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How To Describe Rain In Writing (10 Important Steps)

Describing rain in writing is akin to capturing the essence of a timeless and ever-evocative phenomenon that has fascinated poets, novelists, and storytellers for centuries.

Rain, in its many forms and moods, can be a powerful narrative device, setting the stage, conveying emotions, and mirroring the complexities of human experience.

In this guide, we will explore the art of painting rain with words, delving into the sensory language that allows writers to immerse readers in the beauty and drama of a rain-soaked scene.

From sight and sound to touch, smell, and taste, we will dissect the many dimensions of rain’s sensory language and its capacity to create mood, atmosphere, and profound emotional resonance.

Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just beginning your literary journey, this exploration of how to describe rain in writing will equip you with the tools to harness the poetic potential of this natural phenomenon and infuse your stories with its captivating magic.

Table of Contents

How To Describe Rain In Writing

Describing rain in writing involves using vivid and evocative language to paint a picture in the reader’s mind. Here’s a step-by-step process to help you do just that:

Setting the Scene

Start by setting the scene and creating the right atmosphere. Describe the location and time of day. Is it a city street, a quiet forest, or a coastal town? Is it daytime or night? This contextual information helps the reader envision the rain more effectively.

Select the Right Words

Use descriptive adjectives, adverbs, and verbs to convey the characteristics of the rain. Choose words that evoke the senses. For instance, you can use words like “gentle,” “drizzling,” “torrential,” “pattering,” “incessant,” or “misty” to describe the rain.

Sensory Imagery

Engage the reader’s senses. Describe how the rain feels, sounds, smells, and looks. Does it feel cool and refreshing on the skin, or is it a chilling, biting rain? Does it create puddles and ripples? Can you hear it tapping on windows or the leaves of trees? What is the scent in the air during and after the rain?

Metaphors and Similes

Metaphors and similes can be powerful tools. Compare the rain to something else to create a more vivid image. For example, “The rain fell like a whisper from the heavens” or “The drops were as tiny as pearls.”

Emotions and Mood

Consider the emotional impact of the rain on the characters or the setting. Rain can evoke feelings of nostalgia, melancholy, or even joy. Describe how the characters react to the rain, which can help set the mood.

Focus on Details

Pay attention to the small details that make the scene come alive. Describe the way the raindrops bead on a window, how it slicks the streets, or how it makes the world glisten.

Show, Don’t Tell

Instead of telling the reader that it’s raining, show the effects of the rain. Let the reader infer the weather from the descriptions you provide.

Use Personification

Consider giving human attributes to the rain. This can add depth to your description. For example, “The rain wept from the sky,” or “The rain danced on the rooftop.”

Structure and Flow

Arrange your descriptions in a way that mimics the rhythm of the rain. You might start with a light drizzle and gradually build up to a heavy downpour, creating a sense of anticipation and climax.

Edit and Revise

After you’ve written your rain description, edit and revise to eliminate unnecessary words and ensure that your description flows smoothly.

Remember that the effectiveness of your rain description will also depend on the overall context of your writing , the characters involved, and the emotions you want to convey. By following these steps, you can create a captivating and immersive rain scene in your writing .

Understanding Rain

Rain, that ethereal veil woven from the heavens, defies our attempts to confine its essence within mere droplets. It is nature’s symphony, a celestial dance between Earth and sky, an invitation to reflect on the interconnectedness of all things.

The gentle kiss of a drizzle awakens memories of childhood laughter, while a torrential downpour offers a cleansing catharsis.

With every drop, it whispers tales of renewal and growth, a reminder that even the darkest storms yield to the brilliance of a new day.

To understand rain is to embrace the poetry of existence, where the tears of the sky become the tears of our own souls, falling, glistening, and ultimately nourishing the gardens of our hearts.

The emotional impact of rain

The emotional impact of rain is a symphony of feelings that flows within us as seamlessly as the raindrops descend from the sky.

Rain can evoke a profound sense of nostalgia, taking us back to cherished memories of dancing in puddles or seeking refuge from life’s storms.

It carries an inexplicable comfort in its steady pattering, offering solace to those in search of introspection. Yet, rain can also mirror our deepest sorrows, its tears mingling with our own.

It has a unique power to amplify our moods, whether it’s the serenity that follows a gentle shower or the restlessness that accompanies a thunderstorm.

In the realm of storytelling, rain is a powerful emotional conduit, capable of reflecting characters’ inner turmoil, sadness, or moments of profound revelation. Rain, in its ability to mirror and magnify our emotions, remains a symbol of the ever-changing human experience.

Why rain is a popular element in literature

Rain has emerged as a perennially popular element in literature, owing to its multifaceted symbolic significance and its capacity to elicit a rich tapestry of emotions. Its duality as both a life-giving force and a harbinger of melancholy makes it a versatile tool for authors.

Rain can symbolize renewal and cleansing, as seen in its ability to rejuvenate parched landscapes, while also conveying a sense of melancholy, reflecting the intricacies of human experiences.

It often serves as a narrative device, heightening tension, foreshadowing events, or mirroring characters’ internal turmoil.

From Shakespeare’s stormy tempests to the poignant rain-soaked scenes of modern literature, the rain transcends the physical world to become a vivid metaphorical language that resonates with readers on profound emotional and thematic levels.

Its role in literature is a testament to its timeless ability to captivate, challenge, and move both writers and readers.

Sensory Language

Sensory language is the poet’s palette, the novelist’s symphony, and the artist’s brush, allowing us to paint the world with words, evoke the symphony of senses, and ignite the imagination with a single sentence.

It transcends mere words, transforming writing into an immersive sensory experience. It’s the sultry scent of a tropical rainforest, the exhilarating taste of an adventure, the velvet touch of a lover’s hand, the symphony of colors in a bustling marketplace, and the resonating echoes of a forgotten memory.

Sensory language is a key that unlocks the door to vivid storytelling, where readers don’t just read the words; they taste, touch, hear, smell, and see the narrative come alive, engaging in a dance of imagination that leaves an indelible imprint on their souls.

It’s the secret elixir that makes literature not just something to read, but something to feel and savor.

Using sight to describe rain

Using sight to describe rain is an art of painting with words, capturing the visual poetry of nature’s tears falling from the sky.

Each raindrop, like a liquid jewel, glistens as it descends, creating a shimmering curtain that blurs the boundaries between heaven and earth.

The world transforms as rain showers down, whether it’s a soft drizzle that veils the landscape in delicate mist or a fierce downpour that blurs the horizon.

The sight of rain paints emotions on the canvas of our perception, from the gray melancholy of a stormy day to the joyful, bright hues of a rainbow arching over the horizon after a cleansing shower.

It’s a visual language that writers use to evoke moods, create atmosphere, and transport readers into the heart of a story’s sensory landscape, where every raindrop is a brushstroke in the masterpiece of storytelling.

Using sound to describe rain

Using sound to describe rain is like composing a symphony of nature’s rhythms. Raindrops are nature’s percussion instruments, playing a melodic and sometimes chaotic tune as they pitter-patter on various surfaces.

The soothing sound of a light drizzle creates a delicate lullaby, while a thunderous downpour is a crescendo of raw power, a thunderous applause from the heavens.

Rain’s symphony is not just the sound of droplets on rooftops and leaves; it’s the collective voice of a million tiny performers, resonating with the heartbeat of the earth.

The rustle of rain in a forest, the rhythmic tapping on a windowpane, or the playful splashes on puddles all speak of the rain’s emotional range, from peaceful serenity to turbulent intensity.

Writers use this auditory experience to immerse readers in the very heart of a scene, where the sound of rain becomes a character in its own right, narrating a story of nature’s grand drama.

Using touch to describe rain

Using touch to describe rain is to convey the sensation of nature’s caress or onslaught on the skin. Raindrops, like tender kisses from the heavens, can bring a refreshing coolness to a sweltering day, or they can prick your skin with a chill, making you shiver.

The texture of rain varies, from the gentle touch of mist in a drizzle to the sharp, stinging embrace of a heavy shower. Writers often describe rain as a tactile experience, whether it’s the way it makes your clothes cling, the feel of droplets on your face, or the softness of moist earth underfoot.

The sensation of rain is intimate and sensory, and it can evoke a spectrum of emotions, from comfort and rejuvenation to discomfort and vulnerability.

It’s this tactile connection that allows readers to not just see or hear the rain but to feel it, making it a powerful tool for authors to deepen the immersion of their audience in the story’s world.

Using smell to describe rain

Using smell to describe rain is to unlock the earth’s hidden perfumes, released with the first kiss of moisture after a dry spell.

The scent of rain is one of nature’s most enchanting aromas, a blend of petrichor, the earthy fragrance of soil awakening, and ozone, the electrifying aroma of the atmosphere refreshed.

This symphony of scents brings with it the promise of renewal, a reminder that life continues to thrive even in the midst of a storm. The smell of rain is evocative, transporting us to memories of childhood, when the world seemed pure and full of wonder after a shower.

For writers, it’s a sensory bridge that connects readers to the primal essence of the earth, awakening nostalgia, rejuvenation, and a sense of connection to the natural world.

It’s the scent of life itself, carried on the breeze, and it allows storytelling to transcend the visual and auditory realms into the olfactory, adding a layer of depth and richness to the narrative.

Metaphors and Symbols

Metaphors and symbols are the inkwells of imagination, the keys to unlocking hidden worlds within the written word.

They are the alchemical language of storytelling, where a rose becomes not just a flower but a symbol of love, and the ticking of a clock transforms into the heartbeat of suspense.

Metaphors paint vivid pictures in the mind, revealing hidden truths through comparison, while symbols carry the weight of ages, encapsulating entire ideologies in a single image.

They are the threads that weave the tapestry of literature, enriching narratives with layers of meaning and offering readers a kaleidoscope of interpretations.

In the hands of a skilled wordsmith, metaphors and symbols are the compass and the stars, guiding readers through uncharted territory and inviting them to embark on journeys where words are not just tools but magical gateways to understanding the profound mysteries of human experience.

Rain as a symbol

Rain, in the realm of literature and symbolism, is a versatile and evocative motif that carries a multitude of interpretations.

It often embodies the notion of renewal and rebirth, as it nourishes the earth and washes away the old, much like a cleansing baptism. Rain can symbolize growth and transformation, casting a hopeful light on new beginnings.

At the same time, it’s a symbol of melancholy, encapsulating the tears of sorrow, isolation, or the weight of unfulfilled desires.

In various narratives, rain can also serve as a metaphor for life’s unpredictability and the uncontrollable forces that shape our existence.

Whether it’s depicted as a harbinger of change or a reflection of human emotions, rain remains a powerful literary symbol that beautifully mirrors the complexity of the human condition, allowing readers to explore themes of life, death, and everything in between.

Rain’s role in character development

Rain, as a literary device, often plays a pivotal role in character development. It’s like a mirror reflecting the inner world of characters.

A protagonist caught in a sudden downpour may experience vulnerability and reveal a softer side, shedding their inhibitions or bravado.

For others, a storm can symbolize emotional turmoil, acting as a catalyst for self-discovery and growth. The way a character reacts to rain, whether seeking shelter, dancing in it, or cursing it, can reveal their temperament, desires, and fears.

Rain can also be a metaphorical cleansing, allowing characters to shed their past or old beliefs, paving the way for personal transformation.

In the hands of skilled writers, rain becomes a subtle but powerful tool to deepen character arcs, illuminating the multidimensional aspects of their personalities and serving as a conduit for empathy and connection with readers.

Setting the scene in a narrative is akin to the opening notes of a grand symphony, where every detail, every brushstroke, and every whispered word has the power to transport readers into the heart of a story’s universe.

It’s the alchemy of words and imagination, where the setting becomes more than mere backdrop; it becomes a living, breathing entity that influences characters, events, and emotions.

A vividly painted setting is not just a place; it’s a mood, an atmosphere, a character in its own right, with the power to set the stage for love, tragedy, adventure, or mystery.

It’s a doorway into worlds both real and fantastical, an invitation for readers to step into the shoes of the characters and feel the pulse of the story’s heart .

In the hands of a skilled storyteller, setting is the portal to the extraordinary, the touchstone of emotion, and the architect of immersion, where every word weaves a tapestry of sights, sounds, and sensations that lingers in the reader’s soul long after the final page is turned.

Emotions and Themes

Emotions and themes in literature are the twin constellations that guide readers through the vast universe of storytelling, offering a kaleidoscope of human experiences and profound insights.

Like a masterful piece of music, they orchestrate the symphony of words, each note resonating with joy, sorrow, love, or conflict.

They are the compass that navigates the complex terrain of narrative landscapes, shedding light on the profound questions that define our existence.

Emotions are the heartbeat of characters, the catalysts for empathy, and the glue that binds readers to the story’s soul. Themes, on the other hand, are the hidden gems, the golden threads that tie seemingly unrelated events into a rich tapestry of meaning.

They are the questions that stir the deepest contemplations, be it about love, morality, fate, or the very essence of humanity.

Together, they transform literature into more than just ink on paper; they make it a mirror to our souls, inviting us to explore the boundless complexity of the human condition and reminding us that, within the pages of a book, we may find the reflection of our own journeys.

Conveying emotions through rain

Conveying emotions through rain is like tapping into the heart of nature’s own poetry. Rain has an extraordinary ability to mirror and amplify the feelings of characters and the overarching mood of a story.

A gentle drizzle can evoke a sense of calm, serenity, and even romance, as it envelopes characters in a soft, comforting embrace. In contrast, a torrential downpour might signify chaos, turmoil, or despair, with its relentless onslaught reflecting the characters’ inner struggles.

Writers use rain to create emotional depth, where the weather becomes a silent yet powerful protagonist that shapes the narrative’s emotional landscape.

Rain, in its myriad forms and intensities, becomes a conduit for the raw, unspoken sentiments that swirl beneath the surface, inviting readers to connect with characters on a visceral level, as they too become drenched in the emotional downpour of the story.

Exploring common themes associated with rain

Exploring common themes associated with rain is like delving into a treasure trove of symbolism and emotion. Rain’s presence in literature often mirrors a spectrum of timeless themes.

Love and romance often find their muse in rain-soaked moments, where passionate encounters occur under the soft drizzle or in the midst of a tempestuous downpour. Rain also serves as a symbol of melancholy, capturing feelings of loss, loneliness, or unfulfilled desires.

Beyond that, it represents the idea of renewal and rebirth, akin to nature’s cleansing, washing away the old to make way for the new.

Rain can even foreshadow change, be it positive or negative, in a character’s journey. These common themes associated with rain create a rich tapestry of meaning in literature, allowing readers to connect with the human experience on a profound, emotional level, while offering writers a canvas on which to paint the essence of life’s complexities and subtleties.

Literary Techniques

Literary techniques are the kaleidoscope through which words become art, and storytelling transforms into an enchanting dance of language.

They are the secret pathways that lead readers into the hidden chambers of a writer’s imagination, offering experiences that transcend mere prose.

Metaphors and similes become the brushstrokes that paint vivid pictures, while personification breathes life into inanimate objects, making them whisper secrets in the reader’s ear.

Symbolism, like a secret code, adds layers of meaning that ripple beneath the surface, inviting readers to decode its mysteries. Foreshadowing, that subtle whisper of destiny, guides the narrative, and irony adds a tantalizing twist to the tale.

With these literary tools, writers become magicians, conjuring universes, emotions, and characters that live, breathe, and linger in the reader’s mind long after the final page is turned.

Literary techniques are the key to the door that opens into the enchanting realm of storytelling, where words are not just ink on paper but enchantments that weave a spell over the soul.

Personification of rain

Personification of rain is like granting nature its own voice and personality, turning a meteorological phenomenon into a living character in a story.

Rain, when personified, can take on qualities, desires, and emotions, transforming it into a mystical entity with intentions and whims of its own.

It becomes a silent yet powerful participant in the narrative, capable of comforting, cleansing, or causing chaos. Personified rain can express empathy for the characters, becoming a compassionate friend in their moments of solitude or a relentless adversary during their trials.

By imbuing rain with human-like attributes, writers bridge the gap between the natural world and the human experience, creating a deeper connection with the reader as they explore the complexities of this weather-wielding character.

Rain’s role in creating atmosphere and mood

Rain’s role in creating atmosphere and mood is nothing short of transformative. Whether it’s a gentle drizzle whispering in the hush of dawn or a tempestuous downpour raging against the world, rain is a maestro of ambiance.

It can cast a serene, melancholic, or foreboding aura over a scene, setting the emotional tone with a few drops or a deluge.

The sound of raindrops can serve as a lullaby, soothing the soul, or a cacophony, intensifying suspense. The glistening streets after a shower can evoke serenity, while the gray clouds of an impending storm can shroud a narrative in tension.

Rain’s ability to mirror and amplify emotions, to dance between the mundane and the extraordinary, makes it an invaluable tool for writers in shaping the mood of their stories, turning the weather itself into a silent, atmospheric character.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about How To Describe Rain In Writing

What’s the importance of effectively describing rain in writing.

Describing rain in writing is crucial for setting the mood, creating vivid imagery, and immersing readers in the story’s atmosphere. It can convey emotions, add depth to your narrative, and make your writing more engaging.

How can I make my rain description stand out from others?

To make your rain description unique, focus on sensory details, metaphors, and personification. Add elements that are specific to your story’s setting or characters to make the scene more memorable.

Can you provide some examples of metaphors for describing rain?

Certainly. You can describe rain as “teardrops from the sky,” “a silver curtain,” “a melody of droplets,” or “nature’s soothing lullaby.” Metaphors can evoke powerful images in the reader’s mind.

What are some words to avoid when describing rain?

It’s best to avoid clichés and overused words like “wet,” “dripping,” and “pouring.” Instead, opt for more creative and evocative terms that capture the rain’s unique qualities.

How can I evoke the sound of rain in my writing?

To evoke the sound of rain, use onomatopoeic words like “pattering,” “drumming,” “tapping,” or “whispering.” You can also describe how the rain sounds on different surfaces, such as leaves, roofs, or windows.

Are there any tips for describing the emotional impact of rain on characters?

To describe the emotional impact of rain, show how your characters react. Do they find solace in the rain, or does it bring them sorrow? Use their actions, thoughts, and dialogue to convey their emotions.

Should I use first-person or third-person perspective to describe rain effectively?

The choice of perspective depends on your writing style and the narrative voice. Both first-person and third-person perspectives can be effective. Consider which perspective best suits your story and characters .

How can I create a unique rain description for a specific genre, like fantasy or mystery?

Tailor your rain description to fit the genre. For a fantasy setting, you might incorporate magical elements, while a mystery could use rain to build suspense or reveal hidden clues. Let the genre guide your description.

Is it better to start or end a scene with a rain description?

There’s no strict rule, but you can experiment with both. Starting with a rain description can set the mood, while ending with it can leave a lasting impression. The choice depends on your narrative structure.

How can I avoid over-describing rain and bogging down my narrative?

Keep your descriptions concise and relevant to the story’s context. Focus on key moments and use rain descriptions strategically to enhance the narrative without overwhelming it. Less can often be more.

Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to describing rain in writing . Your approach should align with your story’s unique needs and your personal style as a writer.

In conclusion, the art of describing rain in writing is a window to the world of emotions, atmospheres, and sensory experiences that transcend mere words.

Rain, as both a natural phenomenon and a powerful literary device, has the capacity to enrich narratives, deepen characters, and connect with readers on profound levels.

As we’ve journeyed through this exploration of sensory language, metaphors, symbolism, and the intricate ways rain impacts storytelling, we’ve seen how the mere mention of rain can evoke a symphony of emotions, from joy to sorrow, and how it can add layers of meaning to the narrative.

Rain is more than just precipitation; it’s a vehicle for storytelling, a mirror reflecting our human condition.

By mastering the techniques of describing rain, writers can harness the evocative power of this natural element to create immersive, memorable, and emotionally resonant stories that leave an indelible mark on their readers’ hearts.

So, let the rain be your muse, and let your words dance with its beauty and complexity, inviting your readers to experience the magic of rain through your stories.

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How to describe rain: Descriptive words and adjectives for different types

There are many different types of rain, so it makes sense that we would have a lot of vocabulary to describe rain.

Here we’ll look at some wonderful descriptive words for rain, from adjectives to verbs to idioms. Get inspired to describe rain according to how it looks, sounds and smells, or just express in basic terms what the weather is like today.

Words to describe rain

You may wish to describe rain in a very practical way. For example, if you are going outside in this weather, you need to know whether to take an umbrella, or perhaps consider catching a bus instead of walking.

How to describe rain falling

The following descriptive words for rain are grouped according to the type of rain that they describe, from light to heavy.

Describing light rain

Drizzle is a steady but very light rain, almost mist-like. ‘Drizzle’ can be a noun or a verb, and you may use ‘drizzly’ as an adjective for rain like this.

When it is spitting, the rain is falling quite slowly and gently. Often it starts spitting and then turns into heavier rain.

A shower is a quick burst of fairly light rain. You might have heard of April showers, which are characteristic of spring weather. We have more idioms about spring here.

Describing heavy rain

Pouring (down).

You can say ‘it’s pouring’ or ‘it’s pouring down’ when the rain is steady and heavy. This description of rain is used in the nursery rhyme, It’s Raining, It’s Pouring .

Also featuring the word ‘pour’, a downpour is a short but sudden burst of heavy rain.

Bucketing down / raining buckets

‘Bucketing down’ and ‘raining buckets’ both describe heavy and persistent rain.

Tipping (it) down

This is a primarily British expression for heavy rain.

Chucking it down

Here’s another phrase to describe heavy rain, again usually heard in the UK.

Pissing (it) down

Why do the British have so many ways to talk about bad weather?! This one is rude slang, so be careful how you use it. You should be certain that the person you are speaking to is comfortable with this kind of language. ‘Pissing’ is an informal word for urinating.

Raining cats and dogs

This one is a fun idiom to describe rain ! Whoever thought to imagine cats and dogs falling from the sky? Anyway, it’s just another way to describe rain falling heavily.

A deluge of rain is a large amount that falls suddenly, possibly causing flooding.

Torrential rain is very heavy and lasts for a long time. This is the type of rain you may experience in countries with a monsoon season.

Driving rain is accompanied by strong wind that blows it into the sides of buildings (or straight in your face, if you’re caught out in it).

You could describe rain as ‘incessant’ if it has been going on for a long time and feels like it will never end.

Pelting rain seems to have particularly large raindrops that fall very hard.

If you do get caught in heavy rain you might end up ‘soaked through’ or ‘dripping wet’; these both mean that you and your clothes are very wet!

Example sentences to describe different types of rain

Let’s look at how some of these words can be used in sentences:

I don’t think I need an umbrella; it’s only spitting .
It’s drizzling at the moment but I wouldn’t be surprised if it starts chucking it down soon.
Unfortunately for Liz, it poured down all day on her wedding day.
It’s been bucketing down all afternoon but I hope it stops before the party.
Look at those clouds! Let’s get inside before it starts tipping down .
You’d better take your umbrella; it’s raining cats and dogs outside.
Let’s go home, it looks like it’s going to piss it down soon.
The village was hit by a deluge . Fortunately, there was no serious damage to any property.
I have had enough of this incessant rain!
We’ve had light showers all morning but it looks like the afternoon will be brighter.
Sorry I’m late; I got caught in a downpour and had to wait until it had passed.
You can expect torrential rain if you visit during November.

Words to describe how rain sounds

If you’re indoors, the first sign of rain may be the sound it makes. Here are some words that describe rain according to the sound it makes:

Pitter-patter

“She woke to the pitter-patter of rain falling outside.” “The rain was almost too gentle for me to hear.”

Moderate/heavy rain

Splattering

“I could hear the pounding rain approaching before I could see it.” “They lay listening to the rain drumming on their roof.”

What’s the word for the smell of rain?

Petrichor is the technical word for the smell of rain hitting dry ground. Many people consider this their favorite smell, but may not realize that there is a word for it!

Other words you could use to describe the smell of rain include:

Describing rainy weather

Finally, here are some words to describe the weather in general when it is rainy:

Many of the terms we have to describe rain are negative, as it’s usually an inconvenience for us. However, let’s not forget that rain is necessary for life to survive and for crops and plants to grow, so we shouldn’t always complain about it.

If you’re looking for more ways to describe different kinds of weather, some weather idioms could come in handy.

Have you heard any different ways to describe rain? If so, please leave a comment to share them.

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wonderful information it really helped me with my writing.

Really, thank you so much for your information

Loved the terms and explanation…it’s very helpful.

yes, its nice information.. Good Job… keep it up….thanks

On the first day of my tent camping vacation, we encountered ” blinding rain ” just as we reached the Black Hills. Literally, could not see 3 feet ahead of us!!! (On the interstate! OMG#/=@$×!!! Thought we would die)

Oh dear, what a disaster!

tell your stories, love your life

Writing Inspiration
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Reading & Research
Works In Progress.

Master List for Describing Weather

A lot of writers struggle with describing settings. I’ve written before about how to describe settings and why it matters , but a few people have told me they’d like me to do some of my master lists for writers to help them out!

I have a weird love for creating lists like this, so I’m happy to do it. “How to describe weather” seemed like a good place to start. This way, you won’t get stuck trying to figure out how to describe nice weather, or thinking up ways to describe rain. Hopefully, this will make your writing go faster.

I always include simple as well as more creative ways to describe or write about weather. Sometimes, the simple word is the one you want! I included dryness and humidity in a few of the categories because it felt weird for them to get their own.

As always, this is not a comprehensive list, and I might add to it. My list will probably make you think of other possibilities, too. Bookmark or pin it for future writing reference!

HOT WEATHER

blazing sunshine

glaring sun

baking in the sun

sun-drenched

scorching heat

extravagant heat

relentless sun

like a suana

dense tropical heat

radiating heat

blistering heat

oppressive heat

insufferable heat

suffocating heat

heat pressing down

searing sun

shimmering heat

like an oven

like a furnace

WARM / PLEASANT WEATHER

(“Pleasant” is a matter of opinion, of course.)

a beautiful day

a clear day

a temperate day

a golden day

a glorious day

heavenly weather

bright and sunny

a gorgeous spring day

a dazzling summer day

a brilliant autumn day

a vivid blue sky

a cloudless sky

fluffy white clouds

gentle sunshine

lazy sunshine

kind sunshine

filtered sunlight

dappled sunlight

welcome warmth

one of those rare, perfect days

the kind of day that made people forget to worry

the kind of day that lifted people’s moods

COOL WEATHER

refreshing air

stimulating cool air

invigorating cool air

bracing cool air

a nip in the air

a brisk day

a chilly day

weak sunshine

GRAY / OVERCAST WEATHER

(Most people don’t like gray days, so most of these descriptions are negative. I love them, so I had to add a few positive descriptions.)

colorless sky

a soft gray sky

a dove-gray sky

a gray day made for books and tea

steel-gray sky

granite sky

cement-gray sky

threatening clouds

foreboding clouds

COLD WEATHER

glacial air

bitter cold

brutal cold

bone-chilling cold

penetrating cold

devastating cold

numbing cold

punishing cold

dangerous cold

unforgiving cold

too cold to talk

so cold it burned one’s lungs

so cold it took one’s breath away

like a blast from a hair dryer

a gust of wind

insistent winds

heavy winds

strong winds

cutting wind

whipping winds

biting wind

wintry squall

violent gale

howling wind

shifting winds

restless wind

fresh breeze

soft breeze

balmy breeze

perfumed breeze

slight breeze

hint of a breeze

stirring breeze

wind rustling through the trees

fine drizzle

gray drizzle

pebbles of falling rain

spitting rain

stinging rain

steady rain

rain falling in torrents

cascades of rain

rain beating down

shower of rain

sheets of rain

hard-driving rain

pelting rain

lashing rain

slashing rain

THUNDER AND LIGHTNING

rumbling in the distance

a roll of distant thunder

crash of thunder

crackle of thunder

crack of thunder

clap of thunder

bang of thunder

booming thunder

rattled with thunder

earth-shaking thunder

tempestuous

a furious storm

flash of lightning

streaks of lightning

SNOW AND ICE

flurries of snow

dancing flakes

snowflakes floating down

snowflakes wafting down

swirling snow

falling thick and fast

big flakes falling like petals

blinding snowstorm

raging blizzard

sparkling expanses

blankets of white

caked with snow

boulders of snow

branches coated in ice

glittering ice

crystallized by frost

silvered with frost

clouds of mist

swirling mist

billowing fog

cloaked in mist

cocooned in fog

shrouded in fog

enveloped by fog

smothered by fog

made mysterious by fog

the fog rolled in

the fog was burning off

the fog was lifting

the fog was clearing

the fog was dissipating

I have many lists like this in my book Master Lists for Writers: Thesauruses, Plots, Character Traits, Names, and More . Check it out!

Master Lists for Writers by Bryn Donovan

Do you describe weather conditions in your writing? Do you have a favorite example of a weather description? Let me know in the comments! Thanks for reading, and happy writing!

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How To Describe Settings – and Why It Matters #how to write more descriptively #how to describe scenery in writing #how to make a novel longer

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101 Words To Describe Weather

Writers know that using the weather in their descriptions is a great way to make stories more relatable. Use this comprehensive list of words that describe weather when you write.

Writers Write is a resource for writers and we have written about words that describe taste , smell , sound , and touch in previous posts. (We even have one for words that describe colours .) In this post, I have included words that describe weather.

Weather is a wonderful tool for writers. We can use it to foreshadow , create a mood , complicate a plot , show a character , and increase or decrease the pace of a story. We can even use it as a motif .

A setting without the weather is like a character without a wardrobe.

Remember that we need to describe weather through our characters’ interactions with their environments. We should not describe it like a weather report. You could show how cold it is by the clothes they choose to wear or mention the weather in dialogue.

Whatever you do, don’t leave it out. There are unintended consequences to a lack of setting , including a static character, a lack of atmosphere, an inability for the reader to relate to the place and time in the story, and a lack of details.

What Is Weather?

According to Oxford it is ‘the state of the atmosphere at a particular place and time as regards heat, cloudiness, dryness, sunshine, wind, rain, etc.’

Words To Describe Weather

General words describing weather.

climate – the type of weather that a country or region has
climate change – changes in the earth’s weather, including changes in temperature, wind patterns and rainfall, especially the increase in the temperature of the earth’s atmosphere that is caused by the increase of particular gases, especially carbon dioxide
meteorology – the scientific study of weather
seasonal – suitable or typical of the time of year it is now
spell – a period when there is a particular type of weather
weather forecast – a report on likely weather conditions for a period of time in the future
zone – one of the large areas that the world is divided into according to its temperature

Words Describing Warm Weather

balmy – warm and pleasant
blistering – extremely hot in a way that is uncomfortable
dog days – the hottest days of the year
heatwave – a continuous period of very hot weather, especially when this is unusual
Indian summer – a period of warm weather in autumn
scorcher – an extremely hot day
sunny – not stormy or cloudy
thaw – ice and snow turns into water
the heat – very hot weather
tropical – like weather near the equator, climate that is frost-free

Words Describing Cold Weather

bleak – very cold and grey
biting – so cold that it makes you feel uncomfortable
brisk – fairly cold and a fairly strong wind is blowing
crisp – cold and dry
fresh – fairly cold and the wind is blowing
frosty – cold enough to produce frost
hard – a very cold winter
harsh – extremely cold and unpleasant
icy – very cold, like ice
raw – cold and unpleasant
snowy – covered with snow

Words Describing Pleasant Weather

calm – very little wind
clear – no clouds, rain, etc.
clement – pleasant because it is neither very hot nor very cold
cloudless – no clouds in the sky
equable – does not change very much
fair – pleasant and not raining
fine – sunny and not raining
pleasant – dry and neither very hot nor very cold
still – without wind
temperate – a temperate climate or region is never extremely hot or extremely cold
windless – without any wind

Words To Describe Unpleasant Weather

bone-dry – completely without water or moisture
fierce – very strong or severe
foul – unpleasant, with rain, snow, or wind
gale-force – an extremely strong wind
gusty – the wind blowing in gusts
humid – hot and wet in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable
muggy – warm in an unpleasant way because the air feels wet
murky – dark and unpleasant because of fog, clouds, etc.
severe – extremely unpleasant and likely to cause harm or damage
sultry – the air is hot and slightly wet
threatening – clouds, skies, or seas show that the weather is likely to be bad
torrential – rain falling in large amounts
unseasonable – not the type of weather that you expect in a particular season
windy – with a lot of wind

Words To Describe Wet & Cloudy Weather

bank – a large mass of cloud or fog
billow – a cloud that rises and moves in a large mass
blizzard – a snowstorm with very strong winds
cirrocumulus – small round clouds that form lines high in the sky
cirrostratus – a thin layer of cloud found very high in the sky
cirrus – a type of thin cloud found very high in the sky
cloudy – full of clouds
column – something that rises up into the air in a straight line
cumulonimbus – a mass of very tall thick cloud that usually brings rain and sometimes thunder
cumulus – a large low white cloud that is round at the top and flat at the bottom
dull – when there are a lot of clouds and it is rather dark
fog – a thick cloud that forms close to the ground or to water and is difficult to see through (fog is thicker than mist)
fogbound – not able to operate normally because of thick fog
foggy – full of fog or covered with fog
gather – if clouds gather, they start to appear and cover part of the sky
grey – when it is not very bright, because there is a lot of cloud
hurricane – a violent storm with very strong winds
inclement – unpleasantly cold or wet
lower – if clouds lower, they are very dark, as if a storm is coming
mist – small drops of liquid in the air
misty – lots of mist in the air
nimbus – a dark grey rain cloud
overcast – a sky completely full of clouds
pall – cloud that covers an area and makes it darker
pea souper – thick low cloud that prevents you from seeing anything
scud – clouds moving quickly
sea mist – a thin low cloud that comes onto the land from the sea
steam- the wet substance that forms on windows and mirrors when wet air suddenly becomes hot or cold
storm cloud – a very dark cloud
squall – a sudden violent gust of wind or localized storm, especially one bringing rain, snow, or sleet.
thundercloud – a storm cloud producing thunder
tsunami – an extremely large wave in the sea
typhoon – a violent tropical storm with very strong winds
vapour – very small drops of water or other liquids in the air that make the air feel wet
vog – smog that contains dust and gas from volcanoes

Words To Describe Changes In Weather

break – if the weather breaks, it changes unexpectedly, and usually becomes worse
break through – if the sun breaks through the clouds, it appears from behind them
brighten up – if the weather brightens up, it becomes sunnier
clear up – if the weather clears up, the clouds or rain go away
close in – if the weather closes in, it becomes unpleasant
cloud – to become darker because grey clouds are forming in the sky
ease – if bad weather such as wind or rain eases, it becomes less strong
fickle – weather that is fickle changes often and unexpectedly
lift – if something such as cloud or fog lifts, the weather improves and you can see clearly again
melt away – if ice or snow melts away, it changes into water as it gets warmer
thaw – if the weather thaws, it becomes warmer and causes ice or snow to change into liquid
track – if weather tracks in a particular direction, it moves in that direction

The Last Word

I hope these words that describe weather help you with your writing.

If you’re looking for help with describing setting, buy our Setting Up The Setting Workbook .

1 thought on “101 Words To Describe Weather”

And nowadays there’s also Pyrocumulonimbus.

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The Best Rain in Literature

Straight and silvery, big as buckshot, a thin knife of cool.

This morning, it is raining, and I am drinking tea. Whenever these two elements coincide, I always think of a poem I discovered and fell in love with as an irreverent literary teen: “It is raining. / I guess I’ll make / Some tea.” Yes, it’s a haiku, and sure, it’s by Gary Snyder, but what do you want from me, I was thirteen years old and still amazed at what counted as poetry. I inscribed this poem on my bedspread in fabric paint. I cannot pour tea in the rain without it bouncing through my head. I make this confession only to say that there is rain of all kinds in literature, and considering that it is April (month of showers) and it is a strange April because so many of us are spending it inside (which makes the rain much more appealing and romantic), I thought I would highlight some of my favorites. Maybe a phrase from the below will stick with you and torment you for years, who knows? One can only hope.

From Iris Murdoch’s The Sea, The Sea :

The rain came down, straight and silvery, like a punishment of steel rods. It clattered onto the house and onto the rocks and pitted the sea. The thunder made some sounds like grand pianos falling downstairs, then settled to a softer continuous rumble, which was almost drowned by the sound of the rain. The flashes of lightning joined into long illuminations which made the grass a lurid green, the rocks a blazing ochre yellow, as yellow as Gilbert’s car.

From Clarie-Louise Bennet’s Pond :

Incredible, really. Or so it seemed to me as I went by and heard the thing play out. Further along there were those very small raindrops, droplets I suppose, which attach themselves with resolute but nonetheless ebullient regularity among the fronds of a beautiful type of delicate crass, appearing, for all the world, like a squandered chandelier dashing headlong down the hillside.

From Halldór Laxness’s Independent People :

Shortly afterwards it started raining, very innocently at first, but the sky was packed tight with cloud and gradually the drops grew bigger and heavier, until it was autumn’s dismal rain that was falling—rain that seemed to fill the entire world with its leaden beat, rain suggestive in its dreariness of everlasting waterfalls between the planets, rain that thatched the heavens with drabness and brooded oppressively over the whole countryside, like a disease, strong in the power of its flat, unvarying monotony, its smothering heaviness, its cold, unrelenting cruelty. Smoothly, smoothly it fell, over the whole shire, over the fallen marsh grass, over the troubled lake, the iron-grey gravel flats, the sombre mountain above the croft, smudging out every prospect. And the heavy, hopeless, interminable beat wormed its way into every crevice in the house, lay like a pad of cotton wool over the ears, and embraced everything, both near and far, in its compass, like an unromantic story from life itself that has no rhythm and no crescendo, no climax, but which is nevertheless overwhelming in its scope, terrifying in its significance. And at the bottom of this unfathomed ocean of teeming rain sat the little house and its one neurotic woman.

From Haruki Murakami’s Kafka on the Shore :

In the afternoon dark clouds suddenly color the sky a mysterious shade and it starts raining hard, pounding the roof and windows of the cabin. I strip naked and run outside, washing my face with soap and scrubbing myself all over. It feels wonderful. In my joy I shut my eyes and shout out meaningless words as the large raindrops strike me on the cheeks, the eyelids, chest, side, penis, legs, and butt—the stinging pain like a religious initiation or something. Along with the pain there’s a feeling of closeness, like for once in my life the world’s treating me fairly. I feel elated, as if all of a sudden I’ve been set free. I face the sky, hands held wide apart, open my mouth wide, and gulp down the falling rain.

From William Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying :

It begins to rain. The first harsh, sparse, swift drops rush through the leaves and across the ground in a long sigh, as though of relief from intolerable suspense. They are as big as buckshot, warm as though fired from a gun; they sweep across the lantern in a vicious hissing. Pa lifts his face, slack-mouthed, the wet black rim of snuff plastered close along the base of his gums; from behind his slack-faced astonishment he muses as though from beyond time, upon the ultimate outrage. Cash looks once at the sky, then at the lantern. The saw has not faltered, the running gleam of its pistoning edge unbroken. “Get something to cover the lantern,” he says.

From NoViolet Bulawayo’s We Need New Names :

Then it starts raining, like maybe Godknows has made it rain by all his talking. It’s a light rain, the kind that just licks you. We sit in it and smell the delicious earth around us.

Me, I want my mother, Godknows says after a long while. His voice is choking in the rain and I look at his face and it’s wet and I don’t know which is the rain, which are the tears. I am thinking I want my mother too, we all want our mothers, even though when they are here we don’t really care about them. Then, after just a little while, even before we are proper wet, the rain stops and the sun comes out and pierces, like it wants to show the rain who is who. We sit there and get cooked in it.

From Virginia Woolf’s The Years :

It was raining. A fine rain, a gentle shower, was peppering the pavements and making them greasy. Was it worth while opening an umbrella, was it necessary to hail a hansom, people coming out from the theatres asked themselves, looking up at the mild, milky sky in which the stars were blunted. Where it fell on earth, on fields and gardens, it drew up the smell of earth. Here a drop poised on a grass-blade; there filled the cup of a wild flower, till the breeze stirred and the rain was spilt. Was it worth while to shelter under the hawthorn, under the hedge, the sheep seemed to question; and the cows, already turned out in the grey fields, under the dim hedges, munched on, sleepily chewing with raindrops on their hides. Down on the roofs it fell–here in Westminster, there in the Ladbroke Grove; on the wide sea a million points pricked the blue monster like an innumerable shower bath. Over the vast domes, the soaring spires of slumbering University cities, over the leaded libraries, and the museums, now shrouded in brown holland, the gentle rain slid down, till, reaching the mouths of those fantastic laughers, the many-clawed gargoyles, it splayed out in a thousand odd indentations. A drunken man slipping in a narrow passage outside the public house, cursed it. Women in childbirth heard the doctor say to the midwife, “It’s raining.” And the walloping Oxford bells, turning over and over like slow porpoises in a sea of oil, contemplatively intoned their musical incantation. The fine rain, the gentle rain, poured equally over the mitred and the bareheaded with an impartiality which suggested that the god of rain, if there were a god, was thinking Let it not be restricted to the very wise, the very great, but let all breathing kind, the munchers and chewers, the ignorant, the unhappy, those who toil in the furnace making innumerable copies of the same pot, those who bore red hot minds through contorted letters, and also Mrs Jones in the alley, share my bounty.

From James Joyce’s Dubliners :

It was a dark rainy evening and there was no sound in the house. Through one of the broken panes I heard the rain impinge upon the earth, the fine incessant needles of water playing in the sodden beds.

From Willie Perdomo’s “ We Used to Call it Puerto Rico Rain “:

The rain had just finished saying, This block is mine .

The kind of rain where you could sleep through two

breakthroughs, and still have enough left to belly-sing

the ambrosial hour.

Blood pellets in the dusk & dashes of hail were perfect for

finding new stashes; that is to say, visitations were never

From Lauren Groff’s “ The Midnight Zone “:

The rain increased until it was deafening and still my sweaty children slept. I thought of the waves of sleep rushing through their brains, washing out the tiny unimportant flotsam of today so that tomorrow’s heavier truths could wash in. There was a nice solidity to the rain’s pounding on the roof, as if the noise were a barrier that nothing could enter, a stay against the looming night.

I tried to bring back the poems of my youth, and could not remember more than a few floating lines, which I put together into a strange, sad poem, Blake and Dickinson and Frost and Milton and Sexton, a tag-sale poem in clammy meter that nonetheless came alive and held my hand for a little while.

Then the rain diminished until all that was left were scattered clicks from the drops falling from the pines

From Charles Dickens’ Bleak House :

The weather had been all the week extremely sultry, but the storm broke so suddenly—upon us, at least, in that sheltered spot—that before we reached the outskirts of the wood the thunder and lightning were frequent and the rain came plunging through the leaves as if every drop were a great leaden bead. As it was not a time for standing among trees, we ran out of the wood, and up and down the moss-grown steps which crossed the plantation-fence like two broad-staved ladders placed back to back, and made for a keeper’s lodge which was close at hand. We had often noticed the dark beauty of this lodge standing in a deep twilight of trees, and how the ivy clustered over it, and how there was a steep hollow near, where we had once seen the keeper’s dog dive down into the fern as if it were water.

The lodge was so dark within, now the sky was overcast, that we only clearly saw the man who came to the door when we took shelter there and put two chairs for Ada and me. The lattice-windows were all thrown open, and we sat just within the doorway watching the storm. It was grand to see how the wind awoke, and bent the trees, and drove the rain before it like a cloud of smoke; and to hear the solemn thunder and to see the lightning; and while thinking with awe of the tremendous powers by which our little lives are encompassed, to consider how beneficent they are and how upon the smallest flower and leaf there was already a freshness poured from all this seeming rage which seemed to make creation new again.

From Elizabeth Hardwick’s Sleepless Nights :

Sometimes the rain was beautiful. The lavender and silver streaks, gleaming in the mud, seek to be honored, to receive some word of gratitude. The kindness of damp afternoons, the solace of opening the door and finding everyone there.

What next? Where to? Even in the midst of it all, in the devoted warmth, the well-disposed threat of familiarity, the cemetery waits to be desecrated.

From Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon :

She was thoroughly soaked before she realized it was raining and then only because one of the shopping bags split. When she looked down, her Evan-Picone white-with-a-band-of-color skirt was lying in a neat half fold on the shoulder of the road, and she was far far from home. She put down both bags, picked the skirt up and brushed away the crumbs of gravel that stuck to it. Quickly she refolded it, but when she tried to tuck it back into the shopping bag, the bag collapsed altogether. Rain soaked her hair and poured down her neck as she stooped to repair the damage. She pulled out the box of Con Brios, a smaller package of Van Raalte gloves, and another containing her fawn-trimmed-in-sea-foam shortie nightgown. These she stuffed into the other bag. Retracing hers steps, she found herself unable to carry the heavier bag in one hand, so she hoisted it up to her stomach and hugged it with both arms. She had gone hardly ten yards when the bottom fell out of it. Hagar tripped on Jungle Red (Sculptura) and Youth Blend, and to her great dismay, saw her box of Sunny Glow toppling into a puddle. She collected Jungle Red and Youth Blend safely, but Sunny Glow, which had tipped completely over and lost its protective disk, exploded in light peach puffs under the weight of the raindrops. Hagar scraped up as much of it as she could and pressed the wilted cellophane disk back into the box.

Jack Gilbert’s “Rain”:

Suddenly this defeat. This rain. The blues gone gray And the browns gone gray And yellow A terrible amber. In the cold streets Your warm body. In whatever room Your warm body. Among all the people Your absence The people who are always Not you.

I have been easy with trees Too long. Too familiar with mountains. Joy has been a habit. Now Suddenly This rain.

From Kevin Barry’s “ Fjord of Killary “:

So I bought an old hotel on the fjord of Killary. It was set hard by the harbor wall, with Mweelrea Mountain across the water, and disgracefully gray skies above. It rained two hundred and eighty-seven days of the year, and the locals were given to magnificent mood swings. On the night in question, the rain was particularly violent—it came down like handfuls of nails flung hard and fast by a seriously riled sky god. I was at this point eight months in the place and about convinced that it would be the death of me.

“It’s end-of-the-fucking-world stuff out there,” I said.

From J. D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye :

Boy, it began to rain like a bastard. In buckets, I swear to God. All the parents and mothers and everybody went over and stood right under the roof of the carrousel, so they wouldn’t get soaked to the skin or anything, but I stuck around on the bench for quite a while. I got pretty soaking wet, especially my neck and my pants. My hunting hat really gave me quite a lot of protection, in a way; but I got soaked anyway. I didn’t care, though. I felt so damn happy all of a sudden, the way old Phoebe kept going around and around. I was damn near bawling, I felt so damn happy, if you want to know the truth. I don’t know why. It was just that she looked so damn nice, the way she kept going around and around, in her blue coat and all. God, I wish you could’ve been there.

From Jesmyn Ward’s Sing, Unburied, Sing :

“A dollar thirty,” she says, and I have to lean toward her to hear because thunder booms, a great clacking split, and the sky dumps water on the tin roof of the building: a tumble of sound. I can’t see down her shirt but it’s what I think about when I’m standing out in the rain, the back of my shirt pulled over my head like it could protect me, but all of me wet, gas fumes thick with the smell of wet earth, rain running down to blind my eyes, to stream from my nose. It all makes me feel like I can’t breathe. I remember just in time and tilt my head back, hold my breath, and let rain trickle down my throat. A thin knife of cool when I swallow. Once. Twice. Three times because the pump is so slow. The rain presses my eyes closed, kneads them. I think I hear a whisper of something, a whoosh of a word, but then it’s gone and the nozzle goes slack. The care is close and warm, and Kayla is snoring.

From William Shakespeare’s King Lear :

Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! Rage, blow! You cataracts and hurricanoes, spout Till you have drenched our steeples, drowned the cocks! You sulfurous and thought-executing fires, 5Vaunt-couriers of oak-cleaving thunderbolts, Singe my white head! And thou, all-shaking thunder, Smite flat the thick rotundity o’ th’ world, Crack nature’s molds, all germens spill at once That make ingrateful man!

From Thomas Hardy’s Far from the Madding Crowd :

The air changed its temperature and stirred itself more vigorously. Cool breezes coursed in transparent eddies round Oak’s face. The wind shifted yet a point or two and blew stronger. In ten minutes every wind of heaven seemed to be roaming at large. Some of the thatching on the wheat-stacks was now whirled fantastically aloft, and had to be replaced and weighted with some rails that lay near at hand. This done, Oak slaved away again at the barley. A huge drop of rain smote his face, the wind snarled round every corner, the trees rocked to the bases of their trunks, and the twigs clashed in strife. Driving in spars at any point and on any system, inch by inch he covered more and more safely from ruin this distracting impersonation of seven hundred pounds. The rain came on in earnest, and Oak soon felt the water to be tracking cold and clammy routes down his back. Ultimately he was reduced well-nigh to a homogeneous sop, and the dyes of his clothes trickled down and stood in a pool at the foot of the ladder. The rain stretched obliquely through the dull atmosphere in liquid spines, unbroken in continuity between their beginnings in the clouds and their points in him.

Kay Ryan’s “Expectations”:

We expect rain to animate this creek: these rocks to harbor gurgles, these pebbles to creep downstream a little, those leaves to circle in the eddy, the stains and gloss of wet. The bed is ready but no rain yet.

From Colson Whitehead’s The Colossus of New York :

Out on the street they hardly notice the clouds before it starts raining. The rain comes down in sheets. Drenched all at once, not drop by drop. The first drop is the pistol at the start of the race and at that crack people move for shelter, any ragtag thing, they huddle under ripped awnings, the doorway of the diner, suddenly an appetite for coffee. Pressed up against buildings as if on the lam. Little sprints and dashes between horizontal cover. Dry here. Surely it will stop soon, they think. They can wait it out. It cannot last forever.

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Examples Of The 5 Senses In Writing And How To Use Them

Using the 5 senses in writing can deeply immerse readers in scenes and stories by creating more vivid imagery in their minds. It’s a skill that can elevate books to a higher level. But so often we writers find ourselves lured into the trap of relying on sight and sound. Relying on a narrow range of sensory language isn’t always enough to bring a story to life. We can inject so much more into our stories simply by utilizing sensory details in our writing.

In this guide, we’ll take a look at our sensory organs, why we use vivid writing that appeals to the senses, look at the 5 senses and descriptive writing examples, and ways we can use each sense to elevate our stories to the next level.

Many people experience things through smell, touch, and taste. So appealing to the senses in our writing will enrich our tales and prose with vivid imagery, which is often used to help the reader feel immersed and engaged.

In fact, the oft-forgotten 5 senses are some of the most powerful forms of description, things that can enrich a story and give it life.

And, as we’ll see below, using a sensory description has an incredible ability to connect with us on a psychological level.

Let’s dive in.

Choose A Chapter

What are the 5 senses in the context of writing, why are the five senses important in writing, understanding the science behind sensory description, 5 senses examples from descriptive writing, how to use the 5 senses in writing, 3 exercises to help you use the 5 senses in your writing, a list of helpful adjectives for the five senses, frequently asked questions (faq), what are the five sensory organs.

Before we dive into looking at the 5 senses in a writing context, let’s look at what the five sensory organs are:

Special receptors in the skin that enable us to touch and feel

an infographic showing the five senses: vision, hearing, smell, taste and touch

Combined, our five senses enable us to learn, experience and create memories. Pepsi Max, for example, always reminds me of my history lessons in college—I’d drink a can during every lesson. Think of songs too. They have an incredible ability to transport us back to moments in our past. Let’s explore things in more detail.

If you’d like to learn more about the basics surrounding the 5 senses, see more examples, or learn how to incorporate sensory description in your writing, see this quick video.

Are There More Than 5 Senses?

Now, something you may be wondering about is whether or not there are more than the 5 classic senses. It is, in fact, believed that there is more than touch, taste, sound, sight, smell. These golden 5 were defined by Aristotle because he could relate them to sensory organs. They are sometimes known as the “five senses folk model”.

But it depends on the manner in which you define a sense.

Newer approaches look at the number of sensory organs we have. And many academics now counter the sixth sense as the vestibular system . This relates to the inner ear and the impact it has on our balance and vision.

But other academics have gone further than this. Some tweak the definition to include sensory receptors. Now the skin, for instance, has at least four sensory receptors, relating to pain, temperature, touch and body awareness (otherwise known as proprioception).

So when someone asks how many senses do we have, it’s all a matter of definition. You can check out this awesome video below by SciShow which explains things in more detail.

Perhaps the main one of the five senses, sight often receives information first and therefore forms our initial judgements.

When it comes to using sight in writing, our stories and characters are often guided by this prime form of description. We describe what our characters see.

However, it would be nigh impossible to describe every aspect of a scene, and even if you did achieve it, nigh impossible to read.

Some of the most acclaimed writers, Charles Dickens, in particular, approached it by picking the right details. The little things that tell us everything. Let’s look at an example of the sense of sight in writing from Great Expectations :

“There was a bookcase in the room; I saw, from the backs of the books, that they were about evidence, criminal law, criminal biography, trials, acts of parliament, and such things. The furniture was all very solid and good, like his watch-chain. It had an official look, however, and there was nothing merely ornamental to be seen. In a corner, was a little table of papers with a shaded lamp: so he seemed to bring the office home with him in that respect too, and to wheel it out of an evening and fall to work.”

This is Jagger’s office. Though he doesn’t feature, we’ve gleaned much about who he is from details like the types of books upon the shelves and the paper-filled table, suggesting he lives a busy, professional life.

Colour is another fantastic tool when it comes to sight. Dickens was known for using colours to portray emotions or themes, such as red for frustration or anger, black for death, white for purity or goodness. Using colour, particularly with themes and the premise , can add extra layers to a story.

We explore some more 5 senses examples below to give you some ideas when it comes to sight.

Writing Prompt

Stand in the middle of your bedroom. Look all around you. Make notes of every little detail you see. Colours, shapes. Crumbs or dust on the floor. The more attentive you can be the better.

Pick out things that could relate to characterisation. The books on a shelf perhaps—what kind of books are they? Are there empty glasses beside your bed, dishes too? All of this helps to build interesting imagery, as well as contribute to other elements of the story, in this instance, characterization .

Sound is incredibly important when it comes to using the 5 senses in our writing. Dialogue dominates many stories, but so often little attention is paid to how characters sound when they talk. It’s strange when you think about how unique people sound, and a person’s voice makes such a difference to how we form views of them.

Something I learned not so long ago is that ducks don’t quack. They tend to grunt or even cackle. It’s easy to assume how things sound, but sometimes what we assume is wrong.

It’s always worth taking the time to research. In doing so you may find new and original ways to describe the sound. Using metaphors and similes, particularly if the sound is unusual, is a great way to bring clarity to descriptions.

Another often overlooked thing is silence. Silence is an excellent tool to set the tone or build an atmosphere or tension . A noiseless forest. A still, foggy street. Eerie.

Either using yourself or ideally, your character, place yourself in a location in which things are happening around you—a park, for instance. Close your eyes and listen.

Make a note of every little sound you hear, from tweeting birds to jackhammers digging up roads. If you can, make a note of how different sounds make you feel. Do fireworks startle you, for instance? Then think about why they could startle you or your character.

Of all the five senses, touch is, in my view, one of the most powerful yet underrated ones. If you can convey touch in an effective way, you’ll reap the rewards.

The scope of this sense depends on the nature of the scene, but imagine, for example, walking barefoot through a forest. The softness of moss between your toes, the cool slime of mud, the pokes and scratches of sticks and stones. Such details can draw readers deeper into the story.

We’ll look at some sensory writing exercises below, but as a brief writing prompt now, close your eyes and pick something up. Describe how that object feels. What features does it have? The texture? Sturdiness? Width? Weight?

These little details can make all the difference when trying to achieve vivid writing that appeals to the senses.

Taste is the more neglected one out of the five sensory organs when it comes to writing. Just like all of the senses, using taste can enrich your story immensely.

How many times have you said the phrase, “It tastes like …”. So many of our memories are tied to tastes. Like I said before, Pepsi Max always reminds me of history classes in college. Which tastes trigger memories for you?

If this happens to us, it happens to your characters too. It’s a great thing to include within your characterization process.

Like smell, taste can serve as a trigger for memories. For example, a husband who shared a love for apple turnovers baked by his deceased wife is reminded of her whenever he eats one.

Taste can also trigger emotions. There’ve been times when I’ve eaten food that tasted so good I bounced with glee in my chair.

A fun one. Head down to your kitchen and finding something to eat that has a bit of texture. Close your eyes, take a bite. Focus closely as you chew, as the food rolls around your mouth, over your tongue and down your throat. How does it taste? How does it make you feel?

We, at last, arrive at smell, though its place is no reflection on its importance when it comes to using the 5 senses in our writing.

The power of smells cannot be underestimated. We smell things all of the time and those scents help to shape our impressions. What can you whiff right now?

A smell helps us to form a judgement on things, such as whether something’s okay to eat. And crucially, smells can trigger vivid memories and emotions, vital tools to any writer.

Here’s one of my favorite 5 senses examples for using smell in writing from James Joyce’s Ulysses :

“ Mr Leopold Bloom ate with relish the inner organs of beasts and fowls. He liked thick giblet soup, nutty gizzards, a stuffed roast heart, liverslices fried with crustcrumbs, fried hencods’ roes. Most of all he liked grilled mutton kidneys which gave to his palate a fine tang of faintly scented urine.”

How Do You Describe The Smell Of Rain In Creative Writing?

The technical term for the smell of rain is “petrichor”.

Rain brings with it a freshness, a crispness, an earthiness. It awakens the scents of other things like dry soil, flowers and grass. It’s something I turn to a lot when writing fantasy , especially in those scenes where characters are moving through rich, rural landscapes.

Similar to the task above which involves a trip out to a busy place, like a park, sit down and have a good sniff. Another good place to try is a coffee shop. Lots of smells of roasting coffee and baking cakes in there.

Importantly, think about where those smells lead you in your mind. Do they trigger memories? Do associated words pop into your mind? From your character’s perspective, this is what their experience would be like too.

This may seem like a straightforward question, but it’s always best to cover the basics before advancing to more technical points.

This style of prose is essentially writing that employs the five senses to create mental images for the reader.

For example, if you want to create a vivid image of a beach, you may describe the smell of seaweed or the grainy texture of sand.

In drawing upon these familiar sensations, we can open the portal wider for our readers to step into the scene, to feel what it’s like to be there. It’s a key part of creative writing in respect of description and something that can elevate your stories.

So that’s what the 5 senses in writing are—they empower your descriptions and help draw readers into the story. Let’s look more at why using them is important.

Here’s a quick video explainer with lots of handy examples:

Using your five senses in your writing is an incredibly powerful way to immerse your reader in the tale.

The more the reader can understand what it’s like to be in your character’s shoes at that precise moment, be it fleeing a demon or marching to war, knowing how it feels and smells like, as well as the visual and audio descriptions, can elevate stories to a whole new level. It quite simply makes it more enjoyable to read.

From a writing perspective, incorporating each of the five senses in your writing at appropriate moments is something your readers will love.

From the perspective of the fantasy writer specifically, using the 5 senses is a terrific way to reveal the details created during your worldbuilding process.

This is especially useful when you’re trying to convey unique imagery or something that’s altogether alien to the reader. It’s something I used a lot when writing Pariah’s Lament and readers loved it. This is just one of the many 5 senses examples you’ll find below.

We’ve covered a lot about using sensory descriptions and how they can elevate your writing to the next level. However, there are a lot of scientific studies that back up the theory.

For instance, in a study published back in 2011 by The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, it was found that we process certain words faster than others if there is a sensory experience attached to them.

Such studies aren’t new. In fact, Miller and Johnson-Laird (1976) examined how fundamental “word-percept associations” are to our language. This was expanded upon n a 2003 study by Rakova who emphasised a very important point—that the purpose of language is to express how we feel, what we see, hear, smell and taste.

Another study on sensory linguistics (which looks at how language relates to the senses), published by the University of Birmingham , examined humanity’s dependence on perceptions and how we interact with the world through feeling, seeing, tasting, hearing and smelling.

What we can see here is a growing understanding of the power and influence of a piece of sensory description. By examining these studies, writers can find a whole new appreciation for using the 5 senses in writing.

Let’s move on to look at the 5 senses and descriptive writing examples. As we’ve seen above, vivid imagery is often used to help the reader feel immersed in the story. So in this section, I’ve provided some from some bestselling books that make great use of the 5 senses, as well as some examples from my own novel.

“The tearing of flesh, as though a butcher were yanking meat from a flank. The bubbling of liquids and the soft rasping of the cutting tools.” Tooth & Nail , Ian Rankin

“Stars spun across his vision and his head felt as if it were about to burst… With difficulty, Hanno undid the chinstrap and eased off his helmet. Cool air ruffled his sweat-soaked hair.” Hannibal: Fields of Blood Ben Kane

“A cold wind was blowing out of the north, and it made the trees rustle like living things. All day, Will had felt as though something were watching him, something cold and implacable that loved him not.” A Game of Thrones, George RR Martin

“It was dark and dim all day. From the sunless dawn until evening the heavy shadow had deepened, and all hearts in the City were oppressed. Far above a great cloud streamed slowly westward from the Black Land, devouring light, borne upon a wind of war; but below the air was still and breathless, as if all the Value of Anduin waited for the onset of a ruinous storm.” The Return Of The King , JRR Tolkien.

This last one for me is a great example of a descriptive paragraph using the five senses. From the off, you not only get a vivid image of the setting (dark, dim, sunless dawn), but you can feel what it’s like to be there on an emotional level (hearts in the City were oppressed). Our senses are further teased with the description of a “still and breathless” air.

I wanted to provide you with a few more examples of descriptive paragraphs that use sensory details from my own novel, Pariah’s Lament to give you an idea of how these principles can be used in practice. The idea is to add little details to paint a more vivid picture so that you can almost feel there in the scene.

Let’s start with a 5 senses paragraph example:

The mud of the road sucked at her tattered leather boots, a quagmire after incessant rains. Autumn circled like a hawk. The wind grabbed at her woollen green cloak and homespun dress. The hand-me-downs from her cousins never fitted, always too wide at the waist and short of length. She pulled her cloak tight about her, bundling it around her hands to keep away the biting chill.

The ringing gave way to those crashes and bangs, each one coming with the beat of his heart. His eyes flickered open. Slate-grey clouds hung above. Dust hovered in the air, rocks and debris showered down upon him. He raised his throbbing head and looked around. Men and women, hands over their ears, cowered down behind the crenellations of the wall, fear etched upon their faces, consuming their eyes, paralyzing their bodies. A few defiant individuals continued to loose arrows. For many, it was the last they shot. The Karraban thunder smashed the parapets to bits, obliterated siege engines, battered the cliff behind them and knocked from it great chunks of rock that tumbled down to crush those below. The ringing in Jem’s ears eased enough for him to hear the screams. They became the backdrop to the rumbling of the Karraban thunder. Only one thought entered Jem’s mind: flee.

The bells rang loud and panicked across Yurrisa. Hidden in the shadows of the abandoned warehouse, Edvar and the others lay in wait. He peered through a crack in a boarded window at the cobbled street. Echoing along it came a shout. Another. Steps rushed toward him, and into view burst a group of soldiers, breaths billowing mist in the cold morning air.

Laughter rippled from the table behind Edvar. The three men were tanners, the least difficult of all working men to identify: stained clothes and hands and stinking of a peculiar cocktail of rotten flesh and mint. They rubbed themselves with the latter to mask the stench of the former. Nobody could bear their presence long enough to tell them it didn’t work.

A Quick Exercise For Finding Good Examples Of The 5 Senses In Writing

If you’d like to find more sensory description examples, I recommend doing this simple exercise:

Pick up any book that you see, one ideally that you don’t mind marking with a pen or highlighter. Next, scan the pages, looking for descriptive scenes. Whenever you see a sentence that refers to any of the five senses, highlight it in some way.

The benefit of doing this is that you get examples from a variety of different writers, each with their own clever way of making their exposition more immersive.

Something you may notice is that many of them employ metaphors and similes to help you build a visual image in your mind. This is a very effective way of using the 5 senses in writing. You could say things like:

The water smashed into the ground like the tide hitting a rocky coast
A squeal filled the air like a pig fearing slaughter
It smelled like an overflowing latrine pit sat in the baking sun

You can learn more about using metaphors and similes in this guide on writing prose.

Discover More Examples Of Descriptive Writing Using The 5 Senses

If you’re looking for more 5 senses examples for your writing, one of the best things you can do is to read books that pay particular attention to this. One of the standout books that explore this is Blindness by José Saramago.

There’s no shortage of sensory language examples out there for you to study. From books to writing guides like this, there are plenty of helpful resources you can learn from.

If you re-read some of your favourite books there’ll no doubt be passages where the writer employs a sight and smell or taste or touch to great descriptive effect. Oftentimes they employ simple but effective techniques (which we’ll cover below) that draw you deeper into the scene, so much so that you feel as if you’re there.

Often some of our favourite books are those that use to great affect the five senses. Books that transport us to new worlds and take us on epic adventures. And so often it’s the vivid descriptions that draw us in and help us walk amongst the characters.

We’ll look at some examples of the 5 senses in writing below that illustrate just how effective they can be further on below. But first, let’s look at why this is all so important.

How Do You Achieve Vivid Writing That Appeals To The Senses?

As we know, vivid writing that appeals to the senses has the ability to transform your story from something flat and full into something rich, comepelling and irresistable to read. It’s not an easy thing to do, but that’s why this guide exists, to show you and share my insights from 10 years’ experience writing.

Here are three the most useful and simplest tips I’ve come across over the years to help you achieve more vivid writing that uses the senses.

Practise – it sounds simple but one of the best ways to get used to including the 5 senses in your writing is to practise. Below, you can find lots of handy exercises that can help you sharpen your writing skills.
Reading – another very effective method of sharpening your usage of the five senses in your writing is to simply read the works of top-class authors. These talented writers can use small details that appeal to the senses and immerse you in the story.
Explore – to boost your vocabulary when describing scenes, characters and feelings with the senses, it helps to go out and explore the world and absorb what it is you’re trying to convey. For example, if you need to describe the feeling of the bark of a tree, going out and examining and touching the different trees around you can help you come up with ideas for describing textures, smells and unique visual descriptions. Imagine stumbling across something like this below, for example. Have a go at describing the rich detail using each of the senses.

a colorful landscape of fields and hills and farms which can be used to practice vivid writing that appeals to the senses

How Do I Use The 5 Senses To Write About Feelings And Emotions?

It’s difficult to describe how a character feels. People are complex beings and at the best of times, we can’t make sense of how we think and feel about a given thing.

When writing, using the 5 senses can open up doors into the minds of our characters. In utilising them, we can avoid simply telling the reader what our character is feeling, (like, “he felt sad”) and instead, we can suggest or show it through the likes of body language, like how their shoulders are (sagging or raised).

Here are some more examples of the 5 senses when describing emotion:

Sight – If, for example, your character is feeling a little down, you could focus on describing the way they interpret the world around them, such as focusing on the grey clouds hanging low in the sky, the wilted flowers in the garden, or the empty chair across the room.
Sound – Incorporating sounds can help to create an atmosphere that resonates with your readers. Let’s say your character is feeling anxious. You could describe the ticking clock, the distant sirens, the creaking floorboards—things that increase the tension.
Touch – A powerful method is to use tactile descriptions to help your readers feel what the character is feeling. For example, if your character is feeling nervous, you can describe their clammy hands, the beat of their heart in their ears, the tightness in their chest.
Taste – Using taste really adds depth to your descriptions of emotion. If your character is feeling joyful, you could describe the sweetness of a ripe strawberry, the richness of a dark chocolate truffle, or the effervescence of champagne bubbles. Linking these things back to memories can also help to trigger a more powerful reaction. For instance, the taste of a an Indian curry that you had the night you proposed to your wife.
Smell – Scent can also help to create a visceral experience for your readers, one that relates to them on a more emotional level. If your character is feeling nostalgic, you can describe the aroma of freshly baked cookies, the salty sea air, or the musky scent of old books.

By using the five senses in your writing you can create a multi-dimensional experience for your readers, making your characters and their emotions more real and relatable. Let’s take a look at just how powerful sensory details are when it comes to painting a picture in the reader’s mind.

Use A Checklist To Help You With Writing With The Senses

Something I’ve done to improve my use of the 5 senses in my writing is to include them within the planning process. It’s good to save it until the end when you’ve plotted out your story or chapter, however.

What I do is read over the plan and try and place myself in the scenes. Working my way through each sense, I list everything that pops into my head.

It’ll be unlikely that you need to spend too much time on sight , but taking the time to consider things in detail can provoke new and unique ideas. What little details can be included? Remember the power of specificity.
Next, onto sounds . Like sights, it’s unlikely you’ll need to spend too much time on this but it’s always helpful to consider the likes of characters’ voices and any usual sounds that could be featured.
Smells . When it comes to smells a good starting point is to list everything that comes to mind, even mere whiffs, which can be the most telling of all. Smells can provoke memories and emotions too, like the smell of perfume could remind a character of their dead lover, and that leaves you open to describe emotions.
What can your character touch or feel? How does the hilt of the sword feel in your character’s fingers? How does the touch of a vivacious woman feel to your lonely character? What information can be gleaned from the manner of a handshake?
Lastly, what tastes , if any, can you include? Is your character eating? Can they taste blood after being punched in the cheek? Do they enter a room where the smell is so foetid they can taste it?

Here are a few useful exercises to get into the swing of using the senses. The more you practice, the more it’ll become ingrained in the way you write and that’s why it’s one of my favorite writing tips of all!

One place, one sense . As the title suggests, think of a place and describe everything you can using just one sense. Challenge yourself. Pick a sense you feel you struggle with. Or do one sense, then a different one.
Describe an object using the 5 senses. This is a nice simple exercise. Pick one object and describe it using all of your senses. Examples of objects could be chocolate (so you can taste) or a bottle of perfume (for the smell!).
Close your eyes and pick an object up. This one was mentioned above, but it’s a powerful tool. Jot down everything you can think of.
Pick your favourite food and eat! This one’s a bit more fun. Take chocolate for example. Savour each bite and write down everything, from taste to texture, the sounds of it breaking in your mouth, and importantly, how it makes you feel.
Pick something alien and try to use sensory descriptions. This is a great way to challenge your use of the 5 senses because you have to create everything from scratch and to a whole new level of detail. So if you’re a sci-fi writer, this could be a great way to learn how to describe a spaceship in writing.

Here’s a brilliant visual exercise too which I highly recommend trying. It’s quick, and easy and really does hone your skills when it comes to using the 5 senses in writing.

1. Walk And Write

This exercise I call walk and write . Take a notepad and write five headings: sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. The next time you go out, even if it’s just to the shop on the corner, write down everything you experience. The touch of the rain or breeze, how the pavement feels underfoot, snippets of passing conversation you hear, the whistle of birds, how that warm and crispy sausage roll tastes. *Warning* You may look odd stopping all the time.

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Take a walk outside and observe your surroundings. Use your senses to take note of what you see, hear, smell, taste, and touch. Write down your observations.
Choose one of the things you noticed on your walk and use it as a prompt for your writing. For example, if you noticed the sound of birds chirping, write a descriptive paragraph that captures that sound.
As you write, be sure to use sensory language to bring your description to life. Instead of simply saying “I heard birds chirping,” try something like “The melody of birdsong filled my ears, each chirp a delicate note in a symphony of nature.”
Repeat this exercise for each of the senses. Choose a different observation each time and challenge yourself to use vivid sensory details to paint a picture with your words.

2. Write A Short Story With The 5 Senses

One of the most effective ways that you can sharpen your sensory description writing is to write a short story with the 5 senses.

The way it works is simple. Plan out your story—characters, plotting, theme—and then when it comes to the writing, you’re only permitted to use the five senses.

It can help to think of a story in which you’d likely use the sensory organs more than usual. Let’s look at a few writing prompts:

Your protagonist awakens in a dark cave. It’s cold and damp. They must figure out what’s happened and find their way out.
Your protagonist is fleeing through a forest. What are they running from? What awaits them up ahead?
Your character is upon a ship and is knocked overboard. How do they survive in the turbulent waves?

These are just a few prompts that are specifically designed to help you use the five senses in your writing. Trust me, an exercise like this will have your skillset sharpened in no time.

3. Use 5 Senses Writing Prompts

Here are some 5 senses writing prompts that may help you get started:

You’re at home, watching TV. You catch the scent of something. Something that makes you mute the TV, look around, stand up. What is it you smell?
For three days you’ve been travelling alone through the woods. You’re two days from your destination. Tired, weary. And you’re pretty sure something is following you. The sun has long since set. The embers are dying in your fire. And you begin to hear sounds close by…
You’ve just started a new job. The office is big, labyrinthine. On your way back from lunch on your first day, you get lost. You open a door with stairs leading down. You follow them. Get further lost. And the steps give way. You awake in darkness to the sound of something growling. You reach for your phone, turn on the torch…

There are a few examples of sensory language-based writing prompts for you. See where they take you.

You can never have enough adjectives to help you describe the five senses. Below, you can find a pretty simple list, but it serves as a great starting point. From there you can add some of your own examples of using the 5 senses in descriptive writing. I also have some other helpful writing tools here that you may find useful.

a list of adjectives for the five senses in writing

Below, you can find answers to some commonly asked questions when it comes to sensory descriptions, as well as more descriptive writing examples using the 5 senses.

“The icy wind rattled the ancient shutters upon the windows, stirring a shudder and setting every hair on her body on edge.”

This sentence uses sensory language to describe not just how the setting looks (from the rattling ancient shutters we see it’s an old possibly abandoned house), and crucially, we get a sense of how it feels to be in that setting, which is the main objective. It feels eerie, we feel the cold. We’re spooked.

Sensory description in fiction writing requires a writer to utilise the 5 senses – sight, sound, touch, taste and smell.

Incorporating the senses into your writing is simple. First, focus on what your characters can see in the scene. Then, one by one, think about what they can hear, smell, feel and taste. Assort your various descriptions and pick out your most powerful few.

The five senses are often used to draw a reader deeper into the scene, to feel closer to the characters. Writers do this by adding extra details focusing on the likes of touch and smell. This vivid writing that appeals to the senses can help immerse readers in our tales.

The best way is to pick up your favourite book and highlight any sentences or paragraphs that utilise the 5 senses. You’ll then have a bank of sensory details examples to call upon whenever you need them.

A sensory description is one that includes sight, sound, touch, smell and taste. Exploring sensory language examples gives you a greater ability to immerse your readers in the story and experience what the characters feel.

If you have any questions or need more examples of the 5 senses in writing, please contact me.

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When writing about the senses, authors should be careful to avoid FILTER words (saw, heard, felt, smelled, tasted) that detract from the scene. Don’t say, “I saw the sparkling water.” Instead, make it more vivid. Leave out “saw.” We know you saw it because you are describing it to us. Tell us instead more of WHAT you are seeing. “The sparkling water bubbled as a creature from below made its way to the surface.” Same goes with using “heard,” “felt,” “smelled,” and “tasted.” Omit those words and describe those senses so people can experience what the character is experience.

Terrific points! Thanks for taking the time to share!

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Thanks for sharing!

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Thanks for the link!

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This was very helpful in as a source.

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Describe The Weather In Writing With Better Vocabulary

When you describe the weather in writing, you set the scene for your story or a part of your story.

It’s an opportunity to show readers the setting rather than tell them about the weather using a couple of quick adjectives.

Using highly descriptive or figurative language and a variety of grammar structures helps you paint the picture vividly in a reader’s mind.

In almost every story, both fiction and nonfiction, there is usually at least one reference to the weather.

How to describe the weather in writing

We all know this famous opening line from Edward Bulwer-Lytton’s 1830 novel, Paul Clifford.

It was a dark and stormy night.

Many have criticized the phrase, and Writer’s Digest went as far as to call it the literary poster child for bad story starters.

The main issue is that it uses two very weak adjectives: dark and stormy. Neither of them is usefully descriptive.

The second problem with the phrase is that it starts with a grammatical expletive .

When writing about the weather, using it was, or there was is a common writing fault. It’s because we so often refer to the weather as it.

But few people take into account what follows Bulwer-Lytton’s famous clause. It’s a pity because the complete sentence is a wonderful example of how to describe the weather in writing.

It was a dark and stormy night; the rain fell in torrents—except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up the streets (for it is in London that our scene lies), rattling along the housetops, and fiercely agitating the scanty flame of the lamps that struggled against the darkness.

He uses descriptive noun phrases , strong verbs, and powerful adjectives.

The combination of these three elements paints a vivid picture for readers.

Choosing your vocabulary

You can find many lists of common and unusual words to describe the weather, so you have plenty of choices.

But you should avoid words that are too simplistic. It was hot, cold, windy, or rainy are all very weak expressions.

But if you describe the heat, the cold, the wind, or the rain with noun phrases, you can improve these easily.

The sun started baking early across the plains, delivering a scorching promise for the day ahead.

The cruel icy wind cut like a knife across her cheeks.

Rain, as always, arrived too little, too late to save the crops.

Words that are not widely understood are also worth avoiding. While it’s interesting to find new words, not all of them are useful.

A good example is petrichor. It is the smell or scent of rain arriving after a period of dry weather.

But it is difficult to use, and it might send readers hunting for a dictionary.

The petrichor gave a hint of hope to the farmers.

It would be better to use a descriptive phrase.

The sweet far off scent of rain on dying grass gave hope to the farmers.

Brontide is another, meaning the sound of distant thunder or rumblings of an earth tremor. Again, it’s a great word to know, but with very limited use in writing.

Try this simple formula

Anytime you need to write about the weather, keep this little trick in mind.

Start with a noun phrase, use a strong verb , then add a descriptive clause .

You also need to describe the noun and verb with adjectives and adverbs.

Here’s a quick example.

The heavy dark clouds rolled slowly and low across the parched pastures, but they were heartbreakers, as not a drop of rain fell before the cruel wind carried them away.

It’s an easy way to make sure you avoid the grammatical expletive and weak adjectives.

You can also experiment with similes or metaphors . For example, raining cats and dogs.

Use verbs that sound like the weather

Onomatopoeic verbs and words are perfect for describing the weather because they make a sound.

Here are a few examples to illustrate sound words.

The pitter-patter of raindrops.

Thunder rumbled overhead.

Light hail pinged on the window pane.

With each step, the fresh snow crunched underfoot.

A bolt of lightning cracked across the night sky.

A cold north wind hissed through the trees.

A sudden boom of thunder forewarned us of the approaching storm.

Verbs and words like these are extremely useful because they are action words and highly descriptive.

This article is not a lesson or lecture on how to describe the weather in writing.

It’s purely a reminder that you can always improve.

I have listed a few ideas above, but there are many more ways you can make the weather more interesting.

All it takes is to remember that the setting for a scene or a story needs careful thought and imagination.

But if there are two key takeaways from my article, they are these.

1. Avoid using the grammatical expletive when referencing the weather.

2. Use noun phrases and strong verbs.

If you do those two things, the rest of your weather scene setting will come very easily.

Related reading: Words To Avoid In Writing That Say Nothing

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Writing contests, make money writing, hottest topics, how to use weather to set the scene.

The weather is so much more than how wet you’re getting. It’s amazing how many writers overlook the weather as a useful tool in both setting and also in telling the story.

Many years ago, we relied on the weather and took it seriously. Poor weather affected crops and livestock. Bad weather would even affect health – be it through famine or disease.

Nowadays we have supermarkets that will fly in food from around the world and central heating and air conditioning to ensure that whatever is happening outside, we don’t need to vary the climate inside our home.

But it’s deeper than that. Seasons reflect aspects of life and weather can be a great barometer (pun intended) for emotions.

In reality, we all react slightly differently to the weather. Some love the heat and others despise it. Even considering these variances, the majority of people will react similarly to most climactic conditions.

The English language is littered with idioms that reference the season or the specific weather. They don’t need explaining; we all understand exactly what people mean when they use one. That’s because they are understood as a subconscious level.

Weather Conveys Different Moods

Spring = hope, new birth Summer = adulthood, happiness Autumn = preparing for old age Winter = death Sunshine = happiness, goodness Storm = trouble, a change Calm before the storm = trouble or a change ahead Rainbow = hope, a link between two extremes (sun and rain) Cloudy = confused, muddled, unclear Clouds on horizon = trouble ahead No wind = no change Windy = changes Rough weather = problems Fog = confusion, unaware Rain = depressed, badness Snow = coldness, cleansing

How to Use Weather in a Setting

This makes weather an ideal setting tool to convey what’s going on in the story or in a character’s head.

You don’t need to use the sledgehammer approach but I’d also exercise caution at being too clever. A few references, subtle ones, dropped in during a scene will convey the message.

As an example, if you used the rain as a portent for something bad about to happen, don’t have the character thinking, ‘It’s starting to rain and rain is a bad thing.’

Instead, reference the changing light – from bright to muted grey tones. You could even describe the rain, or its effect as resembling something inherently evil. The use of metaphors and weather work well.

Mention the noise that the rain brings; reference something having to stop because of the weather. Consider how inanimate objects react to the weather – or even how the characters change.

How does the rain affect textures? How does it change how things sound? Does its own noise drown out something the character was listening to? Does it simply stop whatever was making a noise? Does it therefore bring silence?

How does it affect the character’s senses? Does it affect what they’re doing? And be subtle here – does it affect their mood?

Remember to build the mood; don’t dunk the reader in it. Sometimes a sudden change in mood is necessary and an equally sudden change in weather is appropriate but this is likely to be the exception to the rule.

Sometimes the change, or even the manner of the change, is as important as the weather itself.

Let the reader join the dots. If you’ve positioned them well enough, they’ll get the picture. You don’t need to go over them with a wax crayon to convey the message.

Finally, never forget that setting is an integral part of writing a novel. Despite this, the use of weather is just one tool to set the scene – not your only one.

About the Author: Mark Walton is the author of 46 Ways to Improve Your Plotting, a self-help guide for writers. If you want to improve your chances of getting a story published then visit http://www.betternovelwriting.com/Plotting.htm and see how quickly and easily your writing can advance.

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19,890 quotes, descriptions and writing prompts, 4,964 themes

rain - quotes and descriptions to inspire creative writing

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driving in rain
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At once there came a flash mob of rain, tap-dancing upon roof and concrete paths the same.

Rain took her flight from cloud to new foliage, forming upon them a flock of water-cloches.

The door stood as weathered shield, ever protecting from the seasonal storm-arrows.

Rain touched our skin as a mother's kisses, quenching and with the ever promise of more.

Rain be-speckled gems upon your skin bring your beauty into every clearer definition.

There is a light, a playful light that comes to heart of tiny rain kissed leaves and raises them far beyond the status of the cold cut gem.

The air was an anxious swirl of drops, wind-freed from gravity.

Honeyed rain before a golden sun promises new rainbows to the day.

The watery alphabet of the clouds comes to sing upon the roof.

And so the rain invites a street of colourful umbrellas to blossom.

I only realise the rain is cold because my skin carries the heat of my blood, because my inner fires burn strong. And as I stride onwards my eyes are always seeking the rainbows given by the light.

From blossomed clouds come water-petals into the fresh spring air.

Rain conjures a sweet pattern upon my skin, the thousands of liquid globes reflecting the greenery of nature. It is cooling on this warm day, a welcome shower to add to the senses.

Each raindrop is the drop that kissed your skin in those days that we were together, me and you, my baby boy. Each one is the same because they sing of these such treasured memories, of the comforting love that remains and the hopes I hold for your future. And so, I love the rain better than photographs, for each one is a perfect moment.

Give me the rain in those flashing sheets of cold droplets and I'll show you how the world breathes into those ready to live. Show me how the rain traces sweet paths on your skin and I'll give you a way to feel more alive than any manmade high ever could. So as the clouds gather I feel my soul stir, the air electrified as it anticipates the quenching storm.

Let the rain come, for I am safe and warm in my home. Let it come with its serenade on the roof and steady drumming on the windows. From this cozy place I watch it enrich the sweet brown soils and make glossy every leaf. It is the liquid goodness that goes to the roots and brings the world to such health.

Show me the rain and I will show you that which fills the holy grail, for without the cloud given water it is only a cup. Yet with these drops that come to greet the earth with the splendour of their music and the sensation of flow, is the feeling of joy - not the elevated and loud happiness of the rave, but the sweet serenity of a loving quiet purpose.

If the rain is one drop it is millions, cascading from a confident sky. It is the sort of weather that washes everything anew, bringing deep puddles into which children splash. And in that happy congregation of water and air, is the sense of being alive, that from such beautiful simplicity comes everything we love, the flora, the fauna, the very essence of nature.

Here come the drops steady and soft, falling from a sky of white velvet. They come altogether and yet as pioneers. And though I am soon quite wet, I have the joy of the leaves, of everything that makes the world so green.

In late summer the Earth is ready for the rains, for sweet drops to quench the soils. It is then that the pitter patter returns to the woodlands, simple water to bring nature's magic. The pathways strengthen from a dusty brown to deep mahogany, reviving a healthy glow I've longed to see return. Summer foliage has it's time, the green canopy to give shelter when it's needed, yet this is beauty also, the heaven-given promise seasonal changes fulfilled.

The rain brings a richness to each hue, the browns deepen in a way that soothes my heart, brings a steadiness to my soul. The grass becomes glossy, reflecting the light, a new bright shine to their wands, softly waving in the breeze. This rain brings a freshness, each drop a heaven-given gift for each part of creation. I raise up my hand, tilt my face toward the sky, feeling water and sunshine together. As I do, a song stirs within, one that feels as if it means "thank you" and "love" all at once. Perhaps this is joy, a happiness that feels pure.

We have these autopilot submarine tankers. They go to where the sea-storms are and collect the rain, a funnel filling the underwater tank. Then they go to where the fresh water is needed... and it's all done with clean technology. We still do desalination, but this is easy and there's no point in letting all that clean water just fall in the ocean.

The rain comes, oblivious to the life it gives. It washes the world, quenching soil and the life whom depend upon it. In either warmth or coldness, sunlight or moonlight, rain comes, humble to its role. In this almost-spring afternoon, it is the percussion to the birdsong and the bringer of brightness to every hue of bark and leaf.

Rain floats in gentle waves, as if gravity is a soft music from the Earth, a sweet beckoning serenade. Each drop bequeathes itself unto the cooling air - wet lifeboats in a dry sea. Together they paint a new picture around a glowing streetlamp. Light streams into the rich blue, as if seeking the sun, as if it is a song to the moon - and in those sacred drops it blooms into a star like those above. Sarah smiles, because in that moment, the water and the light have become a golden flower, an echo of life bursting into the night.

The rain has lost the ambient temperature of early fall, freezing and paling my skin on contact. The path through the park is muddy water in motion, filling deep puddles that hide the ruts of dryer weather. To feel it isn't enjoyment, not fun like the gentle sunshine of springtime, yet it is a part of life and I want to feel it just the same. I want to experience each drop, together and apart, same and different. I want to see the droplets soaking my eyelashes before they join their brethren on the ground like saltless tears. I need to be in this, chaotic and wild, just like my mind and soul - like nature looked right into me and pulled the weather out.

Rain falls like God's own poetry; each drop is a single letter in a song that takes eons to sing. It has always been music, always called to me in ways I cannot explain. When the patter of the drops tumbles from grey skies the melody brings serenity no matter the chaos in my life. Rain. Blessed rain.

Each drop sits on my skin like a puddle that will never leave, perfectly formed, perfectly cold. I feel the water steal my body heat just a tiny bit at a time. Perhaps once I would have sort shelter or warmth - but no longer. I have become accustomed to the elements, to the wind and chill. There is a coziness in my suffering, as if life has and will always be this way. There is comfort in predictability. I wonder though, what if the sun broke through? What if each drop sparkled with light? What then? Would the warmth seep through and bring a new reality? Would I shake off this rain as easily as a cat after a storm? Because... I think I'd like that. I'd like that a lot.

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160+ Ways to Describe Weather

I keep a collection of descriptions that have pulled me into the books I read. I’m fascinated how authors can–in just a few words–put me in the middle of their story and make me want to stay there. This one’s 160+ Ways to Describe Weather.

A note: These are for inspiration only . They can’t be copied because they’ve been pulled directly from an author’s copyrighted manuscript (intellectual property is immediately copyrighted when published).

Evening shadows deepened into blue and purple.
The shadows retreated.
Sun was sinking toward the horizon, the pitiless white ball now an angry orange.
Fading afternoon in early June
Evening sky had turned to molten brass.
Sun still cast a faint yellow light through Slowly gathering evening.
Daylight had begun to drain away.
one-quarter of a moonlit night
silver-white moon hung
A half-moon rests in the fronds over our heads.
watching the horizon drain of color
The shadows slipped up the rocks as though the world were drowning in darkness.
deepening shadows made it a city of ghosts
barely visible in the fading light
the high heavens
Darkness settled around him.
The shadows slipped up the rocks.
Evening was crisp already, the last of sunset just a fading pale stripe in the western sky.
darkening river
the moon golden at dawn, turn purple just before sunset in the rainy season, sometimes has white and black stripes created by volcanic ash, calm and clear sometimes attended by only a single cloud
humpback shapes of conical hills
The last rays of sun skimmed the surface.
late afternoon sun
velvety darkness
night shattered like a mirror
the Southern Cross lying on its side, the green meadow bathed in the humid light of the sinking sun
The corners have just about disappeared into the shadows.
black branches that traced the blue-black heavens overhead
far away down the night sky
full moon a pale blue-white disk
night sky dull black
Stars were remote pinpricks.
a half-moon rests in the fronds over our heads
inky blackness
Thick clouds blotted out the stars.
A thin layer of clouds masked the full moon, filling the room with blue light.
Sun cast a luminescent glow.
The day was out of sync with his mood.
beautiful, 82 degrees, mild breeze, cloudless sunshine, a day for looking at a ball game
The air was cool but the sun was out.
The wind blew itself out overnight.
a web of clouds, back-lit by the failing sun, mist billowed through the trees and over the fields and hung low in the air, masking the camp in a ghostly gray
towering thunder clouds
Clouds threatening, but no rain predicted the 45-mile per hour gusts of drizzly wind.
brown cloud that passes for air
a wedge of sunlight bursting past the narrow window
The wind was icy and withering.
Heads bowed against the gusting wind.
Grit grated in his teeth. Dust was everywhere, blowing on the wind, leaving its scent in his nostrils.
as dust motes drifted
thirty miles over the horizon
razor edge of the horizon
cinder dust and gloom
The haze floated over the crowd like smoke from a doused fire.
Sun hanging in a pink haze of clouds and smog.
Fog yellowed by agricultural burning.
Fog began to billow across the road in a great grey mass like the effluent of a thousand smokestacks. The building was only a shadowy form, almost entirely lost to view.
Headlamps of cars did little to pierce the gloom.
The mist floated like smoke out of the cypress in the swamp.
dark clouds drifting over the hills
night was pitch
slice of sky
thick clouds blotted out the stars
a thin layer of clouds masked the full moon, filling the room with blue light
cool restful shady world with light filtering lazily through the treetops that meet high overhead and shut out the direct sunlight
saw the anvil of cloud coming in. “A thunderstorm.”
Cumulus clouds falling down to the…
A light breeze whispered through the trees.
cloud shadows
first cumulus clouds darkening into thunderheads
hold humidity like a sponge holds water
thick heat of the growing morning
fierce humidity
windless heat
It was surprisingly hot. He could feel the sweat roll down his sides and the dampness of the box up against his chest.
Even with the breeze, the air remained thick and hot, and it stills tank of petroleum.
sky as gray-white and sunless
against the fading layers of orange, yellow
shoulders hunched against the early morning damp and cool
fused warm light of dawn now creeping down the summit
bathed in sunlight
gold shadow not three inches from his leg
his breath steaming in the air
Snow pelted his face and he pulled up the collar of his overcoat to further shield him from the bitter weather.
rubbed his arms
A harsh winter wind blew out of a midnight sky. It roared out of the frigid north and thrashed the brooking forest. The force of it bent trees, whipping their bare branches like angry lashes. Shrieking across the river.
Cold was like that, seeping through her seven layers of clothing, attacking seams and zipper tracks and spots of thin insulation. The exposed skin on her face felt as if it had been touched with lit cigarettes.
frigid Friday morning
swirling snow
winter’s naked branches created a black tracework
The sun was climbing out of the deep well of winter, but it was still brutally cold.
winter colors daubed the land in colors of brown and gray
sunny, crisp and cool
The crisp air and clear sky energized his thoughts.

Rainy weather

grey wet morning
rain-swept and unpleasantly chilly
A flurry of rain stung my face.
Cold rain was beating down on my windshield.
The sky was leaden.
Downpour started in the early evening and continued on through the night, a heavy pelting of water that thundered against rooftops and drowned out the sound of all else. By morning, city streets were shallow rivers rushing toward the ocean.
Rain ran down the window, the streets gleamed.
damp paving stones
By the time it reaches the ground, it has spent its energy.
windshield wipers barely keeping up with the cold, hard rain
The rain came steady and cold against the windshield and rattled on the roof of the car.
turned her head away and looked out my window, where it had gotten dark and shiny with the lights glistening off the rain.
The maple trees were black and slick in the rain, their bare branches shiny. The flower bed was a soggy matting of dead stems.
The sky was low and gray.
Air was swollen.
the rain was steady and warm and vertical
drizzly rain
The sleety rain drizzled down, not very hard and not very fast, but steady.
Rain came down so hard it almost hurt, stinging the skin and blowing into the eyes and nose and mouth, but in the forest its fall is broken by the trees.
saw a distant flash of lightning, counted the seconds, and then said, “six miles, more or less.”

People in hot weather:

Heat wave hit, temperatures went soaring.
The heat hit them like a hand in the face.
strode into the dusk, into the stifling heat
The heat smacked the grin off his face.
Burst back into the blistering hot sun. Sweat immediately beaded across her brow. She could feel her T-shirt glue itself stickily to her skin.
I could feel the sweat form along my backbone and trickle down.
She slogged forward, feeling blotches of dark gray sweat bloom across the front of her T-shirt, while more trailed down the small of her back.
slogging across pavement as hot as ash in August.
white dress shirt, sharply pressed this morning, was now plastered against his chest
already short of breath, his lungs laboring as they headed down the path
still wrung out from working in the heat
Take your shirt off. Pop your underwear in the freezer. Dump a tray of ice cubes on your bed. Throw back some chilled vodka shots before you go to sleep.
The semi-drought slowly draining the life out of the grass and trees.
Only 7 in the morning, and already stocky hot. *** had a sheen across his forehead.
Sweat tricked from his forehead which he wiped with the back of his knotted, callused hand.
hundred degree heat, burning sun and parching salt
ninety-five outside, probably a hundred in the car. Not great weather for polyester suits
a fresh drop of sweat teared up on her brow and made a slow, wet path down the plane of her cheek
walking through a hair dryer
The heat slammed her like a blow.
*** cranked the air-conditioning. She stripped off her sweat-soaked clothes, climbed into the shower and scrubbed.
answered the phone while used the other hand to wipe the sweat from the back of her neck. God this heat was unbearable. The humidity level had picked up on Sunday and hadn’t done a thing to improve since.
*** thin green sundress was already plastered to her body while she could feel fresh dewdrops of moisture trickle stickily down between her breast.
Cradled the phone closer to her damp ear
Her face shiny with sweat.
Summer sun remained a brilliant, blinding white. No shade existed for miles and the heat rising up from the baked earth was brutal.
The summer heat came off the tarmac in waves.

Hot Weather

While the mercury climbed to a hundred degrees. Efforts started strong, then petered out. People got hot, got tired, got busy with other things—inside things.
Seemed to be bracing himself for leaving the cool comfort of air-conditioning behind and bursting once more into the heat
The heat settled in on them, rolling in like a heavy blanket and pressing them deep into their chairs while their clothing glued to their skin.
Even my teeth are sweating
The sun beat down relentlessly; even with the AC cranked up, she could feel the heat.
She could already feel sweat trickle down her back.
The sun burned white-hot overhead.
glass exploding from the heat of the sun
vanish in the dry season’s brown leaves

Click for the complete list of 69 writer’s themed descriptions .

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Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Man vs. Nature saga, the Rowe-Delamagente thrillers , and the acclaimed Building a Midshipman , the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy . She is also the author/editor of over a hundred books on integrating tech into education, adjunct professor of technology in education, blog webmaster, an Amazon Vine Voice , and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics. Look for her next prehistoric fiction, Savage Land Winter 2024

122 thoughts on “ 160+ Ways to Describe Weather ”

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Weaving words so perfectly – Thanks for sharing. And overnight, a transformation. Summer at last.,, .

Like Liked by 1 person

These really inspire me. I often read through my collections when I’m stuck.

helped my writing

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Reblogged this on Coffee82 and commented: Awesome.

Like Liked by 2 people

Nice collection! A lot of poetic and inventive phrasing there.

✨🙏🕉🌱🌿🌳🌻💚🕊☯🐉✨

Weather is so many different things to different people. Not surprising I found 160 descriptions of it.

Ha! yes – that got me thinking about the old “Number of words for snow” question, and I found this . As a Scot myself though I have to say I am very, very skeptical of the final claim in that article!

I’ve heard of that, too. Luckily, my folks don’t have that problem but it is truly an issue if you’re writing about present-day groups in snowy lands.

Appreciate your list of ways to describe the weather. Timeless too. Here I am 2 years since your post and inspired by your creativity. Take care, Steve

It is timeless, isn’t it! When I put this list together, it helped me to better appreciate weather.

Impressive list. (Mine, now!) I’m compiling one for similes. Raymond Chandler makes me smile with his off the wall analogies. I recently added a Writing Terms Checklist on my free checklists page. It was too long for a post. Thanks for all you do!

I like checklists. I’ll check yours out!

Hi Jacqui, Thanks for reading my modest post. What an accomplished woman you are! What would we do without words, eh! Cheers. Joy x

Thanks, Joy. I enjoyed your thoughts. It’s amazing what inspired such accomplished writers as the Brontes.

Excellent list, Jacqui. I even get lots of ideas for titles, something I’m always struggling with entering competitions.

I grab these from books I read. You can probably tell I favor thrillers, action. I like ‘weather’ and ‘setting’ to be a character as much as the others.

That’s an amazing compilation. Thanks for sharing!!

Thanks! These sorts of lists inspire me.

An awesome post, Jacqui. Thank you. Weather intrigues. It is joy-filled and sometimes furious. God is bowling upstairs during a thunderstorm. Be well and enjoy the week. ox

Thanks–weather is fascinating. I like when I can feel it through an author’s words.

Indeed and thank you, Jacqui. Word play is an enjoyable activity. We have about seven months of winter, two days of spring and then summer at our end of the pond in Upstate New York. I love my four seasons. Be well.

7 months of winter. I didn’t know NY was that cold! Good to know so I never move there!

Jacqui, I laughed at your comment. We live near Lake Ontario and Oneida Lake and get frequent lake effect snow storms in winter. When I first moved to this area, I learned about lake effect snowstorms. We have excellent snow removal though so come on over sometime. Colorful in Autumn too.

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These are great, Jacqui! And yes, inspirational. It’s good to see how other authors describe things; it gives ideas on alternates.

It is. There are some very clever minds out there.

What an epic list 😀 Reminds me of a ‘music’ video we were recommended to watch for university called ’50 words for snow.’ It’s fun to think of different ways to describe things!

That must be put out by Eskimos. They know more about snow than anyone I’ve seen.

That’s a long list, Jacqui. So many ways to tell the day. Thanks for sharing this!

It’s one of my longest! Who knew?

That’s a lot of ideas for talking about the weather 🙂

Dinner party chat.

Quite eloquent 🙂

These lists are so inspirational! Thank you for posting this.

It is pretty interesting to view weather through so many literary eyes, innit?

Yes, indeed. I learn so much. 🙂

great list Jacqui. i use the weather regularly in my stories to create a specific mood. thanks for the info.

A bit of unexpected inspiration. Who knew weather was so interesting?

exactly, Jacqui. i also post weather images regularly on instagram. especially the colours of sunrises and sunsets in clouds during different seasons and different weather conditions.

Interesting post, Jacqui. Thanks.

I highlight memorable phrases in the Kindle books I read. Although I no longer transcribe them into a file on my computer (too time-consuming), the mere act of highlighting imprints the phrases in my mind. If an author particularly impresses me, I can scroll through the highlights and reread the highlights for inspiration.

That’s how I do it, too. I like it so well, I’ve migrated from being a print book reader to a Kindle reader.

It’s nice to see the wide variety of language. Not that it is needy. I can describe the weather currently in my area in one word — sucky! 😀

Ah South Korea. It rained most of the time on my one visit there. And no one but me seemed to care!

We’re having a monsoon right now. Don’t remember having a good one of these for a while.

I remember my son telling me July was the typhoon season, which is why we visited in May. Stay safe!

Nothing that crazy. We had a tropical depression pass through, but that’s it. It’s just wet.

I love the idea of keeping a notebook with descriptions that catch your attention. I’m going to start doing this.

Mine is so long,d I added a table of contents with links to the sections! I’m a bit nuts about it.

Pingback: Author Inspiration and This Week’s Writing Links – Staci Troilo

I love the way you compile and share these lists with us, Jacqui. They are amazing and so helpful. Can I confess something? I share some of them with my creative writing students, and then give them prompts where they have to include 3 or more things from your lists. Will be interesting to see how I do that with weather. 🙂

This one got a little long. Who knew there were so many clever ways to describe weather?

I am flattered you share them! I would say weather could surprise them.

This one IS long – but weather gives us a lot to talk about and a lot to experience. I love the list. I will say, the prompt my students seem to love the best is. (are you sitting down?) “It was a dark and stormy night…” 🙂

Reblogged this on Marina Costa and commented: Interesting and useful to know.

Thanks for sharing, Marina!

The English should love this…

I would say India not so much. Do you-all get anything other than hot and humid or too-darn-windy?

What a helpful post, Jacqui! It reminds me of how we can put effort into our descriptions.

BTW, you won a book on my blog. Please confirm there.

Ooh, sorry I missed that. I just went over and replied and then emailed my info to you. How exciting!

Reblogged this on quirkywritingcorner and commented: I love her lists of descriptions. I hope you find them as helpful as I do.

Thanks for sharing this! It puts to bed any thought that weather is boring, doesn’t it?

That’s quite a collection, Jacqui. Isn’t it amazing that each of us can conjure something unique?

It is! Next time you don’t know what to say to someone, you can eruditely talk about the weather!

That’s so funny. Weather ‘small’ talk. Who would’ve thought. 😂

Great post. That’s a wonderful collection

Thank you so much, Luisa. It’s hard to make weather interesting but some very clever authors have done just that.

Jacqui, I love this post. The more I have been reading, the more I recognize how important it is for authors to paint a picture in your mind. To be able to put you right in the middle of the books setting. Sometimes when my mind has trailed off the story, it is descriptions like these that put my mind right back in.

That’s true, innit. A little inspiration to start your day.

I love your descriptions of weather and the times of day. Such descriptions can help add a sense of time in a story (just as the phases of the moon or the stars can create time (crescent moon in evening is aa new waxing moon, crescent moon in morning before sunrise is a waxing moon just before the “dark of the moon” which are the three days the moon is in the shadow of the earth. As for stars: Orion in winter, Scorpus in summer, etc). The dog star in Canis Major, Sirius, the brightest star in the sky, rising in late summer (as it rises just before daylight) is linked to “dog days” of summer…

I also like the old graveside prayer that describes the end of life: “until the shadows lengthen and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, then in thy mercy grant us a safe lodging and a holy rest and peace at last.”

What a wonderful poem. I’ve copied it. It captures so much of the fear and hope.

Thanks for these awesome examples, Jacqui! Saving and sharing…

It’s always fun to talk about the weather, innit?

New Jersey weather: moist ‘n’ icky.

Good description, especially the ‘icky’.

I calls ‘em like I sees ‘em.

Oh my, Jacqui. I love your lists and that’s a good long one. Great thought starters. Thanks for sharing your collection!

Since we-all know we must cover weather, I thought these were clever asnd interesting ways to do that!

Ha ha ha. I love weather. 😀

Right now there is only one way to describe the weather here in my city: hot

Here, too, though I have an excellent fan in my home office.

Some great phrases here, Jacqui. I am reading The Long Walk by Bachman/King at the moment and that has some very descriptive phrases in it.

Oooh, I’ll have to look at him. I love nature writers.

It’s not a nature book, it is a dark psychological horror.

Woah! OK, that’s different!

Darn! All the things I was about to write! 😀

Hehee. These are beyond most of what I write but I’ve seen what you turn out. Excellent.

Wonderful post!

Thanks, Ed. Food for thought…

A lot, just wonderful and so helpful.

My goodness …. can I just say ‘HOT’ … luckily today it’s cooler with a sea breeze … I need to read them all – clever and thank you! Cheers Hilary

Hot works. Absolutely.

Hahaha can I just say HOT, or the weather outside is weather yeah?

What a wonderful list, Jacqui! These are descriptions that always make me pause and reread them to fully enjoy them. They do draw the reader deep the story. I enjoyed reading these, thanks:)

Thanks! They do that for me, too, and that’s why I couldn’t just read and move on. I had to note them!

Some of these are quite lovely. Thanks for sharing.

If you recognized them from your outdoors scenes, feel free to add a note!

I actually didn’t recognize any of them. 🤔

OMG, Jacqui. What an amazing list Thanks for sharing.

It’s really nice for those whose plots take place outdoors a lot!

BTW, finished your book. Couldn’t stop reading. Wonderful.

Thank you, Jacqui. You put a smile on my face:)

Wow, great post. Bookmarking.

Amazing how much there is to say about the weather, innit?

I love weather, the seasons, earth and sky. There were some lovely gems in this collection. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks, Mae. I didn’t used to think much about the weather until I had to write about it, and make it interesting! These really struck me.

A terrific resource Jacqui. Thank you.

Thanks so much, Brigid. I couldn’t believe how many weather descriptors I had!

Nice information thanks

Thanks! Everyone writes about weather, right?

Great list, Jacqui. Thanks so much for sharing.

Thanks, Jill. Who says weather isn’t interesting? Hmm??

I think I’d like to be a meteorologist in my next life. 🙂

Reblogged this on chrismakan .

Thanks for sharing!

Wow this is very educative

I love how some writers weave their words so perfectly.

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Weather Writing Prompts: Explore Atmospheric Narratives

My name is Debbie, and I am passionate about developing a love for the written word and planting a seed that will grow into a powerful voice that can inspire many.

Weather Writing Prompts: Explore Atmospheric Narratives

Why choose our ‌weather writing prompts?

Unleashing the power ⁢of weather ⁤in your writing, let weather weave the tapestry of⁣ your words, enhance your descriptive skills ‍with weather writing prompts, crafting compelling characters: weather’s role in character development, (un)predictable ⁤weather: using weather as a plot ⁣device, from sunny to stormy:⁤ portraying mood and setting through weather, creating tension and conflict:⁤ harnessing the forces ‌of nature, weather as a⁢ symbol: exploring ⁤deeper meanings in your writing, transforming atmosphere:‍ tips for bringing weather to life in⁣ your narratives, enhancing the atmosphere: techniques to infuse life into ‍weather in your stories, frequently asked questions, to conclude, weather writing prompts: explore atmospheric narratives.

Unleash your creativity and embark ⁢on a ⁢thrilling ⁢journey through atmospheric narratives with our weather writing prompts. Whether you’re an aspiring author or simply looking to enhance ‍your writing skills, these prompts will transport you⁣ into ‍the captivating world of weather and help you craft compelling stories that‌ truly come alive.

Discover ‍the magic of weather-related plotlines and characters as you engage with the unpredictable forces of nature. With ‌our diverse range of prompts, you can explore a wide⁢ array of weather phenomena and their impact on individuals, societies, and even fictional realms. From raging storms to ⁢serene sunsets, each ‍prompt‍ presents a unique opportunity to vividly describe ⁢settings, evoke ‌emotions, and weave gripping ‍tales.

Here are a few reasons why our weather writing prompts ⁣are⁢ a must-try:

Diverse scenarios: Our prompts ⁣cover⁣ a broad spectrum of weather events, allowing you to delve into ⁤both common and extraordinary meteorological ⁣situations.
Deep exploration: You’ll have the chance to ‍dive into ⁤the intricacies‌ of weather patterns, uncovering the impact⁣ they have on people,⁣ places, and even otherworldly realms.
Emotional connection: Experience the power of weather as a ⁣character in your narratives, ‍leveraging its ability to heighten⁣ tensions, ⁤mirror characters’ moods, or even serve as a catalyst for change.
Flexibility and‍ adaptability: Our prompts ⁢are⁤ designed⁢ to⁣ suit‍ writers of all backgrounds ⁤and genres, providing a foundation for creativity that can be⁤ tailored to ⁢your own unique vision.

Unlock your storytelling potential with our weather writing prompts and let your imagination take flight ⁤amidst the swirling winds, the gentle raindrops, and the commanding thunderclaps. Dive into a world where⁣ the atmosphere ⁣serves as⁢ the backdrop for unforgettable narratives!

Unleashing the Power of⁤ Weather in Your Writing

Weather holds an immense power ‍over⁤ our‍ lives, and ⁤it ⁤can do the same for your⁤ writing. ⁢Incorporating‌ weather into your stories⁣ adds depth, emotion, and atmosphere, enhancing the readers’ experience by immersing ⁤them in ⁤a vibrant and dynamic world.⁣ From the tranquil⁤ embrace ‌of a warm ⁤summer breeze to ‌the furious onslaught of a thunderous⁤ storm, the weather becomes a character itself, influencing the ‌mood, shaping events, and reflecting the inner thoughts‍ and struggles of your protagonists.

When⁣ skillfully employed, weather⁣ can become‍ a tool to evoke a wide ⁣range of ‍emotions.⁤ It sets the stage for pivotal ⁣moments, emphasizes tension, or ⁢serves as a respite ⁣from daily hardships. Picture a serene sunrise casting a golden ⁣hue on⁤ a character’s ⁤life ‌after a period of darkness, or the relentless rain mirroring a protagonist’s despair during an⁤ important setback. By painting⁣ vivid weather scenes, you harness the ⁣raw power of nature to captivate your readers and enhance the overall impact of⁢ your writing.

Transport your readers: Weather ⁣can transport⁢ your audience to different atmospheric⁢ surroundings, ⁣whether⁤ it ⁣be a windswept ⁢moor, ⁤a ‌bustling city⁤ amid a gentle ⁢snowfall, or an arid desert ⁢swept by a‌ scorching ‍wind.
Symbolism at its finest: Weather elements can serve as powerful symbols that echo the themes and conflicts of your narrative. A thick fog may mirror a character’s confusion, ⁣while a rainbow might symbolize newfound ⁢hope.
Create a sense⁢ of urgency: Thunder, lightning, or an approaching storm can inject ⁤urgency into your story, ⁢propelling the ‌plot forward and adding layers of suspense and ⁣anticipation.

Unlock the true ‌potential of your writing by harnessing the ⁢influence ⁣of weather. Allow it to breathe life into your⁣ character’s journeys, shape their destiny, and ignite emotions within your‌ readers. ⁣By embracing the power of weather, your writing will surge to‍ new heights, enveloping your audience in a world‌ they won’t want to escape.

Enhance Your Descriptive Skills with Weather Writing Prompts

Are you looking to elevate⁤ your descriptive⁤ writing skills and immerse ⁢your readers in⁣ captivating‍ atmospheric descriptions? Look no further! Our ⁤weather⁣ writing prompts are the perfect tool ‍to help ⁢you⁣ hone your storytelling abilities while exploring ⁤the ⁣intricacies of‌ Mother Nature’s moods. From blistering heatwaves to bone-chilling snowstorms, ‌these⁢ prompts ‍will ignite your creativity and enable ‍you to write vivid scenes that transport⁢ your audience.

1. Dive into Extreme Weather Encounters: Step out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself ⁣to ⁣describe extreme ‌weather⁢ events. Picture yourself caught ‌in‍ a ⁣wild thunderstorm, with lightning⁢ illuminating ‌the sky⁣ above ‌and torrents ⁢of ‌rain cascading down. Explore the‌ sensations, emotions, and details you would include‍ to make your readers feel as though they are right there with you.

2.⁤ Capture the Serenity of a Calm Spring Morning: Shift gears and transport your readers to a tranquil scene of ⁤a peaceful ⁣spring morning. Paint a picture of dew-kissed flowers, the gentle sway of willow ⁤branches, and birdsong⁣ filling the air. ‍Think of unique ways to describe the softness of a fresh breeze, the vibrant ⁢colors of budding blossoms, or the delicate scent ⁢of blooming flowers, enticing your readers to experience the serenity for themselves.

Crafting Compelling Characters: ‍Weather's ‍Role in Character Development

Weather ‌is often overlooked as a powerful tool in crafting well-rounded and compelling characters. While it may ‌seem mundane, ‌the weather ⁢can ⁢add depth and dimension to your ⁣characters, revealing⁣ their personality traits, emotions,⁢ and even shaping their actions and decisions. By harnessing the influence of weather on your characters, you can create a more immersive and realistic story that captivates ⁣readers.

1. Setting the Mood: The weather can set the‌ tone of a scene and evoke specific⁣ emotions in your⁣ characters. For ⁣example,‍ a brooding and stormy sky can reflect⁢ a character’s inner turmoil, ⁣while a sunny⁢ and vibrant day can convey⁤ their joy and optimism.‌ By carefully selecting weather conditions⁢ that ⁢align with your character’s⁣ current emotional state, you can enhance the reader’s ⁤connection with the character and intensify⁢ the impact of key moments ⁢in the story.

2. Symbolism and Foreshadowing: ⁢Weather‍ can be a powerful symbol, subtly hinting at future events or foreshadowing important plot points. A sudden gust ⁤of wind‌ might foreshadow a ⁣disruptive force entering the character’s life, or a‌ serene⁣ morning mist could symbolize ‌their inner clarity before a major ⁤decision. ⁣These ‍symbolic weather patterns‍ add ⁢layers of meaning,‌ increasing⁣ the depth and complexity of your characters.

Weather is not just something we experience on a ‍day-to-day⁣ basis; it can also add depth and excitement ⁢to our stories.⁤ As a powerful plot device, ‍weather has the ability to influence ⁣events,‍ reveal character traits, and create tension. By incorporating weather into your narrative, you have the opportunity to captivate readers⁢ and enhance the emotional impact of your story.

One of the compelling aspects of using weather⁤ in ⁤storytelling is its inherent unpredictability. Just like in real life, weather in literature ⁤can be a fickle force, throwing⁣ unexpected obstacles ⁢or opportunities⁤ in the⁤ path of ‍your characters. From sudden thunderstorms to blistering heatwaves, extreme weather events can ⁢act⁣ as catalysts, driving the plot forward in ways that keep ‍readers on the edge of their seats. Moreover, ⁤utilizing ⁢weather⁢ as a plot device allows you to tap into the symbolism associated with⁣ different weather conditions.

Rain: Rain can represent renewal, washing away‌ burdens, or ⁢creating a somber atmosphere.
Snow: Snow‌ often conveys isolation, purity, or the idea of‍ starting anew.
Heatwave: Oppressive heat can‍ heighten tension, leading⁤ to heightened emotions or conflict.
Fog: Fog can be⁢ used to create mystery, uncertainty, or a ⁤sense of confusion.

By skillfully utilizing these weather elements, ⁤you can introduce symbolism and foreshadowing, reinforcing the themes and motifs⁣ of your narrative. Furthermore, weather‌ can act ⁢as a⁢ powerful‍ tool in character development. How a character reacts or responds to changes in weather can reveal their ⁣true‌ nature, their‌ fears, or their resilience. For‍ example, a protagonist seeking solace might find comfort in the rain, while another character ⁣might‌ embrace the storm as ⁤a challenge to prove ⁢their strength.

When it ‌comes to storytelling, weather‍ can be a powerful tool for setting⁤ the mood ⁤and ‍creating a ⁣captivating atmosphere.⁤ By ⁤carefully selecting and portraying different weather⁤ conditions, writers can enhance ⁤the readers’ experience ‌and ‌deeply ⁤immerse them ‍in the story. ⁢Whether it’s a ⁣sunny⁢ day⁤ with clear skies or a stormy night filled ‌with ‍thunder and lightning, the‍ weather⁣ can evoke a range ⁣of⁢ emotions and help shape‌ the ‌overall tone of the narrative.

One way weather⁢ can portray mood is through the ‌use of contrasting elements. For⁢ example, a bright and‌ sunny day‍ with a gentle breeze can evoke feelings‍ of joy, happiness, ⁣and serenity. On the other hand, a‍ stormy setting, with⁢ dark clouds, torrential rain,‍ and howling ‍winds, can create a sense of ⁢tension,⁣ fear, or even chaos.‌ By juxtaposing these two extremes, ⁤writers can effectively highlight the sharp contrast between different emotions or events in⁣ the story.

Lightning and Thunder: The sudden crack of thunder ‌or flash ‌of lightning ‌can ‍bring a dramatic⁣ and intense element to a ⁣scene,⁣ representing⁢ danger, power, or‍ even a⁣ turning point⁣ in the story.
Fog and Mist: A ‍thick layer of⁣ fog or mist can create an eerie‌ and ‌mysterious atmosphere, shrouding the surroundings in uncertainty and making them seem otherworldly.
Gentle Rain: Soft ‌rainfall can be used to symbolize renewal, growth, ⁤or a calming effect on the characters, often associated with reflection ⁤or introspection.

By leveraging the emotional impact of weather, writers ‌can effectively ⁤draw⁢ readers into ⁤their narrative, making them feel‍ as ‍though they are experiencing the story alongside the characters. From a ⁣sunny day⁤ that sets⁤ the stage for a‌ heartwarming‌ romance to stormy weather ‍intensifying a climactic scene, the use of weather as‌ a tool for ‌portraying ‍mood and setting⁤ is ⁣truly limitless. So, next⁢ time you find⁢ yourself writing a story,‍ don’t forget to consider the ⁢power of weather and how it can⁣ greatly enhance the depth and impact of⁢ your‍ storytelling.

If you’re looking ⁣to create tension and ‌conflict in ⁤your writing, why not turn to the powerful forces of nature for inspiration? These⁣ natural elements have an inherent ⁣ability to ‌evoke emotions, drive plots forward, and ⁤create an atmosphere⁣ of suspense that keeps readers gripped till the very end.

One ⁢way to⁢ harness the forces of nature is through the use of‍ extreme weather conditions. Incorporating a⁤ raging storm or a ‍bone-chilling blizzard into your story⁤ can instantly raise the ⁢stakes and intensify the conflict. Imagine your protagonist being trapped in a deserted cabin, battling the relentless⁣ wind and snow, while their adversary lurks outside. The ⁣turmoil ⁢and danger ⁤lurking outside ‍serve⁢ as constant reminders of ‍the imminent threat, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

Lightning strikes: Symbolic of sudden and⁢ unexpected events, lightning strikes can add an ⁣element‍ of surprise to your story.
Tornadoes and hurricanes: These powerful natural disasters can create chaos‌ and destruction, offering a⁤ perfect backdrop for high-stakes confrontations.
Severe heatwaves: Intense heat can quickly escalate tensions ⁢among characters, leading to explosive conflicts.

To‌ truly captivate your readers, it’s essential to delve beyond the superficial effects⁢ of nature and explore how they mirror the inner turmoil of‌ your characters. Consider using metaphors and symbolism to represent⁤ their internal conflicts through the external forces of⁢ nature. By weaving these elements together, you’ll create a powerful narrative ⁣that resonates with readers and leaves them ‌eagerly turning the pages.

Weather has long been used as a powerful symbol in literature, helping to ⁤convey emotions, foreshadow events, ⁢and add depth to⁣ the overall meaning of a story. Just as ‌stormy skies can symbolize turmoil and‍ conflict, sunny days can represent hope‍ and happiness. By incorporating ‍weather symbolism into your writing, you can create a more engaging and layered narrative that ⁢resonates⁢ with your readers on ‍a deeper level.

One of the key ⁤advantages of using weather symbolism is its ability to evoke specific emotions.⁣ Just think about how a gentle rain‌ shower can⁢ create a sense of calm and introspection, while ‍a fierce thunderstorm can heighten‌ tension and evoke a sense of impending danger. By carefully choosing the weather conditions in your scenes, you can enhance the mood ‍and atmosphere, guiding⁣ your readers’ ⁣emotions and reactions. Whether⁣ it’s using a sweltering heatwave to symbolize the intensity⁤ of ⁢a character’s desires‌ or a dense fog to represent ⁤confusion and uncertainty, the possibilities are endless.

Weather can be‍ more than just a backdrop ⁣in your narratives;‍ it can become a⁢ character itself, adding⁢ depth and emotion to your storytelling. Here are some tips for‌ transforming the atmosphere and⁤ bringing the weather to life in your writing:

Setting the Stage: ‍Begin by establishing the⁤ current weather‍ conditions to immerse your readers in the‍ scene. Describe the temperature,‌ wind, or any unique ⁢meteorological ⁤phenomena to‌ create a vivid visual and sensory experience.
Create Atmosphere: Don’t ‍limit yourself‌ to basic descriptions; delve deeper ⁢into the emotional impact of the ‌weather. For instance, ⁢a gloomy rainstorm could reflect feelings of sadness or hint at impending danger. Utilize metaphors and similes, comparing the weather to a state of mind, to⁢ evoke a stronger emotional response from your readers.
Show, Don’t Tell: Rather than simply⁣ stating‌ the weather conditions, ⁢show how they⁣ affect your characters and‍ their surroundings. Highlight physical reactions, such as‍ hair blowing ⁣in the wind or clothes clinging to damp skin, to convey the⁣ intensity of the weather and its influence on the story.

Remember, the weather⁢ can‌ drastically shape ‌the mood, tension, and even plot progression in your narratives. Utilize these‌ techniques to harness the power of the elements and elevate your storytelling to new heights.

Q:‍ What are ⁤weather writing prompts? A: Weather writing prompts ⁤are creative prompts or ideas that ⁢encourage writers ⁤to ⁢explore atmospheric narratives inspired by elements ⁢of the weather.

Q: How do weather writing prompts work? A: Weather writing prompts ⁣provide⁣ a starting‍ point or‍ a theme related to ⁣weather. Writers can use these⁣ prompts ⁤as inspiration to write stories, poems, or descriptive narratives that revolve around⁤ the ⁢atmospheric conditions.

Q: Why‌ are ‍weather writing prompts ⁢beneficial? A: Weather writing prompts⁢ allow writers ‌to tap into their imagination and‌ create narratives infused with the power and‌ beauty of the weather. They⁣ offer a unique way to explore descriptive storytelling and evoke emotions through atmospheric elements.

Q: Can you provide examples of weather ‌writing prompts? A: Certainly! Here‍ are a few examples ⁤of weather writing prompts: 1. ‌Write a story that takes ⁢place during a torrential rainstorm. 2. Describe the setting of a coastal town during ‌a foggy morning. 3. Write a poem inspired by the tranquility⁢ of a gentle ‌snowfall. 4. Imagine‍ a character caught in a raging thunderstorm and write about their experience. 5. ‌Create ⁣a ⁤narrative in which ‌a heatwave⁤ plays a significant role.

Q: Are weather writing prompts suitable for‍ all genres? A: Absolutely! Weather ⁤writing⁣ prompts can be used in various genres, including fiction, poetry, and even non-fiction. ‌They can add depth, imagery, and atmosphere⁢ to any type of⁢ writing.

Q: Can weather⁢ writing prompts be used by writers of all skill ⁢levels? A:‌ Yes, weather writing prompts are suitable for writers of all skill levels. Whether you’re a beginner exploring your creativity or an experienced writer looking ⁢for ‍fresh ‌inspiration,⁣ these prompts can help you develop your writing‍ skills and spark your imagination.

Q: How ⁤can weather writing prompts improve my writing? A: Weather writing prompts encourage the development of descriptive skills, enhance the ability ⁢to evoke emotions,⁤ and foster⁤ creativity. By‌ incorporating weather elements into your narratives, you can engage readers on ⁢a ⁢sensory level and create a more immersive‍ storytelling ‍experience.

Q: Where can I find weather⁣ writing⁢ prompts? A: Weather ‍writing prompts⁢ can be found‌ in‍ various places. ⁢You may discover them in writing resources, creative writing books , online writing communities , or even by simply observing the weather⁤ around you and ‌letting it inspire your‍ own ideas.

Q: Is it necessary to stick strictly to the weather prompts? A: Not at‍ all! Weather writing prompts are meant to inspire your ⁣creativity. ‍While adhering to the prompt is one approach,‌ you can also use them as ⁣a springboard to create your unique narratives ⁣that⁤ incorporate elements of‌ the⁢ weather in imaginative ways.

Q:⁢ Can weather⁢ writing ‌prompts be used for collaborative writing exercises ? A:⁤ Certainly! ‍Weather‌ writing prompts can be an excellent tool for collaborative writing exercises. They provide a shared starting point and⁤ theme, allowing multiple ‍writers to explore different aspects of the weather and weave them ⁣together into‌ a cohesive narrative.

In conclusion,⁤ weather‍ writing ⁤prompts offer a⁣ unique opportunity to ⁢explore atmospheric narratives,⁤ allowing‍ writers to vividly depict ‍settings ⁢and evoke ⁣emotions.⁤ So, grab a pen and ⁣let your imagination soar with ⁤the power of weather!

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Welcome to Creative Writing Prompts

At Creative Writing Prompts, we believe in the power of words to shape worlds. Our platform is a sanctuary for aspiring writers, seasoned wordsmiths, and everyone. Here, storytelling finds its home, and your creative journey begins its captivating voyage.

25 of the Best Words and Phrases to Describe Rain

By: Author Hiuyan Lam

Posted on Last updated: October 20, 2023

Categories Vocabulary Boosters

25 of the Best Words and Phrases to Describe Rain

People share different relationships with rain; sometimes, it may be soothing, or it can ruin an entire event that you had planned. In any case, you’ll need words to describe rain to convey your emotions or simply to describe the state of the weather.

The words to describe rain that you use can vary depending on the type of rain, for example if it is light or heavy rain. You can use words to describe the sound of rain as well.

Here are 25 rain-related words that you can add to your vocabulary or your descriptions of rain:

5 words to describe rainy weather

Rainy weather is either welcomed or unwelcomed, depending on the person. Sometimes, it’s the perfect chance to snuggle up with a loved one and watch some movies; other times, it can ruin your plans and make you feel sad or depressed. When you want to talk about the state of the weather, you can use any of these five words to describe rain:

woman in train sitting next to the window and looking outside with a book in her hand

For sound of rain

The sound of rain is comforting to some people, but whenever there is a storm or heavy rain, it can be quite terrifying for others (especially children). Here are five words to describe rain and the sounds it makes on your roof or against the pavement:

5 words to describe heavy rain

Heavy rains are the worst, without a doubt. They ruin plans, make people feel uneasy, and can even cause flooding or landslides! These are five words to describe rain that is heavy and terrible:

5 words to describe rain shower

Rain showers aren’t the same as other types of rain. They occur in short bursts, and they can be very light or very heavy. Here are five words to describe rain showers:

woman in black bra holding big leaf rraining plants

5 words to describe drizzling rain

Drizzling rain is super light, and sometimes, it takes a while for you to even notice that it’s happening. It’s the type of rain through which you can walk, getting soaked very slowly. It barely has a noticeable impact. It usually ends quickly, or it is followed by very heavy rainfall.

25+ of the Best Words to Describe Your Mood Accurately

Do you want the rain to stay? Or, do you want it to go away and come back another day? Now, you have the perfect words to describe rain to use to convey your feelings about the different types of rain that you can experience throughout the year.

The writings of a West Country Dapwearer

Creative Writing

What it feels like to me in the rain

The rain drops are not plump, there are just more of them. My mac is wet. My jeans are wet. My bag is wet. My hand that holds my bag is wet. There really is a lot of rain falling from the sky right now.

Sometimes when it rains, I want to strip naked and dance. Peel off my clothes, layer by layer, and just dance. I don’t know how the dance will go: I can’t visualise it. I know that it will be like no dance I have ever performed but when it happens it will be the right dance to dance.

I know that I will shout up at the clouds too. Incite them to do their worst. My nakedness does not care about how much rain falls upon it. My dance encourages it. The rain encourages it.

Other times, the rain makes me sad.

A nostalgic sadness emerges when I realise that I am a person with a past, a present and a future, and that I can never hope to embody the best bit of any of these states at the same time. It is this that makes me ache for it. I realise that I will never be this whole and it makes me sad.

Occasionally, rain makes me feel hopeful. It reminds me that there are beautiful things to see and feel as a human being. When the rain falls from the sky, it somehow passes through my clothes, my skin and connects with the water that makes up the most of me. Drops fall on ordinarily still and even stagnant pools, ripples expand within me and I feel an energy. Molecules shunt, and I know that I am alive.

This rain right now makes me feel nothing. It is rain and it is getting me wet. And I want to be away from it.

Like this, read about the freezing cold of Langmusi, China .

About the author

Tom spooner.

Ones to Watch
Photography
New Zealand
Flash Fiction
Short Story

Describing Smells in Writing: Mastering the Art of Sensory Language

By: Author Paul Jenkins

Posted on September 6, 2023

Categories Writing , Creative Writing

The art of describing smells in writing can elevate your work to an immersive experience for readers. The human sense of smell is closely linked to memory, making it a powerful tool for writers to evoke emotions and transport readers into the world they’ve created.

Capturing the essence of a scent in words can be challenging, but with a robust vocabulary and practiced skill, it’s a technique that greatly enhances storytelling.

Understanding the science of smell allows writers to appreciate how scents can influence our perception, emotions, and memories. Developing a robust vocabulary for scents, categorizing them, and accurately describing their intensity will enable writers to paint vivid, olfactory pictures for their readers.

Through practice, observation, and dedication to mastering this art, you will be able to create stories with rich sensory experiences that leave a lasting impact on your readers.

Key Takeaways

Describing smells effectively in writing can create deeper, immersive experiences for readers.
Developing a strong vocabulary and understanding the science of smell helps writers enhance their storytelling.
Practice, observation, and a focus on accurately capturing sensory details lead to richer, more evocative writing.

The Science of Smell

The role of smell receptors.

Your sense of smell relies on specialized receptors in your nose. These receptors detect and identify various types of odor molecules present in the air you breathe. When these molecules reach your smell receptors, they send signals to your brain, which then interprets the scent. There are approximately 10 main categories of scent, such as fragrant, woody, fruity, and chemical.

Sense of Smell and Emotion

Smell has a unique relationship with emotion. Unlike other senses, the olfactory system is closely linked to the brain’s limbic system, which is responsible for processing emotions and memories. This connection essentially means that smells can evoke strong emotional responses, both positive and negative. For example, the scent of freshly baked cookies may bring feelings of comfort and nostalgia, while the odor of rotten food may trigger disgust or repulsion.

Smell and Memory

One of the most impactful aspects of smell is its connection to memory. The relationship between your sense of smell and memory is powerful due to the proximity of the olfactory system to the brain’s hippocampus and amygdala, which are vital for forming and storing memories. As a result, specific scents can bring back vivid memories, even ones that have been seemingly forgotten for a long time.

When incorporating smells into your writing, consider how they might connect with emotions and memories to create a more immersive reading experience for your audience. By effectively describing a variety of scents and the emotions they evoke, you’ll be better equipped to engage your readers and help them establish a strong connection with your narrative.

A Vocabulary for Scents

Adjectives to describe smells.

The world is filled with an incredible variety of scents, and to accurately describe them in your writing, it’s essential to have a diverse vocabulary at your disposal. By using specific adjectives, you can evoke the sensations and memories associated with different smells. Here are some categories of adjectives that will help you describe various scents:

Fresh : crisp, clean, natural
Earthy : loamy, musty, damp
Floral : flowery, feminine, fragrant
Fruity : citrusy, berry-like, zesty
Woody : pine, resinous, bark
Masculine : musky, leathery, smoky
Chemical : acrid, pungent, rancid
Sweet : honeyed, sugary, syrupy

These are just a few examples to get you started. Be creative and explore the vast array of adjectives available to you when describing smells in your writing.

Describing Smells through Associations

Another effective way to describe smells in your writing is through associations. Since our sense of smell is closely tied to memory, connecting a scent to a particular experience or situation can create a vivid and relatable description for your reader. By incorporating associations, you will make your descriptions more engaging and authentic.

For example, instead of simply stating that a room smells old, you could describe the scents of dusty, yellowed pages and mothballs, evoking the feeling of a long-forgotten library. Likewise, instead of stating that a bakery smells delicious, you could describe the aroma of warm, freshly-baked bread and buttery croissants wafting through the air.

When using associations to describe scents, consider the following tips:

Draw upon personal experiences : Reflect on your own memories and emotions that certain scents evoke, and use them to enhance your descriptions.
Utilize common or relatable experiences : Describe smells that your readers can easily recognize, enabling them to recall similar situations they’ve encountered in their own lives.
Be specific and detailed : Provide rich and nuanced descriptions of smells, painting a vivid sensory picture for your reader.

Remember, the aim is to create a strong and evocative connection between your description and the scent you’re trying to convey. Experiment with different associations and adjectives to find the perfect way to capture a smell in your writing.

Categories of Smells

Natural scents.

When describing smells, think about the different categories of natural scents that you might encounter in the environment. For example, the scent of flowers can range from sweet and floral such as roses, to more earthy and green as in a pine forest. Fruity smells, like those of lemons or other fruits, often have a fresh and invigorating quality. Earthy smells are common in nature and can evoke a sense of being grounded in the environment. Use these natural scents in your writing to create vivid and authentic descriptions of your settings.

Floral : rose, jasmine, lavender
Fruity : lemon, apple, mango
Green : pine, grass, eucalyptus
Earthy : damp soil, rain, moss

Man-Made Smells

Man-made smells are those that originate from human activities or created products, such as perfume or sweat. Think about the characteristics of these scents and how they can add layers to your descriptions. Chemical smells can be harsh, pungent, or even nauseating, while perfume scents often bring sophistication or luxury. Describing the smell of sweat can help to convey an atmosphere of physical exertion, labor, or stress. Incorporate these man-made smells in your writing to enhance your storytelling or underscore certain emotions.

Chemical : bleach, gasoline, ammonia
Perfume : floral, musky, subtle
Sweat : salty, metallic, pungent

Complex Scents

Complex scents are a blend of various smells that are often difficult to separate into distinct components. These scents can add depth and interest to your writing, as they are not easily identifiable or may evoke different experiences for different people. When capturing complex scents, consider the layers of smells present, such as a combination of fruity and floral notes or the merging of earthy and green scents. Describing complex scents in your writing can help create a sense of atmosphere and intrigue.

Fruity floral : a blend of fruit and flower aromas
Earthy-green : an intermingling of soils and plants
Lemony-chemical : a mixture of citrus and synthetic elements

Remember to use a confident, knowledgeable, clear, and neutral tone when describing the various categories of smells in your writing. By using second person point of view (you, your, yours), your readers will feel more engaged and connected to the sensory experiences you are conveying.

Describing Intensity of Smells

Light and faint scents.

When describing light and faint scents in your writing, you can draw attention to the subtle nature of the aroma. These scents might require a character to take a deep breath to fully detect them, or they may be barely noticeable. Feel free to use words like delicate , mild , or soft to convey the lightness of a scent. For example, you can describe a gentle floral aroma wafting through the air on a spring day.

Heavy and Strong Scents

Heavy and strong scents are more distinct and tend to linger in the air or on objects. To describe these scents, choose words that evoke their intensity, like robust , rich , or even heady . Your character might walk into a room and immediately notice a heavy, smoky smell hanging in the air. Additionally, you can highlight the warmth associated with certain strong scents, like a spicy or hot aroma, to further convey their potency.

Overpowering Scents

Overpowering scents can be so intense that they dominate the senses and might even cause physical discomfort. When describing these powerful aromas, words like pungent , overwhelming , and intense can effectively convey their force. For instance, your character may feel their eyes watering and nose burning due to an overpowering scent of cleaning chemicals. Pay attention to the characters’ reactions to such smells to emphasize their impact on the scene.

Tips for Describing Smells in Writing

Relating smells to other senses.

When describing smells in your writing, try to relate them to other senses, like taste or touch. By doing this, you can create additional sensory connections for your reader. For example, you could mention that a certain smell is reminiscent of a particular taste or feeling, which can make it easier for the reader to imagine and relate to the described smell. Think about how smells often have similar attributes to tastes, like sweetness or sourness, and incorporate these into your descriptions.

Using Smells to Evoke Emotions

A powerful way to use smells in writing is by connecting them to emotions. As the sense of smell is closely linked to memory and feelings, associating a specific smell with a character’s emotions can effectively convey their state of mind and create an emotional bond with the reader. Consider how certain scents might evoke feelings of happiness, nostalgia, or even fear, and use that connection to enhance the emotional depth of your writing. For example, the smell of freshly baked bread might evoke feelings of warmth and comfort, while the smell of a damp basement might evoke feelings of unease or anxiety.

Choosing the Right Words

When describing smells, it’s essential to choose the right words to convey the message clearly. Be specific and avoid using vague or overly complex language. Instead, use concrete and descriptive terms that will paint a clear picture for the reader. Some helpful ways to do this include:

Use adjectives : Employ a variety of adjectives to describe the smell’s qualities, such as sweet, pungent, or musty.
Analogies and metaphors : Draw comparisons between the smell and other recognizable scents, tastes, or feelings to help the reader understand the sensory experience better.
Onomatopoeia : Use words that imitate the sound associated with an object or action, such as “sizzle” or “pop,” to help your reader connect with the sensation of the smell.
Show, don’t tell : Rather than merely stating that a character can smell something, describe the actual scent, the effect it has on the character, and the resulting emotions.

By following these guidelines, you can effectively describe smells in your writing, engaging your reader’s senses and creating a more immersive experience.

Examples of How to Describe Smells

Using smells in character descriptions.

To create vivid characters, writers can use descriptions of scents to convey personality traits and evoke emotions in the reader. For example, you can describe a character’s personal fragrance, such as earthy, floral, or crisp. These words can help characterize them as masculine, feminine, or even androgynous.

Here are a few examples of smells used in character descriptions:

Her scent was a delicate mixture of lavender and vanilla, making her presence soothing and comforting.
He carried the unmistakable aroma of fresh pine, evoking feelings of being in a forest.
Their scent was a confusing blend of citrus and cinnamon, giving them an air of mystery and unpredictability.

Setting the Scene with Scents

In addition to character descriptions, you can use smells to help set the scene or create a mood in your writing. Descriptions of scents can transport your reader to different environments, providing an immersive experience and enriching your narrative.

Here are a few examples of using smells to establish a scene:

The sweet smell of freshly baked pastries greeted her as she entered the cozy bakery.
A salty sea breeze filled the air, transporting her back to summer days spent at the beach.
The pungent odor of gasoline and burning rubber filled the bustling garage, immersing the reader in the world of auto repairs.

While describing smells in your writing, remember to keep the tone confident, knowledgeable, neutral, and clear. In doing so, your descriptions will be more effective and enriching for your readers.

Common Pitfalls in Describing Smells

Overuse of adjectives.

One common pitfall in describing smells is the overuse of adjectives. While adjectives are necessary to convey the intensity or quality of a smell, too many can leave the reader overwhelmed and confused. It’s important to strike a balance and use adjectives judiciously. Try to focus on choosing a few strong, specific adjectives that accurately convey the scent you’re describing. Using too many adjectives can also make your writing appear less polished and professional.

Describing Smell without Context

Another issue writers encounter when describing smells is neglecting to provide context. Smells don’t exist in isolation; they are often tied to a specific setting or situation. To make your descriptions more effective, try to include contextual details that will help the reader imagine the scent more vividly. For example, instead of simply describing a smell as “musty,” you might indicate that the musty odor is reminiscent of a damp, old basement, which not only grounds the scent in a physical space but also allows your reader to better visualize and understand the smell.

Ignoring the Readers’ Experiences and Associations

Finally, it’s important to consider your readers’ experiences and associations when describing smells. People’s interpretations of scents can vary widely due to their personal experiences and cultural backgrounds. What smells delicious to one person might be off-putting to another. In your descriptions, try to take these differences into account by using relatable, universal examples that most readers will understand. At the same time, avoid using highly subjective or personal associations that may not resonate with everyone. By keeping the reader in mind and considering their experiences, you can create more effective, engaging descriptions of smells in your writing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can i effectively convey scents in my writing.

To convey scents effectively in your writing, you should provide a vivid and specific description that helps the reader imagine the smell. Think about the different aspects of the scent – its intensity, its duration, and the sensations it evokes. Make connections with memories or emotions, and use sensory terms and similes to enhance the description.

What are some sensory terms used for describing various smells?

Sensory terms used for describing smells can be grouped into different categories, such as

Floral (e.g., rose, jasmine)
Fruity (e.g., citrus, berries)
Earthy (e.g., damp soil, petrichor)
Spicy (e.g., cinnamon, cloves)
Sweet (e.g., vanilla, caramel)
Pungent (e.g., ammonia, vinegar)

These terms help you create a more detailed and immersive experience for your reader.

What are some ways to describe a compelling fragrance?

When describing a compelling fragrance, consider:

Its main scent (e.g., lavender, sandalwood)
Its subtler notes (e.g., hints of lime or vanilla)
The way it evolves over time (initial burst, heart notes, and base notes)
The feelings it evokes (e.g., warmth, calm, energy)

Use comparisons and similes to make the description relatable and engaging.

How can I illustrate the smell of a person or an environment?

To illustrate the smell of a person or an environment, focus on the most characteristic and dominant scents associated with them. For a person, consider their perfume, body odor, or even the laundry detergent they use. For an environment, think of the combination of smells present, such as the saltiness of the sea, the vegetation, or the exhaust fumes in a city. Use sensory details and create a vivid description that transports your reader to the scene.

What phrases can be used to describe unpleasant odors?

Here are a few phrases you can use to describe unpleasant odors:

Rancid or sour
Musty or stale
Overpowering or suffocating
Acrid or sharp
Fetid or rotten

Be creative with your language and comparisons to help your reader understand the intensity and nature of the unpleasant odor.

How can I incorporate the sense of smell into descriptions of natural surroundings?

To incorporate the sense of smell into descriptions of natural surroundings, focus on the most characteristic scents of the setting. Think about the smells associated with the place – the earthy aroma of a forest, the fresh scent of a meadow, the salty tang of the ocean, or the fragrant blossoms in a garden. Use descriptive language and draw connections with memories or emotions to enrich your depiction and engage your reader.

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The Ultimate Adjective List to Describe Rain

Table of Contents

Not everybody loves the rain. For some people, the rain can be a calming, soothing sound. While for others, the rain is just a nuisance that keeps them from doing the things they enjoy. No matter how you feel about the rain, we’ve got a ton of adjectives to describe rain that you can use in your sentences.

You can use these words to describe how you feel about the weather. Or you can also use them to describe rain’s intensity, sound, or appearance. Get ready to add some fresh new words to your vocabulary.

Let’s get right into it!

A person holding a pink umbrella under the pouring rain.

The Importance of Using Adjectives

Adjectives are words that help to describe a noun or pronoun . Some adjectives describe the noun’s quality or condition, while others express their quantity or magnitude.

You can use adjectives to describe anything, from places, events, objects, people, and even the weather.

Without adjectives, it will be impossible to convey the intensity of any type of feelings or emotions. That’s why they play a crucial role in sentences. You can use multiple adjectives in your sentence to add more detail to your text or increase a particular subject’s general effect.

Adjectives to Describe Rain

Negative adjectives for rain.

If you’re not a fan of the rain, you may feel sad or down because of the weather. In these instances, you can use these adjectives to help better express how the weather feels.

A situation that causes depression or sadness is called a dismal situation. Weather conditions like rainy weather can make some people sad, discouraged, and moody. It can ruin their overall mood.

This word is perfect for when you feel particularly down or if you have to change plans thanks to the rain.

Example: The dismal rain ruined my picnic plans.

During gloomy weather, the sky may become dark and gray even during the day. It can cause easily ruin your mood.

Example: It’s only 9 in the morning, but this gloomy weather makes me want to curl back up in bed.

You can describe unpleasantly warm and humid weather as muggy. It’s common to be hot and sweaty during a muggy day. This feeling is because of the warm outside temperature and the pouring rain.

Example: I’m not too fond of muggy weather. It wrecks my hair!

Positive Adjectives for Describing Rain

Rain can be a source of comfort and relief to some people. If you’re one of them, here are some positive adjectives you can use.

Misty rain is when fog forms and the visibility is poor for drivers. This can occur anytime during the day and makes driving very difficult.

It can also be a bit cold during this time, making it a nice time for movie night and hot cocoa.

Example: All I want to do is watch TV and eat pizza during this misty weather.

The best type of rain is soothing, which will help you fall asleep. With the softness of the rain, you can snuggle up under a blanket and feel calm. Rain of this kind is light and does not make hard pounding or pattering sounds on the roof.

Example: The sound of the rain was so soothing it helped put me to sleep.

Light rain will only feel like a sprinkle. It may only form a few spots of water on your window or the pavement.

Example: The light rain feels refreshing.

Words Describing the Sound of Rain

The sound of rain is another great way to describe it. It can give you a good sense of how strong it is.

Gentle rain is characterized by weak rainfall and patter of raindrops. The rain falls softly and soothingly, giving a gentle tapping sensation.

Example: I barely even heard the gentle rain this morning.

Pattering rain represents light, repeated tapping sounds against a surface, such as a roof, window, porch, or pavement. Light to moderate rainfall is also associated with this word.

Example: The pattering rain sounds against my window are so relaxing to hear.

Rain may sometimes sound like it’s pounding against your roof. This happens when there’s a significantly strong typhoon or hurricane.

Example: We were awakened by the pounding rain and wind last night.

Adjectives to Describe the Intensity of Rain

The intensity of rain can range from a slight drizzle to a full-on hurricane. Here are some adjectives that can help you express how strong the rainfall is.

Excessive rainfall lasts a long time and doesn’t seem to let up. Puddles and mini ponds can begin to form in the streets when the rainfall is so heavy. It can even cause floods.

Example: The rain was so excessive that it forced people to evacuate because of fears of flash flooding.

Pouring rain is a bit similar to excessive rain in the sense that it’s characterized by substantial rainfall. When it’s pouring rain, you may find it hard to walk around outside, even with an umbrella.

Example: We were all stranded at the train station because of the pouring rain.

Heavy rain can be described as strong when you can feel it heavily on the roof. This can also be accompanied by strong winds similar to a storm. Example: The rain was so strong that it ruined several rice fields.

Violent rain causes damage to buildings and other infrastructures. This usually occurs when there are intense hurricanes. Many people feel unsafe due to the risks from a violent rain’s impact on hazard-prone areas.

Example: Several houses were damaged when violent rain swept through the area.

Other Adjectives Related to Rain

The word overcast is usually characterized by gray and dull clouds. This is typically a sign of incoming rain.

Example: It’s a chilly and overcast day. It may not be a good day to go to the beach.

Tepid relates to the weather being in the middle of the scale below warm and above cool. The rain often has a damp and cold feel to it. It is likely to be as warm as the weather during hot summers.

Example: I didn’t even need a raincoat in this tepid rain.

Sudden rainfall is short, no more than a few minutes, and tends to be intense. It has no warning signs like a cold breeze, dark clouds, and so on.

Example: The sudden rain caught us off guard, with no place to run.

Final Words

You can describe rain in many ways. It can be through its sound, intensity, and so on. And now that you’ve gotten to know some new adjectives to describe rain, you can create a better and more vivid sentence !

The Ultimate Adjective List to Describe Rain

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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How to Describe the Wind in Writing (100 Words + Examples)

It can be a bit tricky to find the right words or phrases to make your readers see and feel the wind.

Here is how to describe the wind in writing:

Describe the wind in writing by using sensory language to evoke its force, sound, temperature, effect, direction, time of day, and personified traits. Each description should enhance the narrative, helping to set the scene, build atmosphere, and engage the reader.

In this guide, we’ll discuss all the different ways to describe wind based on its force, sound, speed, and more.

Describing Wind by Its Force

Cartoon sun and wind - How to describe the wind in writing

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The force of the wind can dramatically change the perception of a scene.

The contrast between a gentle breeze and a violent gale is not just a measure of intensity.

But can also signify changing moods, symbolize emotional shifts, or foreshadow significant events.

Here is how to do it:

Gentle : A gentle wind softly touches, a delicate interaction with the environment. Example: “The gentle wind caressed the petals of the blooming flowers, their fragrance subtly wafting in the air.”
Light : A light breeze is almost playful, just strong enough to stir the leaves. Example: “A light wind tugged at her hair as she sat by the river, the tranquil scene filling her with peace.”
Calm : A calm wind denotes tranquility and serenity, ideal for peaceful settings. Example: “The calm wind moved lazily through the tall grass, making it sway like waves in a calm sea.”
Whispering : A whispering wind is quiet, giving a sense of intimacy and closeness. Example: “The whispering wind carried the melody of the distant lullaby, lulling the town to sleep.”
Soothing : A soothing wind provides relief or comfort. Example: “The soothing wind was a balm against the harsh summer heat, its gentle caress reviving his spirits.”
Blustery : A blustery wind is strong and cold, often associated with the autumn and winter months. Example: “The blustery wind cut through his jacket, making him shiver as he trod the leaf-strewn path.”
Howling : A howling wind is fierce, invoking images of storms or tempests. Example: “The howling wind made the old house creak ominously, its eerie tune setting the mood for the night.”
Fierce : A fierce wind indicates a wild and uncontrolled force. Example: “The fierce wind shook the window panes, a testament to the storm’s power.”
Wild : Wild wind suggests a sense of chaos and lack of control. Example: “The wild wind tossed the ship like a toy, waves crashing over the deck.”
Gusty : Gusty winds are strong and sudden, capable of causing brief moments of disarray. Example: “The gusty wind snatched the papers from his hands, scattering them in every direction.”

Describing Wind by Its Sound

The sound of the wind is often used to set the atmosphere of a scene.

From the silent rustling of leaves to the ominous howling in a storm, the sonic quality of wind can bring your writing to life.

Soft : A soft wind might be barely audible, adding a sense of tranquility. Example: “The soft rustle of the wind through the trees was a soothing backdrop to their quiet conversation.”
Hushed : A hushed wind is a secret whisper, barely noticeable. Example: “A hushed breeze stirred the silent forest, the only sign of life in the deep wilderness.”
Silent : A silent wind might not make any sound, but its effects can be seen or felt. Example: “The silent wind danced with the dunes, shifting the desert landscape as if alive.”
Quiet : A quiet wind does not overpower other sounds, acting as a subtle background note. Example: “The quiet wind murmured through the leaves, a soft accompaniment to the chorus of singing birds.”
Noisy : A noisy wind is boisterous, drawing attention to its presence. Example: “The noisy wind rustled the newspapers, alerting the alley cat of someone’s approach.”
Roaring : A roaring wind has a deep, loud sound, often associated with storms or extreme weather. Example: “The roaring wind was deafening, drowning out all other sounds.”
Screaming : A screaming wind gives the impression of high intensity or danger. Example: “The wind screamed around them, a chilling prelude to the approaching hurricane.”
Howling : A howling wind is loud and sorrowful, invoking a sense of loneliness or fear. Example: “The howling wind seemed to voice the loneliness of the old mansion, its chilling song echoing in the empty rooms.”
Whistling : A whistling wind creates high-pitched sounds as it passes through narrow spaces. Example: “The wind whistled through the bare branches, a lonely melody in the frigid winter air.”
Moaning : A moaning wind can suggest discomfort or eeriness. Example: “The wind moaned through the ruined tower, its ghostly sighs stirring tales of lost battles and ancient sorrows.”

Describing Wind by Its Speed

The speed of the wind can influence the rhythm and pacing of your writing.

Slow winds might suggest a leisurely pace, while fast winds can bring energy and excitement.

Slow : A slow wind suggests a relaxed or languid mood. Example: “The slow wind moved lazily across the field, the daisies bending and swaying in a slow dance.”
Lazy : A lazy wind has a lackadaisical quality, perfect for a calm, sunny afternoon. Example: “A lazy wind drifted through the orchard, the scent of ripe apples carried in its wake.”
Languid : A languid wind is slow and relaxed, hinting at tranquility and leisure. Example: “The languid breeze that wafted from the sea brought a sense of calm and serenity.”
Meandering : A meandering wind takes its time, as though it’s enjoying the journey rather than rushing towards a destination. Example: “The meandering wind played amidst the autumn leaves, carrying them on a leisurely dance.”
Drifting : A drifting wind is unhurried and aimless, adding a dreamlike quality to the scene. Example: “The drifting wind carried the scent of lilacs, its sweet perfume invoking memories of past summers.”
Fast : A fast wind is full of energy, ideal for scenes of action or urgency. Example: “The fast wind whipped her hair around her face as she raced down the hill.”
Quick : A quick wind might signal an abrupt change or a breathless moment. Example: “The quick wind brought the first hint of the storm, the air suddenly heavy with tension.”
Swift : A swift wind brings movement and flow to the scene, emphasizing speed and motion. Example: “The swift wind carried the fallen petals, creating a blizzard of cherry blossoms.”
Rushing : A rushing wind suggests urgency or turmoil. Example: “The rushing wind tore through the narrow streets, a harbinger of the tempest to come.”
Speeding : A speeding wind signifies rapid movement and can be used to convey a sense of excitement or danger. Example: “The speeding wind roared in his ears as he plummeted towards the ground, his parachute trailing behind him.”

Describing Wind by Its Temperature

The temperature of the wind can greatly influence the overall feeling of a scene.

Whether a warm summer breeze or a frigid winter gust, the wind’s temperature can evoke a range of emotions and sensations in the reader.

Warm : A warm wind suggests comfort and the promise of balmy weather. Example: “The warm wind, heavy with the scent of blooming jasmine, hinted at the approaching summer.”
Hot : A hot wind can be oppressive, often associated with desert or drought conditions. Example: “The hot wind carried the sting of the sand, searing any exposed skin.”
Cool : A cool wind is often refreshing, a welcome relief from the heat. Example: “The cool wind that rustled the palm leaves brought momentary relief from the tropical heat.”
Cold : A cold wind might suggest discomfort or harsh weather conditions. Example: “The cold wind gnawed at their cheeks, turning them a rosy pink.”
Chilling : A chilling wind often connotes something ominous or foreboding. Example: “The chilling wind blew through the graveyard, making the mourners shiver uncontrollably.”
Icy : An icy wind is not only cold but also piercing, cutting through layers of clothing. Example: “The icy wind cut through her coat like a knife, making her shudder with cold.”
Frigid : A frigid wind can suggest extreme cold, often associated with winter or high-altitude settings. Example: “The frigid wind howled across the snow-covered mountains, stinging any exposed skin.”
Scorching : A scorching wind is intensely hot, like being in an oven or near a fire. Example: “The scorching wind was like a wall of heat, making the mere act of breathing a challenge.”
Refreshing : A refreshing wind is cool and invigorating, often associated with spring or morning breezes. Example: “The refreshing wind stirred the wildflowers, carrying their sweet scent across the meadow.”
Biting : A biting wind is harsh and painful, carrying an insinuation of discomfort or hostility. Example: “The biting wind whipped around them, making every step a battle against the elements.”

Describing Wind by Its Effects

Another way to describe the wind is by the impact it has on the surrounding environment.

This can provide a vivid, indirect way of conveying the strength or character of the wind.

Rustling : A rustling wind gently stirs leaves and grass. Example: “The rustling wind stirred up the autumn leaves, creating a colorful whirlwind.”
Whipping : A whipping wind moves with force, capable of causing disarray. Example: “The whipping wind tore at their clothes, making it hard to move forward.”
Caressing : A caressing wind moves gently, like a lover’s touch. Example: “The caressing wind played with her hair, sending shivers down her spine.”
Tugging : A tugging wind pulls at things, providing a sense of its strength. Example: “The tugging wind pulled at his hat, threatening to send it flying.”
Stirring : A stirring wind causes slight movement, especially in water or loose particles like sand or dust. Example: “The stirring wind created tiny ripples across the pond, disturbing the otherwise mirror-like surface.”
Sweeping : A sweeping wind suggests broad, fast movement over a large area. Example: “The sweeping wind cleared the fog, revealing the breathtaking vista of the valley below.”
Roaring : A roaring wind gives an impression of intensity and might. Example: “The roaring wind stripped the trees of their autumn leaves, leaving the branches bare and exposed.”
Dancing : A dancing wind moves unpredictably, swirling and changing direction. Example: “The dancing wind swirled the snowflakes into intricate patterns, as if orchestrating a ballet of the elements.”
Carrying : A carrying wind can transport scents, sounds, or smaller objects over distances. Example: “The carrying wind brought the distant sound of church bells, drifting on the air like a sacred melody.”
Buffeting : A buffeting wind strikes repeatedly and forcefully, causing everything in its path to shake or rattle. Example: “The buffeting wind rattled the old window frames, their constant clattering a testament to the storm’s fury.”

Describing Wind by Its Direction

The direction of the wind can have significant implications for your narrative, from determining the movement of clouds to hinting at changes in weather or seasons.

Here is how to describe the wind by its direction:

North : A north wind, often cold, can signify the arrival of winter or a cooling trend. Example: “The north wind carried the scent of snow, a chilling harbinger of the approaching winter.”
South : A south wind is typically warm, often suggesting the onset of spring or summer. Example: “The south wind, laden with the heady fragrance of blooming roses, heralded the arrival of a sultry summer.”
East : An east wind can be seen as bringing change or new beginnings. Example: “The east wind brought the first light of dawn, casting long shadows on the silent town.”
West : A west wind often carries the connotation of ending or closure. Example: “The west wind carried the last notes of the song, echoing the sun’s farewell as it dipped below the horizon.”
Upland : An upland wind moves uphill, suggesting effort or challenge. Example: “The upland wind whispered encouraging words in her ear as she climbed the steep hill.”
Downland : A downland wind moves downhill, hinting at ease or relaxation. Example: “The downland wind guided the fallen leaves on their journey to the valley.”
Seaward : A seaward wind moves towards the sea, often evoking a sense of longing or adventure. Example: “The seaward wind filled their sails, drawing them towards the vast, unexplored ocean.”
Landward : A landward wind moves towards land, typically associated with feelings of safety or return. Example: “The landward wind carried the familiar scent of pine and woodsmoke, a promise of home.”
Incoming : An incoming wind moves towards the observer, indicating the approach of something. Example: “The incoming wind carried the distant rumble of thunder, a stark warning of the storm’s approach.”
Outgoing : An outgoing wind moves away from the observer, often signaling departure or relief. Example: “The outgoing wind took the last traces of the forest fire, the air finally clear and breathable.”

Describing Wind by Its Time of Day

The time of day can also influence how the wind is perceived, adding an additional layer of nuance to your descriptions.

Morning : A morning wind suggests freshness and the beginning of a new day. Example: “The morning wind, cool and crisp, breathed life into the sleepy town.”
Noon : A noon wind often conveys the intensity of the midday sun. Example: “The noon wind, hot and dry, made the mirages dance on the distant horizon.”
Afternoon : An afternoon wind can signal a gradual easing of the day’s heat. Example: “The afternoon wind brought welcome relief, stirring the lethargic summer air.”
Evening : An evening wind often indicates the transition from day to night. Example: “The evening wind carried the twilight song of the birds, an enchanting serenade as day gave way to night.”
Night : A night wind is typically associated with mystery, calm, or the unknown. Example: “The night wind whispered tales of forgotten times, its hushed voice blending with the rustle of the ancient trees.”
Dawn : A dawn wind implies new beginnings or hope. Example: “The dawn wind stirred the sea into a shimmering canvas, painting the first light of day in vibrant hues of orange and gold.”
Dusk : A dusk wind carries the end of the day and the onset of the evening. Example: “The dusk wind rustled the falling leaves, echoing the sun’s farewell as it dipped below the horizon.”
Midnight : A midnight wind can evoke the depth of the night and the mysteries it holds. Example: “The midnight wind carried the eerie howls from the distance, its chilling message clear in the silent night.”
Daybreak : A daybreak wind suggests renewal or a fresh start. Example: “The daybreak wind carried the scent of dew-kissed grass, a subtle hint of the world awakening to a new day.”
Twilight : A twilight wind signifies transition or change, often bringing a sense of calm. Example: “The twilight wind stirred the lavender fields, their soothing scent bringing a serene end to the day.”

Describing Wind by Its Smell

Scents carried by the wind can help set the scene and evoke strong emotions and memories in your readers.

Here are a few ways you can describe wind by its smell:

Salt-tinged : A wind that carries the smell of the sea. Example: “A salt-tinged wind swept across the deck, instantly transporting him back to his childhood summers by the ocean.”
Pine-scented : A wind carrying the aroma of pine forests. Example: “The pine-scented wind was a refreshing balm, cleaning the city smog from her lungs.”
Smoky : A wind that carries the smell of smoke, indicating a fire. Example: “The smoky wind stung their eyes and throats, a cruel herald of the approaching wildfire.”
Floral : A wind filled with the scent of flowers. Example: “A floral wind drifted through the open window, the intoxicating perfume of the garden mingling with the crisp linen sheets.”
Dusty : A wind that carries the smell of dust or dry earth. Example: “The dusty wind was a tangible reminder of the long, parched summer.”
Rain-soaked : A wind carrying the fresh smell of rain or an approaching storm. Example: “The rain-soaked wind promised a respite from the relentless heat.”
Herb-laden : A wind filled with the smell of herbs, indicating a nearby garden or meadow. Example: “The herb-laden wind carried notes of lavender and rosemary, a comforting reminder of home.”
Citrusy : A wind carrying the zesty aroma of citrus fruits. Example: “A citrusy wind drifted from the orange groves, filling the afternoon with a tangy sweetness.”
Decaying : A wind that carries the smell of decay, indicating rot or death. Example: “The decaying wind held the grim scent of the battlefield, a chilling testament to the day’s losses.”
Spicy : A wind filled with the scent of spices, indicating a nearby marketplace or kitchen. Example: “The spicy wind was thick with the promise of delicious meals, making her stomach growl in anticipation.”

Describing Wind by Its Feeling

Describing the wind by its physical sensation on a character’s skin can help immerse the reader in the scene.

Stinging : A wind that is harsh and biting. Example: “The stinging wind battered his face, each gust like a slap of cold, wet canvas.”
Tickling : A light wind that playfully brushes against the skin. Example: “The tickling wind teased her bare arms, leaving goosebumps in its wake.”
Caressing : A gentle wind that softly touches the skin. Example: “The caressing wind was a tender lover, its soft touch bringing comfort to her weary body.”
Slapping : A strong, abrupt wind. Example: “The slapping wind caught her off guard, its sudden force nearly knocking her off her feet.”
Grazing : A gentle wind barely noticeable on the skin. Example: “The grazing wind was a soft sigh against her cheek, a barely-there touch that hinted at the storm’s retreat.”
Biting : A cold, harsh wind that feels as though it’s biting into the skin. Example: “The biting wind gnawed at his fingertips, the relentless cold seeping through his gloves.”
Scratching : A wind carrying sand or tiny debris that feels abrasive on the skin. Example: “The scratching wind was a desert beast, its sandy claws scraping against his exposed skin.”
Soothing : A wind that brings relief or comfort. Example: “The soothing wind was a welcome respite from the stifling heat, its gentle caress cooling her sunburnt skin.”
Clammy : A wind that is damp and cold. Example: “The clammy wind clung to her clothes, the damp chill seeping into her bones.”
Prickling : A wind that makes the skin tingle, often due to cold or static. Example: “The prickling wind was a ghost’s touch, its chilling caress raising goosebumps on her skin.”

Here is a video on how to describe a windy day:

How Do You Personify Wind?

Personification is a powerful literary device that gives human characteristics to non-human entities.

When it comes to the wind, personification can be an excellent tool to create vivid imagery, build atmosphere, and engage readers on a deeper level.

Consider these techniques to personify the wind:

Whispering : Giving the wind the ability to whisper can make it seem secretive or intimate. Example: “The wind whispered through the treetops, carrying secrets from one part of the forest to another.”
Laughing : A laughing wind can express joy, freedom, or mischief. Example: “The wind laughed in the open fields, playfully rustling the wildflowers as it passed.”
Singing : When the wind sings, it creates a sense of harmony or melody. Example: “The wind sang a lullaby, its soothing hum gently lulling the world to sleep.”
Mourning : A mourning wind carries an impression of sadness or loss. Example: “The wind mourned through the empty streets, a sorrowful echo of the town’s former life.”
Dancing : A dancing wind implies movement, celebration, or unpredictability. Example: “The wind danced through the autumn leaves, twirling them in a whirl of gold and red.”
Roaring : A roaring wind can depict anger, might, or wildness. Example: “The wind roared across the desolate plains, venting its fury on the barren landscape.”
Caressing : If the wind is caressing something, it gives a sense of gentleness or affection. Example: “The wind caressed the waves, leaving a trail of shimmering ripples in its wake.”
Teasing : A teasing wind suggests playfulness and lightness. Example: “The wind teased her hair, tossing it this way and that in a playful game.”
Sighing : A sighing wind can convey disappointment, relief, or resignation. Example: “The wind sighed through the abandoned corridors, echoing the despair left behind.”
Chasing : A chasing wind implies speed, pursuit, or play. Example: “The wind chased the fallen leaves, their rustling flight a merry chase across the park.”

Final Thoughts: How to Describe the Wind in Writing

When you describe wind in your story, try to link your description to the plot, theme, characters, and specific scene.

Everything should tie into the same knotted storyline.

Here are some tools that I think will help you level up your writing skills:

How To Describe a House in Writing (21 Tips for Beginners)
400+ Words to Describe a Flower Garden: Best Writers Guide
How to Describe a Sunset in Writing: 100 Best Words & Phrases
How to Describe a Ghost in Writing (Tips, Words, Examples)

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How to Describe a Rainbow in a Story

By Isobel Coughlan

Do you want to write a stunning rainbow? We’re here to help you! In this post, we demonstrate how to describe a rainbow in a story through using 10 wonderful adjectives.

Something with very clear and bright colors.

“The vibrant rainbow was blinding, and to look at it, sunglasses were a must.”

“Color rained down from the vibrant rainbow, painting the nearby town and fields in every shade imaginable.”

How it Adds Descriptions

Rainbows are colorful wonders, and the word “vibrant” emphasizes the clarity of each hue. This adjective helps to create a strong image of the rainbow in your reader’s mind, and it can also show your fictional world is a beautiful place. If a character deems a rainbow “vibrant,” they’re likely very impressed with its appearance.

2. Splendid

Something that’s extremely good.

“She gazed at the splendid rainbow and fell in love with its multicolored image.”

“The splendid rainbow lit up the sky, making all the village people smile and jump for joy.”

“Splendid” is a word to show how good something is, and this implies your fictional rainbow is a pleasant experience. If a character calls the rainbow “splendid,” it might bring them joy or make them feel inspired. A “splendid” rainbow can also be a sign of good things to come for your characters.

3. Astonishing

Something that’s striking or surprising .

“He gasped in amazement at the astonishing rainbow. Its colors were unlike anything he’d ever seen before in the real world.”

“The world won’t be fixed until another astonishing rainbow shows up. But that’s not likely for another thousand years.”

Large or unusual rainbows can signal significant events in your books, and “astonishing” can show how amazing or surprising these rainbows are. “Astonishing” also conveys a sense that rainbows don’t occur often, and when they do, characters are stunned. An “astonishing” rainbow could be linked to magic or mystery, as it doesn’t fall within normal weather conditions .

4. Enormous

Something extraordinarily large in size.

“He always wished for an enormous rainbow, but the rainbows in his world were paltry and disappointing.”

“The enormous rainbow covered the sky and obscured the clouds. It was like the heavens were a kaleidoscope.”

“Enormous” gives your reader the sense that the rainbow is larger than anything seen before. It can also show the characters are amazed by the scene, but “enormous” may also signal they’re unsure of the rainbow as it’s different from past ones they’re seen. For example, an extra “enormous” rainbow could send anxious characters into a panic as it isn’t a normal occurrence.

5. Insignificant

Something small and unimportant .

“Forget that little, insignificant rainbow. We’re moving onto bigger and better things now.”

“Though the rainbow was insignificant in comparison to others, she still found beauty in its colorful arches.”

The word “insignificant” has negative connotations and shows something’s not important or large. When used to describe a rainbow, this could imply it has faded colors or is barely visible. Your characters might be disappointed by an “insignificant” rainbow, and many may ignore it due to its poor quality.

Something dull or unexciting.

“The bland rainbow was a sorry sight. You could barely make out the different colors, and it faded into the gray sky.”

“Forget that bland rainbow! Tomorrow there will be a bigger and better one, trust me.”

While many rainbows are spectacular occurrences, some are dull or almost colorless. “Bland” can be used to show characters aren’t impressed by the rainbow. “Bland” could also signify that your fictional land doesn’t have the ability to produce bright rainbows, which gives the reader a deeper insight into the setting.

7. Towering

Something that’s very tall and looks over other buildings or structures.

“The towering rainbow was amazing to look at, but it’s immense size made some of the villagers nervous.”

“Isn’t the towering rainbow gorgeous? I wish it could stay in the sky forever!”

“Towering” gives a clear sense of the height and scale of your fictional rainbow. Characters might use “towering” to show they’re scared of the rainbow’s height, but this could also imply they’re in awe of its size. A “towering” rainbow might also be a unique phenomenon, which signals something strange is happening in your fictional setting.

8. Peculiar

Something that’s strange or unusual in a negative sense.

“He watched the peculiar rainbow grow, and his stomach churned. Something wasn’t right.”

“The peculiar rainbow was a bad omen and everyone knew it. They tried to ignore its bizarre shape, but it was obvious that something was wrong.”

“Peculiar” is an excellent adjective to show your rainbow doesn’t fit the standard description. Characters might be scared of a “peculiar” rainbow, and superstitious ones may take it as a sign of bad things to come. You can also use a “peculiar” rainbow or event to foreshadow future plot points.

9. Undisturbed

Something that’s not touched or affected by its surroundings.

“The undisturbed rainbow sat quietly amongst the chaos.”

“No matter the weather, the undisturbed rainbow remained steadfast in the sky.”

The word “undisturbed” shows your rainbow is standing in the sky and not being affected by any characters, weather, or other external factors. Your characters might find this strange, but they may also enjoy the steady beauty of the “undisturbed” rainbow. “Undisturbed” may also show that your rainbow is a constant fixture in the sky.

10. Tranquil

Something that’s peaceful and calm.

“He wished for a tranquil rainbow and a cool wind to distract him and wash his worries away.”

“The tranquil rainbow was a magnificent sight. It brought peace to all who looked upon it.”

Rainbows are beautiful occurrences, and “tranquil” shows they’re also peaceful and calming. If a character thinks a rainbow is “tranquil,” it implies they’re soothed by it. This could lead them to stay close to the rainbow to continue this calm feeling. A “tranquil” rainbow can also show your readers the setting is quiet and serene.

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Creative Writing Concentration

Hone your personal creative voice and study the art of creatively stringing words together to create meaning, inspire action, and tell a story – from social media to children’s books.

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Develop who you are as a writer.

If you don’t go a day without writing—journal entries, blog posts, poetry, impassioned emails, or witty social media updates to friends—the Creative Writing concentration offers a rewarding way for you to develop the practice.

This concentration is designed for students inspired to pursue their own artistic vision. You’ll study the craft and discipline of writing, learn how writers create their unique voices, and explore world literature. You’ll have opportunities to study—and participate in—personal and group performance at Champlain and beyond. With our Creative Writing concentration, you will develop your individual style and add versatile skills to a toolbox that can be used in a variety of career settings. Through courses in this concentration, you can:

Pursue your artistic vision through developing your unique voice.
Study contemporary and historical writing from various world regions.
Build your portfolio so you can show the world what you can do.

Courses in the Creative Writing Concentration

All Creative Media students are required to select a Primary Area of Focus and a Complementary Area of Focus. Shown here is the curriculum for the 24-credit Primary Area of Focus. If you choose Creative Writing as a 12-credit Complementary Area of Focus, requirements will differ from those shown.

8 courses through at least the 300 level are required for Creative Writing Primary Focus Area

Choose at least one of the following:

WRT 220: Intermediate Creative Writing
WRT 221: Intermediate Poetry Workshop
WRT 226: Intermediate Fiction Workshop
WRT 237: Intermediate Creative Nonfiction

Primary area electives:

WRT 180: Introduction to Songwriting
WRT 200: Fundamentals of Journalism
WRT 235: Writing Children’s Literature
WRT 236: Writing About Food
WRT 280: Reading & Writing in the Wilderness
WRT 324: Advanced Poetry Workshop
WRT 325: Advanced Fiction Workshop
WRT 327: Seminar in Playwriting
WRT 337: Advanced Creative Nonfiction
WRT 346: Publishing in the 21st Century
FLM 128: Screenwriting I
FLM 328: Screenwriting II

WRT 120 Creative Writing, Introduction to

Introduction to Creative Writing explores techniques used by poets and fiction writers in their crafts. Students will analyze examples of published works and will produce portfolios of original works. Workshop activity is required; students must share their work with the entire class.

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IMAGES

Adjectives for Rain, Words to Describe Rain
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How to Write the Rain: Quick Tips for Creative Writers
Rain can bring a sense of renewal, growth, and life to the world. There is a cosy feeling of being inside looking out at the rain, safe and warm. Rain can make everything glisten and gleam in the light, looking fresh and new. Show the soothing, hypnotic quality of the rhythmic patter of raindrops. Rain can be invigorating, energising, and joyful.
How To Describe Rain In Writing (10 Important Steps)
Select the Right Words. Use descriptive adjectives, adverbs, and verbs to convey the characteristics of the rain. Choose words that evoke the senses. For instance, you can use words like "gentle," "drizzling," "torrential," "pattering," "incessant," or "misty" to describe the rain.
PDF DESCRIBING THE RAIN
DESCRIBING THE RAIN ... This will vary your writing style. LEVEL 2 I quickened my pace as the clouds began to gather in the sky. Up to now, the sky had been ... The metaphors should be more creative and the turn of phrase made more enriching. LEVEL 4 'The sun enables life. The rain grants it safe passage'.
38 Phrases & words to describe rain falling, sounds & smells
Words to describe how rain sounds. If you're indoors, the first sign of rain may be the sound it makes. Here are some words that describe rain according to the sound it makes: Light rain. Pattering; Pitter-patter; Gentle; Sprinkling "She woke to the pitter-patter of rain falling outside." "The rain was almost too gentle for me to hear."
Master List for Describing Weather
"How to describe weather" seemed like a good place to start. This way, you won't get stuck trying to figure out how to describe nice weather, or thinking up ways to describe rain. Hopefully, this will make your writing go faster. I always include simple as well as more creative ways to describe or write about weather.
101 Words To Describe Weather
Words To Describe Wet & Cloudy Weather. bank - a large mass of cloud or fog. billow - a cloud that rises and moves in a large mass. blizzard - a snowstorm with very strong winds. cirrocumulus - small round clouds that form lines high in the sky. cirrostratus - a thin layer of cloud found very high in the sky.
The Best Rain in Literature ‹ Literary Hub
From William Faulkner's As I Lay Dying: It begins to rain. The first harsh, sparse, swift drops rush through the leaves and across the ground in a long sigh, as though of relief from intolerable suspense. They are as big as buckshot, warm as though fired from a gun; they sweep across the lantern in a vicious hissing.
The Best Examples Of The 5 Senses In Descriptive Writing
How Do You Describe The Smell Of Rain In Creative Writing? The technical term for the smell of rain is "petrichor". Rain brings with it a freshness, a crispness, an earthiness. ... Pingback: 493 Ways to Describe Taste to Inspire Great Writing - Writing a great book . richiebilling. April 19, 2022 at 6:17 pm.
Describe The Weather In Writing With Better Vocabulary
But if you describe the heat, the cold, the wind, or the rain with noun phrases, you can improve these easily. The sun started baking early across the plains, delivering a scorching promise for the day ahead. The cruel icy wind cut like a knife across her cheeks. Rain, as always, arrived too little, too late to save the crops.
How to Use Weather to Set the Scene
Sunshine = happiness, goodness. Storm = trouble, a change. Calm before the storm = trouble or a change ahead. Rainbow = hope, a link between two extremes (sun and rain) Cloudy = confused, muddled, unclear. Clouds on horizon = trouble ahead. No wind = no change. Windy = changes. Rough weather = problems.
Rain
The rain brings a richness to each hue, the browns deepen in a way that soothes my heart, brings a steadiness to my soul. The grass becomes glossy, reflecting the light, a new bright shine to their wands, softly waving in the breeze. This rain brings a freshness, each drop a heaven-given gift for each part of creation.
160+ Ways to Describe Weather
The last rays of sun skimmed the surface. late afternoon sun. velvety darkness. night shattered like a mirror. the Southern Cross lying on its side, the green meadow bathed in the humid light of the sinking sun. full dusk. The corners have just about disappeared into the shadows. Night.
Weather Writing Prompts: Explore Atmospheric Narratives
A: Weather writing prompts encourage the development of descriptive skills, enhance the ability ⁢to evoke emotions,⁤ and foster⁤ creativity. By‌ incorporating weather elements into your narratives, you can engage readers on ⁢a ⁢sensory level and create a more immersive‍ storytelling ‍experience.
25 of the Best Words and Phrases to Describe Rain
It is good to use this word when the rain puts you in a good mood or feels comforting to you. "The sound of the rain was just so soothing last night that I have no clue when I dozed off.". 10 Unsettling. Rain can be scary sometimes, and the perfect word to use for this type of rain is "unsettling.".
Rain
What it feels like to me in the rain. The rain drops are not plump, there are just more of them. My mac is wet. My jeans are wet. My bag is wet. My hand that holds my bag is wet. There really is a lot of rain falling from the sky right now. Sometimes when it rains, I want to strip naked and dance.
Describing Smells in Writing: Mastering the Art of ...
The art of describing smells in writing can elevate your work to an immersive experience for readers. The human sense of smell is closely linked to memory, making it a powerful tool for writers to evoke emotions and transport readers into the world they've created. Capturing the essence of a scent in words can be challenging, but with a ...
The Ultimate Adjective List to Describe Rain
With the softness of the rain, you can snuggle up under a blanket and feel calm. Rain of this kind is light and does not make hard pounding or pattering sounds on the roof. Example: The sound of the rain was so soothing it helped put me to sleep. Light. Light rain will only feel like a sprinkle.
Setting Thesaurus: Jungle/Rainforest
BECCA PUGLISI. Becca Puglisi is an international speaker, writing coach, and bestselling author of The Emotion Thesaurus and its sequels. Her books are available in five languages, are sourced by US universities, and are used by novelists, screenwriters, editors, and psychologists around the world. She is passionate about learning and sharing ...
How to Describe a Storm in Writing
Vivid Verbs. Because bad weather can often get out of control, describing a storm is not the time to skimp on verb usage. Weak verbs, such as "was" or "were," drain your descriptions of energy rather than infuse them with detail. Using specific, active verbs for the storm's motion gives readers a more detailed image of the story's events.
How To Describe Clouds In Writing (100+ Examples & Words)
Here are some of the most common types of clouds to describe in your writing: Cirrus: High-altitude, thin clouds, often wispy and light, suggesting fair weather but sometimes indicating a change. Cumulus: Fluffy, cotton-like clouds, generally white and often seen during sunny days, symbolizing cheer and tranquility.
Setting Description Entry: Forest
Setting is much more than just a backdrop, which is why choosing the right one and describing it well is so important. To help with this, we have expanded and integrated this thesaurus into our online library at One Stop For Writers.Each entry has been enhanced to include possible sources of conflict, people commonly found in these locales, and setting-specific notes and tips, and the ...
How to Describe the Wind in Writing (100 Words + Examples)
Example: "The fierce wind shook the window panes, a testament to the storm's power.". Wild: Wild wind suggests a sense of chaos and lack of control. Example: "The wild wind tossed the ship like a toy, waves crashing over the deck.". Gusty: Gusty winds are strong and sudden, capable of causing brief moments of disarray.
How to Describe a Rainbow in a Story
The word "insignificant" has negative connotations and shows something's not important or large. When used to describe a rainbow, this could imply it has faded colors or is barely visible. Your characters might be disappointed by an "insignificant" rainbow, and many may ignore it due to its poor quality. 6. Bland Definition
Creative Writing Concentration at Champlain College
With our Creative Writing concentration, you will develop your individual style and add versatile skills to a toolbox that can be used in a variety of career settings. Through courses in this concentration, you can: Pursue your artistic vision through developing your unique voice. Study contemporary and historical writing from various world ...
Religions
In this article, the authors will describe a creative writing therapeutic group program they developed based on narrative therapy and narrative medicine principles. This was a Social Science and Humanities Research Council—Partnership Engagement Grant funded project, the aim of which was to develop a facilitator's manual for people interested in offering this group, titled "Journey ...

How To Describe Rain In Writing (10 Important Steps)

How To Describe Rain In Writing

Setting the Scene

Select the Right Words

Sensory Imagery

Metaphors and Similes

Emotions and Mood

Focus on Details

Show, Don’t Tell

Use Personification

Structure and Flow

Edit and Revise

Understanding Rain

The emotional impact of rain

Why rain is a popular element in literature

Sensory Language

Using sight to describe rain

Using sound to describe rain

Using touch to describe rain

Using smell to describe rain

Metaphors and Symbols

Rain as a symbol

Rain’s role in character development

Emotions and Themes

Conveying emotions through rain

Exploring common themes associated with rain

Literary Techniques

Personification of rain

Rain’s role in creating atmosphere and mood

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about How To Describe Rain In Writing

How can I make my rain description stand out from others?

Can you provide some examples of metaphors for describing rain?

What are some words to avoid when describing rain?

How can I evoke the sound of rain in my writing?

Are there any tips for describing the emotional impact of rain on characters?

Should I use first-person or third-person perspective to describe rain effectively?

How can I create a unique rain description for a specific genre, like fantasy or mystery?

Is it better to start or end a scene with a rain description?

How can I avoid over-describing rain and bogging down my narrative?

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How to describe rain: Descriptive words and adjectives for different types

Words to describe rain

How to describe rain falling

Describing light rain

Describing heavy rain

Bucketing down / raining buckets

Tipping (it) down

Chucking it down

Pissing (it) down

Raining cats and dogs

Example sentences to describe different types of rain

Words to describe how rain sounds

What’s the word for the smell of rain?

Describing rainy weather

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tell your stories, love your life

HOT WEATHER

WARM / PLEASANT WEATHER

COOL WEATHER

GRAY / OVERCAST WEATHER

COLD WEATHER

THUNDER AND LIGHTNING

SNOW AND ICE

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101 Words To Describe Weather

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Words To Describe Weather

Words Describing Warm Weather

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