Learn English – n adjective for someone who can withstand ridicule

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I've been searching both my mind and several thesauruses attempting to find the adjective that best describes this type of person.

The term "thick-skinned" is the closest to what I am trying to convey, but that carries the connotation that he/she is callous and does not care about others.

Is there a word that describes someone who is not easily offended — able to withstand criticism, ridicule, or jokes made at his/her expense — without also implying that the person is emotionally callous?

Best Answer

good sport

someone who can accept a loss in a competition or can accept being the butt of a joke.

It is used as a noun. The definition is related to being able to take a joke but it also covers accepting criticism with grace.


As an adjective, I would say easygoing. This would describe the type of person.

relaxed in manner or attitude; inclined to be excessively tolerant


As a phrase, there is have a broad back:

not be easily hurt by criticism

It helps to have a broad back in showbusiness.

But this goes back to thick-skinned:

not easily hurt by criticism, insult, etc.

As you said, thick-skinned has two meanings. One of the meaning is what you ask but the other one is what you want to avoid. It would depend on the context then.

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