Melancholy, malaise and other moods that deserve better names.
wrothadjective · Old English A state of deep, settled anger that feels quite biblical in its intensity.
It sounds like a heavy sigh escaping from the mouth of a disgruntled medieval king.
“He was wroth with his neighbor for pruning the hedge an inch too far into his property.”
Derived from the Old English wrāth, appearing in the 12th century; a classic term for furious indignation.
Describes someone who is stubbornly angry, defiant, and possessed of a wilful, rebellious temper.
A delightful reminder that our tempers are often just indigestion of the soul.
“The teenager was particularly stomachful when asked to complete his chores before going out.”
First recorded in the mid-16th century, referring to the 'stomach' as the seat of pride and anger.
A regional term describing a person who is sulky, irritable, and prone to abrupt fits of anger.
Sounds exactly like the grumpy, muffled noise a person makes before they stomp out of a room.
“The old farmer was quite chuff this morning because the rain had ruined his hay harvest.”
A dialect word common in the Midlands and North of England, first noted in the 17th century.
irefuladjective · 14th century Filled with or showing intense, concentrated anger.
The quintessential word for when you need to be furious without using a vulgarity.
“The manager sent an ireful email to the department after the project deadline was missed.”
From Middle English ire, rooted in the Latin ira, appearing in records as early as the 1300s.
Characterized by an excessively exuberant, frivolous, or unrestrained state of happiness.
It tumbles off the tongue like a child spinning in circles until they simply must fall down.
“The children were in a giddy-gaudy state of excitement after hearing the circus had come to town.”
A regional reduplicative term, documented in northern English dialect collections of the 19th century.
In a manner that is playful, merry, and full of spirited enjoyment.
This word skips across the page with a mischievous glint in its eye.
“The lambs hopped frolicly across the meadow as the first signs of spring warmed the earth.”
Formed from the Dutch vrolijk, entering English usage around the early 1600s to describe light fun.
Full of joy, lightheartedness, or a carefree state of mind.
A word that sounds exactly like a spring morning feels.
“She walked through the meadow with a blitheful skip in her step.”
Formed in the 16th century from the Old English blithe and the suffix -ful. It captures the essence of joyousness that predates our flatter modern vocabulary.
Feeling bold, lively, and in high spirits, often with a hint of self-satisfaction.
An excellent way to describe someone who is perhaps a little too pleased with themselves.
“He felt quite crouse after winning the local chess tournament.”
Of uncertain origin, likely appearing in Middle English, recorded in northern and Scottish dialects as meaning spirited or brisk.
fainadjective · Old English Pleased or willing to do something under the circumstances.
A refined way to say you are perfectly happy to oblige.
“I would be fain to accept your invitation to tea.”
Deriving from the Old English fægen, it has been used since at least the 10th century to denote a state of gladness.
cantyadjective · 18th century Used to describe someone, typically an older person, who is cheerful, lively, and in good health.
The perfect descriptor for the spirited elderly relative who outruns everyone.
“Even at eighty, he remains as canty as a man half his age.”
A Northern English and Scottish word of obscure origin, likely related to the German kantig or similar concepts of vigor, appearing in 18th-century dialect collections.
winlyadjective · Middle English Joyous, pleasant, and charming in manner.
It carries the literal meaning of joy within its very syllables.
“The winly host ensured everyone felt welcomed immediately upon arrival.”
Derived from the Old English wynn, meaning joy or delight, this lovely term flourished in Middle English texts.
Despair; the loss of all hope.
Hope, gone slightly pale.
“A wanhope settled over the house in November.”
Middle English, from Old English wan-, 'lacking', + hope.
A fit of low spirits; the doldrums, but sillier.
Sadness at its most ridiculous.
“She had a case of the mubblefubbles and cancelled everything.”
16th century; a whimsical formation, probably imitative of mumbling complaint.
Spiritual sloth; the listlessness that comes of not caring.
Procrastination with a theology degree.
“Accidie, not laziness, kept him at the window all afternoon.”
Middle English, from Latin acedia, from Greek akēdia, 'non-caring'.