Mastering Advanced English Vocabulary: Describing Appearance
Introduction
Welcome, lovely students, to another exciting lesson with English with Lucy. Today, we're diving deep into the topic of appearance, but we're going beyond the basic phrases you might have learned when you first started studying English. Instead, we're going to explore advanced vocabulary at the C1 and even C2 levels. This lesson is designed for those who love words and want to elevate their English skills to a higher level.
Background or Problem Statement
Context
When learning English, many students start with simple phrases to describe appearance, such as "I have blonde hair and blue eyes." While these are useful, they can become limiting as you advance in your studies. This lesson aims to supercharge your vocabulary, enabling you to describe appearance in a more nuanced and sophisticated manner.
Problem
Many advanced English learners struggle to find the right words to describe appearance at a higher level. This can make their speech and writing seem basic, even if their understanding of the language is advanced. This article addresses this issue by providing a rich vocabulary that can be used to describe appearance in more detail.
Main Content
Advanced Vocabulary for Describing Appearance
Key Point 1: Childhood Descriptions
Let's start with childhood. I've nearly always had long hair, and my cascade of blonde hair made me look quite angelic when I was little. However, a quick chat with my parents would soon dispel that misconception. My brother was adorable with gorgeous dimples that people sometimes teased him about, but I always adored them.
Angelic: This word means like an angel, and can describe both appearance and personality. Example: "Ali had an angelic smile, and no one could stay angry with her for long."
Dimple: A small crease or indentation next to your mouth, often appearing when you smile. Example: "Whenever she smiled, her dimples would appear, making her look even more charming."
Key Point 2: Teenage Years
During my teenage years, appearance was quite important to me. One of the first things I did when I turned 13 was grab a pair of tweezers and pluck my eyebrows into submission. I regret it so much. I also used to compare myself to my friends a lot, especially regarding my complexion. I've always been quite pale and used to be jealous of my friends who would come back after the summer holidays totally sunkist. I've always been vertically challenged, which never really bothered me. On the other hand, my husband Will was very lanky when he was a teenager, but he's filled out now.
Tweezers: A tool used for grasping and removing small objects like splinters or hairs. Example: "Alex used tweezers to remove a thorn from his finger."
To pluck: To pull out hairs with tweezers or fingers. Example: "Jules plucked her eyebrows every week to maintain a neat appearance."
Complexion: The natural color, texture, and appearance of your skin, especially your face. Example: "Lots of English people have quite a pale complexion and burn badly in the sun."
Sunkist: Tanned, having a brownish skin color due to sun exposure. Example: "Jane looked like a vision with her summer dress and sunkist skin."
Vertically challenged: A humorous way to refer to someone who is short. Example: "Ruth was only five foot tall and often joked about being vertically challenged."
Lanky: Tall and thin in a slightly awkward way. Example: "As a teenager, Benji was lanky and had to grow into his long limbs."
Key Point 3: Present Day
At 29, my worries about appearance have nearly faded. I believe it's what's on the inside that counts. If you saw me walking my dog on a wet January morning, I usually look fairly unkempt with windswept hair and scrappy clothes. However, I do try to take care of myself and think I scrub up fairly well. One of the things I'm working on is my posture, as I believe it can change how you feel and how others perceive you.
It's what's on the inside that counts: This phrase means that character and values are more important than looks. Example: "She believes that true beauty comes from kindness and compassion; it's what's on the inside that counts."
Unkempt: Untidy or not properly cared for, usually relating to appearance. Example: "Tom's unkempt hair and wrinkled clothes made it look like he had just rolled out of bed."
Windswept: Looking like you've been in strong wind, often used to describe hair. Example: "You look a bit windswept; have you been outside in the storm?"
Scruffy: Untidy or dirty in appearance. Example: "When I walk my dog, I put on my scruffiest clothes as I know they're going to get muddy."
To scrub up well: To look nice when you make an effort. Example: "Pete is usually in shorts and a t-shirt, but he scrubs up well on special occasions."
Posture: The position you hold your body in, particularly your neck, shoulders, and back when standing or sitting. Example: "Grace used to be a dancer, so she has wonderful posture."
Key Point 4: Future Descriptions
Looking far into the future, I can clearly visualize myself and Will. Will's salt and pepper hair will be popping, and my hair will be white. We'll have more wrinkles and crow's feet around our eyes, but I plan to embrace them as they tell the story of a lifetime of smiles and laughter. There will also be frown lines from when our children do something naughty and stress us out.
Salt and pepper: Refers to hair that has two colors mixed together, often white and black. Example: "Bill's salt and pepper beard gave him a distinguished appearance."
Wrinkle: A small line on the skin, often caused by aging. Example: "There were fine wrinkles across his forehead that showed the passing years."
Crow's feet: Small lines around the corners of your eyes, caused by aging and often associated with laughter and smiling. Example: "Lucy's crow's feet were evidence of a life filled with laughter and joy."
Actionable Advice
- Step 1: Describe your appearance or the appearance of a celebrity or person you adore using the new vocabulary.
- Step 2: Practice incorporating these advanced words and phrases into your daily conversations and writing.
Summary
- Advanced vocabulary for describing appearance can elevate your English skills.
- Words like "angelic," "dimple," "complexion," "sunkist," and "scruffy" add nuance to your descriptions.
- Practice makes perfect; try using these words in your daily life to become more comfortable with them.
- "It's what's on the inside that counts" is a valuable reminder that character and values are more important than looks.
- Embrace the natural changes that come with aging, as they tell the story of a life well-lived.
