Word list · Teens & Adults
Emotions and Personality Adjectives in English
Say exactly how you feel, and what people are really like.
- Age
- Ages 13+
- Level
- A2–B2
- Skill
- Vocabulary
- Format
- Interactive
- People & feelings
- 25 words
Practise
Three ways to learn the list. Nothing is saved: start again whenever you like.
0 of 25 learned
anxious
adjective
The list
Tap the speaker to hear each word.
anxious
adjective · B1
worried and nervous about something that might happen
I always feel anxious before a job interview.
frustrated
adjective · B1
annoyed because you cannot do or get what you want
I get frustrated when my computer is slow and I can't finish my work.
relieved
adjective · B1
happy because something bad did not happen or has finished
I was so relieved when I found my passport in my coat pocket.
embarrassed
adjective · B1
feeling shy or silly because of something you did in front of others
I felt really embarrassed when I called my teacher 'Mum' by mistake.
disappointed
adjective · B1
unhappy because something was not as good as you hoped
We were disappointed that the concert was cancelled.
overwhelmed
adjective · B2
feeling that you have too much to deal with
With three deadlines this week, I feel completely overwhelmed.
thrilled
adjective · B2
extremely happy and excited
She was thrilled to get a place at her first-choice university.
confused
adjective · A2
not able to understand something or think clearly
I'm confused. Are we meeting at six or at seven?
grateful
adjective · B1
wanting to thank someone because they helped you
I'm really grateful for all your help this year.
jealous
adjective · B1
unhappy because someone has something you want, or afraid of losing someone's love
He was a bit jealous when his best friend got the job he wanted.
homesick
adjective · B1
sad because you are away from home and miss it
In my first month abroad I was very homesick: I missed my family, my friends and even my mum's cooking.
upset
adjective · B1
unhappy or worried because something bad has happened
She was upset because nobody remembered her birthday.
easy-going
adjective · B1
relaxed and not easily worried or annoyed
My flatmate is very easy-going. Nothing seems to bother him.
outgoing
adjective · B1
friendly and enjoying meeting new people
She's very outgoing and makes friends wherever she goes.
reserved
adjective · B2
not showing your feelings or opinions easily
He seems reserved at first, but he's very funny when you get to know him.
stubborn
adjective · B2
refusing to change your opinion or what you are doing
My grandfather is so stubborn. He never admits he's wrong.
generous
adjective · B1
happy to give money, time or help to others
It was very generous of you to pay for everyone's dinner.
trustworthy
adjective · B2
able to be trusted; honest
You can tell Sara anything. She's completely trustworthy.
ambitious
adjective · B1
wanting very much to be successful
She's very ambitious and wants to run her own company one day.
sensitive
adjective · B2
easily upset by what other people say or do
Be careful what you say. He's quite sensitive about his weight.
bossy
adjective · B1
always telling other people what to do
My older sister was really bossy and was always telling me what to do.
patient
adjective · B1
able to wait or deal with problems calmly, without getting annoyed
Teachers of young children need to be very patient.
moody
adjective · B2
often changing mood quickly, especially becoming unhappy or angry
Teenagers can be moody, especially early in the morning.
considerate
adjective · B2
thinking about other people's feelings and needs
It was very considerate of our neighbours to warn us about their party.
self-confident
adjective · B2
sure of your own abilities
Speaking in public helped me become more self-confident.
Use it: speaking task
For pairs or small groups, about ten minutes.
Work in pairs. Answer each question with a short story from your own life, then ask your partner the same question. Use a different adjective from the list each time.
- Describe a time you felt really relieved. What had happened?
- What makes you frustrated or overwhelmed, and what helps you calm down?
- Describe a friend's personality using three adjectives from the list.
- Are you more outgoing or more reserved? Has that changed since you were a child?
- Which quality do you value most in a colleague or classmate, and why?
Printable worksheet
One page of matching and gap-fill, the speaking task, and an answer key on a separate page.
Related resources
Flashcards
At the Doctor's: English Health Vocabulary
Describe symptoms, understand the doctor and read the medicine box.
Flashcards
Phrases for Giving Opinions in English
Give a view, agree, push back politely and keep a discussion moving.
Interactive Game · 15–20 min
Escape Room English: three rooms for teens
Three original rooms — library, space station, museum — where every lock is an English puzzle.
Lesson Plan · 45 min
Travel Unit: ESL Activities for Teens
Dream trips and real ones: plan a journey, survive the airport and argue about the best way to travel.
Name: ______________________ Date: ____________
A. Match each word with its meaning.
- 1. anxious ____
- 2. relieved ____
- 3. disappointed ____
- 4. thrilled ____
- 5. grateful ____
- 6. homesick ____
- 7. easy-going ____
- 8. reserved ____
- 9. generous ____
- 10. ambitious ____
- a) unhappy because something was not as good as you hoped
- b) sad because you are away from home and miss it
- c) wanting to thank someone because they helped you
- d) relaxed and not easily worried or annoyed
- e) extremely happy and excited
- f) not showing your feelings or opinions easily
- g) wanting very much to be successful
- h) happy because something bad did not happen or has finished
- i) worried and nervous about something that might happen
- j) happy to give money, time or help to others
B. Complete the sentences with words from the box.
confused · embarrassed · frustrated · jealous · outgoing · overwhelmed · sensitive · stubborn · trustworthy · upset
- 1. I get when my computer is slow and I can't finish my work.
- 2. I felt really when I called my teacher 'Mum' by mistake.
- 3. With three deadlines this week, I feel completely .
- 4. I'm . Are we meeting at six or at seven?
- 5. He was a bit when his best friend got the job he wanted.
- 6. She was because nobody remembered her birthday.
- 7. She's very and makes friends wherever she goes.
- 8. My grandfather is so . He never admits he's wrong.
- 9. You can tell Sara anything. She's completely .
- 10. Be careful what you say. He's quite about his weight.
C. Use it: speak
Work in pairs. Answer each question with a short story from your own life, then ask your partner the same question. Use a different adjective from the list each time.
- Describe a time you felt really relieved. What had happened?
- What makes you frustrated or overwhelmed, and what helps you calm down?
- Describe a friend's personality using three adjectives from the list.
- Are you more outgoing or more reserved? Has that changed since you were a child?
- Which quality do you value most in a colleague or classmate, and why?
Answer key
A. 1i · 2h · 3a · 4e · 5c · 6b · 7d · 8f · 9j · 10g
- B.
- 1. frustrated
- 2. embarrassed
- 3. overwhelmed
- 4. confused
- 5. jealous (also: disappointed, upset)
- 6. upset
- 7. outgoing
- 8. stubborn
- 9. trustworthy
- 10. sensitive