Hello learners! Welcome to English Vocabulary. This article consists of some of the important words to describe Personality Characteristics. These words come handy while talking about various types of Personalities of human beings. Note that the Latin or Greek roots of the words are mentioned for your understanding of the origin of the words. Some related words are also explained.
Words to describe Personality Characteristics
Root Word: Ego (Latin) – meaning ‘I or Self’
Words based on the above root word:
- Egoist – A self-centered person
- Egotist – A person who is absorbed in themselves; self-seeker.
- Egocentric – Thinking only of oneself regardless of the feelings of others.
- Egoism – Theory that treats self-interest as the foundation of morality.
- Egomaniac– A person who is obsessively self-centered.
Root Word: Alter (Latin) – meaning ‘Other’
Words based on the above root word:
- Altruism, Altruistic – Concern for the well-being of others
- Altruist – A person who has a concern for the welfare of others
- Alternate – To occur in turn repeatedly
- Alternative – Something that is available as another possibility or choice
- Alteration – To make small changes in character or composition
- Altercation – an argument over a disagreement.
- Alterego – A second self that is distinct from a normal or original personality.
Root Word: Verto (Latin) – meaning ‘To turn’
Words based on the above root word:
- Introvert – A person who turns his thoughts inwards, a Shy or an Unsocial person.
- Extrovert – Socially confident person.
- Ambivert – A person who has a balance of both the above features (Introvert and Extrovert)
- Dexterous – Having skill
- Ambidextrous – To be able to use both the right and left hands equally
Related Words:
- Leftie, Southpaw – A left-handed person
- Gauche – Socially clumsy or Unsophisticated and socially awkward.
- Adroit – Skillful or Clever
Root Word: Anthrops (Greek) – meaning ‘Mankind’
Words based on the above root word:
- Anthropology – The study of the development of the Human race.
- Misanthrope – A person who lost belief in humankind and society
Root Word: Gyne (Greek) – meaning ‘Woman’
Words based on the above root word:
- Misogynist – A person who dislikes or having a strong prejudice against women.
Root Word: Gamos (Greek) – meaning ‘Marriage’
Words based on the above root word:
- Misogamist – One who hates Marriage or who doesn’t believe in marital relation.
Related Words:
- Monogamy – The custom of only one marriage
- Bigamy– Two marriages (unlawful)
- Polygamy – Many marriages (Generally used when a Man marries many women)
Root Word: Andros (Greek) – meaning ‘Male’
- Polyandry – The custom in which a woman marries two or more men
Root Word: Asketes (Greek) – meaning ‘Monk’
- Ascetic – One who doesn’t pursue the pleasures of the flesh
For more on this topic refer: ‘Word Power Made Easy’ by Norman Lewis
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