You can only pay attention when you write, but we use it in our words every day. When we use words for colors, shapes, and sizes, we actually use them as adjectives!
Adjectives can be both, positive or negative. When you say someone is “nice” or “helpful”, you are describing them well. When we speak of a person as being “a master” or “a contemptible person,” we are misrepresenting him.
Negative Personality Adjectives to Describe Someone
Following a list of 300+ negative adjectives and idioms describing people.
| bossy | big-headed | pompous | Dumb |
| quarrelsome | vain | patronizing | Stupid |
| cynical | boring | callous | dirty-minded |
| rude | greedy | aloof | pig-headed |
| mean | cruel | thoughtless | Stubborn |
| impolite | cowardly | inconsiderate | Machiavellian |
| obtuse | deceitful | domineering | Obstinate |
| boastful | overcritical | nasty | Unreliable |
| aggressive | critical | ugly | Tactless |
| arrogant | narrow-minded | defensive | Dogmatic |
| careless | self-centred | hostile | Toxic |
| clingy | half-witted | confrontational | Possessive |
| unhappy | dumb wit | gullible | Resentful |
| selfish | impulsive | indecisive | Intolerable |
| untrustworthy | harsh | irresponsible | Interfering |
| impatient | clumsy | interfering | Sneaky |
| jealous | fussy | intolerant | Inflexible |
| moody | grumpy | foolhardy | Finicky |
| naïve | secretive | unrespectful | weak-willed |
| indiscreet | unpredictable | uncultured | badly-behaved |
| cheater | hot-headed | short-tempered | Vulture |
| foolish | pusillanimous | quick-tempered | Vague |
| idle | pessimistic | ruthless | Untidy |
| lazy | perverse | reckless | Unkind |
| miserly | emotional | silly | Truculent |
| miserable | overemotional | sarcastic | Childish |
| ridiculous | materialistic | timid | Touchy |
| crazy | over-the-top | salty | Stingy |
| insane | overprotective | superficial | Juvenile |
| nervous | naughty | self-indulgent | Shy |
| vulgar | vengeful | vile | Evil |
| picky | bad-tempered | egotistical | Slothful |
| ungrateful | softie | egocentric | Quiet |
| amateur | small-brained | small-thinker | Apathetic |
| newbie | slow | sly | Insincere |
| card | sloppy | single-minded | Disorganized |
| sensitive | obnoxious | nihilistic | Disorderly |
| talkative | loud | neurotic | Distant |
| illogical | obvious | superficial | Stiff |
| quirky | narcissistic | submissive | Steely |
| reactive | natty | loser | Provocative |
| insecure | irascible | neglectful | Inhibited |
| inert | insulting | negativist | Incurious |
| introvert | immature | sour | Unsociable |
| pretentious | unmotivated | uncreative | Ignorant |
| changeable | weak | dull | Bitter |
| intimidating | awkward | dependent | Eccentric |
| struggling | noisy | ill | Needy |
| passive | brash | feeble | Tired |
| passive-aggressive | rule-bound | fool | Useless |
| wasteful | inexperienced | repetitive | Forgetful |
| unwise | spoiled | rigid | Cold |
| violent | rash | forlorn | Unpleasant |
Negative Idiomatic Phrases
The following list on useful negative idioms to use in conversation while describing someone:
| gold-digger | goody-two-shoes | sitting duck | pain in butt |
| cry baby | goody-goody | pencil pusher | pain in neck |
| wet blanket | full of hot air | pen pusher | stool pigeon |
| party pooper | busy body | lame-duck | wise guy |
| spoilsport | couch potato | cog in a machine | yes man |
| Kill joy | armchair critic | bean counter | wolf in sheep’s clothing |
| stick-in-the-mud | dead duck | fuddy-duddy | smart alert |
| set in one’s ways | know-it-all | loan shark | fast talker |
| scrooge | tight-fisted | cheapskate | two-faced |
| brain-eater | moaning Minnie | wallflower | a late bloomer |
| loose cannon | dark horse | rolling stone | to be nobody |
| tearaway | nerd | crank | high-maintenance |
| ticking time bomb | cold fish | chatterbox | worrywart |
| black sheep | lone wolf | rough diamond | a backseat driver |
| big mouth | head in the clouds | slave driver | be in the saddle |
| slim customer | scatterbrained | wimp | be in driver’s seat |
| have a screw loose | all over the place | golden boy | be on high horse |
| bad egg | thick as a plank | be someone’s pet | be tall in one’s saddle |
| rotten apple | not the brightest crayon in the box | bunny boiler | stick out like a sore thumb |
| be nuts | have a short fuse | be a burr under one’s saddle | lone bird |
| bark up the wrong tree | not see the forest for its trees | clutch at straws | give a flowery speech |
| broken reed | a tumbleweed moment | beat about the bush | be smoke and mirrors |
| lose one’s gourd | penny pincher | Slime ball | all fur coat and no knickers |
| eager beaver | nosy parker | be on the fritz | be any Tom, Dick, or Harry |
| a bag of tricks | amateur hour | not be cut out for something | to drop the ball |
We hope that these words and phrases will give you a good idea of negative tone words.
Keep exploring EnglishBix for more quality resources on personality development and vocabulary related to it.
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