top of page
Search

A Primer on Uncommon Adjectives

Writer's picture: Edward KwanEdward Kwan


Adjectives play a pivotal role in painting vivid pictures, evoking emotions, and adding depth to communication. While many adjectives are commonly used in everyday language, there exists a treasure trove of words that capture nuanced emotions and unique experiences. Here's a short list fo them that you might find useful in writing your compositions or answering comprehension cloze and open-ended questions!


 

1. Ambivalent: Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone.


- Sarah felt ambivalent about accepting the job offer; she was excited about the opportunity but hesitant about relocating.


- Mark's ambivalent attitude towards the new policy reflected his uncertainty about its long-term effects.


2. Awestruck: Filled with a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder.


- Standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon, Emily was awestruck by the vastness and beauty of the landscape.


- The audience was awestruck by the magician's incredible illusions, unable to comprehend how they were performed.


3. Bewildered: Perplexed and confused; puzzled.


- Lost in the labyrinthine streets of the old town, Tom became increasingly bewildered as he tried to find his way back to the hotel.


- The complex instructions left the students bewildered, unsure of how to proceed with the experiment.


4. Bemused: Puzzle, confuse, or bewilder (someone).


- His sarcastic comment left her bemused, unsure if he was joking or serious.


- The professor's rambling lecture left the students bemused and struggling to follow the main points.


5. Bittersweet: Arousing pleasure tinged with sadness or pain.


- Saying goodbye to her childhood home was a bittersweet experience; she was excited for the new chapter but saddened by the memories left behind.


- Watching her children grow up filled Maria with bittersweet emotions; proud of their accomplishments yet nostalgic for their younger years.


 

6. Crestfallen: Sad and disappointed; having lost hope or confidence.


- After failing the exam, Sarah returned home crestfallen, dreading the disappointment on her parents' faces.


- The team was crestfallen after losing the championship game in the final minutes, despite their hard work and dedication.


7. Discombobulated: Confused and disconcerted.


- Waking up in a strange room, John felt discombobulated and struggled to remember how he got there.


- The sudden change in schedule left everyone feeling discombobulated, unsure of what tasks to prioritize.


8. Ecstatic: Feeling or expressing overwhelming happiness or joyful excitement.


- Winning the lottery made them ecstatic; they could hardly believe their luck.


- Hearing the news of her promotion, Susan was ecstatic and celebrated with her friends and family.


9. Enthralled: Capture the fascinated attention of.


- The gripping mystery novel enthralled her; she couldn't put it down until she reached the last page.


- The audience was enthralled by the mesmerizing performance of the ballet dancers, applauding enthusiastically at the end.


10. Euphoric: Characterized by or feeling intense excitement and happiness.


- Standing on the mountaintop, Jane felt euphoric as she took in the breathtaking view below.


- Winning the championship brought a sense of euphoria to the entire team; their hard work had finally paid off.


 

11. Flummoxed: Bewildered or perplexed; completely unable to understand or comprehend something.


- Trying to solve the complex math problem, Tim became increasingly flummoxed as he struggled to find the right approach.


- The unexpected twist in the plot left the audience flummoxed, unsure of what would happen next.


12. Intrigued: Arousing one's curiosity or interest; fascinating.


- The mysterious package on her doorstep intrigued Sarah, prompting her to investigate its contents.


- His unusual hobby of collecting vintage keys intrigued his friends, who were eager to learn more about his collection.


13. Jubilant: Feeling or expressing great happiness and triumph.


- The team was jubilant after winning the championship, cheering and celebrating their hard-earned victory.


- Hearing the news of her acceptance into her dream college, Emily's family was jubilant, proud of her achievements.


14. Melancholic: Feeling or expressing pensive sadness, typically with no obvious cause.


- Walking through the deserted park on a rainy day, Sarah couldn't shake off the melancholic feeling that enveloped her.


- The old photograph brought back memories of happier times, leaving him feeling wistful and melancholic.


15. Nonplussed: Surprised and confused so much that they are unsure how to react.


- When the interviewer asked an unexpected question, Sarah was momentarily nonplussed before gathering her thoughts and responding.


- His calm demeanor in the face of adversity left his opponents nonplussed, unable to rattle his composure.


 

16. Puzzled: Unable to understand; perplexed.


- Finding a handwritten note on her desk, Emily was puzzled, wondering who it could be from and what it meant.


- The cryptic riddle left him puzzled for hours, unable to solve some of the clues.


17. Serene: Calm, peaceful, and untroubled; tranquil.


- Sitting by the lake at dawn, Sarah enjoyed the serene beauty of the surroundings, feeling at peace with herself and the world.


- Despite the chaos of the city streets, Maria remained serene, her inner calm unaffected by the hustle and bustle around her.


18. Transfixed: Cause (someone) to become motionless with horror, wonder, or astonishment.


- The eerie glow of the full moon transfixed him, holding him spellbound as he gazed up at the night sky.


- The hypnotic dance performance left the audience transfixed, unable to look away from the stage.


19. Whimsical: Playfully quaint or fanciful, especially in an appealing and amusing way.


- The whimsical artwork in the gallery brought a smile to her face, its colorful and imaginative scenes sparking her imagination.


- His whimsical sense of humor always brightened up the office, making even the dullest tasks seem more enjoyable.


20. Wistful: Having or showing a feeling of vague or regretful longing.


- Watching the sunset over the ocean, John felt wistful, wishing he could freeze this moment in time and stay here forever.


- Seeing the childhood toys in the attic filled Sarah with wistful memories of her younger days, longing for the carefree innocence of childhood.


 


73 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comments


bottom of page