Devout (adj): dih-vout
A devout person has deep religious beliefs = pious
Dexterous (adj): dek-struhs
Someone who is dexterous is very skilful and clever with their hands = skillful
Diabolic (adj): dahy-uh-bol-ik
If you describe something as diabolic, you are emphasizing that it is very bad, extreme, or unpleasant = devillish
Diaphanous (adj): dahy-af-uh-nuhs
Diaphanous cloth is very thin and almost transparent = sheer, transparent
Didactic (adj): dahy-dak-tik (305)
Something that is didactic is intended to teach people something, especially a moral lesson = teaching
Diffident (adj): dif-i-duhnt
Someone who is diffident is rather shy and does not enjoy talking about themselves or being noticed by other people = shyness
Dilapidated (adj): dih-lap-i-dey-tid
A building that is dilapidated is old and in a generally bad condition = ruined, decayed
Dilatory (adj): dil-uh-tawr-ee
Someone or something that is dilatory is slow and causes delay = delaying
Dilligent (adj): dil-i-juhnt
Someone who is diligent works hard in a careful and thorough way= hardworking, laborious, industrious
Dire (adj): dahyuhr (310)
Dire is used to emphasize how serious or terrible a situation or event is = awful, desperate
Disarming (adj): dis-ahr-ming
If someone or something is disarming, they make you feel less angry or hostile = cheerful
Discernible (adj): dih-sur-nuh-buhl
If something is discernible, you can see it or recognize that it exists = distinguishable, perceivable
Discerning (adj): dih-sur-ning, -zur-
If you describe someone as discerning, you mean that they are able to judge which things of a particular kind are good and which are bad = mentally quick
Discombobulated (adj): dis-kuhm-bob-yuh-leyt
completely confused
Disconcerted (adj): dis-kuhn-surt (315)
If you are disconcerted, you feel anxious, confused, or embarrassed = upset
Disconsolate (adj): dis-kon-suh-lit
Someone who is disconsolate is very unhappy and depressed = dejected, sad
Discordant (adj): dis-kawr-dnt
Something that is discordant is strange or unpleasant because it does not fit in with other things = conflicting
Discreet (adj): dih-skreet
If you are discreet, you are polite and careful in what you do or say, because you want to avoid embarrassing or offending someone = polite and careful
Discrete (adj): dih-skreet
Discrete ideas or things are separate and distinct from each other = separate
Discursive (adj):dih-skur-siv (320)
If a style of writing is discursive, it includes a lot of facts or opinions that are not necessarily relevant = digressive, rambling
Disdainful (adj): dis-deyn-fuhl
To be disdainful means to dislike something or someone because you think they are unimportant or not worth your attention = scornful, comtempt
Disheveled (adj): dih-shev-uhld
If you describe someone's hair, clothes, or appearance as dishevelled, you mean that it is very untidy = untidy
Disingenuous (adj): dis-in-jen-yoo-uhs
Someone who is disingenuous is slightly dishonest and insincere in what they say = deceitful
Disinterested (adj): dis-in-tuh-res-tid
Someone who is disinterested is not involved in a particular situation or not likely to benefit from it and is therefore able to act in a fair and unselfish way= impartial
Disjointed (adj): dis-join-tid (325)
Disjointed words, thoughts, or ideas are not presented in a smooth or logical way and are therefore difficult to understand = divided
Disparate (adj): dis-per-it, dih-spar-
Disparate things are clearly different from each other in quality or type = diverse
Dispassionate (adj): dis-pash-uh-nit
Someone who is dispassionate is calm and reasonable, and not affected by emotions = detached, calm, impartial
Dispirited (adj): dih-spir-i-tid
If you are dispirited, you have lost your enthusiasm and excitement = dejected, depressed
Disputatious (adj): dis-pyoo-tey-shuhs
fond of argument = argumentative
Dissolute (adj): dis-uh-loot (330)
Someone who is dissolute does not care at all about morals and lives in a way that is considered to be wicked and immoral = degenerate, loose in morals
Distraught (adj): dih-strawt
If someone is distraught, they are so upset and worried that they cannot think clearly = upset,
Diverse (adj): dih-vurs
If a group or range of things is diverse, it is made up of a wide variety of things = various
Diurnal (adj): dahy-ur-nl
Diurnal means happening or active during the daytime
Docile (adj): dos-uhl
A person or animal that is docile is quiet, not aggressive, and easily controlled = manageble
Doddering (adj): dod-er-ing (335)
If you refer to someone as a doddering old man or woman, you are saying in a disrespectful way that they are old and not strong = clumsy
Dogmatic (adj): dawg-mat-ik, dog-
If you say that someone is dogmatic, you are critical of them because they are convinced that they are right, and refuse to consider that other opinions might also be justified = opinionated
Doleful (adj): dohl-fuh
A doleful expression, manner, or voice is depressing and miserable = mournful
Dolorous (adj): dol-er-uhs
sorrowful, sad
Dormant (adj): dawr-muhnt
Something that is dormant is not active, growing, or being used at the present time but is capable of becoming active later on = sleepy, lethargic
Dorsal (adj): dawr-suhl (340)
Dorsal means relating to the back of a fish or animal = back
Doting (adj): doh-ting
If you say that someone is, for example, a doting mother, husband, or friend, you mean that they show a lot of love for someone = excessive fondness
Doughty (adj): dou-tee
If you describe someone as a doughty fighter, you mean they are brave, determined, and not easily defeated
Dour (adj): door
If you describe someone as dour, you mean that they are very serious and unfriendly = sullen, stubborn
Dowdy (adj): dou-dee
If you describe someone or their clothes as dowdy, you mean their clothes are dull and unfashionable= slovenly, untidy
Draconian (adj): drey-koh-nee-uhn (345)
Draconian laws or measures are extremely harsh and severe = very harsh
Droll (adj): drohl
Something or someone that is droll is amusing or witty, sometimes in an unexpected way = queer and amusing
Dubious (adj): doo-bee-uhs, dyoo-
If you describe something as dubious, you mean that you do not consider it to be completely honest, safe, or reliable = doubtful
Dulcet (adj): duhl-sit
People often use the expression dulcet tones to refer to someone’s voice = sweet-sounding
Duplicitous (adj): doo-plis-i-tuhs
Someone who is duplicitous is deceitful = crafty
Dynamic (adj): dahy-nam-ik (350)
If you describe someone as dynamic, you approve of them because they are full of energy or full of new and exciting ideas = active, efficient
A devout person has deep religious beliefs = pious
He is a devout Christian
Dexterous (adj): dek-struhs
Someone who is dexterous is very skilful and clever with their hands = skillful
AR rehman is a dextrous piano player
Diabolic (adj): dahy-uh-bol-ik
If you describe something as diabolic, you are emphasizing that it is very bad, extreme, or unpleasant = devillish
Conditions in the prison were said to be diabolical
Diaphanous (adj): dahy-af-uh-nuhs
Diaphanous cloth is very thin and almost transparent = sheer, transparent
A diaphanous silk veil looks very graceful
Didactic (adj): dahy-dak-tik (305)
Something that is didactic is intended to teach people something, especially a moral lesson = teaching
The didactic qualities of this movie are more important than the entertainment it provides
Diffident (adj): dif-i-duhnt
Someone who is diffident is rather shy and does not enjoy talking about themselves or being noticed by other people = shyness
He was modest and diffident about his own success
Dilapidated (adj): dih-lap-i-dey-tid
A building that is dilapidated is old and in a generally bad condition = ruined, decayed
The legislative building is in a state of dilapidation
Dilatory (adj): dil-uh-tawr-ee
Someone or something that is dilatory is slow and causes delay = delaying
The government has been dilatory in dealing with the problem of unemployment
Dilligent (adj): dil-i-juhnt
Someone who is diligent works hard in a careful and thorough way= hardworking, laborious, industrious
After a diligent search, the police found the missing child
Dire (adj): dahyuhr (310)
Dire is used to emphasize how serious or terrible a situation or event is = awful, desperate
He was in dire need of hospital treatment
Disarming (adj): dis-ahr-ming
If someone or something is disarming, they make you feel less angry or hostile = cheerful
I expected him to be angry, but he gave me a disarming smile
If something is discernible, you can see it or recognize that it exists = distinguishable, perceivable
Far away the outline of the island is just discernible
Discerning (adj): dih-sur-ning, -zur-
If you describe someone as discerning, you mean that they are able to judge which things of a particular kind are good and which are bad = mentally quick
Because he was considered the most discerning member of the firm, he was assigned the most difficult cases
completely confused
The speaker was completely discombobulated by the questions from the audiance
Disconcerted (adj): dis-kuhn-surt (315)
If you are disconcerted, you feel anxious, confused, or embarrassed = upset
Her angry reply disconcerted me completely
Disconsolate (adj): dis-kon-suh-lit
Someone who is disconsolate is very unhappy and depressed = dejected, sad
He did not have much success, but tried not to get too disconsolate
Discordant (adj): dis-kawr-dnt
Something that is discordant is strange or unpleasant because it does not fit in with other things = conflicting
The discordant results confused the scientists team
Discreet (adj): dih-skreet
If you are discreet, you are polite and careful in what you do or say, because you want to avoid embarrassing or offending someone = polite and careful
He assured her that he would be discreet about her background
Discrete (adj): dih-skreet
Discrete ideas or things are separate and distinct from each other = separate
The universe is composed of discrete bodies
Discursive (adj):dih-skur-siv (320)
If a style of writing is discursive, it includes a lot of facts or opinions that are not necessarily relevant = digressive, rambling
The student lost marks in the group discussion because of the discursive nature of their delivery
Disdainful (adj): dis-deyn-fuhl
To be disdainful means to dislike something or someone because you think they are unimportant or not worth your attention = scornful, comtempt
The oldman is disdainful of the modern movies
Disheveled (adj): dih-shev-uhld
If you describe someone's hair, clothes, or appearance as dishevelled, you mean that it is very untidy = untidy
She arrived flushed and dishevelled
Disingenuous (adj): dis-in-jen-yoo-uhs
Someone who is disingenuous is slightly dishonest and insincere in what they say = deceitful
It would be disingenuous to claim that this is great art
Disinterested (adj): dis-in-tuh-res-tid
Someone who is disinterested is not involved in a particular situation or not likely to benefit from it and is therefore able to act in a fair and unselfish way= impartial
Umpires, of course, can be expected to be impartial and disinterested
Disjointed (adj): dis-join-tid (325)
Disjointed words, thoughts, or ideas are not presented in a smooth or logical way and are therefore difficult to understand = divided
His remarks were so disjointed that we could not follow his reasoning
Disparate (adj): dis-per-it, dih-spar-
Disparate things are clearly different from each other in quality or type = diverse
It is difficult, if not impossible, to organize these disparate elements into a coherent whole
Dispassionate (adj): dis-pash-uh-nit
Someone who is dispassionate is calm and reasonable, and not affected by emotions = detached, calm, impartial
The blue eyes searched her face with a dispassionate curiousity
If you are dispirited, you have lost your enthusiasm and excitement = dejected, depressed
He finally left for home, utterly dispirited and bone-tired
Disputatious (adj): dis-pyoo-tey-shuhs
fond of argument = argumentative
She is a very disputatious person by nature and just falls for any bait
Dissolute (adj): dis-uh-loot (330)
Someone who is dissolute does not care at all about morals and lives in a way that is considered to be wicked and immoral = degenerate, loose in morals
Sadie returns to Seattle from a dissolute road journey
Distraught (adj): dih-strawt
If someone is distraught, they are so upset and worried that they cannot think clearly = upset,
His distraught parents were being comforted by relatives
Diverse (adj): dih-vurs
If a group or range of things is diverse, it is made up of a wide variety of things = various
There are diverse ways of approaching this problem
Diurnal (adj): dahy-ur-nl
Diurnal means happening or active during the daytime
Diurnal flowers are open during the day and closed at night
Docile (adj): dos-uhl
A person or animal that is docile is quiet, not aggressive, and easily controlled = manageble
The docile student was ill-treated by his roommates
Doddering (adj): dod-er-ing (335)
If you refer to someone as a doddering old man or woman, you are saying in a disrespectful way that they are old and not strong = clumsy
Couldn't get round that doddering old snail
Dogmatic (adj): dawg-mat-ik, dog-
If you say that someone is dogmatic, you are critical of them because they are convinced that they are right, and refuse to consider that other opinions might also be justified = opinionated
He is very dogmatic in his approach and does not care about others
Doleful (adj): dohl-fuh
A doleful expression, manner, or voice is depressing and miserable = mournful
He gave me a long, doleful look
Dolorous (adj): dol-er-uhs
sorrowful, sad
The dolorous conversation of the bereaved family greatly disturbed me
Dormant (adj): dawr-muhnt
Something that is dormant is not active, growing, or being used at the present time but is capable of becoming active later on = sleepy, lethargic
The dormant valcano suddenly came into life
Dorsal (adj): dawr-suhl (340)
Dorsal means relating to the back of a fish or animal = back
Because of a severe pain in the dorsal region, he cannot sleep straight
If you say that someone is, for example, a doting mother, husband, or friend, you mean that they show a lot of love for someone = excessive fondness
His doting parents bought him his first racing bike at 13
Doughty (adj): dou-tee
If you describe someone as a doughty fighter, you mean they are brave, determined, and not easily defeated
Being a doughty young man of the village, he was respected by people of all ages
Dour (adj): door
If you describe someone as dour, you mean that they are very serious and unfriendly = sullen, stubborn
Our normally dour class teacher looks quite friendly today
Dowdy (adj): dou-dee
If you describe someone or their clothes as dowdy, you mean their clothes are dull and unfashionable= slovenly, untidy
She tried to change her dowdy image by buying a new fashionable wardrobe
Draconian (adj): drey-koh-nee-uhn (345)
Draconian laws or measures are extremely harsh and severe = very harsh
Chinese government implemented draconian measures to control population growth
Droll (adj): drohl
Something or someone that is droll is amusing or witty, sometimes in an unexpected way = queer and amusing
He was a popular guest because his droll stories were always entertaining
Dubious (adj): doo-bee-uhs, dyoo-
If you describe something as dubious, you mean that you do not consider it to be completely honest, safe, or reliable = doubtful
The claims are dubious and not scientifically proven
Dulcet (adj): duhl-sit
People often use the expression dulcet tones to refer to someone’s voice = sweet-sounding
The family came to the terrace to listen to the dulcet duet of the birds
Duplicitous (adj): doo-plis-i-tuhs
Someone who is duplicitous is deceitful = crafty
I did not trust the duplicitous clerk, so I took the matter to the officer-in- charge
Dynamic (adj): dahy-nam-ik (350)
If you describe someone as dynamic, you approve of them because they are full of energy or full of new and exciting ideas = active, efficient
He’s young and dynamic and will give an impetus to the whole thing
