AP Notes, Outlines, Study Guides, Vocabulary, Practice Exams and more!

AP Lang Tone words

tone words and definitions

Terms : Hide Images
332164591acerbicharsh pr severe as of temper of expression
332164592ambivalenthaving mixed feelings about someone or something
332164593benevolentcharacterized by or expressing goodwill or kindly feelings
332164594candidtruthful and straightforward, true
332164595contemptuousexpressing lack of respect and hatred
332164596condescendingacting or speaking in a way that demonstrates a feeling of superiority/ in a patronizing way
332164597crypticmysterious in meaning, puzzling, ambiguous, secret, occult
332164598colloquialfamiliar conversation rather than formal speech writing
332164599clinicaldispassionately analytic, strictly objective
332164600cynicalcontemptuously distrustful of human nature and motives; based on or reflecting a belief that human conduct is motivated primarily by self-interest
332164601despondentshowing hopelessness; discouraged
332164602didacticintended to teach; instructive
332164603disdainfulscornful, to look upon or treat with contempt, despise
332164604elegiacHaving a mournful quality.
332164605enigmaticDifficult to interpret or understand; mysterious
332164606euphoricintensely happy; confident
332164607facetiousnot meant to be taken seriously or literally, amusing or humerous, lacking serious intent.
332164608flippantnot showing a serious or respectful attitude
332164609frivolouslack of seriousness or sense; carefree
332164610grandioseaffectedly grand or important
332164611hostileunfriendly; antagonistic, argumentative
332164612iconoclasticattacking or ignoring cherished beliefs and long-held traditions, etc., as being based on error, superstition, or lack of creativity
332164613introspectivethe examination of one's own thoughts, impressions, and feelings, esp for long periods
332164614impartialnot bias or partial, treated equally without outside influence
332164615indignantExpressing anger at something seen as unfair treatment
332164616irreverentmanifesting or characterized without respect; mockery, insulting
332164617laconicusing or involving the use of a minimum of words : concise to the point of seeming rude or mysterious
332164618laudatorycontaining or expressing praise
332164619moralisticDistinction between "right" and "wrong" in writing.
332164620maternal/paternalActing motherly or fatherly; protective, sympathetic, affectionate, caring, loving
332164621nostalgicExperiencing or exhibiting nostalgia, a sentimental or wistful yearning for the happiness felt in a former place, time, or situation.
332164622obsequious1. Showing obedience and submission. 2. Overly flattering in order to please or receive favor.
332164623ostentatiousintended to attracted notice, flashy
332164624poignantKeen or strong on mental appeal.
332164625pedantic1. ostentatious in one's learning. 2.overly concerned with minute details or formalisms, especially in teaching.
332164626patronizingdisplaying of an offensively condescending manner
332164627pithy1. Concise and forcefully expressive 2.Precisely meaningful; forceful and brief
332164628precociousPremature development
332164629ribaldVulgar or offensive in language or content
332164630rueful1. Causing sorrow or pity; pitiable; deplorable 2. Feeling, showing, or expressing sorrow or pity; mournful; doleful
332164631sarcasticMarked by or given to using irony in order to mock or convey contempt.
332164632sardoniccharacterized by bitter or scornful derision; mocking;cynical ;sneering.
332164633scathingbitterly severe; harmful, searing
332164634sympatheticcharacterized by, proceeding from, exhibiting, or feeling sympathy;sympathizing; compassionate: a sympathetic listener.
332164635suspensefulto be apprehending or anxious because of not knowing the outcome of something, excitingly uncertain
332164636sombergloomy dark, sad, melancholy
332164637superciliousBehaving or looking as though one thinks one is superior to others.
332164638tranquilFree from disturbance; calm, serene, placid, restful, quiet
332164639vociferouscharacterized by vehemence, clamour, or noisiness
332164640whimsicaldetermined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason

Need Help?

We hope your visit has been a productive one. If you're having any problems, or would like to give some feedback, we'd love to hear from you.

For general help, questions, and suggestions, try our dedicated support forums.

If you need to contact the Course-Notes.Org web experience team, please use our contact form.

Need Notes?

While we strive to provide the most comprehensive notes for as many high school textbooks as possible, there are certainly going to be some that we miss. Drop us a note and let us know which textbooks you need. Be sure to include which edition of the textbook you are using! If we see enough demand, we'll do whatever we can to get those notes up on the site for you!