Using few words in speaking or writing.
ex. A _______ explanation is preferable to a long-winded one.
What is concise?
100
using language in a pompous, showy way; speaking to impress others
ex. KW's speech was so _______; was he speaking to communicate or simply to show off?
What is bombastic?
100
overbearing; proud; haughty
ex. His _____ and proud attitude made it hard to like him.
What is arrogrant?
100
an idea or expression that has become stale due to overuse
ex. Good writers avoid _______ like the plague.
What is a cliche?
200
Brief and full of meaning and substance; concise.
ex. "Rickabella is a hecka-betta" is a weird but _____ saying.
What is pithy?
200
pertaining to common everyday speech; conversational
ex. Two examples of _______ greetings are "Hey, dude, how's it going'?" and "What's up, man?"
What is colloquial?
200
self-satisfied; smug
ex. If you are _______, you lack ambition.
What is complacent?
200
unoriginal; taken from something already existing
ex. English is a ______ language. It is made up of words that originated in many other languages.
What is derivative?
300
Briefness or conciseness in speech or writing.
ex. For the sake of ______, choose your words with care.
What is brevity?
300
to wander off from the subject or topic spoken about
ex. We don't have time to _______ from the main issue right now.
What is digress?
300
one who boasts a great deal
ex. Although Mr. Joe is very proud of his accomplishments, he is no _________.
What is braggart?
300
lacking vitality, energy, or brightness; boring.
ex. The _______ quality of the diamond makes it obvious that it's worth nothing.
What is lackluster?
400
Using few words in speech.
ex. Mr. Joe's ______ explanation consisted of a single word: pepperoni.
What is laconic?
400
to talk on and on pointlessly, without clear direction
ex. The teacher ______ on and on about various unrelated topics.
What is ramble?
400
having to do with extreme self-adoration and a feeling of superiority to everyone
ex. Ricky is so ______, she chooses her friends based on how their looks complement hers.
What is narcissistic?
400
made commonplace by overuse; trite
ex. _______ language is not well-received by English teachers.
What is hackneyed?
500
Quiet; still; inactive
ex. Mount St. Helens has been _______ since it's last eruption in 1986.
What is quiescent?
500
talkative; loquacious
ex. Our sightseeing guide was so ______ that we never got to enjoy the serenity of the mountain lake.
What is garrulous?
500
too forward or bold; overstepping proper bounds
ex. Isn't it _______ of Julie to expect all her friends to do only what she wants to do on Friday nights?
What is presumptuous?
500
lacking flavor or taste; unexciting
ex. The conversation about shoes was so ______ that Joe died.