An A-Z of English words and phrases that describe behaviour.
A
active = always doing something: "She's an active person and never wants to stay in."
aggressive = being angry or threatening: "He's aggressive and starts arguments."
ambitious = wanting to succeed: "He's ambitious and wants to lead the company."
argumentative = always arguing with people: "He won't accept what you say – he's argumentative and loves to disagree!"
arrogant = thinking you are better than anyone else: "He always behaves as if nobody else's opinion is important – "I find him very arrogant."
assertive = being confident, so people can't force you to do things you don't want to do: "It's important to be assertive at work."
B
bad-tempered = in a bad mood: "What's got into him lately? He's so bad-tempered."
big-headed = thinking you're very important or clever: "I've never met anyone so big-headed!"
bossy = telling people what to do all the time: "He's so bossy - he never lets me do things the way I want to do them."
C
careless = not taking care: "He's a careless driver – "I'm sure he'll have an accident."
caring = wanting to help people: "My boss is caring and often asks me how things are going."
catty = saying nasty or spiteful things about other people: "I know you don't like her, but calling her names is a bit catty."
cautious = being careful, so that you avoid mistakes: "He's cautious about investing money in the stock market."
charming = pleasant and likeable: "What a charming man!"
cheeky = being rude or disrespectful: "It was a bit cheeky of him to ask for more money."
clever = intelligent: "She's a clever student and picks things up quickly."
conceited = thinking you're very clever, or better than others: "He's so conceited – he thinks everyone should admire him."
conscientious = doing something carefully, because you want to do it well: "She's a conscientious student and always does her homework."
considerate = thinking and caring about others: "My neighbour brought me flowers when I was in hospital – he's very considerate." ("That was considerate of him.")
coy = pretending to be shy so that you don't have to give information: "He's very coy about his qualifications – maybe he doesn't have any."
creative = someone who can make or design things, or can think of solutions to a problem: "She's creative and artistic."
curious = wanting to know things: "I'm curious to find out what you think of the situation."
D
deceitful = trying to make people think something, so that you get what you want: "He lied to get this job – he's so deceitful."
docile = quiet and submissive: "She's a docile child and always does what she's told."
dogmatic = wanting others to accept your ideas without discussion: "He's a dogmatic politician and always thinks he's right."
domineering = trying to control other people: "He's loud and domineering in the office – it's difficult to get him to listen to us."
E
enthusiastic = having a lot of interest in something: "He's an enthusiastic supporter of equal rights."
excitable = someone who easily gets excited: "He gets very excitable about politics – it's one of his passions in life."
extroverted = outgoing and lively: "She's extroverted and loves going out with people."
F
faithful = being loyal to someone or something: "She's a faithful friend."
fickle = changing your mind and being unpredictable: "Politicians can be fickle when it suits them!"
flaky = slightly unstable and unreliable: "She's a little flaky at times, but otherwise she's a good worker."
full of himself = acting proud of yourself: "He was full of himself after he got the promotion – it got annoying after a while."
funny = making other people laugh: "He can be extremely funny when he's in the mood."
fussy = only liking certain things: "She's fussy about what she wears."
G
good-natured = kind and thoughtful: "She's good-natured and always tries to help."
grumpy = someone who tends to be in a bad mood: "He's always grumpy in the morning and never says 'hello'."
H
happy-go-lucky = not worrying about what might happen in the future: "He's a bit happy-go-lucky and doesn't think about the future."
I
impulsive = doing things without thinking first: "If he sees something he likes, he just buys it – he can be so impulsive at times!"
inconsiderate = not considering other people or their feelings: "It was a little inconsiderate of him not to give you a get-well card."
introverted = opposite of extroverted: "He was introverted as a teenager, but became more confident as he got older."
inventive = able to think up new ideas: "As head of Marketing, he can often think of inventive ways to keep his customers happy."
irritating = annoying others: "He can be very irritating to work with."
J
jokey = making jokes: "You're in a jokey mood today, but we've got work to do!"
jolly = happy and cheerful: "It was the weekend and everyone was in a jolly mood."
K
kind = thoughtful and caring: "My neighbour is kind – she looked after my cat when I was on holiday."
L
loud-mouthed = someone who talks a lot and often says offensive things: "Don't worry about what he said – he's loud-mouthed at times."
loyal = someone who is faithful and stands by you: "His colleagues were loyal to him when he was having problems with his boss."
M
manic = behaving in a slightly crazy way: "We're a bit manic at the moment – we're rushing to finish the work before our deadline."
manipulative = trying to get people to do what you want, by influencing or deceiving them: "She's very manipulative when she wants something."
moody = having unpredictable moods: "Some people think he's moody – you never know if he's happy or grumpy."
N
nervous = uncomfortable with a situation: "I'm always nervous before an exam."
O
old-fashioned = behaving or thinking in a way that isn't modern: "He's a bit old-fashioned and thinks women shouldn't work."
opinionated = having strong opinions: "He's opinionated and dogmatic – the last person you want to negotiate with."
P
passive = not assertive – doing what other people want you to do without arguing: "He's passive at work, but domineering at home."
perfectionnist = someone who wants perfection: "Her boss is a perfectionnist – no spelling mistakes are allowed."
persuasive = being able to persuade people to do things or to accept your ideas: "He's a persuasive talker."
picky = only liking certain things or people: "She's picky about her friends."
playful = someone who likes to play and have fun: "You're in a playful mood today!"
pleasant = nice and polite: "The bank manager was pleasant to me today."
polite = showing good manners: "She's polite and never forgets to say 'please' or 'thank you'."
pragmatic = being practical and aware of your limitations: "She's pragmatic at work and only does what she can."
Q
quick-tempered = getting angry quickly: "He was quick-tempered when he was young, but he's more relaxed now."
R
reserved = keeping your ideas and thoughts to yourself: "He's reserved, but polite."
rude = impolite: "He's very rude and never says 'please' or 'thank you'."
S
scatter-brained / scatty = someone who often forgets things: "Don't you remember where you put your wallet? You're so scatter-brained!"
serious = not light-hearted: "He's a serious student and always does his homework."
shy = quiet, because you are not very confident: "He's so shy and hates saying anything to people he doesn't know."
sincere = saying what you believe (opposite of insincere): "He's sincere in his beliefs."
slapdash = doing your work quickly and carelessly: "He's got a very slapdash attitude – I doubt he'll ever become a lawyer."
slimy = trying to get what you want by being over-friendly: "That man is so slimy – he makes me feel sick!"
sly = doing things in a secretive way: "You never know what he's up to – he's sly and manipulative."
spiteful = trying to hurt other people because you didn't get what you wanted: "If she doesn't get what she wants, she can be quite spiteful."
T
thoughtful = someone who thinks a lot: "He's a thoughtful person and won't do anything unless he has considered the consequences."
thoughtless = not thinking about people or the consequences of your actions: "I'm sure he didn't mean to be rude – he can be thoughtless at times."
trustworthy = someone you can trust: "My accountant is really trustworthy."
V
volatile quickly changing moods: "He's easily excitable and pretty volatile."
W
witty = being able to make other people laugh by what you say: "He's witty and charming – the perfect person to invite to a party."
103 comments on “English words that describe behaviour”
This page is very good,l got a lot from it ,think you very much!
Your list of words are very helpful becasue I was doing homework and I really needed good detailed words to describe my characters in my reading book. Thanks to your words I got an A-.
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I really needed some words for my assigment at school ant this helped me alot thanks
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great list! h elped a lot when i was creating a character's resume.
This was a very helpful list. It really broadened my vocabulary and enabled me to add depth to my homework assignment. Thank a lot.
I got a lot of new words that i will use to describe my students and collegues.Thanks very much.
good!!! now i need to remind them while speaking to someone that's the toughest part!
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Thanks, really helped with my homework.
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I was on myspace, doing my hero section and i needed good detailed words to desbribe peopl thanx lots it really helped me aout quite a bit!!!<333 audri
I am looking for a term ,
The one who always doubts on others, mistrusts, its kind of psychological term. i think its starts with S or T but not sure.. i checked in all over the google.. i could not find it…
A sceptic? Or a cynic?
also another behaviour the one who cant rest and chases behind untill he finds the solution for a particular problem…
Someone who is persistent?
they were very useful for my school project
i liked them
♥
Do you have a word to describe a person who under estimates himself?
You can say "someone who is lacking in self-confidence" or even "modest".
Good job! But why all or almost all "bad or negative" words describing behaviour are linked to men and "good or positive" linked to women?
I bet there must've been a woman standing behind it :} I would add one more : cocky – someone who is overconfident .
Well spotted! I hadn't even realised I was linking the negative words to men… :))
What is the difference between arrogant, conceited and big-headed. They almost have the same meaning. In what situation should we differ them? Thanks
They all mean more or less the same thing, but "big-headed" is more informal. "Conceited" means you have a high opinion of yourself, but "arrogant" means you think other people are inferior to you.
this page was very useful 4 me ..thanks
Woo!
Thank you SO much.
These are awesome words.
I used them to describe a person that I like
=P
Lots of Thanks in various ways for providing this informative and educational page! This will be very useful to lots of peoples… Good Job! It helps on writing my report~ :)
This page was a huge help with my english assighment!!
this page is really helpful.
thx:)
Good, now I can describe People in exact way.
THANKS.
Thanks for the list realy helped
Perfect for my term paper
Writing my CV, words were very helpful x
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This was a very informative word and has helped me in my work and helped expand my already sophisticated vocabulary… Thank You
hi , is true to say ( he's a pen) , instead of he has a pen ?
with greetings
motasem » No. You can say "He's got a pen" or "He has a pen".
This page really helped me find words for my school projects.
Thanks!
i have just started to learn english and i don't know many vocabularies. the list of above words are really helpful for me. thank you so much
Very resourceful, appreciate the work done
really nice …i found lot of words which can describe a person……….thanx…………
these words really helped me with my homework .it was so hard to find great vocabulary.but i found this website and it really helped me
THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Thanks heaps, much appreciated.
I need words that begin with a Z that describe a person or an object!!!!!!!!!!
Good question. I can't find many.
zany (eccentric): She plays this zany character in the series.
very helpful for ESL students. I agree with NIHARIKA
THanks!!!! helped alot with a homework assignment! I know im gonna get a good grade
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This really helps me in homework, and describing friends. lol. Thanks.
Yes this page is very helpful!… How often is it updated?
Great…Very interesting and informative…
Does the word STUBBORN belong in this list? dlk
Zany, Zealous (full of, characterized by, or showing zeal; fervent; enthusiastic), Zestful, Zippy (full of vim and energy; brisk; snappy), Zonked (extremely tired or highly intoxicated)
Zats all I got right now, Polona.
Yes, it does. It means someone who doesn't change their ideas, even when other people try to persuade them.
Wonderful list – many thanks!
thanks man,,,,
i has helped a lot with my character analysis for Dry White Season ,,,,
this is awesome…
Thanks for this list, ill be sure to show fellow writters :)
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its really helpful..i got very much frm that vocabulary.
Great…Very interesting and informative…i will use it by describing ma friends characters…
thx so much this helped me on a school project that i REALLY needed help on
this website has great words
a very good page. im looking for adjectives to describe a person for my students in the oral English class. very helpful. Thx!
I was creating something to say for my husband's 50th surprise b-day party and these words were very helpful so that I can best describe him.
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This made me describe my uncle alot and he is so proud that I made him this letter.
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Goood work, thanks to you, i got an A1 for my peer appraisal
ronin,
is 'paranoid' what are you looking for?
I thought of two words : disruptive and wiggle-worm.
appreciate the list, it is the only one I found on google, very useful thanks!
thanks guys(:
l0l.. its helped me on my
vocabulary and my homeworK:]?
Gr3t@ J0B !T D!D h3lp m3 @ l0t
awesome!
Hi
I would like to add few more words which describe behavior. Hope someone will get some sort of benefits.
I have learned so many things from this site. And I feel very happy that I am also contributing to some extend which help others to learn.
Egoist = Selfish
Egotist = Totally Self Centered. " A real egotist who was always taking about himself".
Altruist = Concerning with the welfare of others.
Ambivert = A person who is Introvert as well as Extrovert.
Misogynist = One who hates women.
Misogamist = One who hates marriages.
Philanthropist = Love mankind
ascetic = leads discipline life.
Querulous = One who always have complaint or grievance.
wow these words are really helping me on the assignment that i'm doing now, but I noticed that they didn't put devious, imaginative, peppy or intelligent. They should add them to the list.
Hi…
A really good list for all those who look forward to improve their vocabulary….. helpful for teachers as well as students..
I can provide this list to my students who always keep on asking me the ways to improve their vocab.
thanks
The page when i found was very interesting and i learnt a lot from these words for my job interview and i would like to thank you very much
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no doubt… this list has been more than helpful
Great, that's what i am looking for.
BTW, what word would you use to describe a boss who rejects all suggestions and proposals from staff, only believe in himself. I want another word other than stubborn.
Thanks
Arrogant? Egotistical? Neither of these adjectives is very flattering, though!
thanks!these words rly helped me discover myself.
Hi, I am very happy with the words I found here.Being a math teacher, I am not so much into language…..these words will work wonders for me.thanks.
It is a very helpful webpage, thanks!
^_^
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thnkzzzzz sooo much
these words worked soo well for me:P
I neede to describe someone as some sort of assignment and he loved the words I used. thanks
Thanks. Your list of words really helped me a lot. I could not find anything for my acrostic poem, a poem using the letters in your name to make words that describe you. This website really came in handy. Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.
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i managed to do well coz of this page. it is tested in character analysis
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Thanks you. These words helped me ALOT with my homework.
thanks so much this was very helpful for some of my homework but this page could use more positive words to
how would you describe a person who is very quiet around some people but when around really good friends they are goofy and talkative?
I don't think there is just one word. "Reserved around strangers" perhaps.
This is awesome thanks for posting these words, it helped me a lot.
Thanx i did word that describes me and I found all of them
Thanks, I needed to make a word poster describing me.
thank you so much! this helped me a lot. i could not have done my english homework without it. i love this!
thanks this really helped but you culd also add:
locquatious = chatty
Thankx this is really healful add more positive word plzzzz:)
Outstanding.thx alot for this fabulous & useful page.
this page is awesome. im writing my memoir and my teachers crazy about being descriptive and my memoir was about my cousin and i couldn't find a word to describe her and this helped A LOT!
i like this page it really helped me with my homework and its really haelpful for kids and peole that dont really understand and have hard trouble doing this stuff
Great list! Made short work of a Self-perspective worksheet I had to do for a training class.
Hey,
This website helped me alot. I would have never come up with these words myself to describe people.
Thanks
this really helps me with my writting when i have to describe people(:
thanks alot(:
