Vocabulary · Everyday life
Personality in English
A2
Personality in English: positive and negative adjectives, quiet or outgoing people, intelligence and character, to describe the people around you. With British pronunciation (IPA) and examples.
Quick answer
Positive traits
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| kind(adj.)“She is very kind.” | good and caring to others | /kaɪnd/ |
| nice(adj.) | pleasant to be with | /naɪs/ |
| friendly(adj.) | happy to talk and help | /ˈfrendli/ |
| funny(adj.) | making people laugh | /ˈfʌni/ |
| brave(adj.) | not afraid of danger | /breɪv/ |
| honest(adj.) | always telling the truth | /ˈɒnɪst/ |
| generous(adj.) | happy to give and share | /ˈdʒenərəs/ |
| patient(adj.) | able to wait calmly | /ˈpeɪʃənt/ |
Neutral traits
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| shy(adj.) | nervous with people you do not know | /ʃaɪ/ |
| quiet(adj.) | not talking very much | /ˈkwaɪət/ |
| serious(adj.) | not laughing or joking much | /ˈsɪəriəs/ |
| curious(adj.) | wanting to know and learn things | /ˈkjʊəriəs/ |
| sensitive(adj.) | easily hurt or touched by feelings | /ˈsensətɪv/ |
| outgoing(adj.) | happy to meet new people | /ˈaʊtɡəʊɪŋ/ |
Negative traits
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| mean(adj.) | unkind to others | /miːn/ |
| rude(adj.) | not polite | /ruːd/ |
| lazy(adj.) | not wanting to work | /ˈleɪzi/ |
| selfish(adj.) | thinking only about yourself | /ˈselfɪʃ/ |
| stubborn(adj.) | never changing your mind | /ˈstʌbən/ |
| arrogant(adj.) | thinking you are better than others | /ˈærəɡənt/ |
Intelligence and character
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| smart / intelligent(adj.) | quick to learn and understand | /smɑːt/ |
| clever(adj.) | good at learning and finding solutions | /ˈklevə/ |
| creative(adj.) | good at making new things | /kriˈeɪtɪv/ |
| hard-working(adj.) | always making a big effort | /hɑːd ˈwɜːkɪŋ/ |
| reliable(adj.) | you can always count on them | /rɪˈlaɪəbəl/ |
Common mistakes to avoid
Sensible ❌ when you mean sensitive
Sensitive means that you feel emotions strongly. Sensible means reasonable and practical. The two words look alike, so many learners mix them up. Remember: a sensitive child cries easily, but a sensible child makes good choices.
Mean = verb OR adjective
Mean can be a verb (to have a meaning) or an adjective (unkind). What does it mean? (verb) ≠ He is mean. (adjective). The context tells you which one. In British English, a mean person can also be someone who hates spending money.
Practice quiz
Related pages: Personality
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
Going further
The “Personality” topic is part of the contest vocabulary
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Practise on PLAYPersonality: learn these words for good
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For teachers“Personality” vocabulary, ready for your lessons
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Frequently asked questions
How do you describe someone's personality in English?+
Use be + adjective: He is kind. She is shy. They are serious. To make it stronger, add very or really: She is very nice. To ask about someone's personality, say What is he like?
What is the difference between sensitive and sensible?+
Sensitive means that you feel things strongly and you are easily hurt: He is very sensitive. Sensible means that you make good, practical choices: a sensible decision. The two words look alike, but they do not mean the same thing.
What is the difference between smart, clever and intelligent?+
They are very close. Smart is common in American English and in speech. Clever is common in British English, and it can also mean good at finding quick solutions. Intelligent is more formal and neutral. In British English, smart can also mean well dressed.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/vocabulary/personality
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.