Essential Vocabulary: Definitions of 45 Descriptive English Words

Essential Vocabulary List and Definitions

This comprehensive glossary provides clear definitions for a variety of descriptive English words, categorized by their part of speech for easy reference and improved understanding of context.

Nouns and States of Being

• Creek (n): A stream smaller than a river.
• Soaring (n): The sport of flying a sailplane.
• Shack (n): A rough cabin or shanty.
• Aloofness (n): The quality or state of being distant, reserved, or indifferent.
• Plea (n): An appeal or entreaty.
• Foyer (n): The lobby of a theater, hotel, or apartment house.
• Spool (n): Any cylindrical piece or device on which something is wound.
• Gust (n): A sudden, strong blast of wind.
• Lurch (n): An act or instance of swaying abruptly.
• Loafer (n): A person who loafs; a lazy person or idler.
• Elopement (n): An act or instance of running off secretly, typically to be married.
• Flock (n): A number of animals of one kind (especially sheep, goats, or birds) that keep or feed together or are herded together.
• Trimming (n): Anything used or serving to decorate or complete.
• Afterglow (n): The glow frequently seen in the sky after sunset; afterlight.
• Haunch (n): The hip.
• Panjpar (n): A specific card game.

Actions and Movement (Verbs)

• Huddle (v): To gather or crowd together in a close mass.
• Brag (v): To use boastful language; to boast.
• Clench (v): To close (the hands, teeth, etc.) tightly.
• Blare (v): To emit a loud, raucous sound.
• Tousle (v): To disorder or dishevel.
• Trundle (v): To cause (a circular object) to roll along; to roll.
• Twirl (v): To cause to rotate rapidly; spin, revolve, or whirl.
• Avert (v): To turn away or aside.
• Pry (v): To inquire impertinently or unnecessarily into something.
• Forge (v): To form by heating and hammering; to beat into shape.
• Frisk (v): To dance, leap, skip, or gambol; to frolic.
• Twirled (v): Caused to rotate rapidly; spun (past tense of twirl).
• Bethought (v): To think or consider (past tense of bethink).

Descriptive Adjectives

• Garrulous (adj): Excessively talkative in a rambling, roundabout manner, especially about trivial matters.
• Unruly (adj): Not submissive or conforming to rule; ungovernable, turbulent, intractable, refractory, or lawless.
• Sturdy (adj): Strongly built; stalwart; robust.
• Puffed Up (adj): Feeling self-important; arrogant; pompous.
• Idle (adj): Not working or active; unemployed; doing nothing.
• Scrawny (adj): Excessively thin; lean; scraggy.
• Ashen (adj): Ash-colored or gray. Also means extremely pale, drained of color, or pallid.
• Wispy (adj): Being a wisp or in wisps; wisplike.
• Scorching (adj): Burning; very hot.
• Stillborn (adj): Dead when born.
• Ramshackle (adj): Loosely made or held together; rickety; shaky.
• Surly (adj): Churlishly rude or bad-tempered.
• Charred (adj): Burned or reduced to charcoal.
• Ailing (adj): Sickly; unwell.
• Chubby (adj): Round and plump.
• Jagged (adj): Having ragged notches, points, or teeth.