Evaluative: Upper-intermediate Spanish vocabulary

204 Spanish words about evaluative at upper-intermediate level. Each entry links to the full meaning, a real example sentence, and usage notes written for English speakers.

• enormeadjectiveenormous, vast
• principaladjectiveprime, principal — most important; first in rank or significance
• particularadjectiveparticular — relating to an individual case; specific rather than general
• voluntarionounvoluntary, optional
• menoradjectiveminor, of little importance
• fundamentaladjectivefundamental — forming a necessary base; of central importance
• preciso/aadjectiveprecise — exact and accurate; sharply defined
• próximoadjectivenext, forthcoming — immediately following in time or order
• esencialadjectiveessential — absolutely necessary, indispensable
• positivoadjectivepositive, favourable
• formaladjectiveformal — following established conventions; suitable for official or serious occasions
• financieroadjectivefinancial
• inmediatoadjectiveimmediate — occurring at once, without delay; also: nearest in time or space
• oficialadjectiveofficial — relating to an authority or public body; formally sanctioned
• globaladjectiveoverall, global — taken as a whole; comprehensive in scope
• evidenteadjectiveevident — clearly apparent, obvious to observe
• idealadjectiveideal — perfectly suited; best possible for a purpose
• inicialadjectiveinitial — at the beginning; first in order or time
• extraordinarioadjectiveextraordinary — very unusual or remarkable, beyond the ordinary
• legaladjectivelegal — permitted by law; relating to the law
• frecuenteadjectivefrequent — occurring often; happening at short intervals
• previoadjectiveprevious, prior — existing or occurring before; earlier
• internoadjectiveinternal — existing or situated within; inside
• falsoadjectivefalse — not true; deceptive, counterfeit
• intensoadjectiveintense, extreme
• continuoadjectiveongoing, continuous — happening or continuing without interruption
• externoadjectiveexternal — coming from or situated outside
• moraladjectivemoral — relating to principles of right and wrong behaviour
• permanenteadjectivepermanent — lasting or intended to last indefinitely
• obligatorioadjectivemandatory, compulsory — required by rule or law; not optional
• inmensoadjectiveimmense — extremely large; vast in extent or degree
• potencialadjectivepotential — having the capacity to develop into something in the future
• notableadjectivenotable — worthy of attention or notice; significant
• fieladjectivefaithful — loyally devoted; also: accurate and true to an original
• prácticoadjectivepractical — concerned with actual use rather than theory; effective in practice
• inevitableadjectiveinevitable — certain to happen and unable to be prevented
• liberaladjectiveliberal — open to new ideas; favouring individual freedom and limited state intervention
• flexibleadjectiveflexible — capable of adapting to changed circumstances; also: easily bent
• obvioadjectiveobvious — easily perceived or understood; clearly apparent
• humildeadjectivehumble — having a modest estimate of one's own importance; of low status
• maduroadjectivemature — fully developed; showing wisdom born of experience
• numerosoadjectivenumerous — large in number; many
• severoadjectiveharsh, severe — stern and demanding; also: extreme in degree
• masivoadjectivemassive — very large in scale or degree; involving large numbers
• gradualadjectivegradual — taking place in stages over time; not sudden
• leveadjectivemild, slight — small in degree; not severe or serious
• inocenteadjectiveinnocent — not guilty of a crime; also: lacking malicious intent
• neutraladjectiveneutral — not supporting or assisting either side; impartial
• entusiastaadjectivekeen, enthusiastic — showing eager interest or enthusiasm
• nuclearadjectivenuclear — relating to the nucleus of an atom; also: relating to nuclear weapons or energy
• ferozadjectivefierce, ferocious — violently aggressive; also: extremely intense
• meroadjectivemere — nothing more than what is specified; used to minimise
• intermedioadjectiveintermediate — at a middle level between two extremes
• íntimoadjectiveintimate — closely personal; private; involving close relationships
• optimistaadjectiveoptimistic — expecting good outcomes; hopeful about the future
• desagradableadjectiveunpleasant, nasty — causing discomfort or displeasure
• generosoadjectivegenerous — giving more than expected; open-handed with resources or time
• invisibleadjectiveinvisible — unable to be seen; not visible
• primarioadjectiveprimary — first in order of importance; principal
• equivalenteadjectiveequivalent, equal in value
• manualadjectivemanual — done or operated with the hands; not automated
• oraladjectiveoral — relating to speech; spoken rather than written
• hostiladjectivehostile — unfriendly; actively opposed or aggressive
• pasivoadjectivepassive — accepting without resistance; not active or assertive
• afortunadoadjectivefortunate, lucky — having good fortune; favoured by circumstances
• nobleadjectivenoble — having high moral qualities; admirable and honourable
• agradecidoadjectivegrateful — feeling or showing gratitude for something received
• mutuoadjectivemutual — experienced or expressed by each towards the other; shared
• indiferenteadjectiveindifferent — showing no interest or concern; neither for nor against
• nativoadjectivenative — born in or associated with a particular place; indigenous
• actualadjectivecurrent, present — existing or happening now
• genuinoadjectivegenuine — truly what it is claimed to be; authentic, sincere
• lealadjectiveloyal — giving or showing firm and constant support to a person or institution
• capazadjectivecapable — having the skill or power to do something
• breveadjectivebrief, short — of short duration or length
• desnudoadjectivenaked, bare — without covering; also fig. stark and unembellished
• interminableadjectiveendless, without end — lasting far too long
• paraleloadjectiveparallel — running side by side without converging; also fig. occurring simultaneously
• amplioadjectivebroad, ample
• complejoadjectivecomplex — made up of many interacting parts; intrinsically multifaceted and difficult to reduce
• explícitoadjectiveexplicit — stated clearly and in detail, leaving nothing implied
• marinoadjectivemarine — relating to the sea or ocean
• adecuadoadjectiveadequate, suitable — functionally sufficient or appropriate for a purpose
• éticoadjectiveethical — relating to moral principles; conforming to accepted standards of conduct
• complicadoadjectivecomplicated — tangled, difficult due to obstacles or confusion; more processual than inherently complex
• concretoadjectiveconcrete, specific
• húmedoadjectivehumid, damp — containing a high amount of moisture in the air or surface
• orgánicoadjectiveorganic — relating to or produced without synthetic chemicals; also: of living organisms
• absolutoadjectiveabsolute — categorical, without exception or qualification; also: utter/total in intensifying use
• sombríoadjectivegloomy — dark; also fig. pessimistic or depressing in outlook
• constanteadjectiveconstant — persistently recurring or uninterrupted
• considerableadjectiveconsiderable, significant
• irónicoadjectiveironic — meaning the opposite of the literal; using irony
• fluidonounsmooth, fluid — flowing without interruption or difficulty; in figurative use: natural and effortless
• medioambientaladjectiveenvironmental — relating to the natural environment
• anualadjectiveannual, yearly — occurring once a year or covering a period of one year
• apropiadoadjectiveappropriate — socially or contextually correct and fitting
• factibleadjectivefeasible — capable of being done; achievable within given constraints
• obsoletoadjectiveoutdated, obsolete — no longer in use or valid; superseded
• debidoadjectivedue — used in debido a
• civiladjectivecivil, civic
• finitoadjectivefinite — having defined limits; not infinite
• conscienteadjectiveconscious, aware — knowing or mindful of something
• crucialadjectivecrucial — of decisive importance; pivotal
• íntegroadjectiveupright, honest
• contemporáneoadjectivecontemporary — of the present era; also: existing at the same time as another
• diversoadjectivediverse — varied, of different types; plural form 'diversos' = various/several
• extintoadjectiveextinct — no longer in existence; having died out
• domésticoadjectivedomestic — relating to the home/household or to the national/internal sphere
• eficienteadjectiveefficient — achieving results with minimal waste of resources; optimal input-output ratio
• fértiladjectivefertile — capable of producing abundantly; also fig. fruitful
• críticoadjectivecritical — analytical and evaluative; also: at a decisive/dangerous stage
• conservadoradjectiveconservative — resistant to change
• tenueadjectivefaint, tenuous — weak in intensity; barely perceptible
• dominanteadjectivedominant — prevailing, exerting the most influence or control
• huecoadjectivehollow — having an empty space inside; also fig. lacking real substance
• vivoadjectivealive — in a state of being alive; also: still active/surviving
• biológicoadjectivebiological
• definitivoadjectivedefinitive, final — conclusive and not subject to further change
• sueltoadjectiveloose — not firmly fixed; also fig. lacking rigour or coherence
• agresivoadjectiveaggressive — forceful or hostile in behaviour; also: boldly competitive in strategy
• dramáticoadjectivedramatic — striking in scale or impact; also colloquially: overreacting
• ansiosoadjectiveanxious — in a state of nervous worry or anticipation
• académicoadjectiveacademic
• despiertoadjectiveawake — not sleeping; in a state of wakefulness
• duraderoadjectivedurable, lasting — designed or expected to endure over time
• corruptoadjectivecorrupt — morally compromised through bribery or abuse of power
• desesperadoadjectivedesperate — in a state of extreme hopelessness or acting from extreme urgency
• discapacitadoadjectivedisabled — having a physical or mental impairment; preferred official form: persona con discapacidad
• densoadjectivedense — thick or concentrated
• elaboradoadjectiveelaborate, detailed — carefully and thoroughly constructed; also as past participle: produced/prepared
• dudosoadjectivedoubtful — uncertain in outcome; also: questionable in quality or morality
• corporativoadjectivecorporate — relating to a corporation or large organisation
• crudoadjectivestark, raw
• eléctricoadjectiveelectric, electrical — using or relating to electricity
• elásticoadjectiveelastic — able to stretch and return; figuratively: flexible/responsive
• profundoadjectiveprofound, deep
• prominenteadjectiveprominent, notable
• radicaladjectiveradical — involving fundamental change or going to the root of something; can describe political positions or transformational change
• realistaadjectiverealistic — based on practical considerations rather than wishful thinking; grounded in what is achievable
• regionaladjectiveregional — relating to or characteristic of a particular region or territory
• regularadjectiveregular — occurring at fixed intervals or following a consistent pattern
• relativoadjectiverelative — qualified or considered in relation to something else; not absolute
• relevanteadjectiverelevant — closely connected to the matter at hand; significant and applicable
• fiableadjectivereliable — consistently trustworthy or dependable; giving accurate or valid results
• reticenteadjectivereluctant — unwilling or hesitant to do something; feeling resistance
• remotoadjectiveremote — far away in distance or unlikely in degree; also: remote working
• reconocidoadjectiverenowned, recognised — widely acknowledged and respected for quality or achievement
• ridículoadjectiveridiculous — deserving or inspiring ridicule; absurd or unreasonable
• rígidoadjectiverigid — not flexible; unwilling or unable to adapt
• robustoadjectiverobust — strong and sturdy; resistant to failure or challenge; in figurative use: well-designed and reliable
• rugosoadjectiverough, rough-textured — having an irregular or uneven surface
• maleducadoadjectiverude, ill-mannered — lacking good manners or social respect; impolite
• ruraladjectiverural — relating to the countryside or non-urban areas
• sagradoadjectivesacred — connected with religion or revered as holy; also figuratively: something treated with great respect
• escasoadjectivescarce — in short supply; insufficient for the demand or need
• superficialadjectiveshallow, superficial
• significativoadjectivesignificant — large or important enough to be worthy of attention
• sinceroadjectivesincere — genuinely felt or expressed; not pretending or deceptive
• sólidoadjectivesolid, robust
• sofisticadoadjectivesophisticated — highly developed and complex; or: having refined tastes and knowledge
• dispersoadjectivesparse, scattered — thinly distributed over a large area; not concentrated
• específicoadjectivespecific — clearly defined or identified; not general or vague
• espléndidoadjectivesplendid, magnificent — impressively great or excellent
• espontáneoadjectivespontaneous — occurring or done without prior planning or external prompting
• estableadjectivestable — not likely to change or fail; firmly established
• básicoadjectivebasic, staple — forming an essential foundation; indispensable or standard
• sostenidoadjectivesustained, steady — maintained consistently over time without interruption
• escarpadoadjectivesteep, precipitous — having a sharp slope or incline
• estrictoadjectivestrict — demanding or enforcing rigorous adherence to rules or standards
• testarudoadjectivestubborn, pig-headed — unwilling to change one's attitude or position despite pressure
• posterioradjectivesubsequent, later — coming after something in time or order
• sustancialadjectivesubstantial, significant
• sutiladjectivesubtle — so delicate or precise as to be difficult to detect or describe
• suficienteadjectivesufficient — enough to meet a need or standard
• velozadjectiveswift, fast — moving or acting with great speed
• tangibleadjectivetangible — perceptible by touch or clearly real and concrete; not abstract
• tiernoadjectivetender — showing gentleness and concern; also: tender/soft in texture
• tensoadjectivetense — feeling or causing anxiety or stress; strained
• teóricoadjectivetheoretical — concerned with theory rather than practical application
• exhaustivoadjectivethorough, exhaustive — extremely comprehensive and careful in covering all aspects
• ordenadoadjectivetidy, orderly — arranged neatly and in order; well-organised
• transparenteadjectivetransparent — open and not secretive; allowing scrutiny or easy understanding
• trivialadjectivetrivial — of little importance or value; not worth serious consideration
• típicoadjectivetypical, characteristic
• singularadjectiveunique, singular — remarkable or unusual; unlike anything else
• universaladjectiveuniversal — applying to all people or situations everywhere; not limited to one place or group
• sin precedenteadjectiveunprecedented — never having happened or existed before
• urbanoadjectiveurban — relating to or characteristic of a city or town
• urgenteadjectiveurgent — requiring immediate attention or action
• vagoadjectivevague — not clearly expressed or defined; lacking precision
• variableadjectivevariable — liable to change; not fixed or constant
• vibranteadjectivevibrant — full of energy and enthusiasm; lively and stimulating
• vigorosoadjectivevigorous, energetic
• virtualadjectivevirtual — carried out or existing using computers and the internet; also: almost or nearly something described
• visibleadjectivevisible — able to be seen; or: noticeable and evident
• vitaladjectivevital — absolutely necessary or essential for existence or success
• vívidoadjectivevivid — producing powerful feelings or strong, clear images; bright and intense
• nuloadjectivevoid, null — having no legal force or validity; cancelled or annulled
• cautelosoadjectivewary, cautious — feeling or showing caution about possible dangers or problems
• agotadoadjectiveexhausted, depleted
• malvadoadjectivewicked, evil — morally bad or deliberately harmful
• extendidoadjectivewidespread, prevalent — found or distributed over a large area or among many people
• valiosoadjectivevaluable, worthwhile