Word choice · C1
Thrifty or stingy: the same behaviour, two verdicts
English often has two words for one behaviour: one that approves and one that condemns. Careful with money is thrifty or stingy. Sure of yourself is confident or arrogant. Interested in others is curious or nosy. Not changing your mind is determined or stubborn. Picking the wrong one of a pair is the fastest way to insult someone by accident.
Which word, and why
- thrifty
approving: careful with money
Using money and resources carefully and without waste.
thrifty habits · a thrifty household
- stingyinformal
critical: unwilling to spend or share
Refusing to spend or give what would be reasonable.
stingy with the portions · do not be stingy
- confident
approving: sure of yourself
Certain of your own ability, without needing to prove it.
quietly confident · a confident performance
- arrogant
critical: sure of yourself and letting everyone know
Behaving as though you are more important than other people.
arrogant and dismissive · an arrogant assumption
- curious
approving: interested in things
Eager to learn and to understand.
intellectually curious · curious about how it works
- nosyinformal
critical: interested in things that are not yours
Too interested in other people’s private business.
a nosy neighbour · do not be nosy
- determined
approving: will not give up
Committed to finishing something despite difficulty.
determined to finish · fiercely determined
- stubborn
critical: will not give up even when wrong
Refusing to change your mind or your course, unreasonably.
stubborn as a mule · stubborn refusal
- frank
approving: says the true thing
Honest and direct, in a way people find useful.
to be frank · a frank discussion
- blunt
critical: says the true thing without softening it
Direct to the point of rudeness.
blunt to the point of rudeness · a blunt reply
- childlike
approving: has kept something children have
Showing the openness or wonder of a child.
childlike delight · childlike wonder
- childish
critical: behaving like a child at the wrong age
Immature in a way that is inappropriate for an adult.
childish behaviour · frankly childish
- ambitious
approving: wants to go far
Determined to achieve success.
ambitious and hard-working · an ambitious plan
- ruthless
critical: wants to go far and does not care who is hurt
Pursuing an aim without pity or scruple.
ruthless efficiency · utterly ruthless
- assertive
approving: states what you need clearly
Confident in expressing your own needs and views.
be more assertive · assertive but polite
- aggressive
critical: states what you need over other people
Behaving in a hostile or forceful way.
aggressive tone · unnecessarily aggressive
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She runs the whole household on very little and never wastes anything. She is admirably .