Kids Unusual List of Character Traits Make Life Extraordinary

Here you'll find an extensive list of character traits. Periodically, beginning September 2, 2008, I add meanings and sentences to the character and personality traits listed here.

You'll find character traits of extraordinary leaders, good character traits, bad character traits, even Godly character traits.

One thing to remember as you study this list of character traits: God never stops Loving any of us for a moment, as "every sinner has his past, every Saint his future."

In other words, if you or someone you know has a character trait you consider bad, obnoxious, un-Godly remember that it is always possible to change.

In fact, most people who are honest with themselves witness a change in their personal list of character traits as they age and life humbles them.

As life batters and beats us up, whether physically, financially, spiritually or health-wise, we learn to become kinder, more loving and accepting humans. Our personal list of character traits changes.

Bumbling our way through the school of hard knocks forces us to become more loving, guiding us towards the list of good character traits we strive for.

Sometimes the best character education lessons are life itself, not intellectual exercises and activities.

Kids and children develop their own character traits based on the character traits of their parents, family, friends, schoolmates, even favorite characters on TV.

Here's a list of character traits with the definition of each trait. (Remember, I'm adding definitions daily until this list of character traits is completed).

After each character trait, either the dictionary or I add a sentence that uses the word from the list of character traits. Sometimes, I put a few of the character traits in one sentence to help your child learn the definition of the new trait.

As well, if you follow the link below, you can hear the word pronounced on your computer.

Each definition is from Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

• Accepting has more meanings than almost any other word in this list of character traits (maybe because it's so important).
  1. amenable; open: She was always more accepting of coaching suggestions than her teammates.
  2. To answer affirmatively: accept an invitation.
  3. To agree to take (a duty or responsibility).
  4. To regard as proper, usual, or right: Such customs are widely accepted.
  5. To regard as true; believe in: Scientists have accepted the new theory.
  6. To understand as having a specific meaning.
  7. To receive (something offered), especially with gladness or approval: accepted a glass of water; accepted their contract.
  8. To admit to a group, organization, or place: accepted me as a new member of the club.
  9. To regard as proper, usual, or right: Such customs are widely accepted.
  10. To regard as true; believe in: Scientists have accepted the new theory.
  11. To understand as having a specific meaning.
  12. To endure resignedly or patiently: accept one's fate.

  Someone who is accepting of others can easily make and keep friends.

  Sooner or later, we must become accepting of friends and family members who die.

• Adaptable means willing or able to change to fit in with different circumstances.

  Because Joan is so adaptable, she didn't freak out when rain forced her birthday party to be canceled.

  Being adaptable is one of the most important character trait in this list of character traits because change is constant and never ending.

• Adventurous means inclined or willing to engage in adventures; enjoying adventures and full of risk; requiring courage; hazardous: an adventurous undertaking. Bold, daring, venturous, venturesome
  

  Her adventurous spirit sometimes compelled her to become more adaptable and accepting to fit new challenges.

• Ardent has four meanings:
  
  1. having, expressive of, or characterized by intense feeling; passionate; fervent: an ardent vow; ardent love.
  2. intensely devoted, eager, or enthusiastic; zealous: an ardent theatergoer. an ardent student of French history.
  3. vehement; fierce: They were frightened by his ardent, burning eyes.
  4. burning, fiery, or hot: the ardent core of a star.

  As a young man, I had an ardent desire to travel the world, seeking adventurous escapades that challenged me to become adaptable to new living situations and accepting of new cultures and customs.

• Arrogant has two meanings:
  
  1. making claims or pretensions to superior importance or rights; overbearingly assuming; insolently proud: an arrogant public official.
  2. characterized by or proceeding from arrogance: arrogant claims.

  When my arrogant attitude dominated my personality while being an adventurous, ardent traveler, it was challenging to be accepting of others and sometimes I was unwilling to be adaptable to new angles of vision, often causing me inner pain and turmoil.

  Working with this list of character traits is fun!

• Artistic has many meanings:
  1. conforming to the standards of art; satisfying aesthetic requirements: artistic productions.
  2. showing skill or excellence in execution: artistic workmanship.
  3. exhibiting taste, discriminating judgment, or sensitivity: an artistic arrangement of flowers; artistic handling of a delicate diplomatic situation.
  4. exhibiting an involvement in or appreciation of art, esp. the fine arts: He had wide-ranging artistic interests.
  5. involving only aesthetic considerations, usually taken as excluding moral, practical, religious, political, or similar concerns: artistic principles.
  6. of art or artists: artistic works.
  7. of, like, or thought of as characteristic of an artist: an artistic temperament.

  Her artistic skills and desires inspired an ardent wish to see the exquisite cathedrals in Spain and while on an adventurous trip, she unknowingly hurt the feelings of more conservative travelers because of her arrogant, all-knowing, nature. In time, however, they became more accepting of her because they saw she basically was just exceptionally enthusiastic and not as adaptable as some of them.

• Astute has two meanings:
  
  1. of keen penetration or discernment; sagacious: an astute analysis.
     
  2. clever; cunning; ingenious; shrewd: an astute merchandising program; an astute manipulation of facts.

  Extraordinary leaders must possess the character trait of being astute, otherwise they would not be able to know who their true friends are.

  When my artistic, adventurous, sometimes arrogant friend was traveling, she was very astute in decisions about making friends, because she had been burned earlier in life and knew that being adaptable and accepting of others is critical in friendship.

• Belligerent has the following meanings:
  
  1. warlike; given to waging war.
  2. of warlike character; aggressively hostile; bellicose: a belligerent tone.
  3. waging war; engaged in war: a peace treaty between belligerent powers.
  4. pertaining to war or to those engaged in war: belligerent rights.

  If you are feeling belligerent, it may be best to remain alone and talk with a loving friend or parent. Or even grab a pillow and start pounding it while talking about the feelings that are making you feel belligerent.

• bold,
• bossy,
• brave,
• brilliant,
• bumbling,
• carefree,
• caring,
• cheerful,
• compassionate,
• confident,
• considerate,
• courteous,
• cowardly,
• curious,
• daring,
• dedicated,
• dependable,
• determination,
• devoted,
• diligent,
• discerning,
• easygoing,
• egotistical,
• empathetic,
• energetic,
• enthusiastic,
• exuberant,
• fair,
• fastidious,
• Fearful
  1. causing or apt to cause fear; frightening: a fearful apparition.
  2. feeling fear, dread, apprehension, or solicitude: fearful for his life; fearful lest he commit suicide.
  3. full of awe or reverence: fearful of the Lord.
  4. showing or caused by fear: fearful behavior.
  5. extreme in size, intensity, or badness: a fearful head cold; fearful poverty.

  Being fearful of the unknown causes me to miss out on many life adventures.

• fearless,
• flexible,
• friendly,
• funny,
• gentle,
• genuine,
• generous,
• greedy,
• gregarious,
• grateful,
• happy,
• harmonious,
• healthy,
• helpful,
• honest,
• humble,
• immature,
• impolite,
• impulsive,
• independent,
• intelligent,
• insincere,
• intolerant,
• jealous,
• jolly,
• jovial,
• joyful,
• jubilant,
• judgmental,
• Kind means:
  1. of a good or benevolent nature or disposition, as a person: a kind and loving person.
  2. having, showing, or proceeding from benevolence: kind words.
  3. indulgent, considerate, or helpful; humane (often fol. by to): to be kind to animals.
  4. mild; gentle; clement: kind weather.
  5. British Dialect. loving; affectionate.

  Being a kind person made people more accepting of her when she had bad moods or was arrogant.

  In this list of character traits, some stand out as seemingly more important. Being a kind person is one of those words and character traits that add love to your life.

• level-headed,
• light-hearted,
• lovable,
• loving,
• loyal,
• maddening,
• malicious,
• marvelous,
• meek,
• mischievous,
• moody,
• mysterious,
• naïve,
• naughty,
• neat,
• nervous,
• nice,
• obedient,
• obnoxious,
• observant,
• optimistic,
• opulent,
• peaceful,
• persuasive,
• practical,
• prideful
• punctual,
• quizzical,
• real,
• realistic,
• religious,
• respectful,
• responsible,
• rigid,
• righteous,
• sarcastic,
• self-accepting,
• sincere,
• shallow,
• shady,
• silent,
• spirited,
• spiritual,
• tactful,
• treacherous,
• truthful, and
• understanding.

Thus an important part of childrens learning can come from ...

Character Education Lessons that Nurture your Child's Heart with Good Character Traits

If you like, you can have your child make lists of

• good character traits,
• bad character traits,
• character traits of leaders,
• Christian character traits, and
• other categories for a list of character traits.

If you'd like to explore a few character education lessons and other character education resources, check out character education lessons.



The information and art found on List of Character Traits is the property of Childrens Educational Books.