보캐23--More Specific Nouns

 

 

More Specific Nouns

 

There ar many nouns that can replace general nouns to describe specific people, places, things, and ideas. Some examples follow. Formal indicates that the word is used mainly in writing. Informal indicates that the word is used mainly in conversation. Slang indicates that the word is very informal and that it is currently in style.

 

Words for People

 

boy: a male child from birth to age eighteen

My sister has three children, two boys and a girl.

 

bum: a person who makes no effort to succeed

She says her neighbor is a lazy bum.

 

dude: a man who pays a lot of attention to his clothes

Her new boyfriend is a handsome dude.

 

form of address to a friend (slang)

“Dude, we’re having a party; come on over.”

 

a stranger (slang)

I was walking down the street and that dude started talking to me.

 

gentleman: a man with good manners

Your brother is a perfect gentleman.

 

girl: a female child from birth to age eighteen

Your daughter is a lovely girl.

 

a young, unmarried woman

Our neighbor is a girl who is in law school.

 

guy: a boy or man (informal)

That guy who works at the drugstore is very helpful.

 

kid: a male or female child (informal)

There are a lot of kids in that family.

 

lady: a woman with good manners

The lady who lives across the street is a teacher.

 

man: an adult male

There are six men in the study group.

 

tomboy: a girl who likes to play boy’s games

When I was ten years old I was a real tomboy.

 

woman: an adult female

I met an interesting woman at the meeting.

 

young lady: a young woman good manners

The girls have grown up and are now charming young ladies.

 

youth: a young man

One of the youths at the convention gave a good speech.

 

young people

The youth of today have many opportunities.

 

exercise

 

Replace each italicized word with a more descriptive one from the previous list.

 

1. How many children does she have? _______

2. Did you notice the boy in the yellow shirt? _______

3. My brother’s new girl friend is an accomplished girl. _______

4. I don’t want to be a lazy person who has no ambition. _______