amiable
Connotation: positive
Other Forms: amiably (adv)
Syn:
sociable, friendly, easy to get along with
Definition:
describes someone who has or shows goodnatured personal qualities
Ant:
hard-headed, rude
Notes on Usage:
Use in a Sentence:
Use this to describe a person’s demeanor
When she smiles, Ms. Neal seems more amiable
and less intimidating.
facetious (adjective)
Connotation: negative
Other Forms: facetiousness (n)
Syn:
sarcastic, playful, flippant
Definition:
Describes treating a serious situation with
inappropriate humor
Ant:
serious
Notes on Usage:
Use in a Sentence:
Though negative, it is usually playful
The comment Erin made about Jim’s mom
offended him, until Erin said she was just being
facetious.
forlorn (adjective)
Connotation: negative
Other Forms: forlornly (adv)
Syn:
lonely, neglected, sullen
Definition:
Ant:
describes someone who feels sad, lonely or
hopeless about his or her success
jubilant, exuberant, excited
Notes on Usage:
Use in a Sentence:
This word describes people more often than
situations or events
The children were forlorn when they found out
the family trip to Wisconsin Dells was cancelled.
jubilant (adjective)
Connotation: positive
Other Forms: jubilantly (adv), jubilance (n)
Syn:
Joyful, exuberant
Definition:
Describes a feeling of great joy, or action of
expressing great joy
Ant:
Sullen, forlorn, sad
Notes on Usage:
Use in a Sentence:
Usually used to describe a person’s behavior or an Taylor Swift gave a jubilant acceptance speech at
event
the MTV Video Awards
profound (adjective)
Connotation: positive
Other Forms: profoundly (adv)
Syn:
Thoughtful, philosophical
Definition:
1. Describes something that is deeply felt
2. Describes something that needs a deep level of
thought to be understood
Ant:
Simple, superficial
Notes on Usage:
Use in a Sentence:
- Either definition shows that this word’s intensity 1. Butler College Prep experienced a profound
as something described as profound is serious
sense of grief in the loss of their student.
and deeply moving
2. His knowledge of history was profound.
quizzical (adjective)
Connotation: usually negative
Other Forms: quizzically (adv)
Syn:
Curious, puzzled
Definition:
Ant:
Describes a way of playfully showing you do not
understand something or find it strange
Understanding
Notes on Usage:
Use in a Sentence:
This can be used when actually confused but
more often refers to playfully acting confused.
There was a quizzical expression on his face
when he was mocking his father for punishing
him, pretending to be confused.