəl/ adjective B2
Able to be trusted to do what is promised; dependable in quality.
Example: He's a reliable worker — always on time.
loyal /ˈlɔɪəl/ adjective B2
Firmly supporting and faithful to a person, group, or cause, in good times and bad.
Example: Dogs are loyal friends.
dishonest /dɪsˈɒnɪst/ adjective B2
Not truthful; likely to lie, cheat, or steal.
Example: Dishonest sellers cheat tourists.
humble /ˈhʌmbəl/ adjective B2
Not proud or arrogant; modest about your own importance or success.
Example: Despite his fame, he stayed humble.
sensitive /ˈsensɪtɪv/ adjective B2
Easily affected by feelings or by physical things; understanding other people's feelings well. (In other sets: pricing sensitivity — the same word, business sense.)
Example: She's sensitive to criticism.
patient /ˈpeɪʃənt/ adjective / noun B2
Able to wait calmly without getting angry; (noun) a person receiving medical care.
Example: Be patient — the bus will come.
generous /ˈdʒenərəs/ adjective B2
Willing to give money, time, or help freely and in large amounts.
Example: A generous donor paid for the library.
wise /waɪz/ adjective B2
Having deep knowledge and good judgment from experience; able to make sensible decisions.
Example: My grandmother gives wise advice.
foolish /ˈfuːlɪʃ/ adjective B2
Silly or unwise; showing poor judgment.
Example: It was foolish to drive in the storm.
trait /treɪt/ noun C1
A particular quality in someone's character, such as honesty or patience.
Example: Patience is her best trait.
stubborn /ˈstʌbərn/ adjective C1
Determined not to change your mind or attitude, even when others think you are wrong.
Example: He's too stubborn to ask for help.
modest /ˈmɒdɪst/ adjective C1
Not talking proudly about your abilities or achievements; also fairly small in size or amount.
Example: Despite her fame, she stays modest about her work.
arrogant /ˈærəɡənt/ adjective C1
Behaving as if you are better and more important than everyone else.
Example: The arrogant manager never listened to the team.
tolerant /ˈtɒlərənt/ adjective C1
Willing to accept beliefs and behavior different from your own without judging them harshly.
Example: A tolerant society respects many faiths.
integrity /ɪnˈteɡrəti/ noun C1
The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles, even when it is difficult.
Example: The judge is famous for her integrity.
charisma /kəˈrɪzmə/ noun C1
A natural personal quality that attracts and influences other people.
Example: The young mayor has real charisma.
humility /hjuːˈmɪləti/ noun C1
The quality of not thinking you are more important than others; modesty in attitude.
Example: Her humility surprised people who expected a star's ego.
ambitious /æmˈbɪʃəs/ adjective C1
Having a strong desire to succeed, achieve power, or complete something difficult.
Example: She is ambitious and plans to run her own studio.
sincere /sɪnˈsɪər/ adjective C1
Truly meaning what you say or feel; honest and without pretense.
Example: Please accept my sincere thanks.