Personality and behavior

Lesson 22

Personality

Title: Personality

Pronunciation: /ˌpɜː.sənˈæl.ə.ti/

Part of speech: noun

Formal or informal: both

Countable or uncountable: countable

Transitive or intransitive: intransitive

Synonym: character

Opposite: dullness

 

the combination of characteristics or qualities that form an individual’s distinctive character

Her outgoing personality made her popular at the party

the combination of characteristics or qualities that form an individual’s distinctive character

Behavior

Title: Behavior

Pronunciation: /bɪˈheɪvjər/

Part of speech: noun

Formal or informal: both

Countable or uncountable: uncountable

Synonym: conduct

Opposite: misbehavior

 

the way in which one acts or conducts oneself, especially toward others

His behavior at the meeting was unacceptable

the way in which one acts or conducts oneself, especially toward others

Shy

Title: Shy

Pronunciation: /ʃaɪ/

Part of speech: adjective

Formal or informal: both

Synonym: timid

Opposite: outgoing

 

being reserved or having or showing nervousness or timidity in the company of other people

She’s too shy to speak in public

being reserved or having or showing nervousness or timidity in the company of other people

Talkative

Title: Talkative

Pronunciation: /ˈtɔː.kə.tɪv/

Part of speech: adjective

Formal or informal: both

Synonym: chatty

Opposite: reserved

 

tending to talk a great deal; loquacious

She’s always been a very talkative person

tending to talk a great deal; loquacious

Serious

Title: Serious

Pronunciation: /ˈsɪə.ri.əs/

Part of speech: adjective

Formal or informal: both

Synonym: solemn

Opposite: lighthearted

 

demanding or characterized by careful consideration or application; not lighthearted or amusing

He has a serious attitude towards his work

demanding or characterized by careful consideration or application; not lighthearted or amusing

Funny

Title: Funny

Pronunciation:/ˈfʌn.i/

Part of speech: adjective

Formal or informal:both

Stress marks:/fun-ny/

Synonym:hilarious

Opposite:sad

 

(of a person) amusing; humorous; causing laughter or amusement

The comedian is known for his funny jokes

(of a person) amusing; humorous; causing laughter or amusement

Interesting

Title: Interesting

Pronunciation:/ˈɪn.tər.ɪs.tɪŋ/

Part of speech:adjective

Formal or informal: both

Stress marks:/in-ter-est-ing/

Synonym:fascinating

Opposite:boring

 

(of a person) arousing curiosity or interest; holding or catching the attention

The book was very interesting to read

(of a person) arousing curiosity or interest; holding or catching the attention

Exciting

Title: Exciting

Pronunciation:/ɪkˈsaɪ.tɪŋ/

Part of speech:adjective

Formal or informal: both

Stress marks:/ex-ci-ting/

Synonym:thrilling

Opposite:boring

 

(of a person) causing great enthusiasm and eagerness; thrilling; stirring; stimulating

The roller coaster ride was very exciting

(of a person) causing great enthusiasm and eagerness; thrilling; stirring; stimulating

Wonderful

Title: Wonderful

Pronunciation:/ˈwʌn.də.fəl/

Part of speech:adjective

Formal or informal: both

Stress marks:/won-der-ful/

Synonym:magnificent

Opposite:dreadful

 

(of a person) inspiring delight, pleasure, or admirat ion; extremely good

The view from the top of the mountain was wonderful

(of a person) inspiring delight, pleasure, or admirat ion; extremely good

Amazing

Title: Amazing

Pronunciation:/əˈmeɪ.zɪŋ/

Part of speech:adjective

Formal or informal: both

Stress marks:/a-ma-zing/

Synonym:wonderful

Opposite:dull

 

(of a person) causing great surprise, wonder, or astonishment; astounding; incredible; marvelous

The magician performed an amazing trick

(of a person) causing great surprise, wonder, or astonishment; astounding; incredible; marvelous

Excellent

Title: Excellent

Pronunciation:/ˈek.sə.lənt/

Part of speech:adjective

Formal or informal: both

Stress marks:/ex-ce-lent/

Synonym:first-rate

Opposite:poor

 

(of a person) extremely good; outstanding; first-class; superb

The restaurant serves excellent food

(of a person) extremely good; outstanding; first-class; superb

Awesome

Title: Awesome

Pronunciation:/ˈɔː.səm/

Part of speech:adjective

Formal or informal: both

Stress marks:/awe-some/

Synonym:breathtaking

Opposite:dreadful

 

(informal) extremely impressive; inspiring awe; breathtaking; amazing

The fireworks display was awesome

(informal) extremely impressive; inspiring awe; breathtaking; amazing

Weird

Title: Weird

Pronunciation:/wɪrd/

Part of speech:adjective

Formal or informal: both

Stress marks:/weird/

Synonym:strange

Opposite:normal

 

strange, unusual, bizarre, odd

The movie had a weird ending

strange, unusual, bizarre, odd

Strange

Title: Strange

Pronunciation:/streɪndʒ/

Part of speech:adjective

Formal or informal: Both

Stress marks:/strange/

Synonym:bizarre

Opposite:normal

 

not previously visited, seen, or encountered; unfamiliar; unusual; odd; remarkable

The strange noise coming from the attic was unsettling

not previously visited, seen, or encountered; unfamiliar; unusual; odd; remarkable

Tough

Title: Tough

Pronunciation:/tʌf/

Part of speech:adjective

Formal or informal:(informal)

Stress marks:/tough/

Synonym:demanding

Opposite:simple

 

(informal) difficult to deal with; hardy; strong

The exam was tough but I managed to pass it

(informal) difficult to deal with; hardy; strong

Unique

Title: Unique

Pronunciation:/juːˈniːk/

Part of speech:adjective

Irregular spelling and irregular forms:n/a(regular form)

Formal or informal: Both

Stress marks:/unique/

Synonym:singular

Opposite:normal

 

(of a person) being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else

The artist’s style is truly unique

(of a person) being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else

Jealous

Title: Jealous

Pronunciation: /ˈdʒeləs/

Part of speech: adjective

Formal or informal: both

Stress marks: jealous

Synonym: envious

Opposite: content

 

feeling or showing envy of someone or their achievements and advantages

She was jealous of her friend’s success

feeling or showing envy of someone or their achievements and advantages

Brilliant

Title: Brilliant

Pronunciation: /ˈbrɪliənt/

Part of speech: adjective

Formal or informal: both

Stress marks: brilliant

Synonym: excellent

Opposite: mediocre

 

exceptionally clever or talented; outstanding

His performance in the play was brilliant

exceptionally clever or talented; outstanding

Crazy

Title: Crazy

Pronunciation: /ˈkreɪzi/

Part of speech: adjective

Formal or informal: both

Stress marks: crazy

Synonym: insane

Opposite: sane

 

mentally deranged; insane; extremely enthusiastic

He has some crazy ideas about starting a business

mentally deranged; insane; extremely enthusiastic

Helpful

Title: Helpful

Pronunciation: /ˈhelpfəl/

Part of speech: adjective

Formal or informal: both

Stress marks: helpful

Synonym: supportive

Opposite: unhelpful

 

giving or ready to give help; useful; beneficial

The staff at the hotel were very helpful

giving or ready to give help; useful; beneficial

Fair

Title: Fair

Pronunciation: /feər/

Part of speech: adjective

Formal or informal: both

Stress marks: fair

Synonym: impartial

Opposite: unfair

 

treating people equally without favoritism or discrimination; just; reasonable

The judge made a fair decision in the case

treating people equally without favoritism or discrimination; just; reasonable

Rude

Title: Rude

Pronunciation: /ruːd/

Part of speech: adjective

Formal or informal: both

Stress marks: rude

Synonym: impolite

Opposite: polite

 

offensively impolite or ill-mannered; disrespectful; discourteous

His rude behavior offended the guests

offensively impolite or ill-mannered; disrespectful; discourteous

Confident

Title: Confident

Pronunciation:/ˈkɒn.fɪ.dənt/

Part of speech: adjective

Formal or informal:can be used in both formal and informal contexts

Countable or uncountable:n/a (adjective)

(adjective)

Stress marks:/con-fi-dent/

Synonym:self-assured

Opposite:nervous

 

(of a person) feeling or showing confidence in oneself; self-assured; assured; self-confident

The candidate appeared confident during the interview

(of a person) feeling or showing confidence in oneself; self-assured; assured; self-confident

Scary

Title: Scary

Pronunciation:/ˈskeəri/

Part of speech:adjective

Formal or informal:(informal)

Stress marks:/scary/

Synonym:frightening

Opposite:safe

(informal) causing fright or alarm; frightening; terrifying

The horror movie was too scary for me to watch

(informal) causing fright or alarm; frightening; terrifying

Mild

Title: Mild

Pronunciation:/maɪld/

Part of speech:adjective

Formal or informal: both

 

Stress marks:/mild/

Synonym:gently

Opposite:intense

 

gently calm, temperate, or soft; not extreme

The mild weather made for a pleasant day

gently calm, temperate, or soft; not extreme

Individual

Title: Individual

Pronunciation:/ˌɪn.dɪˈvɪdʒ.u.əl/

Part of speech:noun/adjective

Formal or informal: Both

Countable or uncountable:noun - countable,

Transitive or intransitive:noun - transitive,

Stress marks:/in-di-vid-u-al/

Synonym:single

Opposite:collective

 

a single person, thing, or separate being; distinct; separate

The artist is known for his individual style

a single person, thing, or separate being; distinct; separate

Foolish

Title: Foolish

Pronunciation:/ˈfuː.lɪʃ/

Part of speech:adjective

Formal or informal: Both

Stress marks:/fool-ish/

Synonym:silly

Opposite:sensible

 

lacking good sense, judgment, or discretion; silly; unwise

The foolish decision led to negative consequences

lacking good sense, judgment, or discretion; silly; unwise

Certain

Title: Certain

Pronunciation:/ˈsɜː.tən/

Part of speech:adjective

Formal or informal: Both

Stress marks:/cer-tain/

Synonym:sure

Opposite:doubtful

 

not having any doubt about something; convinced; sure

I am certain that I locked the door before leaving

not having any doubt about something; convinced; sure

Weakness

Title: Weakness

Pronunciation:/ˈwiːk.nəs/

Part of speech:noun/adjective

Formal or informal: Both

Countable or uncountable:noun - countable

Transitive or intransitive:noun - transitive

Stress marks:/weak-ness/

Synonym:vulnerability

Opposite:strength

 

lack of strength, firmness, vigor, or the like; feebleness; infirmity

Lack of exercise can lead to muscle weakness

lack of strength, firmness, vigor, or the like; feebleness; infirmity

Kind

Title: Kind

Pronunciation:/kaɪnd/ 

Part of speech:noun/adjective 

Countable or uncountable: noun - countable

Transitive or intransitive: noun - transitive

Stress marks:/kind/ 

Synonym: caring 

Opposite: cruel

 

having a friendly, generous, and considerate nature; gentle; benevolent.

The kind gesture made her day

having a friendly, generous, and considerate nature; gentle; benevolent.