Quality and Temperament

in an open, honest, and straightforward manner

The negotiations were conducted aboveboard, with no hidden agendas.

lacking in strength, energy, and effect

The anemic response to the proposal suggested a lack of interest.

something difficult, harsh, or unpleasant to endure

The asperities of life in the desert tested their endurance.

excessive desire for money and material goods

His avarice drove him to exploit his workers for more profit.

having or associated with bile in the body

The patient experienced bilious vomiting after the meal.

(of a person) prone to unexpected and sudden changes of behavior, mood, or mind

The novel's capricious protagonist kept readers on their toes, never sure of his next move.

to treat someone with an excessive amount of care and indulgence

She cosseted her newborn with the finest clothes and constant attention.

using clever and usually deceitful methods to achieve what one wants

Her crafty negotiation tactics allowed her to secure a favorable deal for her company.

the strong desire for attaining a lot of money or material goods

His cupidity drove him to make unethical business deals.

a respectful gesture or expression that shows admiration or esteem toward someone

The students stood in deference to the entering professor.

to understand something through thought or reasoning

After much thought, she discerned that his actions were motivated by jealousy.

having or displaying enthusiasm, happiness, and liveliness

Her ebullient personality brightened up the entire room.

not showing the amount of seriousness needed toward a serious matter by trying to seem clever and humorous

His facetious remarks about the serious issue were not well received.

to quickly move from a higher place toward the ground

Be careful not to slip and fall on the wet floor.

having an awkward or impolite way of behaving due to a lack of social skills or experience

His gauche comments at the dinner party made everyone uncomfortable.

an unusual or strange behavior, thought, or habit that is specific to one person

His constant humming while working is an idiosyncrasy of his.

showing simplicity, honesty, or innocence and willing to trust others due to a lack of life experience

Her ingenuous questions revealed how new she was to the industry.

causing offense or unhappiness due to being prejudice or unjust

The invidious comparison between the two candidates was unfair.

experiencing or displaying an intense sexual interest

He was known for his lascivious behavior at parties.

having an excessive emotional quality, often in a way that seems overly sentimental or self-pitying

The film's maudlin ending left some viewers feeling manipulated by the emotions.

causing difficulties, problems, or annoyances

The nettlesome details of the contract caused delays.

self-important and very eager to give orders or help when it is not wanted, or needed

The officious clerk insisted on checking every detail of my application.

having an extremely optimistic point of view

His Panglossian outlook made him dismiss any potential problems.

a person who perceives or becomes aware of things through the senses

The percipient described the scene in vivid detail.

able to keep a calm demeanor and not get emotional easily

His phlegmatic response to the crisis helped calm the entire team.

(of ideas or plans) hopeful or imaginative but impractical

His quixotic plan to sail solo around the world ended after two days.

reluctant to speak to others, especially about one's thoughts and emotions

Sarah was reticent when it came to discussing her personal life with her coworkers.

a deep, blood‑red color

The sunset bathed the sky in a rich sanguine.

having a bitter, grumpy, and serious appearance and attitude, oftentimes in a threatening manner

His saturnine expression made everyone at the meeting uneasy.

not displaying emotions and not complaining, especially in difficult and painful situations

He remained stoic despite the challenging circumstances.

an individual who is very fond of enjoying luxurious pleasures and items

As a sybarite, he indulged in the finest wines and gourmet meals.

having strong, turbulent, and often violent weather conditions

The tempestuous waves crashed against the shore, making it dangerous for the boat to approach.

in a rushed and careless manner

He completed the project slapdash, resulting in numerous errors and oversights.

putting continuous effort, care, and attention in doing something

Her sedulous work on the project earned her a promotion.

relating to someone who likes to talk much more than necessary

At every family gathering, my loquacious aunt dominates the conversation with stories from her travels.