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🎨 Descriptive adjectives (Part 2) · IELTS Speaking Vocabulary · 40 words

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breathtaking
/ˈbreθteɪkɪŋ/ adj
so beautiful or impressive that it surprises you; great for describing views
The view from the top of Fansipan was absolutely breathtaking.
down-to-earth
/ˌdaʊn tu ˈɜːθ/ adj
practical, sensible and friendly, not trying to seem important
Despite being famous, she's really down-to-earth and easy to talk to.
easy-going
/ˌiːzi ˈɡəʊɪŋ/ adj
relaxed and not easily worried or annoyed
My roommate is very easy-going, so we never argue about housework.
picturesque
/ˌpɪktʃəˈresk/ adj
pretty, especially in an old-fashioned way, like a painting
Hoi An is a picturesque town with lanterns everywhere.
bustling
/ˈbʌslɪŋ/ adj
full of people moving around and being busy
I grew up in a bustling neighbourhood full of street vendors.
tranquil
/ˈtræŋkwɪl/ adj
calm, quiet and peaceful
We stayed in a tranquil village surrounded by rice fields.
vibrant
/ˈvaɪbrənt/ adj
full of energy and life; also used for bright colours
Seoul has a vibrant nightlife that never seems to stop.
spectacular
/spekˈtækjələ(r)/ adj
extremely impressive to look at
The fireworks on New Year's Eve were spectacular.
unforgettable
/ˌʌnfəˈɡetəbl/ adj
so special or strong that you will always remember it
Camping under the stars was an unforgettable experience.
memorable
/ˈmemərəbl/ adj
special or unusual and therefore worth remembering
My most memorable birthday was the one I spent in Japan.
cosy
/ˈkəʊzi/ adj
warm, comfortable and relaxing (British spelling)
There's a cosy little café near my house where I often read.
spacious
/ˈspeɪʃəs/ adj
having a lot of space inside
Our new apartment is much more spacious than the old one.
run-down
/ˌrʌn ˈdaʊn/ adj
in bad condition because it has not been looked after
The old cinema in my town is quite run-down now.
lively
/ˈlaɪvli/ adj
full of energy, activity and interest
The market gets really lively in the evening.
charismatic
/ˌkærɪzˈmætɪk/ adj
having a strong personal charm that attracts people
Our class president was so charismatic that everyone listened to him.
generous
/ˈdʒenərəs/ adj
happy to give money, time or help to others
My aunt is incredibly generous and always helps people in need.
outgoing
/ˈaʊtɡəʊɪŋ/ adj
friendly and enjoying meeting new people
My sister is very outgoing, whereas I'm more of an introvert.
considerate
/kənˈsɪdərət/ adj
always thinking about other people's feelings and needs
He's very considerate; he always asks if I need help.
ambitious
/æmˈbɪʃəs/ adj
having a strong wish to be successful
My best friend is extremely ambitious and wants to run her own company.
hard-working
/ˌhɑːd ˈwɜːkɪŋ/ adj
putting a lot of effort into work
My parents are hard-working people who rarely take a day off.
witty
/ˈwɪti/ adj
able to say clever and funny things
My grandfather is really witty and always makes us laugh.
laid-back
/ˌleɪd ˈbæk/ adj
informal; calm and relaxed, not worried about things
Life on the island is much more laid-back than in the city.
reliable
/rɪˈlaɪəbl/ adj
can be trusted to do what is expected
He's the most reliable person I know; he's never late.
knowledgeable
/ˈnɒlɪdʒəbl/ adj
knowing a lot about a subject
Our tour guide was very knowledgeable about local history.
thought-provoking
/ˈθɔːt prəvəʊkɪŋ/ adj
making you think seriously about a subject
It was a thought-provoking documentary about plastic waste.
nerve-racking
/ˈnɜːv rækɪŋ/ adj
making you feel very nervous and worried
My first job interview was really nerve-racking.
rewarding
/rɪˈwɔːdɪŋ/ adj
giving satisfaction because it is useful or important
Teaching English to children was the most rewarding job I've ever had.
exhilarating
/ɪɡˈzɪləreɪtɪŋ/ adj
making you feel very excited and full of energy
Paragliding over the valley was absolutely exhilarating.
hilarious
/hɪˈleəriəs/ adj
extremely funny
The comedy show was so hilarious that I couldn't stop laughing.
mouth-watering
/ˈmaʊθ wɔːtərɪŋ/ adj
food that looks or smells so good you want to eat it
The smell of mouth-watering grilled pork filled the street.
stunning
/ˈstʌnɪŋ/ adj
extremely attractive or impressive
The bride looked stunning in her traditional ao dai.
idyllic
/ɪˈdɪlɪk/ adj
peaceful and perfect, like a dream
We spent an idyllic week on a quiet island.
magnificent
/mæɡˈnɪfɪsnt/ adj
extremely beautiful, grand and impressive
The palace was magnificent, with golden roofs and huge gardens.
quaint
/kweɪnt/ adj
attractive in an unusual or old-fashioned way
We stayed in a quaint little guesthouse with wooden windows.
eye-opening
/ˈaɪ əʊpənɪŋ/ adj
teaching you something surprising that you did not know before
Volunteering in a rural school was an eye-opening experience.
overwhelming
/ˌəʊvəˈwelmɪŋ/ adj
very great or strong, so it is hard to deal with
Moving to a new country was overwhelming at first.
nostalgic
/nɒˈstældʒɪk/ adj
feeling happy but slightly sad when you remember the past
Old cartoons always make me feel nostalgic about my childhood.
gripping
/ˈɡrɪpɪŋ/ adj
so exciting that it holds your attention completely
It was such a gripping novel that I finished it in one night.
inspiring
/ɪnˈspaɪərɪŋ/ adj
making you feel you want and are able to do something good
Her story of overcoming poverty was truly inspiring.
jaw-dropping
/ˈdʒɔː drɒpɪŋ/ adj
informal; extremely surprising or impressive
The cave was so huge that it was jaw-dropping.

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