28 Negative Adjectives to Describe People in English
Oh, I’m so excited about today’s lesson! Over the past few months, I shared lessons with you on how to answer How Would You Describe Yourself in English and 23 New Ways to Describe People Positively.
Today is the third and final lesson in our series on how to describe people and their personalities in English.
As you and I know, sometimes there are things we don’t like about people. There are colleagues we don’t get along with or characteristics we don’t appreciate. And today you’ll learn how to talk about those negative characteristics in English with common words and idioms.
In the video, you’ll some of my favorites and some expressions that are particularly challenging. Then below the video, you have a list of 28 new ways to describe people negatively in English.
And don’t forget to review the practice opportunity below!
Curious how to say what you don’t like about people? Here’s how.
Lesson by Annemarie
28 Negative Adjectives to Describe People in English
Aloof
someone who is generally unfriendly, distant, or cold toward others.
Aggressive
someone who is always ready to fight or argue; someone who might be very forceful to get what they want
Armchair critic
someone who often gives unhelpful criticism and rarely offers their own ideas or solutions.
Big-headed
someone who believes they are better or more important than other people; egotistical
Bossy
someone who often tells others what to do or gives orders
Busy body
someone who is too involved or interferes too much in other people’s lives
Clingy
someone who needs another person or needs emotional support all the time
Couch potato
a lazy person who spends a lot of time sitting, watching TV, playing video games, or doing some other activity that doesn’t involve physical activity.
Cynical
someone who believes the worst about others or believes people are generally dishonest or selfish
Full of hot air
someone who talks a lot without saying anything of value or meaning
Goody-goody or goody two shoes
someone who is always good or always follows the rules BUT is a little arrogant about it, thus it has a negative connotation
Grumpy
to have a bad mood or bad temper
Impulsive
someone who makes decisions without thinking or considering the consequences; doing things without thought or care
Indecisive
someone who cannot make a decision
Know it all
someone who pretends or likes to appear as if they know everything but they are not; someone who pretends to be an expert on everything
Materialistic
someone who is focused or obsessed with material wealth and possessions
Obnoxious
someone who is annoying or unpleasant; offensive
Pain in the neck
someone who is annoying; a situation that is annoying or inconvenient
Picky
someone who is never pleased or happy with their choices
Set in one’s ways
someone who refuses to change; to be inflexible
Tactless
someone who tends to offend or upset people
Thoughtless
someone who never shows concern or care for others
Wet Blanket (Party Pooper / Spoilsport / Killjoy / Stick-In-The-Mud)
someone who spoils or steals other people’s fun; disapproving
After you’ve watched the video and reviewed the key language for today, review my challenge question for you. This is your opportunity to practice and get feedback!
- Use some of the new language you’ve learned in this lesson to describe someone you know. BUT, because we’re describing negative characteristics, be sure to keep your description anonymous. Please don’t use the person’s name or share any personal details about them. For example, you can say, “I know someone who is ______.”
I look forward to hearing from you on today’s topic!
~ Annemarie
Get the Confidence to Say What You Want in English
Follow my 3-step solution to speak English with clarity, fluency, and freedom so you can say what you want with confidence.
You'll also get my Confident English lessons delivered by email every Wednesday and occasional information about available courses. You can unsubscribe any time.
More Like This
#309: How to Go Off Topic in English | English Conversation Skills
Learn how to gracefully go off topic in English without losing your audience. Whether you’re in a meeting or chatting with friends, in this lesson we dive deep into the art of smoothly navigating tangents while enhancing your English conversation skills.
#308: How to Use ‘Though’ in English [+ FREE Worksheet]
Learn and practice how to correctly use though, although, even though, and as thought in your English conversations.
#307: How to Use English Abbreviations in Emails, Texts, and Conversations
Follow this comprehensive guide to learn how to use English abbreviations for emails, texts, and conversations.
How to Describe Your Personality in English
Did you know it’s common in daily conversation & in job interviews to hear this question: “So, how would you describe yourself?” — How would you answer the question? Use this lesson to learn real-life English vocabulary for describing personalities in English.
#306: Friendly Ways to Invite Someone in English
Extend invitations in English with phrases that strike the perfect balance between formality, friendliness, and warmth to make your invitations feel genuine and welcoming.
#305: Discover Effective Ways to Talk about Hope in English
Dive deep into the heart of English tenses—past, present, and future—highlighting how ‘hope’ evolves with each so you can talk about your hope in English.
© Copyright 2014-2024 Speak Confident English | Privacy Policy | Terms & Disclaimer | Online Class Policies
This really taught me slot
Hi Annemarie my name is Kantis Hona Deaf hard of hearing I may not be good English! Anyway from Hamilton NZ 🇳🇿 here…. All Time this positive vibes post with all the well Saids made me wonder ‘I can afford to Think Hard not stink arse! basically a lot to do with goody-goody two shoe etc …… And also I not going to asked here would you don’t mind if I allowed to copyright each one of my favorite words of encouragement quote (may not it!) from you…. Am going to share with on my fb page +@SKanygirlmHona)and another question… Read more »
Hey
Thank you so much
@Annemarie
This is so useful for me
And the all word were define
Very solfully by u
Thank u
I really enjoyed this lesson, since I’ve learned new adjectives.
There are three characteristics I just can’t stand on a person: someone who tends to be materialistic, busy body, and armchair critics, for I feel these people drains others good vibes.
Thank you Annemarie
Thank you so much for those vocabularies …I am positive that I will improve my language thanks to you !
Here is one of my sentence:
Lazy is such an ugly word with no interest . I prefer to use the word couch potato ! credits to @Annemarie ❤😘😜
hi
Thanks for your practical lessons..Thats really fabulous..and also i can improve my speaking.. I figure out that we can write some sentences
which are related to topic that you taught and get feedback from you..so how and where can I send my sentences? Thanks in advance 🙂
Hi Mahsa,
I encourage students to share their answers here, in the comments at the end of the lesson. That is where I provide feedback.
Thanks for these words. Would aloof and aggressive be good words to describe the character of Mark from the movie The Social Network? Kind regards, Iliana
Hi Illiana, good question. Unfortunately I’ve never seen that movie, so I’m not sure. Hopefully someone else in our community can confirm whether those would be good words to use.
Hi Annemarie, thank you for your lessons. In my friends points of view I can be kind of aloof in the beginning when we meet each other. My little son,he is three years old, is clingy. There is a aggressive boy in my second son’s class and he is very easy to get angry. My workplace is such a good place training my temper because one of my colleagues is real pain in the neck. Thank you.
Great use of some key vocabulary terms from the lesson.
One note: We can simplify “he is very easy to get angry” by saying, “He’s easily angered” Or “he has a short temper.”
I sometimes feel like a couch potato, I can’t help it. That is why I push myself to workout to avoid my natural tendency. This situation makes me a bit grumpy and moody
Thank you so much,now I learn a new words to describe a person in a positive way..Thanks
ummmm sis these are not positive
Yes, the lesson is focused on ’28 Negative Adjectives…’
Hello, Annemarie! Thank You so much for Your lessons! They are very useful!
My example: I know one person who is a busy body and a kind of clingy. And I am aware of one person who is a big-headed and very picky.
Hello Valentina,
You’re so welcome. I’m thrilled to know you enjoy them. Great use of busybody, kind of clingy, big-headed, and picky!
A friend of mine has thousands of positive traits but she is mentally lazy person. What is the word to describe such person?
Thank you very much
What an interesting question, Valentina. I cannot think of a specific adjective we have for a mentally lazy person but we could say that someone like that “lacks initiative.” I hope that answers your question.
Me and y friend Nadia have a joke that we say and i call her aloof and she calls me tactless…
me too
Hello Annemarie,
The lesson is very useful, rich with many new words and phrases. my example is: I know a person who is armchair critic, because he afraid of responsibility .
Hello Ibrahim,
Thank you for the comment and I’m glad you enjoyed the lesson.
Could you tell me why someone is an armchair critic if he’s afraid of responsibility? This expression is used to say that someone is always criticizing others but not because of responsibility.
The lesson is very helpful..
Just implementing the newly learnt words and phrases..😃
I know someone who is an aloof , aggressive , obnoxious,goody – goody,
Sometimes wet blanket ..and an introvert…coming to the conclusion it is me…!!😃
Hello, Ibrahim.
I’m happy to know this lesson was helpful. Now that you’ve focused on the negatives, what about some positive adjectives? 🙂
Hello Annemarie! The lesson is fantastic, so many new words and phrases. Now my example: I know a person who is always picky and he sees everything in the negative light. Sometimes he is really a wet blanket for me at our weekends or vacation but in spite of everything I love him so much because he is my elder son:)))
I’m so glad you liked this lesson, Olga. Great use of the word picky and the expression to be a wet blanket! I suppose every family has one person who is a bit picky, which can make things challenging for others. 🙂