Positive words to describe a person
Words for the people you admire, more precise than nice or smart: the friend who is easy to talk to, the colleague who never gives up, the reader who notices everything.
adept
uh-DEPT, adjective
Very skilled or talented at something.
“She proved adept at calming angry customers within her first week.”
earnest
UR-nist, adjective
Serious and sincere in intention.
“The new intern was so earnest that even the cynics rooted for him.”
humble
HUM-buhl, adjective
Modest about one’s own importance.
“Despite the awards, she stayed humble and kept teaching beginners.”
modest
MOD-ist, adjective
Unassuming about one’s own merits; moderate in size.
“He gave a modest shrug and credited the whole team.”
resilient
rih-ZIL-yuhnt, adjective
Able to recover quickly from setbacks or difficult conditions.
“The team proved resilient, rebounding from the failed launch within a quarter.”
savvy
SAV-ee, adjective
Having practical knowledge and sound judgment.
“A savvy shopper waits for the January sales.”
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shrewd
SHROOD, adjective
Sharp-witted and practical in judgment.
“A shrewd trade at the deadline rebuilt the roster.”
versatile
VUR-suh-tl, adjective
Able to adapt to many different functions or uses.
“A versatile cast-iron pan replaced half the kitchen.”
witty
WIT-ee, adjective
Cleverly amusing with words.
“His witty toast rescued an otherwise stiff dinner.”
articulate
ahr-TIK-yuh-lit, adjective
Expressing ideas clearly and fluently.
“The most articulate answer came from the quietest student.”
benevolent
buh-NEV-uh-luhnt, adjective
Kind and generous, wishing to do good for others.
“A benevolent donor covered the library’s repairs without asking for credit.”
candid
KAN-did, adjective
Honest and direct, even when the truth is uncomfortable.
“Her candid assessment of the project saved us months of wasted effort.”
cordial
KAWR-juhl, adjective
Warm and polite.
“Their rivalry stayed cordial right up to the final round.”
diligent
DIL-ih-juhnt, adjective
Showing steady, conscientious effort in work or duties.
“Her diligent review caught an error that three auditors had missed.”
eloquent
EL-uh-kwuhnt, adjective
Fluent, forceful, and persuasive in speaking or writing.
“His eloquent toast left half the wedding in tears.”
meticulous
muh-TIK-yuh-luhs, adjective
Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.
“He kept meticulous records of every expense, down to the last coffee.”
tactful
TAKT-fuhl, adjective
Careful not to offend when dealing with others.
“A tactful edit turned the rant into feedback.”
tenacious
tuh-NAY-shuhs, adjective
Holding firmly to a goal or position; persistent and not easily discouraged.
“She was tenacious in negotiations, returning to the same point until it was won.”
affable
AF-uh-buhl, adjective
Friendly and easy to talk to.
“The affable doorman knew every dog in the building by name.”
assiduous
uh-SIJ-oo-uhs, adjective
Showing great care and persistence.
“Her assiduous note-taking saved the project’s history.”
astute
uh-STOOT, adjective
Quick to see and use situations to advantage; shrewd.
“An astute reader will notice the date doesn’t match.”
ebullient
ih-BUHL-yuhnt, adjective
Overflowing with enthusiasm.
“The ebullient rookie high-fived the janitor after practice.”
erudite
AIR-yuh-dahyt, adjective
Showing deep, wide-ranging knowledge.
“Her erudite footnotes were better than most books.”
gregarious
grih-GAIR-ee-uhs, adjective
Fond of company; sociable.
“Gregarious by nature, she knew every regular at the café by name.”
indefatigable
in-di-FAT-i-guh-buhl, adjective
Never tiring or giving up.
“The indefatigable archivist digitized forty years of tape.”
magnanimous
mag-NAN-uh-muhs, adjective
Generous or forgiving, especially toward a rival or someone less powerful.
“In a magnanimous gesture, she credited her competitor’s research in the keynote.”
sagacious
suh-GAY-shuhs, adjective
Having deep practical wisdom.
“Her most sagacious advice was to sleep on it twice.”
sanguine
SANG-gwin, adjective
Cheerfully optimistic, especially in difficulty.
“He stayed sanguine through the layoffs and was right to.”
venerable
VEN-er-uh-buhl, adjective
Respected because of age and wisdom.
“The venerable oak predates every house on the street.”
perspicacious
pur-spih-KAY-shuhs, adjective
Having keen insight and sharp understanding.
“A perspicacious reader will notice the twist hidden in the first chapter.”
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