B1 Adjectives
B1 adjective vocabulary in alphabetical order with definitions and example sentences.
academic
Connected with education, especially studying in schools and universities.
Example
high/low academic standards
advanced
Having the most modern and recently developed ideas, methods, etc.
Example
Scientists are working on highly advanced technology to replace fossil fuels.
aged
Of the age of.
Example
They have two children aged six and nine.
alcoholic
Connected with or containing alcohol.
Example
alcoholic drinks/beverages
alternative
That can be used instead of something else.
Example
The road was closed so we had to find an alternative route.
amazed
Very surprised.
Example
an amazed look
ambitious
Determined to be successful, rich, powerful, etc.
Example
a fiercely ambitious young manager
annoyed
Slightly angry.
Example
He was beginning to get very annoyed with me about my carelessness.
annoying
Making somebody feel slightly angry.
Example
This interruption is very annoying.
aware
Knowing or realizing something.
Example
As you're aware, this is not a new problem.
backward
Directed towards the back or rear. / Having made less progress than is normal or expected.
Example
He took a step backward.
basic
Forming the part of something that is most necessary and from which other things develop.
Example
basic information/facts/ideas
brave
Willing to do things that are difficult, dangerous or painful; not afraid.
Example
brave men and women
careless
Not giving enough attention and thought to what you are doing, so that you make mistakes.
Example
careless driving
central
In the centre of an area or object.
Example
central London
cheerful
Happy, and showing it by the way that you behave.
Example
You're not your usual cheerful self today.
chemical
Connected with chemistry.
Example
changes in the chemical composition of the atmosphere
commercial
Connected with the buying and selling of goods and services.
Example
residential and commercial properties
confident
Feeling sure about your own ability to do things and be successful.
Example
She was in a relaxed, confident mood.
confused
Unable to think clearly or to understand what is happening or what somebody is saying.
Example
I'm confused—say all that again.
criminal
Connected with or involving crime.
Example
criminal offences/activities
cultural
Connected with the culture of a particular society or group, its customs, beliefs, etc.
Example
Teachers need to be aware of cultural differences.
current
Happening now; of the present time.
Example
The necklace would be worth over $5 000 at current prices.
definite
Sure or certain; unlikely to change.
Example
Can you give me a definite answer by tomorrow?
determined
Having made a definite decision to do something and not letting anyone prevent you.
Example
The opposition to her plan made her more determined than ever.
dressed
Wearing clothes and not naked or wearing clothes for sleeping.
Example
Hurry up and get dressed.
due
Caused by somebody/something; because of somebody/something.
Example
The team's success was largely due to her efforts.
eastern
Located in the east or facing east.
Example
eastern Spain
economic
Connected with the trade, industry and development of wealth of a country, an area or a society.
Example
They discussed social, economic and political issues.
educated
Having had the kind of education mentioned; having been to the school, college or university mentioned.
Example
privately educated children
educational
Connected with education.
Example
children with special educational needs
effective
Producing the result that is wanted or intended; producing a successful result.
Example
Aspirin is a simple but highly effective treatment.
embarrassed
Shy, uncomfortable or ashamed, especially in a social situation.
Example
I've never felt so embarrassed in my life!
embarrassing
Making you feel shy, uncomfortable or ashamed.
Example
an embarrassing moment/situation
engaged
Having agreed to marry somebody.
Example
When did you get engaged?
environmental
Connected with the natural conditions in which people, animals and plants live; connected with the environment.
Example
the environmental impact of pollution
equal
The same in size, quantity, value, etc. as something else.
Example
There is an equal number of boys and girls in the class.
essential
Completely necessary; extremely important in a particular situation or for a particular activity.
Example
an essential part/feature of something
expected
That you think will happen.
Example
Double the expected number of people came to the meeting.
experienced
Having knowledge or skill in a particular job or activity.
Example
an experienced player/teacher
familiar
Well known to you; often seen or heard and therefore easy to recognize.
Example
to look/sound/seem familiar
fancy
Unusually complicated, often in an unnecessary way; intended to impress other people.
Example
a kitchen full of fancy gadgets
far
At a greater distance away from you.
Example
I saw her on the far side of the road.
fascinating
Extremely interesting and attractive.
Example
a fascinating story
fashionable
Following a style that is popular at a particular time.
Example
fashionable clothes/ideas/styles
financial
Connected with money and finance.
Example
the world's major financial markets/institutions
fixed
Staying the same; not changing or able to be changed.
Example
These fixed prices give farmers a degree of financial security.
folk
Traditional and typical of the ordinary people of a country or community.
Example
We visited an exhibition of folk art.
frightened
Afraid; feeling fear.
Example
a frightened child
frightening
Making you feel afraid.
Example
a frightening experience/prospect/thought
frozen
Kept at a very low temperature in order to preserve it.
Example
frozen peas/fish/pizza
generous
Giving or willing to give freely; given freely.
Example
The gallery was named after its most generous benefactor.
gentle
Calm and kind; doing things in a quiet and careful way.
Example
a kind and gentle man
giant
Very large; much larger or more important than similar things usually are.
Example
The match was shown on a giant screen outside the town hall.
global
Covering or affecting the whole world.
Example
This year the global economy will grow by about 4 per cent.
grateful
Feeling or showing thanks because somebody has done something kind for you or has done as you asked.
Example
Thank you for doing this. I really am so grateful.
guilty
Feeling ashamed because you have done something that you know is wrong or have not done something that you should have done.
Example
Matt and Chrissy both looked equally guilty.
historic
Important in history; likely to be thought of as important at some time in the future.
Example
the restoration of historic buildings
historical
Connected with the past.
Example
You must place these events in their historical context.
honest
Always telling the truth, and never stealing or cheating.
Example
an honest man/woman
horrible
Very bad or unpleasant; used to describe something that you do not like.
Example
What horrible weather!
illegal
Not allowed by the law.
Example
illegal drugs/firearms/substances
imaginary
Existing only in your mind or imagination.
Example
The equator is an imaginary line around the middle of the earth.
immediate
Happening or done without delay.
Example
an immediate reaction/response
impressive
Making you admire them, because they are very large, good, skilful, etc.
Example
an impressive performance
indirect
Happening not as the main aim, cause or result of a particular action, but in addition to it.
Example
the indirect effects of the war
indoor
Located, done or used inside a building.
Example
an indoor swimming pool
injured
Physically hurt; having an injury.
Example
His injured leg prevented him from walking.
innocent
Not guilty of a crime, etc.; not having done something wrong.
Example
They have imprisoned an innocent man.
involved
Taking part in something; being part of something or connected with something.
Example
Some people tried to stop the fight but I didn't want to get involved.
keen
Wanting to do something or wanting something to happen very much.
Example
John was very keen to help.
kind
Caring about others; gentle, friendly and generous.
Example
a very kind and helpful person
leading
Most important or most successful.
Example
a leading expert/authority/figure/member
legal
Connected with the law.
Example
the legal profession/system
liquid
In the form of a liquid; not a solid or a gas.
Example
liquid nitrogen
live
Living; not dead.
Example
live animals
living
Alive now.
Example
all living things
located
If something is located in a particular place, it exists there or has been put there.
Example
a small town located 30 miles south of Chicago
lonely
Unhappy because you have no friends or people to talk to.
Example
She lives alone and often feels lonely.
mad
Very stupid; not at all sensible.
Example
You must be mad to risk it.
magic
Having or using special powers to make impossible things happen or seem to happen.
Example
a magic spell/charm/potion
medium
In the middle between a larger and smaller size, amount, length, temperature, etc.
Example
There are three sizes—small, medium and large.
mental
Connected with or happening in the mind; involving the process of thinking.
Example
the mental process of remembering
mild
Not severe or strong.
Example
a mild form of the disease
narrative
Describing events or telling a story.
Example
narrative fiction
northern
Located in the north or facing north; connected with or typical of the north part of the world or a region.
Example
the northern slopes of the mountains
nuclear
Using, producing or resulting from nuclear energy.
Example
a nuclear power plant/station
obvious
Easy to see or understand.
Example
I know you don't like her but try not to make it so obvious.
odd
Strange or unusual.
Example
They're very odd people.
official
Agreed to, said, done, etc. by somebody who is in a position of authority.
Example
an official announcement/decision/statement
old-fashioned
Not modern; no longer fashionable.
Example
old-fashioned clothes/styles/methods/equipment
organized
Involving large numbers of people who work together to do something in a way that has been carefully planned.
Example
an organized body of workers
outdoor
Used, happening or located outside rather than in a building.
Example
outdoor pursuits/recreation/activities
painful
Causing you pain.
Example
Is your back still painful?
peaceful
Not involving a war, violence or argument.
Example
a peaceful protest/demonstration
pleasant
Fun, attractive, or giving pleasure.
Example
a pleasant evening/atmosphere/walk
poisonous
Causing death or illness if swallowed or taken into the body.
Example
poisonous chemicals/fumes/plants
political
Connected with the state, government or public affairs.
Example
a monarch without political power
powerful
Being able to control and influence people and events.
Example
an incredibly powerful organization
practical
Connected with real situations rather than with ideas or theories.
Example
to have gained practical experience of the work
prepared
Ready and able to deal with something.
Example
We'll be better prepared next time.
private
Belonging to or for the use of a particular person or group; not for public use.
Example
The sign said, ‘Private property. Keep out.’
proper
Right, appropriate or correct; according to the rules.
Example
We should have had a proper discussion before voting.
qualified
Having passed the exams or completed the training that are necessary in order to do a particular job; having the experience to do a particular job.
Example
a qualified teacher
rare
Not done, seen, happening, etc. very often.
Example
a rare disease/occurrence/event
related
Connected with something/somebody in some way.
Example
The amount of protein you need is directly related to your lifestyle.
relative
Considered and judged by being compared with something else.
Example
You must consider the relative merits of the two plans.
relaxed
Calm and not anxious or worried.
Example
He appeared relaxed and confident before the match.
relaxing
Helping you to rest and become less anxious.
Example
a relaxing evening with friends
reliable
That can be trusted to do something well; that you can rely on.
Example
We are looking for someone who is reliable and hard-working.
religious
Connected with religion or with a particular religion.
Example
religious beliefs/convictions/faith
remote
Far away from places where other people live.
Example
a remote village/island/location/region
repeated
Happening, said or done many times.
Example
repeated absences from work
romantic
Connected with or about love or a sexual relationship.
Example
a romantic candlelit dinner
rough
Having a surface that is not even or regular.
Example
rough ground
royal
Connected with or belonging to the king or queen of a country.
Example
the royal family
scientific
Involving science; connected with science.
Example
a scientific discovery/theory/fact
sensible
Able to make good judgements based on reason and experience rather than emotion; practical.
Example
She's a sensible sort of person.
sexual
Connected with the physical activity of sex.
Example
sexual behaviour/activity/desire
sharp
Having a fine edge or point, especially of something that can cut or make a hole in something.
Example
a sharp knife
shiny
Smooth and bright; reflecting the light.
Example
shiny black hair
shy
Nervous or embarrassed about meeting and speaking to other people.
Example
He is not exactly the shy and retiring type.
silent
Where there is little or no sound; making little or no sound.
Example
At last the traffic fell silent.
smart
Looking clean and neat; well dressed in fashionable and/or formal clothes.
Example
I have to be smart for work.
smooth
Completely flat and even, without any rough areas or holes.
Example
the smooth surface of the metal
solid
Hard; not in the form of a liquid or gas.
Example
The planet Jupiter may have no solid surface at all.
southern
Located in the south or facing south; connected with or typical of the south part of the world or a region.
Example
the southern slopes of the mountains
spicy
Having a strong taste because spices have been added to it.
Example
I don't like spicy food.
standard
Average or normal rather than having special or unusual features.
Example
the standard rate of tax (= paid by everyone)
sudden
Happening or done quickly and unexpectedly.
Example
News of his sudden and unexpected death came as a great shock.
suitable
Right or appropriate for a particular purpose or occasion.
Example
a suitable candidate
talented
Having a natural ability to do something well.
Example
a talented player/musician/artist
technical
Connected with the practical use of machines, methods, etc. in science and industry.
Example
We offer free technical support for those buying our software.
tight
Held or fixed in position securely; difficult to move, open or separate.
Example
He kept a tight grip on her arm.
tiny
Very small in size or amount.
Example
a tiny baby
total
Being the amount or number after everyone or everything is counted or added together.
Example
Their total cost was $18 000.
ugly
Unpleasant to look at.
Example
an ugly face
unable
Not having the skill, strength, time, knowledge, etc. to do something.
Example
a former soldier who has been unable to find work since the war ended
uncomfortable
Not letting you feel physically comfortable; unpleasant to wear, sit on, etc.
Example
uncomfortable shoes
unemployed
Without a job although able to work.
Example
How long have you been unemployed?
unfair
Not right or fair according to a set of rules or principles; not treating people equally.
Example
They had been given an unfair advantage.
unlike
Different from a particular person or thing.
Example
Music is quite unlike any other art form.
unlikely
Not likely to happen; not probable.
Example
The project seemed unlikely to succeed.
unnecessary
Not needed; more than is needed.
Example
They were found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to animals.
unpleasant
Not pleasant or comfortable.
Example
an unpleasant experience/surprise/task
used
Familiar with something because you do it or experience it often.
Example
I'm not used to eating so much at lunchtime.
valuable
Worth a lot of money.
Example
My home is my most valuable asset.
various
Several different.
Example
various types/forms/kinds of somebody/something
violent
Involving or caused by physical force that is intended to hurt or kill somebody.
Example
violent crime/criminals
western
Located in the west or facing west.
Example
western Spain
worldwide
Affecting all parts of the world.
Example
an increase in worldwide sales
worth
Having a value in money, etc.
Example
Our house is worth about £100 000.
written
Expressed in writing rather than in speech.
Example
Having a written record of what I've done is very valuable.