| patois | The dialect of the common people of a region, differing in various respects from the standard language of the rest of the country | |
| pathos | A quality that evokes pity or sadness | |
| pastiche | A work of art, literature, music, or film that imitates the style of previous works, often as a tribute or satire | |
| partisan | A strong supporter of a party, cause, or person | |
| parsimonious | Excessively unwilling to spend money; frugal to the point of stinginess | |
| parody | A humorous or satirical imitation of a serious piece of literature or writing | |
| parochial | Having a limited or narrow outlook or scope | |
| parley | A conference or discussion between opposing sides in a dispute, especially if they are seeking to negotiate a truce or come to terms. | |
| pariah | A person who is rejected from society or home. | |
| paragon | A person or thing regarded as a perfect example of a particular quality | |