Character Traits | Intermediate Vocabulary

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Describing people’s character in English

Character traits are the observable qualities, attributes, or personality characteristics that define an individual’s behavior, thoughts, and emotions. They can be positive or negative, and they are often used to describe and understand the motivations and actions of individuals in various contexts.

Some examples of positive character traits include honesty, kindness, generosity, empathy, and courage. These traits are generally seen as desirable and are often associated with good moral character.

Negative character traits include dishonesty, greed, arrogance, selfishness, and cruelty. These traits are generally seen as undesirable and can lead to negative consequences for individuals and society.

Character traits can be developed over time through experiences and personal growth, and they can also be influenced by environmental and cultural factors. In literature and storytelling, character traits are often used to create well-rounded and believable characters that engage the reader and contribute to the themes and plot of the story. In psychology, character traits are often used to understand personality and behavior, and they can be assessed through various personality tests and assessments.

Learn 14 words to describe character traits

Use these flashcards to learn the meaning of the terms for this unit. You can also practice the pronunciation by listening to the audio on each card.

Practice Exercises for Character Vocabulary

Exercise 1 – Practice the vocabulary with these flashcards

Exercise 2 – Practice using the vocabulary in context

Exercise 3 – Play this game to practice the vocabulary

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

Exercise 3

Vocabulary Quiz

Let us review the vocabulary terms about character traits

TermPart of speechDefinition
aggressiveadjlikely to fight or argue
ambitiousadjhaving a strong desire to do well or be successful
arrogantadjthinking you are better than other people
cheerfuladjfeeling happy
dulladjboring
easy-goingadjrelaxed and not worried by what other people do
generousadjhappy to give more money and help than is usual
hard-workingadjable to work with effort and for a long time
impatientadjnot able to stay calm and wait for somebody
insecureadjnot feeling sure about your own ability
see somebody asverbimagine or think of somebody in a particular way
self-confidentadjfeeling sure about your own ability
sense of humornounthe ability to laugh at things and see when something is funny
tolerantadjable to accept ideas you don’t agree with