How do you describe someone’s appearance and attitude? Do you use words like beautiful, handsome, friendly, or smart? Or do you prefer words like ugly, fat, rude, or dumb? In this article, we will learn some useful vocabulary to talk about appearances and attitudes in a casual way. We will also see how these words can affect the way we think and feel about ourselves and others. Let’s get started!
Lesson 27
Is the Pontiff (Pope) pontifical in his prose?
Even if you didn’t know the meaning of sleazy, why wouldn’t you buy a sleazy suit?
Supercilious comes from “raised eyebrows.” Does that give you a clue to its meaning?
Can you tell a ribald story in mixed company without raising someone’s eyebrows?
Why is a pedantic person likely to be prolix?
- pedantic
- pertinacious
- pontifical
- pretentious
- prolix
- puerile
- quiescent
- recalcitrant
- restive
- ribald
- sardonic
- sedulous
- sleazy
- supercilious
- voluptuous
Words in Use
The Transformation of Arthur: From Pretentiousness to Authenticity
In a small town, there lived a man named Arthur who was known for his pretentious and pedantic nature. He had a penchant for using prolix and pontifical language, often leaving others bewildered by his verbose speeches. His supercilious demeanor and sardonic remarks made him quite unpopular among the townsfolk.
Despite his reputation, Arthur was pertinacious in his pursuit of knowledge. He spent hours in the local library, poring over books and indulging in his sedulous quest for intellectual superiority. However, his efforts were often seen as puerile and unnecessary by others, who found his obsession with erudition rather tiresome.
The townspeople, tired of Arthur’s haughty behavior, became recalcitrant and restive in his presence. They grew weary of his ribald jokes and his constant need to showcase his intellect. They longed for a more quiescent and harmonious atmosphere in their community.
One day, a new resident named Emily arrived in town. She was known for her down-to-earth nature and her ability to bring people together. Unlike Arthur, she was humble and approachable, never seeking to impress others with her knowledge.
Emily’s presence had a transformative effect on the town. Her genuine kindness and warmth created a sense of camaraderie among the townsfolk. They found solace in her simplicity and authenticity, which stood in stark contrast to Arthur’s pretentiousness.
As time went on, Arthur began to realize the error of his ways. He saw how his pedantic and pontifical behavior had alienated him from the community. Determined to change, he embarked on a personal journey of self-reflection and growth.
Arthur shed his supercilious attitude and embraced a more humble and genuine demeanor. He learned to appreciate the beauty in simplicity and to value the connections he formed with others. No longer prolix in his speech, he became a better listener and a more considerate member of the community.
The townspeople, initially skeptical of Arthur’s transformation, gradually accepted him back into their fold. They saw his efforts to change and recognized the sincerity behind his actions. The once-sleazy reputation he had earned was replaced with a newfound respect.
In the end, Arthur’s journey taught him that true knowledge and wisdom lie not in pretentiousness, but in the ability to connect with others on a deeper level. He realized that being pedantic and pertinacious only served to isolate him, while embracing humility and authenticity allowed him to find true fulfillment and acceptance.
From that day forward, Arthur and Emily worked together to create a more harmonious and inclusive community. Their combined efforts brought about a transformation that touched the lives of everyone in the town. And as they embraced the beauty of simplicity and genuine connections, they discovered a more voluptuous and meaningful way of living.
