1. adaptable
capable of fitting a particular situation or use
When Connie's parents divorced, she proved herself to be adaptable. It wasn't easy, but
she learned how to cope with this big change.
People who are adaptable can overcome change easily.
2. adventurous
willing to undertake new and daring enterprises
People who are adventurous seek out the fun in life. They love to try something new--
sometimes an act that others would find scary. Adventurous people love to travel and try
new foods at a restaurant.
3. affectionate
having or displaying warmth or affection
If you like to snuggle up next to someone, then you are affectionate.
4. ambitious
having a strong desire for success or achievement
Ambitious people try to get ahead in life--they look for opportunities to better their life.
For the most part, this has a positive feeling, but in some people, ambition is too strong
and they hurt people along the way to get what they want.
5. amiable
diffusing warmth and friendliness
Amiable people are affable. They are kind, warm and friendly.
6. compassionate
showing or having sympathy for another's suffering
Someone who is compassionate feels a strong sense of sadness when they see others who
are suffering. A compassionate person always tries to do something to help ease the
suffering. You would find a compassionate person helping out in a homeless shelter.
7. considerate
showing concern for the rights and feelings of others
A considerate person looks out for other people. They often allow someone else to have
the last piece of pie or they hold the door open for another person.
8. courageous
able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching
A courageous person is brave. They are the type of person to run into a burning building.
They are also likely to get involved to stop a bullying situation.
9. courteous
characterized by courtesy and gracious good manners
Courteous people say, "Thank you" and "No, thanks" Their manners are
present because they are nice toward other people.
10. diligent
characterized by care and perseverance in carrying out tasks
Diligent people work hard until a job is done. They take great care in doing things right.
They don't give up.
11. empathetic
showing ready comprehension of others' states
Someone who is empathetic is able to understand people better because they see things
from the other person's perspective.
When it comes to working with children it is important to be empathetic. My daughters
might be upset for a ridiculous reason, but I can only help them if I understand why they
truly feel as they do.
12. exuberant
unrestrained, especially with regard to feelings
An exuberant person is full of joy and has a lot of energy to show it.
13. frank
characterized by directness in manner or speech
Someone who is frank "tells it like it is." It might not be pretty, but they will tell you
straight.
14. generous
willing to give and share unstintingly
A generous person shares what they have willingly. It might be a cupcake or their time--
either way, they're happy to share.
15. gregarious
temperamentally seeking and enjoying the company of others
Gregarious people are fun to be around and they like being around other people. They are
the "life of the party."
16. impartial
free from undue bias or preconceived opinions
Impartial people are fair. They are able to remain neutral before forming an opinion.
Lawyers like to have impartial people on juries so that they can fairly weight the
evidence.
17. intuitive
obtained through instinctive knowledge
An intuitive person operates by instinct. They sort of have a special feel for a situation.
The best basketball players are intuitive when it comes to finding the open teammate.
A lot of teaching is intuitive--the best teachers just know how to present things so that
kids understand. (Related words: intuition and intuitively).
18. inventive
marked by independence and creativity in thought or action
Since the band's drummer did not show up for the concert, they got inventive--they asked
members of the audience to come up and clap and play tambourines.
Inventive people are able to find creative, ingenious solutions to problems. They might be
able to repair a car with a paper clip.
One of my favorite quotes is by Benjamin Franklin: "Necessity is the mother of
invention." In other words, when there is a strong need, an invention to fill that need
usually occurs.
19. passionate
having or expressing strong emotions
Passionate people have a real love for something in their life. They embrace this or many
activities with a strong feeling. What are you passionate about?
20. persistent
stubbornly unyielding
Persistent people never give up. Even when the odds are stacked against them, the work
tirelessly until the goal is achieved.
21. philosophical
meeting trouble with level-headed detachment
People who are philosophical often wonder, "In the grand scheme of things, is it worth
it?" Philosophical people tend to look at the larger picture of life and stay above trivial
situations.
When teaching it is important to remain philosophical about a student's success. A
teacher has a large part to play in a student's success, but ultimately I cannot "make" him
learn. Actually learning something is up to him.
22. practical
guided by experience and observation rather than theory
People who are practical look at things is a reasonable, level-headed way. They are likely
to take a coat with them in case it is cold--they know they can take it off if it is too hot--
they're just practical.
23. rational
having its source in or being guided by the intellect
Rational people are practical. They make rational decisions based on their logical
reasoning about a situation. They don't base decisions on emotions.
24. reliable
worthy of trust
Someone who is reliable is trust worthy and dependable. You can "count on" a reliable
person.
25. resourceful
adroit or imaginative
A resourceful person uses creativity and the things around them to tackle a problem.
They see solutions (sometimes obvious ones) that others don;t see.
26. sensible
able to feel or perceive
A sensible person is a clear thinking, reasonable person.
27. sincere
open and genuine; not deceitful
A sincere person is honest in their feelings toward others. (Antonym: insincerely).
28. sympathetic
expressing compassion or friendly fellow feelings
You are sympathetic when you feel sorry for someone else. You send a sympathy card
when a friend loses a loved one because you want her to know that you feel sorry for her
loss.
Their loss upsets you because you are sympathetic.
29. unassuming
not arrogant
An unassuming person is awesome but does not go around bragging about it. In fact, she
might not even know that she's so awesome. A girl might be a great artist, but is
unassuming about her skill.
30. witty
combining clever conception and facetious expression
Someone who is witty combines humor with intelligence. A witty observation is funny