English Words for "Human Qualities and Appearance" | SAT Vocabulary

Here you will learn some English words related to human qualities and appearance, such as "vigor", "avid", "stolid", etc. that you will need to ace your SATs.

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SAT Humanities

the ability to use one's hands or body skillfully and quickly to perform tasks

Ex: His dexterity with the piano keys impressed the audience .
appetite [noun]

the feeling of wanting food

Ex: The chef 's specialty dishes sparked everyone 's appetite with their tantalizing aromas and vibrant presentation .

the preference for using one hand over the other for tasks and activities, typically resulting in a dominance of either the right or left hand

Ex: Researchers are exploring the relationship between handedness and cognitive development .
vigor [noun]

the physical or mental strength and energy that someone possesses

Ex: The athlete 's training regimen was designed to enhance his physical vigor and endurance .

all the qualities that shape a person's character and make them different from others

Ex: His outgoing personality makes him popular at parties .
vivacity [noun]

the quality of being full of life and energy

Ex: The party was filled with the vivacity of young people enjoying themselves .

mental and emotional strength and resilience in facing adversity, challenges, or difficult situations

Ex: He showed great fortitude in overcoming the challenges of his career .
stamina [noun]

the mental or physical strength that makes one continue doing something hard for a long time

Ex: Yoga and meditation can help improve mental stamina and focus .
demeanor [noun]

the way a person treats others

Ex: The employee ’s unprofessional demeanor caused concern among his colleagues .

the ability to effectively and creatively solve problems and overcome challenges using available resources

Ex: His resourcefulness in managing limited resources helped the company navigate through the financial crisis .

the state of being in the transitional phase childhood and adulthood characterized by significant physical, emotional, and psychological changes

Ex: Navigating the state of adolescence requires guidance and support from both family and educators .
intimacy [noun]

a deep and personal connection between individuals, often emotional or psychological

Ex: Long conversations late at night foster intimacy in a relationship .
observant [adjective]

very good at or quick in noticing small details in someone or something

Ex: The observant detective spotted a clue that led to the breakthrough in the investigation .
industrious [adjective]

hard-working and productive

Ex: Despite the challenges , she remained industrious throughout the long hours .
capable [adjective]

having the ability or capacity to do something

Ex: The capable student excels in academics , consistently achieving high grades .
pragmatic [adjective]

based on reasonable and practical considerations rather than theory

Ex: The teacher 's pragmatic teaching methods emphasized real-world applications of concepts rather than abstract theories .
stingy [adjective]

unwilling to spend or give away money or resources

Ex: They were surprised by his stingy nature , given his high-paying job .
reclusive [adjective]

preferring to be alone or avoiding social contact

Ex: People who met the millionaire said he seemed polite but quite reclusive , not sharing many details about himself or his personal life .
maiden [adjective]

describing an unmarried girl or woman

Ex:
weary [adjective]

feeling or displaying deep exhaustion

Ex: Her weary eyes betrayed the toll of sleepless nights and demanding work .
ponderous [adjective]

difficult to move or manage due to bulk

Ex: The robot 's ponderous movements made it slow and awkward .
fatigued [adjective]

experiencing extreme exhaustion

Ex:
courageous [adjective]

expressing no fear when faced with danger or difficulty

Ex: The young explorer exhibited a courageous spirit as he ventured into the uncharted wilderness in search of new discoveries .
secretive [adjective]

(of a person) having a tendency to hide feelings, thoughts, etc.

Ex: Despite their efforts to appear transparent , the company 's leadership remained secretive about their future plans .
proficient [adjective]

having or showing a high level of knowledge, skill, and aptitude in a particular area

Ex: To excel in his job , he needed to be proficient in various computer software programs .
languid [adjective]

moving in a slow, effortless, and attractive manner

Ex: The dancer 's movements were languid , flowing seamlessly from one pose to the next .
avid [adjective]

extremely enthusiastic and interested in something one does

Ex: He 's an avid sports fan , never missing a game of his favorite team .
voracious [adjective]

eating or craving food in large amounts and with great enthusiasm

Ex: Despite having a voracious appetite , Tim remained lean due to his high metabolism .
nonchalant [adjective]

behaving in an unconcerned and calm manner

Ex: He remained nonchalant even when faced with a tight deadline .
stubborn [adjective]

unwilling to change one's attitude or opinion despite good reasons to do so

Ex: The stubborn child refused to eat their vegetables , even after being told they were good for them .
boisterous [adjective]

marked by a lack of control or discipline

Ex: His boisterous laughter disrupted the quiet library .
rebellious [adjective]

(of a person) resistant to authority or control, often challenging established norms or rules

Ex: Despite warnings from the school administration , the rebellious student continued to organize protests against unfair policies .
driven [adjective]

showing determination and ambition to achieve one's goals

Ex:
sociable [adjective]

possessing a friendly personality and willing to spend time with people

Ex: As a very sociable person , John never had trouble meeting new people when traveling alone due to his friendly nature .
easygoing [adjective]

calm and not easily worried or upset

Ex: The easygoing teacher created a relaxed classroom atmosphere where students felt comfortable expressing themselves .
exuberant [adjective]

filled with lively energy and excitement

Ex: Her exuberant personality lit up the room , bringing smiles to everyone 's faces .
stolid [adjective]

staying calm and displaying little or no interest or emotions

Ex: He gave a stolid performance , displaying little emotion .
pert [adjective]

lively, bold, and confident in a playful or appealing way

Ex:
fearsome [adjective]

intimidating or frightening in appearance or nature

Ex: The dragon 's fearsome presence loomed over the village , striking fear into the hearts of the villagers .
ruthless [adjective]

showing no mercy or compassion towards others in pursuit of one's goals

Ex: The ruthless landlord evicted tenants without warning , caring only about profits .
handicapped [adjective]

having a physical or mental condition that limits one's movements, senses, or activities

Ex: The handicapped student received accommodations such as extra time on exams .
patriotic [adjective]

having a strong sense of love, loyalty, and devotion to one's country

Ex: The patriotic anthem stirred emotions of unity and solidarity among the crowd .
wary [adjective]

feeling or showing caution and attentiveness regarding possible dangers or problems

Ex: The company was wary of entering into partnerships without thorough research .
lonesome [adjective]

unhappy because of loneliness

Ex: She became lonesome after her friends left for college , leaving her behind .
prudent [adjective]

showing sensibility and wisdom, especially in avoiding risks or making decisions

Ex: The company took prudent measures to ensure the safety of its employees during the pandemic .
posture [noun]

the state or condition of a person's physical alignment, balance, and coordination

Ex: Poor posture can lead to chronic back pain .

someone's face or facial expression

Ex: The actor 's countenance reflected the character 's inner turmoil perfectly .
stature [noun]

the height of a person or animal when standing upright

Ex: At over 6 feet tall , he had an imposing stature that commanded attention .
slimness [noun]

the state of being slender or thin in a way that is considered attractive or healthy

Ex: Despite her slimness , she was strong and full of energy .
grimace [noun]

a twisted facial expression indicating pain, disgust or disapproval

Ex: The actor 's grimace of pain was so convincing that the audience winced in sympathy .
lean [adjective]

having little body fat

Ex: The lean dog ran effortlessly alongside its owner during their morning jog .
lank [adjective]

(of hair) long, thin and straight

elegant [adjective]

having a refined and graceful appearance or style

Ex: The bride 's hairstyle was simple yet elegant , with cascading curls framing her face in soft waves .
shabby [adjective]

(of a person) dressed in worn and old clothes

Ex: After a long night of partying , she looked shabby and disheveled as she stumbled out of the club .
bruised [adjective]

(of body parts) having a discolored mark due to broken blood vessels, typically caused by an injury or pressure

Ex: He limped slightly on his bruised ankle after the soccer game .
slovenly [adjective]

lacking of cleanliness and neatness, often implying a disregard for personal hygiene or grooming

Ex: The slovenly room was cluttered with unwashed dishes .