The Importance of Being Earnest
Vocabulary Act One
Set one
languid
• His lack of interest was apparent with the
languid manner in which he sulked across the
stage.
• In the summer months, the great heat makes
people languid and lazy.
languid
• Definition: lacking spirit or liveliness
• POS: Adjective
• Synonyms: relaxed, lethargic
• Antonyms: energetic, vibrant
invalid
• My father was an invalid the last ten years of
his life.
• The old man was an invalid, he could no
longer take care of himself.
invalid
• Definition: someone who is incapacitated by a
chronic illness or injury
• POS: Noun
earnest
• He was earnest in his desire to become a
doctor so he studied countless hours a day.
• He was earnest about improving his GPA so he
asked for extra credit assignments to bring up
his grades
earnest
• Definition: serious in intention, purpose, or
effort
• POS: Adjective
• Synonyms: sincere, devout, passionate
• Antonyms: thoughtless, unconcerned,
indifferent
lax
• The airport had very lax security, and patrons
were permitted to bring bottles on the plane.
• The doctor's care was rather lax, and the
patient suffered greatly because of the errors
in care that resulted.
lax
• Definition: lacking in rigor or strictness
• POS: Adjective
• Synonyms: negligent, careless, casual
• Antonyms: attentive, caring, concerned
• Bob is a sententious crank who has written
countless letters to the editor about the
decline of family values.
• Much to the annoyance of the class, the
professor sententiously rambled on about
morality for forty-five minutes.
sententious
• Definition: having or expressing strong
opinions about what people should and
should not do
• POS: Adjective
• Synonyms: moralistic, pious, self-righteous
cynical
• After a pep talk one day and a lay off the next
the remaining staff was very cynical about the
company.
• After being dumped by his girlfriend, Jack was
cynical about dating other women.
cynical
• Definition: believing that people are
motivated by self-interest; distrustful of
human sincerity or integrity
• POS: Adjective
• Synonyms: doubtful, superstitious, negative
• Antonyms: hopeful, trusting, optimistic
delicate
• The eggs of some animals have delicate shells
and must be handled with great care.
• Butterfly wings are beautiful and delicate.
delicate
• Definition: easy broken or damaged or
destroyed
• POS: Adjective
• Synonyms: fragile, gentile
• Antonyms: strong, tough
disposition
• Although she was having a bad day, she had a
surprisingly pleasant disposition.
• Whenever my uncle was feeling ill, his friendly
disposition disappeared.
disposition
• Definition: a person's inherent qualities of
mind and character
• POS: Noun
• Synonyms: mood, temperament, personality
contempt
• He showed his contempt for his job by doing it
badly.
• Because Abby came from a wealthy family, it
was not surprising she looked at homeless
people with contempt.
contempt
• Definition: the feeling that a person or a thing
is beneath consideration, worthless, or
deserving scorn
• POS: Noun
Synonyms: disrespect, loathing, hatred
Antonyms: approval, honor, praise
indignation
• After receiving the test back with a big red F
on it, the student was full of indignation.
• After receiving a letter of rejection, Lucy was
filled with indignation.
indignation
• Definition: anger or annoyance provoked by
what is perceived as unfair treatment
• POS: Noun
• Synonyms: displeasure, fury, rage
• Antonyms: calm, delight, happiness