C1 Adjectives
C1 adjective vocabulary in alphabetical order with definitions and example sentences.
absent
Not in a place because of illness, etc.
Example
He was absent from work for two weeks.
absurd
Extremely silly; not logical and sensible.
Example
That uniform makes the guards look absurd.
accessible
That can be reached, entered, used, seen, etc.
Example
The remote desert area is accessible only by helicopter.
accountable
Responsible for your decisions or actions and expected to explain them when you are asked.
Example
The state spends taxpayers’ money and should be held accountable.
acid
That contains acid or has the essential characteristics of an acid; that has a pH of less than seven.
Example
Rye is tolerant of poor, acid soils.
acute
Very serious or severe.
Example
There is an acute shortage of water.
adjacent
Next to something.
Example
The planes landed on adjacent runways.
administrative
Connected with organizing the work of a business or an institution.
Example
an administrative job/assistant/error
adverse
Negative and unpleasant; not likely to produce a good result.
Example
adverse change/circumstances/weather conditions
aesthetic
Connected with beauty and art and the understanding of beautiful things.
Example
the aesthetic appeal of the songs
agricultural
Connected with the science or practice of farming.
Example
agricultural policy/land/production/development
alien
Strange and frightening; different from what you are used to.
Example
an alien environment
alike
Very similar.
Example
My sister and I do not look alike.
amateur
Doing something for pleasure or interest, not as a job.
Example
an amateur photographer
anonymous
With a name that is not known or that is not made public.
Example
an anonymous donor
appealing
Attractive or interesting.
Example
Spending the holidays in Britain wasn't a prospect that I found particularly appealing.
applicable
That can be said to be true in the case of somebody/something.
Example
Give details of children where applicable (= if you have any).
arbitrary
Not seeming to be based on a reason, system or plan and sometimes seeming unfair.
Example
The choice of players for the team seemed completely arbitrary.
architectural
Relating to architecture and buildings.
Example
architectural features
authentic
Known to be real and what somebody claims it is and not a copy.
Example
I don't know if the painting is authentic.
bare
Not covered by any clothes.
Example
She likes to walk around in bare feet.
behavioral
Relating to behavior.
Example
The study focused on behavioral patterns.
beloved
Loved very much.
Example
in memory of our dearly beloved son, John
bizarre
Very strange or unusual.
Example
a bizarre situation/incident/story
brutal
Violent and cruel.
Example
a brutal attack/murder/rape/killing
capitalist
Based on the principles of capitalism.
Example
a capitalist society/system/economy
cautious
Being careful about what you say or do, especially to avoid danger or mistakes; not taking any risks.
Example
The government has been cautious in its response to the report.
chronic
Lasting for a long time; difficult to cure.
Example
chronic bronchitis/arthritis/asthma
civic
Officially connected with a town or city.
Example
civic buildings/leaders
clinical
Relating to the examination and treatment of patients and their illnesses.
Example
clinical research (= done on patients, not just considering theory)
coastal
Of or near a coast.
Example
coastal waters/resorts/scenery
cognitive
Connected with mental processes of understanding.
Example
a child’s cognitive development
collective
Done or shared by all members of a group of people; involving a whole group or society.
Example
collective leadership/decision-making/responsibility
colonial
Connected with or belonging to a country that controls another country.
Example
a colonial power
communist
Connected with communism.
Example
communist ideology
comparable
Similar to somebody/something else and able to be compared.
Example
A comparable house in the south of the city would cost twice as much.
compelling
That makes you pay attention to it because it is so interesting and exciting.
Example
Her latest book makes compelling reading.
competent
Having enough skill or knowledge to do something well or to the necessary standard.
Example
He's very competent in his work.
congressional
Related to or belonging to a congress or the Congress in the US.
Example
a congressional committee/bill
consecutive
Following one after another in a continuous series.
Example
She was absent for nine consecutive days.
constitutional
Connected with the constitution of a country or organization, or allowed under that constitution.
Example
The court ruled that the new law was not constitutional.
content
Happy and satisfied with what you have.
Example
He seemed more content, less bitter.
contrary
Opposite in nature, direction, or meaning to something else.
Example
Contrary to expectations, the team won the match.
cooperative
Involving doing something together or working together with others towards a shared aim.
Example
Cooperative activity is essential to effective community work.
corresponding
Matching or connected with something that you have just mentioned.
Example
A change in the money supply brings a corresponding change in expenditure.
corrupt
Willing to use their power to do dishonest or illegal things in return for money or to get an advantage.
Example
It was seen as the only way to overthrow a corrupt regime.
costly
Costing a lot of money, especially more than you want to pay.
Example
Buying new furniture may prove too costly.
countless
Very many; too many to be counted or mentioned.
Example
I've warned her countless times.
credible
That can be believed or trusted.
Example
a credible explanation/witness
crude
In its natural state, before it has been processed or refined.
Example
crude oil/metal
cynical
Believing that people only do things to help themselves rather than for good or honest reasons.
Example
a cynical view/smile
damaging
Causing damage; having a bad effect on somebody/something.
Example
damaging consequences/effects
decisive
Very important for the final result of a particular situation.
Example
a decisive factor/victory/battle
dedicated
Working hard at something because it is very important to you.
Example
a dedicated teacher
defensive
Protecting somebody/something against attack.
Example
As a defensive measure he built a series of coastal forts and watchtowers.
delicate
Easily damaged or broken.
Example
delicate china teacups
dense
Containing a lot of people, things, plants, etc. with little space between them.
Example
a dense crowd/forest
desirable
That you would like to have or do; worth having or doing.
Example
She chatted for a few minutes about the qualities she considered desirable in a secretary.
destructive
Causing destruction or damage.
Example
The war demonstrated the destructive power of modern weapons.
diplomatic
Connected with managing relations between countries (= diplomacy).
Example
a diplomatic crisis
disastrous
Very bad, harmful or unsuccessful.
Example
a disastrous harvest/fire/result
distinctive
Having a quality or characteristic that makes something different and easily noticed.
Example
clothes with a distinctive style
disturbing
Making you feel anxious and upset or shocked.
Example
a disturbing piece of news
divine
Coming from or connected with God or a god.
Example
divine law/love/will
dual
Having two parts or aspects.
Example
his dual role as composer and conductor
dumb
Stupid.
Example
That was a pretty dumb thing to do.
eager
Very interested and excited by something that is going to happen or about something that you want to do; showing this.
Example
eager crowds outside the stadium
ecological
Connected with the relation of plants and living creatures to each other and to their environment.
Example
We risk upsetting the ecological balance of the area.
elaborate
Very complicated and detailed; carefully prepared and organized.
Example
elaborate designs
electoral
Connected with elections.
Example
electoral systems/reforms
eligible
A person who is eligible for something or to do something, is able to have or do it because they have the right qualifications, are the right age, etc.
Example
Only those over 70 are eligible for the special payment.
empirical
Based on experiments or experience rather than ideas or theories.
Example
empirical evidence/knowledge/research
encouraging
That gives somebody support, courage or hope.
Example
This month's unemployment figures are not very encouraging.
endless
Very large in size or amount and seeming to have no end.
Example
endless patience
engaging
Interesting or pleasant in a way that attracts your attention.
Example
an engaging smile
eternal
Without an end; existing or continuing forever.
Example
the promise of eternal life in heaven
evolutionary
Connected with evolution; connected with slow steady development and change.
Example
evolutionary theory
exceptional
Unusually good.
Example
At the age of five he showed exceptional talent as a musician.
exclusive
Only to be used by one particular person or group; only given to one particular person or group.
Example
The hotel has exclusive access to the beach.
experimental
Based on new ideas, forms or methods that are used to find out what effect they have.
Example
The school's experimental teaching methods include letting the children decide what to study.
explicit
Clear and easy to understand, so that you have no doubt what is meant.
Example
He gave me very explicit directions on how to get there.
explosive
Easily able or likely to explode.
Example
an explosive device (= a bomb)
fatal
Causing or ending in death.
Example
a fatal accident/blow/illness
favorable
Expressing approval.
Example
The review of the book was favorable.
fierce
Angry and aggressive in a way that is frightening.
Example
a fierce dog
fiscal
Relating to government revenue, especially taxes.
Example
The country is facing a fiscal crisis.
flawed
Having a flaw; not perfect or correct.
Example
seriously/fundamentally/fatally flawed
forthcoming
Going to happen, be published, etc. very soon.
Example
the forthcoming elections
fragile
Easily broken or damaged.
Example
fragile china/glass/bones
frustrated
Feeling annoyed and impatient because you cannot do or achieve what you want.
Example
It's very easy to get frustrated in this job.
frustrating
Causing you to feel annoyed and impatient because you cannot do or achieve what you want.
Example
It's frustrating to have to wait so long.
functional
Practical and useful; with little or no decoration.
Example
Bathrooms don't have to be purely functional.
generic
Shared by, including or typical of a whole group of things; not specific.
Example
‘Vine fruit’ is the generic term for currants and raisins.
glorious
Deserving or bringing great success and making somebody/something famous.
Example
We congratulate you on this glorious victory.
gross
Being the total amount of something before anything is taken away.
Example
gross weight (= including the container or wrapping)
handy
Easy to use or to do.
Example
a handy little tool
harsh
Cruel, severe and unkind.
Example
The punishment was harsh and unfair.
high-profile
Receiving or involving a lot of attention and discussion in the media.
Example
a high-profile campaign
hopeful
Believing that something you want will happen.
Example
hopeful (that…), I feel hopeful that we'll find a suitable house very soon.
hostile
Aggressive or unfriendly and ready to argue or fight.
Example
The speaker got a hostile reception from the audience.
humanitarian
Connected with helping people who are suffering and improving the conditions that they are living in.
Example
to provide humanitarian aid to the war zone
ideological
Based on or connected with an ideology.
Example
ideological differences
immense
Extremely large or great.
Example
There is still an immense amount of work to be done.
imminent
Likely to happen very soon.
Example
the imminent threat of invasion
inadequate
Not enough; not good enough.
Example
inadequate supplies
inappropriate
Not suitable or appropriate in a particular situation.
Example
inappropriate behaviour/language
indigenous
Coming from a particular place and having lived there for a long time before other people came there; relating to, belonging to or developed by these people.
Example
the indigenous peoples/languages of an area
infamous
Well known for being bad or evil.
Example
a general who was infamous for his brutality
influential
Having a lot of influence on somebody/something.
Example
a highly influential book
inherent
That is a basic or permanent part of somebody/something and that cannot be removed.
Example
the difficulties inherent in a study of this type
institutional
Connected with a large important organization, for example a university or bank.
Example
institutional investors
instrumental
Important in making something happen.
Example
The Conservation Trust performs an instrumental role in the protection of rural environments.
insufficient
Not large, strong or important enough for a particular purpose.
Example
insufficient time
intact
Complete and not damaged.
Example
Most of the house remains intact even after two hundred years.
integral
Being an essential part of something.
Example
Music is an integral part of the school's curriculum.
integrated
In which many different parts are closely connected and work successfully together.
Example
an integrated programme of patient care
intensive
Involving a lot of work or activity done in a short time.
Example
an intensive language course
interactive
That allows information to be passed continuously and in both directions between a computer or other device and the person who uses it.
Example
interactive displays/video
interim
Intended to last for only a short time until somebody/something more permanent is found.
Example
an interim government/measure/report
intermediate
Located between two places, things, states, etc.
Example
an intermediate stage/step in a process
intimate
Having a close and friendly relationship.
Example
intimate friends
invisible
That cannot be seen.
Example
a wizard who could make himself invisible
irrelevant
Not important to or connected with a situation.
Example
totally/completely/largely irrelevant
judicial
Connected with a court, a judge or legal judgement.
Example
judicial powers
large-scale
Involving many people or things, especially over a wide area.
Example
Large areas of the forest will be cleared for ranching as part of a large-scale development plan.
latter
Used to refer to the second of two things or people mentioned.
Example
He chose the latter option.
legendary
Very famous and talked about a lot by people.
Example
a legendary figure
legislative
Connected with the act of making and passing laws.
Example
a legislative assembly/body/council
legitimate
For which there is a fair and acceptable reason.
Example
a legitimate grievance
lengthy
Very long, and often too long, in time or size.
Example
lengthy delays
lesbian
Sexually attracted to other women; connected with lesbians.
Example
the lesbian and gay community
lesser
Not as great in size, amount or importance as something/somebody else.
Example
people of lesser importance
lethal
Causing or able to cause death.
Example
She had been given a lethal dose of poison.
liable
Legally responsible for paying the cost of something.
Example
You will be liable for any damage caused.
liberal
Willing to understand and respect other people’s behaviour, opinions, etc., especially when they are different from your own; believing people should be able to choose how they behave.
Example
liberal attitudes/views/opinions
linear
Of or in lines.
Example
In his art he broke the laws of scientific linear perspective.
long-standing
That has existed or lasted for a long time.
Example
a long-standing relationship
longtime
Having existed for a long time.
Example
He is a longtime resident of the city.
magical
Containing magic; used in magic.
Example
magical powers
magnetic
Behaving like a magnet; that can be attracted by a magnet.
Example
magnetic materials
mainstream
Considered normal because it reflects what is done or accepted by most people.
Example
mainstream culture/politics
mandatory
Required by law.
Example
The offence carries a mandatory life sentence.
marginal
Small and not important.
Example
a marginal improvement in weather conditions
marine
Connected with the sea and the creatures and plants that live there.
Example
marine life
mathematical
Connected with or involving mathematics.
Example
mathematical calculations/problems/models
mature
Behaving in a sensible way, like an adult.
Example
Jane is very mature for her age.
meaningful
Serious and important.
Example
a meaningful relationship/discussion/experience
medieval
Connected with the Middle Ages (about AD 1000 to AD 1450).
Example
medieval architecture/castles/manuscripts
militant
Using, or willing to use, force or strong pressure to achieve your aims, especially to achieve social or political change.
Example
militant groups/leaders
minimal
Very small in size or amount; as small as possible.
Example
The work was carried out at minimal cost.
misleading
Giving the wrong idea or impression and making you believe something that is not true.
Example
misleading information/advertisements
moderate
That is neither very good, large, hot, etc. nor very bad, small, cold, etc.
Example
students of moderate ability
municipal
Connected with or belonging to a town, city or district that has its own local government.
Example
municipal elections/councils
mutual
Used to describe feelings that two or more people have for each other equally, or actions that affect two or more people equally.
Example
mutual respect/understanding
nationwide
Happening or existing in all parts of a particular country.
Example
a nationwide campaign
naval
Connected with the navy of a country.
Example
a naval base/officer/battle
neighboring
Located near or next to.
Example
We visited the neighboring town.
net
A net amount of money is the amount that remains when nothing more is to be taken away.
Example
a net profit of £500
noble
Having or showing fine personal qualities that people admire, such as courage, honesty and care for others.
Example
a noble leader
nonprofit
(Of an organization) not conducted or maintained for the purpose of making a profit.
Example
He works for a nonprofit organization.
notable
Deserving to be noticed or to receive attention; important.
Example
a notable success/achievement/example
notorious
Well known for being bad.
Example
a notorious criminal
occasional
Happening or done sometimes but not often.
Example
He works for us on an occasional basis.
operational
Connected with the way in which a business, machine, system, etc. works.
Example
operational activities/costs/difficulties
optical
Connected with the sense of sight or the relationship between light and sight.
Example
optical effects
oral
Spoken rather than written.
Example
a test of both oral and written French
organizational
Connected with the way in which the different parts of something are arranged; connected with an organization.
Example
organizational changes within the party
overwhelming
Very great or very strong; so powerful that you cannot resist it or decide how to react.
Example
The evidence against him was overwhelming.
partial
Not complete or whole.
Example
It was only a partial solution to the problem.
passive
Accepting what happens or what people do without trying to change anything or oppose them.
Example
He played a passive role in the relationship.
peculiar
Strange or unusual, especially in a way that is unpleasant or makes you worried.
Example
a peculiar smell/taste
persistent
Determined to do something despite difficulties, especially when other people are against you and think that you are being annoying or unreasonable.
Example
How do you deal with persistent salesmen who won't take no for an answer?
philosophical
Connected with philosophy.
Example
the philosophical writings of Kant
postwar
Occurring or existing after a war.
Example
The country faced many challenges in the postwar period.
preliminary
Happening before a more important action or event.
Example
After a few preliminary remarks he announced the winners.
premier
Most important, famous or successful.
Example
one of the country’s premier chefs
presidential
Connected with the position or activities of a president.
Example
a presidential campaign/candidate/election
prestigious
Respected and admired as very important or of very high quality.
Example
a prestigious award
problematic
Difficult to deal with or to understand; full of problems; not certain to be successful.
Example
The situation is more problematic than we first thought.
productive
Making goods or growing crops, especially in large quantities.
Example
highly productive farming land
profitable
That makes or is likely to make money.
Example
a highly profitable business
profound
Very great; felt or experienced very strongly.
Example
profound changes in the earth’s climate
prominent
Important or well known.
Example
a prominent politician
pronounced
Very obvious, easy to notice or strongly expressed.
Example
He walked with a pronounced limp.
prospective
Expected to do something or to become something.
Example
a prospective buyer
protective
Providing or intended to provide protection.
Example
Workers should wear full protective clothing.
provincial
Connected with one of the large areas that some countries are divided into, with its own local government.
Example
provincial assemblies/elections
psychiatric
Relating to psychiatry or to mental illnesses.
Example
psychiatric disorders
radical
Relating to the most basic and important parts of something; complete and detailed.
Example
the need for radical changes in education
rational
Based on reason rather than emotions.
Example
a rational argument/choice/decision
rear
At or near the back of something.
Example
front and rear windows
regulatory
Having the power to control an area of business or industry and make sure that it is operating fairly.
Example
regulatory bodies/authorities/agencies
reluctant
Hesitating before doing something because you do not want to do it or because you are not sure that it is the right thing to do.
Example
He finally gave a reluctant smile.
renowned
Famous and respected.
Example
a renowned author
residential
Suitable for living in; consisting of houses rather than factories or offices.
Example
a quiet residential area
respective
Belonging or relating separately to each of the people or things already mentioned.
Example
They are each recognized specialists in their respective fields.
revolutionary
Connected with political revolution.
Example
a revolutionary leader
robust
Strong and healthy.
Example
She was almost 90, but still very robust.
sacred
Connected with God or a god; considered to be holy.
Example
a sacred image/shrine/temple
scattered
Spread far apart over a wide area or over a long period of time.
Example
a few scattered settlements
secular
Not connected with spiritual or religious matters.
Example
secular music
selective
Affecting or involving only a small number of people or things from a larger group.
Example
the selective breeding of cattle
serial
Doing the same thing in the same way several times; done in the same way several times.
Example
a serial rapist
sheer
Used to emphasize the size, degree or amount of something.
Example
The area is under threat from the sheer number of tourists using it.
situated
In a particular place or position.
Example
My bedroom was situated on the top floor of the house.
skeptical
Not easily convinced; having doubts or reservations.
Example
I am skeptical of his claims.
socialist
Connected with socialism.
Example
socialist beliefs
sole
Only; single.
Example
the sole surviving member of the family
solo
Done by one person alone, without anyone helping them.
Example
his first solo flight
specialized
Designed or developed for a particular purpose or area of knowledge.
Example
specialized equipment
stark
Unpleasant; real, and impossible to avoid.
Example
The author paints a stark picture of life in a prison camp.
statistical
Connected with or based on statistics.
Example
statistical analysis
straightforward
Easy to do or to understand; not complicated.
Example
It's a relatively straightforward process.
strategic
Done as part of a plan that is meant to achieve a particular purpose or to gain an advantage.
Example
strategic planning
striking
Interesting and unusual enough to attract attention.
Example
a striking feature
structural
Connected with the way in which something is built or organized.
Example
Storms have caused structural damage to hundreds of homes.
substantial
Large in amount, value or importance.
Example
substantial sums of money
subtle
Not very obvious or easy to notice.
Example
subtle colours/flavours/smells, etc.
suburban
In or connected with a suburb.
Example
suburban areas
successive
Following immediately one after the other.
Example
This was their fourth successive win.
superb
Excellent; of very good quality.
Example
a superb player
superior
Better in quality than somebody/something else; greater than somebody/something else.
Example
vastly superior
supportive
Encouraging somebody or giving them help or sympathy.
Example
a supportive family
supreme
Highest in rank or position.
Example
the Supreme Commander of the armed forces
surgical
Used in or connected with surgery.
Example
surgical procedures
suspicious
Feeling that somebody has done something wrong, illegal or dishonest, without having any proof.
Example
They became suspicious of his behaviour and contacted the police.
symbolic
Containing symbols, or being used as a symbol.
Example
He shook his fist in a symbolic gesture of defiance.
systematic
Done according to a system or plan, in a complete, efficient or determined way.
Example
a systematic approach to solving the problem
tactical
Connected with the particular method you use to achieve something.
Example
tactical planning
tender
Kind, gentle and loving.
Example
tender words
terminal
That cannot be cured and will lead to death, often slowly.
Example
He has terminal lung cancer.
terrific
Excellent; wonderful.
Example
I feel absolutely terrific today!
theatrical
Connected with the theatre.
Example
a theatrical agent
theoretical
Connected with the ideas and principles on which a particular subject is based, rather than with practice and experiment.
Example
a theoretical approach
thought-provoking
Making people think seriously about a particular subject or issue.
Example
a brilliant and thought-provoking play
thoughtful
Quiet, because you are thinking.
Example
He looked thoughtful.
thrilled
Very excited and pleased.
Example
‘Are you pleased?’ ‘I'm thrilled.’
timely
Happening at exactly the right time.
Example
A nasty incident was prevented by the timely arrival of the police.
toxic
Containing poison; poisonous.
Example
toxic chemicals/fumes/gases/substances
transparent
Allowing you to see through it.
Example
The insect's wings are almost transparent.
tremendous
Very great.
Example
a tremendous explosion
tribal
Connected with a tribe or tribes.
Example
tribal art
troubled
Worried and anxious.
Example
She looked into his troubled face.
vague
Not clear in a person’s mind.
Example
to have a vague impression/memory/recollection of something
variable
Often changing; likely to change.
Example
variable temperatures
varied
Of many different types.
Example
varied opinions
verbal
Relating to words.
Example
The job applicant must have good verbal skills.
viable
That can be done; that will be successful.
Example
a viable option/proposition
vibrant
Full of life and energy.
Example
a vibrant city
vicious
Violent and cruel.
Example
a vicious attack
vocal
Connected with the voice.
Example
vocal music
vulnerable
Weak and easily hurt physically or emotionally.
Example
These offices are highly vulnerable to terrorist attack.