Personality is nuanced: A simple “nice” or “mean” very rarely suffices to capture someone’s essence. Consider some of the most beloved literary and film characters of all time. Is James Bond merely calm, or is the famous secret agent imperturbable? Is Gandalf wise, or is a better description “sagacious”? Adjectives bring depth to characters and their personalities, allowing us to describe them more accurately. Let’s explore a curated selection of uncommon vocabulary terms you can use to paint a more vivid picture with your words.
(Adjective) Enjoying the company of others; marked by or showing a liking for companionship.
Those with a gregarious personality are social butterflies — think of Lydia Bennet (Pride and Prejudice) or Anne Shirley (Anne of Green Gables). Both vibrant, talkative, and friendly, these characters often form new connections and easily win people over. Nowadays, most social media personalities and reality television stars are best described as gregarious.
This term appeared in English during the 17th century, but at the time, it referred to groups of animals. It derives from the Latin gregarius, meaning “pertaining to a flock; of the herd, of the common sort, common.” It’s still used today to describe animals that live in groups. The definition of the word “starling,” for instance, is “dark gregarious oscine birds.”
(Adjective) Characterized by rapid and unpredictable changeableness of mood.
A mercurial personality is characterized by rapid shifts in mood, thought, actions, or all of the above. It also means “very lively and quick” or “changing often” as in, “Springtime brings mercurial weather.” As for personality types, famous literary figures such as Jay Gatsby (The Great Gatsby) and Hamlet are known for their mercurial tendencies. From Gatsby’s passionate yet unpredictable nature to Hamlet’s rapidly shifting emotions (grief, anger, melancholy, etc.), these characters embody the personality type.
This word also has a lesser-known definition that points to its origin: “Having qualities (as of eloquence, ingenuity, or thievishness) attributed to the god Mercury or in astrology to the influence of the planet Mercury.” Mercury was the messenger of the Roman gods, characterized by his swiftness. The Romans named the fastest-moving planet, Mercury, after him. During the mid-17th century, English speakers began using “mercurial” as an adjective to describe those whose moods shift quickly between extremes, laying the groundwork for the modern definition we use today.
(Adjective) Generally pleasing and engaging often because of a childlike charm and innocence.
Alice (from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland) has a winsome personality. Author Lewis Carroll relies on his character’s profound curiosity to create charm and whimsy, capturing the hearts of audiences who root for her in Wonderland.
While some may use this adjective as synonymous with a winning (meaning “tending to please or delight”) personality, it is not etymologically related to the word “win.” Instead, it derives from the Old English wynsum, from the noun wynn, meaning “joy” or “pleasure.” Though popular in Old English, it was all but extinct until the 18th century, when it experienced a revival as Scottish poets Robert Burns and William Hamilton used it to mean “pleasing or attractive in appearance.”
(Adjective) Marked by extreme calm, impassivity, and steadiness.
An imperturbable person doesn’t crack under pressure. Think of the Unsinkable Molly Brown in the Titanic film. Based on Margaret Brown — a real survivor of the sinking of the RMS Titanic — the character in the movie is unflappable. During one instance, she insists that her lifeboat turn back to search for survivors, maintaining her composure amid widespread panic. Another cool, calm, and collected character is James Bond, a suave secret agent who always remains poised.
“Imperturbable” is a French loanword that entered English during the 15th century. It stems from the Latin verb perturbare, meaning “to agitate, trouble, or throw into confusion.” Its base word, “perturb” — meaning “to cause to be worried or upset” — is commonly used in English today.
(Adjective) Temperamentally disinclined to talk.
The opposite of a yapper is someone who is taciturn: quiet and reserved. One of America’s favorite superheroes fits the description — Batman, Gotham City’s stoic defender, is taciturn, offering few words but being known for his actions. Plenty of other famous characters are taciturn, too, though for various reasons. Mr. Darcy (Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice) is taciturn, but at first he seems arrogant. His habit of remaining quiet stems not from arrogance but from pride and social anxiety.
“Taciturn” comes from the Latin verb tacēre, meaning “to be silent” — an apt origin. It was first adopted into French as taciturne during the 15th century, and was later borrowed into English sometime in the mid-17th or early 18th century.
(Adjective) Having or showing an ability to understand difficult ideas and situations and to make good decisions; marked by keen and farsighted understanding and judgment.
A wise person who shows good judgment is sagacious. This type of wisdom conjures images of profound literary guides, from Gandalf (Lord of the Rings) to Atticus Finch (To Kill a Mockingbird). But it can also describe a highly logical person with a keen intellect and strong observational skills. You might consider your professor, a parent, or a mentor “sagacious.”
“Sagacious” comes from sagire, a Latin verb meaning “to perceive keenly.” It’s been used in English since the 17th century, though at first, it referred to sensory perception, especially smell, sight, and taste. By the mid-17th century, its usage to describe someone “skilled at discovering truths” emerged.
(Adjective) Sharply or bitingly critical, sarcastic, or ironic in temper, mood, or tone.
While “acerbic” may sound like a negative personality trait, it doesn’t always have to be. When combined with other qualities, it can bring humor and even charm. Sherlock Holmes, for instance, is famous for his acerbic dry wit and frequently shows his distinctive personality when clues he deems “obvious” are missed, especially by Dr. Watson.
The adjective “acerb” first appeared in English during the 17th century, though it was generally used to describe foods with a sour taste. It stems from Latin acerbus, meaning “harsh to the taste, sharp, bitter, sour.” During the 19th century, English speakers added the suffix “-ic,” forming the modern adjective we use today to describe people.
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