KNOWLEDGE
Useful vocabulary for human feelings, qualities and personality traits
We write about humans a lot, both in creative writing but also in essays. Have clear, precise vocabulary to describe human feelings, qualities and personality traits is thus extremely useful if you want to write well.
Other human qualities
prudence
justice
temperance
courage
humility
mercy
vigilance
reliability
resilience
compassion
kindness
consideration
courtesy
truculence
stubbornness
passion
fervour
admiration
curiosity
scepticism
stoicism
tenderness
generosity
benevolence
spite
misanthropy
magnanimity
malice
hostility
animosity
modesty
honour
dignity
narcissism
renown
valour
timidity
sass
resolve
fortitude
audacity
contempt
grace
tolerance
ruthlessness
Words for personality traits - positive and negative
This excellent resource comes from the following blog: https://lackingravity.wordpress.com/2014/06/03/i-made-a-thing/ (though I added ‘cantankerous’ – a word close to my own heart).
Positive personality traits
affectionate
calm
compassionate
curious
easy-going
faithful
generous
humorous
intelligent
loving
personable
resilient
thoughtful
ambitious
careful
competent
decisive
efficient
fearless
graceful
humble
inventive
lovable
polite
resolute
tolerant
analytical
carefree
compliant
dependable
eloquent
focused
gracious
idealistic
kindly
loyal
proud
resourceful
trusting
active
articulate
charming
confident
devoted
energetic
fun-loving
honest
imaginative
level-headed
optimistic
realistic
sensitive
witty
accepting
approachable
caring
conscientious
determined
encouraging
funny
helpful
innocent
leader
observant
rational
responsible
wise
adventurous
bold
clever
courageous
dynamic
expressive
gentle
happy
industrious
lively
patient
reliable
sincere
adaptable
attentive
cheerful
considerate
dutiful
enthusiastic
friendly
hardworking
independent
likeable
passionate
reflective
sensible
Negative personality traits
apologetic
cold
devious
demure
greedy
impulsive
judgemental
miserable
overbearing
pretentious
self-pitying
stingy
unemotional
untidy
arrogant
conceited
dishonest
escapist
harsh
incompetent
lazy
moody
oversensitive
rebellious
selfish
strict
unimaginative
vengeful
cantankerous
cowardly
disrespectful
exaggerative
helpless
inconsiderate
jealous
cryptic
passive
reckless
serious
stubborn
unfriendly
ambiguous
cautious
cruel
distrusting
fearful
hostile
indifferent
materialistic
nervous
petulant
restless
shy
superficial
unobservant
aggressive
careless
critical
distracted
foolish
hesitant
indecisive
manipulative
naive
pessimistic
reserved
short-tempered
submissive
unkindly
anxious
clumsy
demanding
dull
frivolous
impolite
nosy
melodramatic
opinionated
possessive
secretive
solitary
timid
unstable
angry
clingy
defeatist
domineering
fussy
impatient
inhibited
melancholic
obsessive
pompous
sarcastic
sly
suspicious
unreasonable