Positive Words For Expressing Description, Position, and Attitude

Learn positive vocabulary words will help you to express a positive description, position, or attiude about someone in the English language. Learn the entire lesson and enhance your English vocabulary and conversation skills.

The following words are often used to express a positive description, position, or attitude. To be sure you understand the word when it is used in context, study the meanings of the words. The “In context” example is there to help you see how the word might be used in a complex text.

1. Acclaim [əˈklām] (noun): Acclaim means high praise.

In context: Greg’s excellent short story won great acclaim from the literary community.

2. Accolade [akəˌlād] (noun): An accolade is high praise or special distinction.

In context: Everyone offered accolades to Samson after he defeated his enemies in battle.

3. Acumen (noun): Acumen is quickness of intellectual insight.

In context: Kenan’s business acumen contributed to his selection as treasurer of the school’s Young Entrepreneur’s Club.

4. Adulation [ajəˈlāSH(ə)n] (noun): Adulation means extreme praise.

In context: Though the play was excellent, Martin didn’t think it deserved the overwhelming adulation it received from its audience.

5. Advocate [ˈadvəkət] (verb or noun): To advocate (verb) means to argue in favor of. An advocate (noun) is a person who argues in favor.

In context: As the owner of a therapy dog, Maria felt compelled to advocate (verb) overturning the campus rule about allowing pets in the dorms. She later became an advocate (noun) for all students’ rights.

6. Affable [ˈafəb(ə)l] (adjective): Affable means friendly, amiable.

In context: Everyone likes to be around Jorge because he is so affable and kindhearted.

7. Affirmative [əˈfərmətiv] (adjective): Affirmative means agreeing with a statement or to a request.

In context: By sending an affirmative response to the request, Byron signified his acceptance of the new contract.

8. Alacrity [əˈlakrətē] (noun): Alacrity means cheerful promptness or readiness.

In context: The principal was pleasantly surprised by the alacrity with which the students responded to his call for food drive volunteers.

9. Amiable [ˈāmēəb(ə)l] (adjective): Amiable means friendly and easy to get along with.

In context: My new friend Amy is quite amiable and is often the first one to greet a newcomer and welcome her to our group.

Related words:

Amity (noun): Amity means friendship.
Amicable (adjective): Amicable means friendly or agreeable.

10. Auspicious: [ôˈspiSHəs] (adjective): Auspicious means favorable or promising.

In context: Superstitious people often believe that a rainbow is an auspicious symbol, promising good luck and prosperity.

11. Avid [ˈavəd] (adjective): Avid means actively interested or enthusiastic.

In context: Jose is an avid reader of graphic novels as you can see by the collection posted on his website.

12. Beneficent [bəˈnefəsənt] (adjective): Beneficent means generous or doing good.

In context: Under the beneficent leadership of their teacher, the students spent their weekends helping elderly neighbors clear the deep snow from their front walks.

Related words:

Remembering that the root bene means good, you can figure out the meanings of many words, for example, benevolent (an adjective meaning kind), benefactor (a noun meaning one who does good deeds), and beneficiary (a noun meaning one who benefits).

13. Bliss [blis] (noun): Bliss means perfect happiness or great joy.

In context: Joy gave a sigh of bliss as she successfully navigated the complexities of quadratic equations.

Related word:

Blissful (adjective): Blissful means joyful.

14. Bountiful [ˈboun(t)əfəl] (adjective): Bountiful means abundant or plentiful.

In context: The parents provided a bountiful supply of food for the senior picnic, and we were stuffed by the time we left.

Related word:

Bounty (noun): Bounty means reward or compensation. (Think of bounty hunters who receive a reward for capturing an outlaw.)

15. Bullish (adjective): Bullish means marked by a feeling of hopefulness.

In context: The bankers were feeling bullish about the prospects for an economic recovery after the recession.

16. Buoyancy (noun): Buoyancy means an optimistic or cheerful disposition; light-heartedness.

In context: The buoyancy of the children on the last day of school was apparent as they raced out the school doors with big smiles on their faces.

Related word:

Buoyant (adjective): Buoyant means cheerful or able to float.

17. Celebrated [seləˌbrātəd] (adjective): Celebrated means greatly admired or renowned.

In context: The celebrated astronauts received a ticker-tape parade in New York City.

18. Charismatic [kerəzˈmatik] (adjective): Charismatic means having great charm or personal magnetism.

In context: A young and charismatic leader, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the thirty-fifth president, ushered in a new political atmosphere in America.

Related word:

Charisma (noun): Charisma means personal charm and magnetism.

19. Clairvoyant [klerˈvoiənt] (noun or adjective): A clairvoyant (noun) is a person who has the ability to see the future. One who is described as clairvoyant (adjective) has this psychic ability.

In context: Nostradamus (1503–66) was a clairvoyant (noun) whose prophesies of natural disasters were famous worldwide. His clairvoyant (adjective) abilities are accepted as truth by many.

20. Congenial [kənˈjēnēəl] (adjective): Congenial means pleasant, easy to get along with, compatible or likeable.

In context: I was both relieved and pleased to find that my college roommates were a congenial group.

Related word:

Congeniality (noun): Congeniality means friendliness or sociability.

21. Convivial [kənˈvivēəl] (adjective): Convivial means lively or friendly.

In context: I was pleased to be invited to join the group of convivial students sitting out in the courtyard.

22. Correctitude (noun): Correctitude means correctness, especially in behavior.

In context: Ms. North, a stickler for proper behavior, was often called upon to comment on the correctitude of an action.

23. Dauntless [ˈdôntləs, ˈdäntləs] (adjective): Dauntless means bold or fearless.

In context: Dauntless, 10-year-old Lila marched toward the giant roller coaster.

Related word:

Daunt (verb): To daunt means to make someone feel intimidated or discouraged.

24. Deference [ˈdef(ə)rəns] (noun): Deference means the respect given to a superior or an elder.

In context: In deference to her parents’ wishes, Elana returned home immediately after her basketball game.

Related word:

Deferential (adjective): Deferential means respectful toward someone viewed as superior.

25. Diplomatic [ˌdipləˈmatik] (adjective): Diplomatic means having the quality of a good diplomat (someone who is engaged in international relations like an ambassador). A diplomatic person has skill in managing stressful situations with tact and consideration.

In context: It is important to be diplomatic when trying to reconcile two opposing viewpoints in a social setting.

26. Discerning [dəˈsərning] (adjective): Discerning means having keen insight or good judgment.

In context: Only a discerning person can tell the difference between the authentic painting and a good forgery.

Related word:

Discern (verb): To discern means to perceive or recognize something.

27. Distinguished [dəˈstiNGgwiSHt] (adjective): Distinguished means commanding great respect.

In context: The distinguished speaker drew loud applause from the admiring audience.

28. Ebullient (adjective): Ebullient means cheerful and full of energy.

In context: Their energy beginning to droop, the football team was revitalized by the ebullient cheerleaders and enthusiastic spectators.

Related word:

Ebullience (noun): Ebullience means energy and cheerfulness.

29. Effervescent [efərˈves(ə)nt] (adjective): Effervescent means carbonated or fizzy (as in soda) or sparkly and high-spirited (as in a lively personality).

In context: In the film, the actor portrayed an effervescent young woman who entranced fans with her lively spirit wherever she appeared.

30. Eloquent [ˈeləkwənt] (adjective): Eloquent means characterized by forceful and effective expression in speech and/or writing.

In context: Lincoln’s First Inaugural Address (1861) is widely regarded as an eloquent and moving speech.

31. Endorse [inˈdôrs, enˈdôrs] (verb): To endorse means to give public support or approval.

In context: The popular football star was pleased to be asked to endorse a brand of healthful snacks.

Related word:

Endorsement (noun): Endorsement means a statement of support or approval. A newspaper can state its endorsement of a political candidate, or a celebrity can offer an endorsement of a particular product.

32. Esteem [əˈstēm] (noun or verb): Esteem (noun) means respect and admiration. To esteem (verb) means to respect highly.

In context: The physician was held in such high esteem (noun) by his colleagues that his conclusions were never questioned. All those who worked under him esteem[ed] (verb) him greatly.

Related words:

Self-esteem (noun): Self-esteem is confidence in one’s own abilities.
Estimable (adjective): Estimable means worthy of great respect.

33. Exalt [igˈzôlt] (verb): To exalt means to hold someone in very high regard or to glorify.

In context: To impress his readers with the value of a close-knit community, Jaxon used his blog to exalt the virtues of small-town living.

Related word:

Exaltation (noun): Exaltation means glorification.

34. Exemplary [igˈzemplərē] (adjective): Exemplary means serving as an excellent example or representing the best of its kind.

In context: Eli’s exemplary essay was published in the school’s official website.

35. Exhilarating [igˌziləˈrātiNG] (verb or adjective): Exhilarating means feeling excitement or happiness.

In context: My first experience bungee jumping was the most exhilarating six minutes of my life.

Related word:

Exhilaration (noun): Exhilaration is a feeling of happiness or excitement.

36. Felicity [fəˈlisətē] (noun): Felicity means intense happiness.

In context: The musicians in the marching band were overcome with felicity as they received the first-place prize in the county competition.

Related word:

Felicitation (noun): Felicitations are words expressing praise orgood wishes on a special occasion.

37. Fervor [ˈfərvər] (noun): Fervor means great warmth of feeling or passion.

In context: The townspeople responded to the call to action with fervor, and they all rushed to help those affected by the storm.

Related word:

Fervid (adjective): Fervid is an adjective that means enthusiastic or passionate.

38. Fortuitous (adjective): Fortuitous means happening by chance, unanticipated, or lucky.

In context: After a fortuitous meeting with Sloane during her summer job as a lifeguard, Sophie was thrilled to see her again in their driver’s education class.

39. Gregarious [grəˈgerēəs] (adjective): Gregarious means fond of company or sociable.

In context: The gregarious group of freshmen spent most of their lunch periods together, sharing hilarious tales of summer adventures.

40. Harmonious [härˈmōnēəs] (adjective): Harmonious means pleasant-sounding or marked by agreement in feeling or action (think of being in harmony with others).

In context: After a short period of adjustment, the co-workers were able to establish a harmonious and productive work environment.

41. Indefatigable [in-di-ˈfa-ti-gə-bəl] (adjective): Indefatigable means persisting tirelessly or energetic.

In context: After the destructive hurricane, the indefatigable team of workers was able to rebuild the house in just two weeks.

42. Industrious [inˈdəstrē əs] (adjective): Industrious means diligent and hard-working.

In context: The industrious freshmen were able to complete their volunteer clean-up of the park in under three hours.

43. Ineffable [inˈefəb(ə)l] (adjective): Ineffable means incapable of being expressed in words.

In context: The shocking ending of the novel left the class in an ineffable daze as they sat in their seats in silence.

Related word:

Ineffability (noun): Ineffability means unspeakableness.

44. Ingenuity (noun): Ingenuity means cleverness, originality, or inventiveness.

In context: The members of the student council used their ingenuity to come up with the idea to hold a class garage sale to raise money to pay for new playground equipment for the elementary school.

Related word:

Ingenious (adjective): Ingenious means clever or inventive.

45. Intrepid [inˈtrepəd] (adjective): Intrepid means brave or fearless. (It is a synonym for dauntless!)

In context: Though bombarded by wind and freezing rain, the intrepid seniors continued their hike up the mountain.

46. Jocund [ˈjäkənd, ˈjōkənd] (adjective): Jocund means cheerful and jolly.

In context: It was important for the actor who portrayed the green giant in the school play to project a jocund persona.

Related word:

Jocundity (noun): Jocundity means cheerfulness, joyousness.

47. Judicious (adjective): Judicious means marked by common sense in practical matters or showing good judgment.

In context: The teacher made the judicious decision to postpone the chemistry exam after a fierce storm caused a widespread overnight power outage.

48. Kudos (noun): Kudos means praise or honor.

In context: The football team received kudos for their fine display of sportsmanship on the field.

49. Lucid (adjective): Lucid means expressed clearly or easy to understand. It can also mean bright or shining.

In context: The defense attorney’s lucid argument convinced the jury of the defendant’s innocence.

50. Mirth [mərTH] (noun): Mirth means amusement or laughter.

In context: The second graders couldn’t control their mirth at the school fair when a whipped cream pie was hurled at the assistant principal.

Related word:

Mirthful (adjective): Mirthful means merry or gleeful.

51. Plucky [ˈpləkē] (adjective): Plucky means having courage in the face of difficulties.

In context: The plucky gymnast picked herself up and leaped back on to the balance beam after her fall.

52. Principled [ˈprinsəpəld] (adjective): Principled means showing recognition of right and wrong or acting according to morality (think of having principles).

In context: The principled governor won kudos for his decision to avoid getting caught up in corrupt politics.

53. Prolific [prəˈlifik] (adjective): Prolific means productive, creative, or fertile.

In context: The prolific author published 11 books in a five-year period.

54. Prudent (adjective): Prudent means acting with care and showing thought for the future.

In context: The prudent young woman saved all her baby-sitting money to pay for her car insurance.

55. Ravishing [raviSHiNG] (adjective): Ravishing means delightful or unusually attractive.

In context: The ravishing beauty dazzled the crowd outside the theater.

56. Sacrosanct [sakrōˌsaNG(k)t] (adjective): Sacrosanct means regarded as holy, sacred, or too important to be interfered with.

In context: Morgan considered her time with her children to be sacrosanct and allowed no interruption or distraction to interfere.

Related words:

Sanctity (noun): Sanctity means holiness, sacredness.
Sanctify (verb): Sanctify means to make holy or sacred.

57. Sagacious [səˈgāSHəs] (adjective): Sagacious means wise, clever, or intelligent.

In context: The guardians were sagacious enough not to engage with the enemy forces when the townspeople were present.

Related words:

Sage (noun): A sage is a profoundly wise person.
Sagacity (noun): Sagacity is wisdom.

58. Salubrious (adjective): Salubrious means healthful or beneficial.

In context: Fresh air and exercise is salubrious for all, children and adults alike.

59. Sanguine [ˈsaNGgwən] (adjective): Sanguine means cheerfully optimistic.

In context: The softball team remained sanguine about each game, despite their losing record.

60. Scintillating [sin(t)lˌātiNG] (adjective): Scintillating means very witty and amusing as in a scintillating conversation. It can also mean sparkling or shining brightly, as in the scintillating sun.

In context: I hated to leave the room during the scintillating discussion of the play, but the scintillating stars in the night sky beckoned me.

61. Seemly [ˈsēm lē] (adjective): Seemly means appropriate, in good taste, or decent.

In context: The kindergartners were rewarded for their seemly behavior during the flag raising ceremony.

Related words:

Seemliness (noun): Seemliness means the state of being fitting or appropriate.
Unseemly (adjective): Unseemly means inappropriate or unsuitable.

62. Stupendous (adjective): Stupendous means amazing or wonderful.

In context: The junior class did a stupendous job transforming the gymnasium into an under-the-sea extravaganza.

63. Tenacious [təˈnāSHəs] (adjective): Tenacious means holding on firmly or persistent.

In context: Determined to capture the thief, the investigators were tenacious in following every lead.

64. Unimpeachable [ənəmˈpēCHəb(ə)l] (adjective): Unimpeachable means entirely trustworthy or not able to be doubted or questioned.

In context: The integrity of the judge was so unimpeachable that his decisions were never challenged.

65. Upright [əpˌrīt] (adjective): Upright means standing straight and vertical or having moral correctness.

In context: George Washington is often used as an example of an upright person because it was rumored that he willingly confessed to damaging his father’s cherry tree.

66. Venerable [ˈven(ə)rəb(ə)l] (adjective): Venerable means deserving of respect, especially because of age, wisdom, or character.

In context: “Every tradition grows ever more venerable the more remote its origin, the more confused that origin is.” —FRIEDRICH NIETZSCHE (1885)

Related words:

Venerate (verb): To venerate means to regard with great respect.

67. Virtuoso [ˌvərCHəˈwōsō] (noun): A virtuoso is one who is highly skilled in music or another artistic pursuit.

In context: Anita was such a violin virtuoso that she was asked to play with the philharmonic orchestra.

68. Virtuous (adjective): Virtuous means ethical or having high moral standards.

In context: Mother Teresa was a virtuous woman who devoted her life to taking care of others.

Related word:

Virtue (noun): Virtue means behavior showing high moral standards. (Virtue is often used as a synonym for goodness.)

69. Vivacious [vəˈvāSHəs, vīˈvāSHəs] (adjective): Vivacious means lively, spirited, or bubbly. (Use your word analysis skills to note the root vi meaning life.)

In context: The vivacious young woman was soon joined by a group of followers who were attracted to her enthusiasm and energy.

Related word:

Vivacity (noun): Vivacity means liveliness.

70. Zealous [ˈzeləs] (adjective): Zealous means passionate, devoted, or enthusiastic.

In context: The zealous fans never missed a Friday night football game.

Related words:

Zeal (noun): Zeal means passion or enthusiasm.
Zealot (noun): A zealot is one who is extremely enthusiastic or even fanatical about a cause or belief.