Personality Traits List – 137+ Examples of Personality Traits

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Looking for a list of personality traits? Here’s a list of 145 personality traits and qualities with examples.

Personality traits are the distinguishing personality aharacteristics and qualities that make each individual unique. They shape our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, influencing how we interact with others and perceive the world around us.

If you’ve ever taken a personality test, you know many traits make up our personalities. Some traits may be more dominant, while others may only emerge in certain situations. 

Understanding the broad range of personality traits and your personal attributes can help you better understand yourself and how you relate to others. 

In this post you can find a list of common personality traits + free printable personality traits lists.

Personality traits list (in alphabetical order)

Here’s a list of 145 common personality traits in alphabetical order.

This list is not exhaustive and does not include all traits, but it’s pretty thorough and an excellent tool to define them.

Download personality traits list PDF (in alphabetical order)

Download the personality traits list PDF in alphabetical order. You can download the printable lists by clicking the download link under the images.

Paper size: US letter, but some are resizable (to A4 and other sizes).

All designs (free printables) ©SaturdayGift Ltd. For personal use only, not to be copied, distributed, altered, or sold.

Want the personality traits lists by categories instead? You can find them next + the Personality Trait lists divided into positive and negative traits PDFs.

Personality trait list (by category)

Here’s a list of 79 positive and 66 negative personality traits.

In this list, the personality traits are categorized under positive personality traits and negative personality traits.

This is one way of categorizing the traits. So please use these categories as a guide and not as an absolute method of defining personality traits.

Please also note that certain personality traits can exhibit both positive and negative aspects, contingent upon their expression and the given circumstances.

Positive Personality Trait List

RELATED POST: Positive Character Traits List – 100 Good Qualities & Examples

Negative Personality Trait List

RELATED POST: Negative Character Traits List – 98 Negative Qualities & Examples

Download personality traits list PDF (by category)

Here, you can download the free printable personality trait lists.

You can download the printable list of traits by clicking the download links under the images.

78 Examples of positive personality traits – List

#	Positive Personality Trait	Example
1	Adaptable	Easily adjusts to changing circumstances.
2	Adventurous	Enjoys taking risks and trying new experiences.
3	Ambitious	Driven to achieve goals and succeed.
4	Analytical	Relies on logical thinking and data-driven analysis.
5	Assertive	Confidently expresses thoughts and opinions.
6	Caring	Exhibits kindness and concern for others.
7	Charismatic	Attracts and influences others with charm.
8	Cheerful	Positively spirited and optimistic.
9	Compassionate	Shows deep concern for the well-being of others.
10	Confident	Self-assured and believes in one’s abilities.
11	Conscientious	Demonstrates a sense of responsibility and attention to detail.
12	Considerate	Thoughtful of others’ needs and feelings.
13	Courageous	Faces challenges and fears with bravery.
14	Creative	Possesses a vivid imagination and innovative ideas.
15	Curious	Eager to learn and explore new ideas and experiences.
16	Decisive	Capable of making firm and timely decisions.
17	Determined	Unwavering in the pursuit of goals and aspirations.
18	Diligent	Shows a strong work ethic and thoroughness.
19	Diplomatic	Tactful and skilled in handling sensitive matters.
20	Discerning	Demonstrates keen insight and good judgment.
21	Ebullient	Exudes enthusiasm and high spirits.
22	Efficient	Accomplishes tasks quickly and effectively, minimizing wasted resources.
23	Eloquent	Expresses thoughts and ideas fluently.
24	Empathetic	Understands and shares the feelings of others.
25	Empowering	Inspires and uplifts others to reach their potential.
26	Energetic	Full of vitality and enthusiasm.
27	Enthusiastic	Excited and passionate about endeavors.
28	Flexible	Adapts to various situations and challenges.
29	Forthright	Honest and direct in communication.
30	Friendly	Warm and welcoming in social interactions.
31	Generous	Willing to share and give to others.
32	Genuine	Authentic and true to oneself.
33	Goal-oriented	Focused on achieving specific objectives and outcomes.
34	Gracious	Courteous and appreciative in interactions.
35	Hardworking	Diligent and committed to putting in sustained effort.
36	Honest	Truthful and straightforward in communication.
37	Humble	Modest and not boastful about accomplishments.
38	Independent	Self-reliant and capable of self-sufficiency.
39	Innovative	Creative and capable of generating new and original ideas.
40	Inquisitive	Curious and eager to learn.
41	Intrepid	Fearless and willing to face difficult situations.
42	Kind-hearted	Displays a compassionate and gentle nature.
43	Logical	Uses reason and rationality in problem-solving.
44	Loyal	Devoted and committed to friends and loved ones.
45	Mature	Displays emotional and intellectual maturity.
46	Methodical	Follows systematic and organized approaches to tasks and problem-solving.
47	Meticulous	Pays close attention to detail and accuracy.
48	Moderate	Practices balance and avoids extreme behaviors or opinions.
49	Modest	Humble and unassuming about achievements.
50	Motivated	Driven and committed to personal and professional growth.
51	Objective	Maintains a neutral and unbiased perspective in assessing situations or information.
52	Open-minded	Willing to consider different perspectives.
53	Optimistic	Always sees the bright side of situations.
54	Organized	Maintains order and structure in tasks and activities.
55	Patient	Capable of waiting calmly in difficult situations.
56	Persevering	Persistent and determined in achieving goals.
57	Practical	Approaches tasks and decisions with a focus on efficiency and functionality.
58	Productive	Achieves a high level of output and accomplishment.
59	Punctual	Arrives on time and values timeliness.
60	Rational	Applies logic and reason to decision-making.
61	Reflective	Thinks deeply and critically about experiences.
62	Reliable	Trustworthy and dependable in responsibilities.
63	Reserved	Tends to be quiet and discreet in social interactions.
64	Resilient	Bounces back from adversity with strength.
65	Resourceful	Finds ingenious solutions to complex challenges.
66	Respectful	Treats others with courtesy and esteem.
67	Responsible	Trustworthy and accountable for one’s actions and obligations.
68	Sage	Possesses wisdom and good judgment.
69	Self-disciplined	Maintains control over one’s behavior and actions.
70	Sincere	Genuine and honest in intentions and actions.
71	Sociable	Enjoys and engages in social interactions.
72	Spirited	Full of energy and vitality.
73	Supportive	Provides assistance and encouragement to others.
74	Tactful	Skillful in handling delicate or challenging situations.
75	Tenacious	Persistent and unwavering in pursuing goals.
76	Tolerant	Accepting of differences and diverse perspectives.
77	Understanding	Sympathetic and empathetic toward others.
78	Unflappable	Remains calm and composed under pressure.
79	Unyielding	Stands firm in principles and values.

Download positive personality traits lists with examples

DOWNLOAD: Positive Personality Traits List – Examples of Positive Personality Traits PDF – 2 PAGES

66 Examples of negative personality traits – list

#	Negative Personality Trait	Example
1	Apathetic	Displays a lack of interest or enthusiasm.
2	Arrogant	Exhibits excessive pride and self-importance.
3	Boastful	Exaggerates achievements or qualities.
4	Careless	Exhibits a lack of attention to detail, leading to errors and mistakes.
5	Closed-minded	Refuses to entertain or explore different perspectives or ideas.
6	Complacent	Experiences self-satisfaction that hinders the drive for improvement.
7	Cruel	Deliberately inflicts pain or suffering on others.
8	Cynical	Distrustful and pessimistic about others’ motives.
9	Defensive	Reacts to criticism with denial and hostility.
10	Dependent	Relies heavily on others for support or validation.
11	Dishonest	Engages in deceitful or untruthful behavior.
12	Disrespectful	Behaves rudely or inconsiderately toward others.
13	Dogmatic	Clings to rigid beliefs and is unwilling to consider alternative viewpoints.
14	Egocentric	Puts self-interest above all else.
15	Greedy	Excessively desires wealth or possessions.
16	Gullible	Easily believes and accepts information without critical evaluation.
17	Hypocritical	Contradicts one’s own values or standards.
18	Ignorant	Lacks knowledge or awareness in various areas, often due to neglect or indifference.
19	Impatient	Finds it difficult to wait or tolerate delays.
20	Impulsive	Acts without forethought or consideration of consequences.
21	Inconsistent	Demonstrates irregular or unpredictable behaviors or actions.
22	Indecisive	Struggles to make decisions or choices.
23	Indifferent	Shows apathy or disinterest in matters.
24	Inefficient	Fails to complete tasks or assignments effectively and promptly.
25	Inept	Demonstrates a lack of skill or competence in various tasks or areas.
26	Insecure	Lacks confidence and often doubts oneself.
27	Insubordinate	Disobedient or defiant towards authority figures in a work setting.
28	Intolerant	Shows a lack of acceptance toward differences.
29	Irritable	Easily provoked to anger or annoyance.
30	Jealous	Envious of others’ success or possessions.
31	Lazy	Lacks motivation and avoids exerting effort.
32	Manipulative	Tries to control or deceive others for personal gain.
33	Materialistic	Places high value on material possessions.
34	Melodramatic	Overreacts or exaggerates emotions for attention.
35	Moocher	Habitually takes advantage of others.
36	Moody	Experiences frequent and unpredictable shifts in mood or temperament.
37	Nagging	Constantly complains or criticizes others.
38	Narcissistic	Excessively self-centered and self-absorbed.
39	Neurotic	Exhibits excessive anxiety and irrational behaviors.
40	Obnoxious	Behaves in an unpleasant or offensive manner.
41	Overbearing	Excessively controlling or domineering.
42	Overcritical	Excessively judgmental and critical of others.
43	Overly Competitive	Strives excessively to outperform others.
44	Pessimistic	Focuses on the negative aspects of situations.
45	Prejudice	Holds biased or prejudiced views against certain groups or individuals.
46	Procrastinating	Delays tasks or responsibilities unnecessarily.
47	Reckless	Acts without concern for consequences or safety.
48	Rigid	Resists change and new ideas, has inflexible thoughts and behavior patterns.
49	Rude	Exhibits impolite or disrespectful behavior towards others.
50	Sarcastic	Uses mocking or ironic remarks to belittle others.
51	Scheming	Plots and plans for personal gain or advantage.
52	Secretive	Withholds information or keeps secrets from others.
53	Selfish	Places one’s interests above those of others.
54	Simplistic thinking	Approaches complex issues with overly simplified or shallow reasoning.
55	Spiteful	Deliberately seeks to harm or hurt others.
56	Stubborn	Refuses to change opinions or course of action.
57	Superficial	Values appearances and surface-level attributes.
58	Unaccountable	Evades responsibility for actions or decisions.
59	Unappreciative	Fails to recognize or acknowledge kindness and efforts made by others.
60	Uncooperative	Resists working with others or following instructions.
61	Unmotivated	Lacks enthusiasm and drive to accomplish tasks or goals.
62	Unprofessional	Displays behaviors or attitudes that are not suitable for a professional environment.
63	Unreliable	Fails to fulfill commitments or promises consistently.
64	Untrustworthy	Cannot be relied upon to keep commitments.
65	Vague	Lacks clarity and precision in communication.
66	Vindictive	Seeks revenge and holds grudges.

Download negative personality traits lists with examples

DOWNLOAD: Negative Personality Traits List – Examples of Negative Personality Traits PDF – 2 PAGES

What is personality made of?

Personality consists of both inherent and learned traits and is made up of both nature and nurture. 

While some personality traits may be inherited, others can be influenced by our environment, upbringing, and life experiences.

Inherent or genetic traits are believed to be present at birth and are influenced by our genes, while learned traits develop and evolve through life experiences. 

Our environment, upbringing, and culture also influence personality traits. 

What are personality traits? 

Personality traits are enduring patterns of feelings, thoughts, and behaviors that make each individual unique. 

They can be positive and negative, and they often interact to create complex behavioral patterns. 

Personality traits imply consistency and stability but can change over time as individuals mature and experience life events. 

How to define personality traits

Personality traits are usually defined as enduring patterns of behaviors, thoughts, and feelings that make up an individual’s character. 

They are relatively stable over time and can be observed across different situations. 

Many theories and models attempt to categorize and explain personality traits. 

One popular model is the Big Five or Five Factor Model, which includes five broad traits of personality: extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness to experience.

Other popular theories include the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), which categorizes individuals into 16 personality types based on four main dimensions: introversion/extroversion, sensing/intuition, thinking/feeling, and judging/perceiving.

Why knowing personality traits is important?

Personality traits are the individual characteristics and qualities that make up a person’s overall behavior, thoughts, and emotions. 

They determine how we perceive and interact with the world around us and how others perceive us.

These traits play a crucial role in shaping our attitudes, beliefs, and actions. 

They influence our decision-making process, communication style, relationships, career success, and well-being. 

In short, someone’s personality traits are what make them unique individuals.

Understanding and identifying our own personality traits can help us better understand ourselves, our strengths, and areas for growth. It also allows us to understand others better and how they may differ from us. This knowledge can improve our relationships and interactions with others professionally and personally.

Is personality and character the same?

Personality and character are often used interchangeably, but there is a distinct difference between the two. 

Personality refers to a combination of traits that make up an individual’s unique identity and behavior. Genetics and early life experiences mainly influence it.

On the other hand, the character is more related to moral values, beliefs, and principles. It reflects a person’s ethical and moral standards and is often shaped by experiences, upbringing, and society. 

While personality may be more innate, character can be developed and improved over time.

We use personality traits to describe people – their behavior and characteristics, while we use character to tell their moral values and principles. Both are essential aspects of an individual’s identity and play a role in shaping their overall personality.

RELATED POST: Personality vs. Character – What’s the difference between personality and character

Big five personality traits

The Big Five Personality Traits, also known as the Five-Factor Model (FFM), is a widely accepted framework among personality psychologists that describes human personality based on five broad dimensions.

There are many ways to assess personality types, but the Big Five traits are considered some of the most comprehensive and widely accepted.

Here’s an overview of each of the major traits of the Big Five:

• Openness: This trait describes a person’s imagination and openness to new experiences, ideas, and emotions. People who score high in this trait are often creative, curious, and open-minded.
• Conscientiousness: This character trait refers to a person’s level of organization, responsibility, and self-discipline. People who score high in conscientiousness tend to be reliable, efficient, and goal-oriented.
• Extraversion: This trait measures a person’s level of sociability, assertiveness, and energy. People who score high in extraversion are outgoing, talkative, and often seek out social interactions.
• Agreeableness: This trait describes a person’s tendency to be cooperative, empathetic, and compassionate towards others. People who score high agreeableness are often kind, trusting, and considerate.
• Neuroticism: This trait refers to a person’s emotional stability and tendency to experience negative emotions such as anger, anxiety, and sadness. People who score high in neuroticism may be more easily stressed, experience emotional instability, or be prone to mood swings.

These five personality traits are often depicted as a spectrum, with individuals falling somewhere along each dimension. 

For example, when personality psychologists measure traits, they may ask, “On a scale of 1-10, how open to new experiences do you consider yourself?” 

It’s important to note that most people display a mix of these traits, and the combination of traits can be used to describe a person’s unique personality type profile.

RELATED POST: Big 5 Personality Traits: Introduction to Big Five Personality Traits

Conclusion

Understanding different personality traits can help us better understand ourselves and others. 

Whether recognizing our strengths and weaknesses or learning how to navigate relationships with those with different traits, knowing personality types can be immensely valuable.

However, it’s important to remember that these traits are only one aspect of a person and do not define their entire being. 

Each individual is unique and complex, possessing a combination of attributes to characterize personality traits that make them who they are.

So, while it can be helpful to categorize and understand personality types, it’s also important to recognize the complexity and depth of each person as an individual.

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