creative writing descriptive words

64 Describing Words To Help You Show (Not Tell) Your Story

Effective character description is key for drawing your readers into your story; use our list of describing words to help paint a clear picture for your audience. 

Captivate your readers with extraordinary descriptive words to leave a lasting impression on your readers. Don’t fall into the trap of using the same boring words in your writing, where fear of creativity  can stifle your success. Embrace vivid and exciting words to create enchanting imagery and watch your work come to life.

What Are Describing Words?

Positive describing words, neutral describing words, negative describing words.

Describing words (also known as adjectives) are used to convey information or provide a description of a person, place, thing, or situation. Often, adjectives are used to differentiate one character or setting from another. While it can be tempting to load up on adjectives, using one perfectly fitting word is far more powerful. There are thousands of describing words in English- we’ve compiled a few of our favorites here.

Whether you want your readers to root for your protagonist or begin to see the underdog in a new light, these positive describing words can shine on the object with which they’re paired. Sprinkling these adjectives into the character development process can help your audience get on your character’s side.

1. Adventurous

Joel loved his son’s  adventurous  spirit, as it allowed him to enjoy hiking, mountain biking, and other pursuits he loved when he was his son’s age.

2. Ambitious

“Being  ambitious  can help you in your career,” Bethany said, “But you’ll want to be careful that you don’t knock people down on your way to the top.”

3. Beneficial

Connie and Amber realized that being neighbors was mutually  beneficial , as Amber was around to let Connie’s dog out.

4. Confident

The first thing she noticed upon meeting him was his  confidence , and she was impressed with how clear it was that he believed in himself.

5. Courageous

“You were so courageous ,” the pediatrician told Mae after she received her final vaccination in the series.

6. Dazzling

As she drove over the George Washington Bridge , she had to remind herself to focus on the road instead of the  dazzling  New York City skyline.

7. Dedicated

Kim was grateful to have such a  dedicated  team of teachers on her side because managing 140 sixth graders on a field trip was no simple feat.

The staff members at the museum were excited to get to know their  dynamic  new director.

9. Harmonious

Erica couldn’t believe how  harmoniously  her parents were getting along at her wedding, even though they had divorced just a few years prior.

10. Heavenly

The quiche Patricia baked for the potluck brunch was  heavenly , and it was no surprise that it disappeared quickly.

11. Industrious

Steve’s parents were impressed with the  industrious  attitude he took toward the SATs, spending at least an hour studying every day after school. 

12. Kindred

The two best friends had been  kindred  spirits since middle school, and it only made sense that they started a business together. 

Pudge was a  mellow  cat, often preferring napping in the sunlight that shone through the window to chasing birds. 

14. Mysterious

Katie had run on the trail hundreds of times, but the  mysterious  look of the dew steaming off the ground made her choose another route.

15. Noteworthy

His performance in the play was  noteworthy , and several local news outlets marked him as an up-and-coming star.

Lindsay was  proud  of her daughter for sticking with her commitment to the softball team.

17. Radiant

Molly looked  radiant  as she stepped out her front door to meet her date.

18. Reliable

Watching his favorite comedy sketch show at the end of the week was a  reliable , tried-and-tested way to unwind from work stress.

19. Stunning

Even the paparazzi photographers were shocked at how  stunning  Julia looked as she waltzed across the red carpet.

20. Successful

To run a  successful  campaign, Tyler knew he’d have to start fundraising at least a year before the election.

21. Valuable

She knew she was giving up billable hours, but she didn’t mind; nothing was more  valuable  than having lunch with her daughter.

22. Wondrous

“This is even more  wondrous  than I could have imagined,” said Annabelle as she gazed over the Grand Canyon.

23. Wholesome

Matt marveled at how  wholesome  his daughters were as he watched them work together to create the perfect bouquet for Mother’s Day. 

Want to fully describe a noun in your story while remaining impartial? These neutral describing words allow your reader to remain emotionally detached while still fully seeing the picture you’re painting with your words.

Miranda was relieved she had  ample  supplies to bake the five dozen cookies she’d promised for the school bake sale. 

25. Ancient

The tour guide loved seeing the awe on the faces of the people in his tour group as they saw the  ancient  pyramids for the first time. 

26. Classic

He knew the office was modern and informal, but he still felt like it was a smart move to wear a  classic  three-piece suit for his interview.

The accommodations weren’t fancy, but they were  decent  enough for Anne to get a good night’s rest.

28. Demanding

The coach worked hard to strike the right balance between being encouraging and  demanding  with her players.

29. Diligent

Bill knew he had to be  diligent  when auditing the school’s business office, as missing a single detail could cause major tax problems. 

30. Gargantuan

To Alex, the mountain appeared  gargantuan , even though it seemed small last year when he reached the summit on his annual hike.

31. Historical

Erin couldn’t believe how the miles ticked by as she ran the streets of Washington, D.C., amazed by the  historical  buildings. 

32. Inevitable

Robin was sad to leave, though she knew relocation was  inevitable  in her job.

33. Interesting

Mrs. Darcy did a great job of making her Sunday school lessons informative and  interesting  for her second-grade students.

34. Mischievous

“Are you two being  mischievous ?” the pet sitter asked the kittens after seeing a dismantled ball of yarn in the middle of the floor. 

35. Nonchalant

Jessica worked to look  nonchalant  as she walked into the party, even though she knew her ex-boyfriend was likely in the crowd.

36. Obvious

Gloria tried to act like she liked the dessert, but the look on her face made it  obvious  that it wasn’t her favorite.

37. Observant

Kent was  observant  as he met his new coworkers for the first time, looking for how their personalities would mesh.

38. Practical

It wasn’t  practical  to drive past her childhood home, but she couldn’t head back to the city without at least catching a glimpse. 

When they arrived at the lake house, they were pleasantly surprised; it was  quaint  yet sophisticated.

40. Questionable

While his explanation was  questionable , she decided to believe him, even though history had proven this wasn’t a good idea.

The event venue was the perfect balance of  rustic  and sophisticated. 

42. Thrifty

Being  thrifty  was essential for a family of seven, but somehow, they always seemed to find a way to afford everything they needed. 

43. Tolerant

It wasn’t easy, but Martha tried to be  tolerant  of her baby cousin’s constant squealing as she watched the movie.

44. Unbelievable

“This is  unbelievable ,” Andy said when the hostess couldn’t find his name on the list, “I swear, I made a reservation days ago.”

45. Universal

Writing about  universal  truths, like love and loss, can help writers connect with any audience.

She was purposely  vague  when giving Theo directions to his surprise party, as she wanted him to take his time getting there.

Pull up this list when you’re working to convey something  less-than-flattering about a person, place, thing, or situation  in your writing. 

47. Awkward

As hard as she tried, there was no way for Jada to let go of her  awkward feelings on her first day at her new school. 

He knew he’d regret being  cheap , as buying less expensive shoes meant replacing them sooner.

49. Defiant

Nelly stomped her feet in an attempt to be  defiant .

There was no way around it; Skip was becoming a  grumpy  old man.

51. Immoral

Tanya knew to cheat on her math test was  immoral , but she didn’t see any other way to make it through the class and graduate on time.

It wasn’t Jasmine’s fault that she’d become  jaded ;   social work was a tough career.

53. Judgmental

Christie worked hard not to be  judgmental  of her sister but had trouble accepting that she wouldn’t attend their mother’s birthday dinner.

54. Jumbled

Janet struggled to make sense of the words on the page, as they seemed  jumbled , and her teacher began to suspect that Janet may be experiencing dyslexia.

55. Offensive

“It’s not just mean; it’s  offensive ,” Gloria told her professor about his implication that men would have an easier time in his class than women. 

56. Overwhelming

Working full-time, caring for an aging dog, and managing two kids felt  overwhelming  for Trisha.

57. Quarrelsome

The sisters were  quarrelsome , but they always remembered that they loved each other after fighting for a while. 

The teacup ride left Oliver feeling  queasy , even though he had begged his parents to let him go on it for the third time.

59. Reckless

I deserved the  reckless  driving charge, as I was driving far too fast.

60. Terrifying

The movie was  terrifying  to Elizabeth, and she knew that she’d need to watch something funny if she wanted any chance against having nightmares later.

61. Vengeful

Josh felt  vengeful  toward Veronica’s new boyfriend, Tom, as he didn’t treat Veronica well.

62. Villainous

It was easy to start the  villainous  character in the movie, as he had a sinister look from the first scene.

63. Volatile

The weather outside was especially  volatile , and Tana wondered whether she could hold her party that weekend. 

Stephen was glad that his friend had apologized, but he was  wary  of whether his intentions were pure.

Looking for more? Check out our guide on how to use adjectives correctly !

Amanda has an M.S.Ed degree from the University of Pennsylvania in School and Mental Health Counseling and is a National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer. She has experience writing magazine articles, newspaper articles, SEO-friendly web copy, and blog posts.

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Descriptive Adjectives

Written by Eira Edwards

9 february 2024, art of storytelling.

This post may include affiliate links. That means we may earn a commission if you buy through recommended links. See our full disclaimer policy . 

Sometimes your writing needs a little extra sparkle, and descriptive adjectives can help with that. When used effectively, they can enhance description and characterisation.

Of course, stuffing adjectives into your work could also end in boring, exaggerated writing (or what some people like to call purple prose). Likewise, vague adjectives can feel abstract in nature, making it difficult for readers to imagine your world and the characters in it. Strive for descriptive adjectives that provide specificity. Because detail is what will captivate your readers and get them to engage with the story.

So, What Exactly is a Descriptive Adjective?

Descriptive adjectives describe nouns, providing more information about their characteristics, like size, colour or condition. They add detail, so readers can better visualise your world. Imagine one of your characters lives in a bleak house, tangerine house or tiny house, for example.

Here are a few more examples:

• The dog stared up at the cloudless sky.
• They came to an abandoned farm surrounded by marsh.
• He wore a tunic and trousers under a long leather coat.

List of Descriptive Adjectives

Now, let’s dive into my curated list of adjectives that can strengthen the descriptions of your universe and its characters.

• affectionate
• flourishing
• light-hearted
• magnificent
• outstanding
• rectangular
• substantial

GET MORE INSPIRATION

Descriptive adjectives can turn bland writing into interesting prose. But, choose them with caution and always make sure they’re providing necessary detail. Remember, descriptive adjectives can provide specifics, but too many can result in purple prose. Strike a balance and 

Want more writing inspiration? Find tips, tricks and ideas over on the blog .

Written By Eira Edwards

Eira is a writer and editor from the South of England with over five years of experience as a Content Manager, helping clients perfect their copy.

She has a degree in English Literature and Language, which she loves putting to work by working closely with fiction authors.

When she’s not working on manuscripts, you can find her in the woods with her partner and dog, or curling up with a good book.

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Transform Your Writing With This Epic List of Descriptive Words

Words are powerful tools that we use to communicate and describe the world around us. Verbs and adjectives are particularly useful in this regard, as they allow us to convey action and describe qualities and characteristics.

In this article, we’ll explore a diverse range of descriptive verbs and adjectives that can be used to enhance writing and better communicate thoughts and ideas. Whether you are a writer looking to expand your vocabulary or simply want to add more descriptive language to your everyday conversations, this list is sure to provide you with plenty of inspiration!

Common Descriptive Adjectives and Different Ways to Say Them

Table of Contents

• Captivating
• Irresistible
• Unattractive
• Unappealing
• Microscopic
• Small-scale
• Teensy-weensy
• Full-figured
• Lacking strength
• Feeble-minded
• Incapacitated
• Adventurous
• Self-assured
• Strong-willed
• Unflinching
• Unfaltering
• Apprehensive
• Unconfident
• Intelligent
• Quick-witted
• Enlightened
• Knowledgeable
• Intellectual
• Inexperienced
• Unsophisticated
• Unenlightened
• Unintelligent
• Simple-minded
• Discontented
• Heartbroken
• Grief-stricken
• Exasperated
• Enthusiastic
• Exhilarated
• Invigorated
• Uninterested
• Disinterested
• Indifferent
• Unmotivated
• Disoriented
• Discombobulated
• Misunderstood
• Flabbergasted
• Taken aback
• Dumbfounded
• Thunderstruck
• Distasteful
• Unpalatable
• Unwholesome
• Contemptible
• Entertained
• Disappointed
• Inconvenienced

Common Descriptive Verbs and Different Ways to Say Them

• Take pleasure in
• Participate in
• Investigate

Describing the World Through Language

Great writing doesn’t just state what happens, it shows it, it paints it, it describes a world in your readers mind that they step into. The list above can certainly help you on your way to improving your descriptive language, but there are a few other tips to help you achieve this lofty goal!

• Use descriptive language to paint a vivid picture in the reader’s mind. This can help to transport the reader into the world you are describing and make the experience more immersive.
• Vary your language and try to use a range of different descriptive words and phrases. It keeps your writing fresh and engaging and prevents it from becoming repetitive or monotonous.
• Use specific and concrete language rather than general or abstract terms. This can help to make your descriptions more grounded and believable.
• Pay attention to the connotations of the words you use, as these can greatly impact the overall tone and atmosphere of your writing.
• Use descriptive language to show, not tell. Rather than simply telling the reader how a character or setting looks, use descriptive language to help the reader visualize it for themselves.

About The Author

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Describing Words: A Comprehensive Guide to Enhance Your Vocabulary

By: Author Paul Jenkins

Posted on September 6, 2023

Categories Writing , Storytelling

Describing words, also known as adjectives, play a crucial role in language by providing information about nouns and pronouns. These words help paint a vivid picture in the reader’s mind, enabling them to understand or visualize something more effectively.

They are instrumental in defining objects, words, and explaining information in a more comprehensible manner.

There are various types of describing words that can be categorized according to their functions and usage. Some common categories include appearance, personality, tone, and sensory words. By strategically using different describing words, you can achieve greater clarity and precision in your written or spoken communications.

Key Takeaways

• Describing words enhance understanding by providing details about nouns and pronouns.
• Different categories of describing words serve various functions in communication.
• Skillful usage of describing words can improve clarity and precision in writing and speech.

Understanding Describing Words

In the English language, describing words play a crucial role in enhancing your writing and speech. These words mainly include adjectives, adverbs, and participles, which help you provide more information about nouns and verbs, making your expressions clearer and more vivid.

Describing words, or adjectives, are used to modify nouns and pronouns. They offer details about size, shape, color, texture, and other qualities.

For instance, consider the use of “tiny,” “round,” and “blue” in this sentence: “The tiny, round, and blue button lay on the floor.” Here, you can see how adjectives add more depth to the description of the noun, “button.”

Adverbs, on the other hand, modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, giving additional information about how, when, or where an action takes place.

For example, in the sentence “She quickly finished her homework,” the adverb “quickly” provides more information about how the verb “finished” occurred.

Participles are another type of describing words. They combine features of verbs and adjectives and can be used as an adjective to modify a noun.

There are two types of participles: present participles (ending in -ing) and past participles (usually ending in -ed or -en). For example, in the sentence “The broken glass cut her foot,” the past participle “broken” is used as a descriptive adjective to give more information about the noun “glass.”

To enhance your writing or speech, it’s important to have a varied and extensive list of descriptive adjectives and adverbs. Embrace the richness and breadth of the English language by familiarizing yourself with many describing words that highlight different features.

By incorporating diverse and accurate describing words, you can effectively convey your thoughts and emotions, creating a more engaging, vivid, and memorable experience for your readers or listeners.

Types of Describing Words

Adjectives are one of the most common types of describing words. They describe the characteristics, traits, or qualities of a noun or pronoun. In English, adjectives often come before the noun they describe.

Some examples of adjectives are color words (such as red, blue, or green) and words describing size (such as big, small, or enormous).

Here are 10 examples of descriptive adjectives:

Adverbs are another category of describing words that modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. They describe how, when, where, or to what extent something happens.

Adverbs can add depth and nuance to your writing by providing additional information about actions or events.

Examples of adverbs are quickly, silently, and very. Generally, adverbs often end in -ly.

Verbs are words that denote action, occurrence, or a state of being. Descriptive verbs can help you convey movement or change in your writing and can provide vivid imagery.

Some common descriptive verbs include sprint, stroll, and laugh. Use these verbs judiciously to bring your writing to life and to help your reader visualize the scene.

Nouns are words used to name a person, place, thing, or idea. Descriptive nouns can help set the scene and provide context for your writing.

Nouns that describe specific items, like “canyon” or “skyscraper,” can paint a picture in your reader’s mind.

Integrating descriptive nouns alongside adjectives, adverbs, and participles can help you create a rich text that appeals to the senses.

Participles

Participles are words that combine the functions of verbs and adjectives. They can describe actions or qualities and are often used in phrases to add further detail.

Participles come in two forms: present participles (ending in -ing) and past participles (usually ending in -ed or -en). Examples of participles include “smiling,” “broken,” and “shattered.” Including participles in your writing can add depth and complexity, making your descriptions more engaging.

By incorporating these different types of describing words in your writing, you will create a rich and vivid text that keeps your readers engaged.

Remember to use adjectives, adverbs, verbs, nouns, and participles to add various layers to your description, making your work exciting and immersive.

Usage of Describing Words

In sentences.

Describing words, such as adjectives and adverbs, are essential in shaping the tone and the meaning of your sentences.

Adjectives modify nouns, adding details that help the reader visualize or understand a person, thing, or place.

For example, in the sentence “You baked a delicious cake,” the word “delicious” is an adjective describing the noun “cake.”

Adverbs, on the other hand, modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, providing more information about how an action is performed.

In the sentence “She quickly finished her homework,” the adverb “quickly” describes the verb “finished.”

When using describing words in your sentences, it’s important to keep the following in mind:

• Be specific: Use precise describing words to convey your exact meaning.
• Be concise: Avoid overusing adjectives or adverbs, as this can clutter your writing and make it less clear.

In your writing, describing words can help you create vivid imagery and compelling narratives. They are especially useful when you want to:

• Set the scene : Use describing words to immerse readers in your story by painting a detailed picture of the setting.
• Develop characters : Use adjectives and adverbs to describe your characters’ appearance, personality, emotions, and actions.
• Evoke emotions : Choose describing words that help readers feel the emotions you want to convey.

To improve your writing, try making lists of describing words for various nouns, verbs, and emotions in the English language. This exercise will help you expand your vocabulary and discover new ways to express your ideas.

In Descriptions

Describing words play a crucial role in creating vivid, informative descriptions, whether for a product, an event, or a concept. When crafting descriptions:

• Be accurate: Choose describing words that truly represent what you’re describing.
• Be concise: Focus on the most relevant details, using describing words sparingly but effectively.
• Appeal to the senses: Use sensory language (touch, taste, sight, sound, and smell) to make your description more immersive and engaging.
• Use comparisons: Use adjectives and adverbs to draw comparisons between similar items, highlighting unique features or characteristics.

Remember, the goal is to provide a clear and engaging description that gives your readers a full understanding of the subject at hand.

By using describing words effectively, you’ll enhance your descriptions, making them more informative and enjoyable for your audience.

Common Describing Words

Most common adjectives.

As you strive to improve your writing, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the most common adjectives. These descriptive words help convey various qualities or characteristics of the nouns they modify.

Some examples of common adjectives include big, small, red, happy, soft, and fast .

Here are 100 common adjectives in English:

good, bad, big, small, tall, short, young, old, fast, slow, happy, sad, angry, calm, hungry, full, hot, cold, easy, hard, quiet, loud, clean, dirty, pretty, ugly, nice, mean, rich, poor, busy, free, cheap, expensive, safe, dangerous, long, short, dark, light, dry, wet, dead, alive, sweet, sour, thick, thin, male, female, first, last, left, right, smooth, rough, flat, round, wet, dry, smart, stupid, lucky, unlucky, guilty, innocent, healthy, sick, friendly, unfriendly, red, green, blue, yellow, white, black, large, gigantic, tiny, huge, gigantic, miniature, strong, powerful, weak, shy, outgoing, proud, humble, brave, cowardly, lovely, gorgeous, boring, exciting, careful, careless, difficult, easy, fat, skinny, new, old, future, ancient, front, back, up, down, strange, familiar, same, different, fresh, rotten, open, closed, kind, cruel, loud, quiet, bumpy, smooth, crooked, straight, deep, shallow, soft, hard, sticky, runny, broken, fixed, messy, organized, early, late, fake, real, square, round, alive, dead, asleep, awake, cloudy, sunny, rainy, dry, freezing, boiling, chilly, warm, cold, hot, noisy, silent, scarce, abundant.

Most Common Adverbs

Adverbs are another essential aspect of describing words. They typically modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, often providing information about how, when, where, or to what degree an action occurs.

Common adverbs you might encounter include quickly, very, soon, and always .

Here are 25 common adverbs:

• Difficultly
• Occasionally

Most Common Verbs

Verbs are the action words in your sentences. They not only convey what is happening but also can help paint a vivid picture when paired with appropriate adjectives or adverbs.

Some examples of common verbs are run, walk, eat, speak, and grow . Your writing will benefit from incorporating a diverse range of verbs to express different actions and states clearly and engagingly.

Most Common Nouns

Nouns are the foundation of your sentences, representing people, places, things, or ideas. To enrich your writing, expand on the common nouns you use and find more specific or unique describing words. Examples of common nouns are cat, tree, city, love, and car . By incorporating a more extensive variety of nouns into your writing, you will create a more vivid, engaging, and informative reading experience.

Describing Words for Appearance and Personality

Words for physical features.

When describing someone’s appearance, you might come across various adjectives that capture their physical features. Some examples include:

• Tall or short: Describing a person’s height – for instance, “you have a tall stature” or “your friend is quite short.”
• Slim or plump: Talking about a person’s body size – “your coworker is slim and athletic” or “your neighbor has a plump physique.”
• Charming or lovely: Complimenting someone’s pleasant or attractive appearance. “Your charming smile brightens the room” or “you have lovely eyes.”
• Old-fashioned or natural: Describing someone’s appearance in terms of style or grooming – “you have an old-fashioned sense of style” or “your natural look is refreshing.”

Here are 15 examples of using descriptive words to paint a vivid picture of someone’s physical appearance:

• Her flowing chestnut hair cascaded down her back in soft waves.
• His twinkling blue eyes creased at the corners when he smiled his crooked grin.
• She had a heart-shaped face with delicate features framed by loose ringlets.
• He was tall and slender with strong, sinewy arms from years of farm work.
• The old woman’s face was a roadmap of wrinkles that told the story of her long, well-lived life.
• The child had apple cheeks dotted with freckles and a button nose above a cupid’s bow mouth.
• His muscular physique rippled under a tight shirt that clung to his sculpted torso.
• She had alabaster skin with rosy cheeks and bow-shaped lips the color of ripe strawberries.
• He was thick around the middle with a round face and fingers like sausages.
• Her piercing green eyes shone like emeralds against her creamy complexion.
• The man had salt-and-pepper hair, bushy gray eyebrows, and a neatly trimmed beard.
• She was voluptuous with an hourglass figure, shapely legs, and elegant collarbone.
• He had broad shoulders and muscular arms covered in a light dusting of dark hair.
• Her glossy raven hair framed a heart-shaped face with captivating amber eyes.
• The child had a delicate build with skinny arms and legs like mini twigs.

Words for Character Traits

Moving beyond physical features, you can also describe someone’s personality using adjectives that define their character traits. Some examples include:

• Naive or passionate: Describing someone’s emotional qualities – “you are naive in your approach to new experiences” or “your passionate demeanor is inspiring.”
• Assertive or cheerful: Talking about a person’s disposition or demeanor – “your assertive personality helps you navigate tough situations” or “you have a cheerful and contagious energy.”
• Curious or dramatic: Describing a person’s behavioral tendencies – “you are curious about the world around you” or “your dramatic flair adds excitement to your stories.”
• Friendly or hysterical: Discussing someone’s sociability or reactions – “you are known for being friendly and approachable” or “your hysterical sense of humor always amuses your friends.”

Additionally, some other adjectives to describe one’s personality may include intelligent, jocular, lively, methodical, nasty, obnoxious, polite, and positive.

Tailoring your choice of words to the person’s specific traits creates a detailed and accurate representation.

Remember, as a writer, you should use a confident, knowledgeable, neutral, and clear tone to describe appearance and personality. Writing in the second person point of view helps the reader connect more personally with the descriptions.

Describing Words by Tone

When it comes to describing words, tone plays a crucial role in conveying the intended message. The tone you choose can greatly impact the perception of your writing and how your audience interprets it. In this section, we’ll explore positive and negative describing words to help you choose the right words to suit your purpose.

Positive Words

Positive words are adjectives that evoke a sense of optimism, happiness, and enthusiasm. Using these words in your writing can create a favorable impression, making your reader feel more engaged and receptive to your message. Some examples of positive tone words include:

• Encouraging

To make your writing more compelling, try incorporating these positive tone words to create an uplifting atmosphere. For instance, you could describe someone as having a “ radiant smile” or a “ warm personality.”

Negative Words

On the other hand, negative words are adjectives that convey a sense of pessimism, sadness, and anger. These words can be used when your goal is to express criticism, concern, or disappointment. Examples of negative tone words include:

To create a more critical tone, use negative tone words to emphasize the seriousness of the situation or the shortcomings of a subject. For example, you might describe a work environment as “ toxic ” or a character as “ abrasive .”

In summary, the tone of your writing can greatly influence how your message is perceived. By choosing appropriate positive or negative describing words, you can convey your ideas with confidence and clarity while engaging your readers effectively.

Always consider your audience and purpose when selecting the right tone for your writing.

Describing Words by Sensory Categories

In this section, we will explore different sensory categories of describing words, which are essential to make your writing vivid and engaging. Using adjectives and sensory words effectively can significantly improve the quality and clarity of your descriptions.

Visual Describing Words

Visual describing words help you to create a clear mental image of an object, person, or scene. These adjectives often involve color, shape, or size. Some examples include:

• Beautiful: a visually pleasing appearance
• Dark: a lack of light or a deep color
• Angular: having sharp angles or edges
• Billowy: resembling or characterized by waves or undulations

Auditory Describing Words

Auditory describing words convey the sounds that you experience. These words can describe the volume, pitch, and quality of a sound. Examples of auditory describing words are:

• Loud: a sound that is strong or easily heard
• Soft: a sound that is gentle or quiet
• Melodious: a pleasant or harmonious sound
• Grating: a harsh, rasping, or irritating sound

Taste Describing Words

Taste describing words help you to communicate the flavors and textures of food or drink. They can range from delicious to bitter and from cold to hot. Some examples of taste describing words include:

• Delicious: having a very pleasing taste
• Rich: a strong and full flavor, often associated with high-quality ingredients
• Bitter: a sharp and pungent taste, like black coffee or dark chocolate
• Spicy: a taste that creates a sensation of heat in your mouth

Touch Describing Words

Touch describing words relate to the tactile sensations that you feel while touching an object or surface. Examples of touch describing words are:

• Cold: an object that is at a low or cool temperature
• Hot: an object that is at a high or warm temperature
• Smooth: an even and uniform surface with no irregularities
• Rough: a surface that is uneven, jagged, or abrasive

Smell Describing Words

Smell describing words help you to describe the aromas and scents that you experience. These words can range from fresh to pungent and from sweet to musty. Some examples of smell describing words include:

• Fragrant: a pleasant and sweet scent
• Pungent: a strong, sharp, or overpowering smell
• Musty: a stale, moldy, or damp odor
• Fresh: a clean, crisp, or invigorating scent

By incorporating these sensory categories into your writing, you can create vivid and engaging descriptions that resonate with your readers. Remember to choose your describing words carefully and make sure they are appropriate for the context. Don’t be afraid to experiment with various adjectives to find the ones that best convey your intended meaning.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are common describing words for people.

People can be described using various adjectives, which are words that describe their qualities, appearance, or character. Common examples include “tall,” “short,” “friendly,” “intelligent,” “charming,” and “hardworking.” You can also use adverbs to describe how people do things, such as “quickly,” “efficiently,” or “gracefully.”

How can I find synonyms for describing words?

To find synonyms for describing words, you can use an online thesaurus or a dictionary that provides synonyms along with definitions. These resources can help you expand your vocabulary and find alternative words to convey similar meanings. Try tools like Thesaurus.com or Merriam-Webster for comprehensive synonym options.

What are some powerful descriptive words?

Powerful descriptive words are those that evoke strong emotions or vivid imagery. Examples include “majestic,” “exhilarating,” “luxurious,” “enigmatic,” and “captivating.” These words can enhance your writing and help create a more engaging experience for the reader.

How can kids learn describing words?

Children can learn describing words through reading, games, and activities that encourage them to explore and use adjectives in their writing and speech. Teachers and parents can help by providing examples, offering feedback, and integrating descriptive words into daily conversations. Additionally, there are online resources and books that focus on teaching describing words to kids.

Can you give examples of descriptive words in sentences?

Certainly! Here are a few examples:

• The scorching sun beat down on the parched desert landscape.
• She laughed boisterously as she splashed water on her friends at the pool party.
• The intricate pattern on the antique vase caught everyone’s attention.
• The sumptuous meal left the guests feeling satisfied and content .

In these sentences, the italicized words are descriptive words that help paint a clearer picture of the scene or emotion.

Which describing words are used in creative writing?

Creative writing often employs a variety of descriptive words to evoke emotions, build imagery, and engage the reader’s senses. Some common describing words used in creative writing include “luminous,” “whisper,” “tantalizing,” “resilient,” and “melancholy.” The choice of descriptive words depends on the context, style, and purpose of the piece, so it’s essential to consider which words best enhance your writing while effectively conveying your intended message.

List of 200+ Descriptive Adjectives and Their Definitions

In our last post, we explored the importance of using the right descriptive words, and how doing so can help you write.

In this post, we venture away from any  plural noun, adverb, or different word s to improve your grammar. Instead, we are going heavy on descriptive adjectives.

We go over everything that  YOU   need to know !

We will go over the different  types  of adjectives – which is a  good lesson  for anyone – that will improve your English skills.

This list of  descriptive adjectives  includes many of the common, as well as some less common, adjectives used in creative writing, and they can be used in all types of writing.

The following list is organized alphabetically with the definitions listed first and the common uses for each adjective afterward.

We’ve also included examples to show how these  descriptive words  can be used.

But first! Let’s break down all the different types of adjectives.  And how they can improve your English grammar. 

EXAMPLES OF INTERROGATIVE ADJECTIVES

Here are examples of predicate adjectives:, using adjectives in writing and speech.

When you’re describing something, it can be helpful to use adjectives. Adjectives are words that describe qualities or characteristics of a person, thing, or place. They can make writing more interesting and help you to clarify your ideas.

There are many different types of adjectives, but they all have one thing in common: they add detail to your writing or speech.

Let’s look at some examples.

The flowers are beautiful.

The flowers are red, orange, and yellow.

The flowers are big, brightly colored, and fragrant.

In the first sentence, the author simply states that the flowers are beautiful. But in the second sentence, the author adds more detail by describing the colors of the flowers. And in the third sentence, the author adds even more detail by describing the size, color, and fragrance of the flowers.

As you can see, adjectives can make your writing or speech more interesting and informative. So next time you’re describing something, try using some adjectives to help your readers or listeners visualize and understand what you’re saying. 

Types of Descriptive Adjectives

What are interrogative adjectives.

Interrogative adjectives ask a question about the subject word, for example,  What, Who, When, Why . And they always start with a capital letter. 

They usually begin with the letters  W and H .

What do you think?

Which one do you like better?

Who was in charge of the order?

WHAT ARE POSSESSIVE ADJECTIVE

When you use  “possessive adjectives”   (my, your, our, its, her, his, and their ) before a noun, you are giving more information about the noun that follows.

Your bike was stolen.

My homework is late.

What Are quantitative adjectives?

Quantitative adjectives are adjectives that indicate quantity or amount. They are used to describe how much of something is present. Some common quantitative adjectives are “few,” “many,” “much,” and “little.” 

WHAT IS A COMPOUND ADJECTIVE?

Compound adjectives are a combination of two or more words used to modify a noun or pronoun. This can happen in different ways.

The first way is by using an adjective and noun together as one word.

big picture

simple math

empty bucket

The second way is by using two adjectives together.

nice and warm

soft and gentle

new and popular

What is a limiting adjective?

A limiting adjective is an adjective that restricts the meaning of the noun it modifies to a particular type or group of things. For example, the adjective “unique” is a limiting adjective because it restricts the meaning of the noun it modifies to “one of a kind.” 

This is a small room.

This is not a large room. 

What is a qualitative adjective?

A qualitative adjective is an adjective that describes a quality or characteristic of a person, place, or thing. 

Some qualitative adjectives are: blue, big, happy, and new. 

WHAT IS A DEMONSTRATIVE ADJECTIVE?

Demonstrative adjectives  (this, that, these, those)  are adjectives that point out the noun by indicating a certain example.

It is this book.

That is a good book.

This is my house.

WHAT ARE LIMITING ADJECTIVES

In descriptive writing, adjectives are limiting adjectives when they identify a noun without telling us anything about the thing being described. What are specifically limiting adjectives? 

Let’s take a look at some examples: 

The tall man 

A good car 

He ran fast 

The small building 

I have a big yard 

She is a good student. 

The words “tall,” “good,” and “big” tell us nothing about the people or things being described.

WHAT IS A PREDICATE ADJECTIVE

A predicate adjective is a word or phrase placed after a linking verb and used to describe someone or something. 

The water was cold.  (cold is the predicate adjective)  

He is a smart young man.  (Young is the predicate adjective)

The students worked hard.  (hard is the predicate adjective)

WHAT ARE PROPER ADJECTIVES?

Proper adjectives  are used to describe nouns and they don’t even have to be a proper nouns:

Harry is a  funny  man.

The new dress looks  pretty .

That was a  fascinating  movie.

In each case,  the adjective  ( funny, pretty, fascinating)  describes what kind of thing the noun is.

Simple Adjectives

A Simple Adjectives Adjectives add detail to a noun in their simplest form; by describing, identifying, or quantifying the person, place, thing, or idea that a noun represents.

MEANING OF DETERMINER IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

What is a determiner in Grammar A determiner is a word that is used before a noun or noun phrase to indicate whether the noun is specific or non-specific.

For example , The and An are determiners, as well as many other words such as my, some, these, our, etc.

They clarify and make more specific what the noun will refer to. Then, an and other similar words are called definite articles, because they can help to determine whether the noun is indefinite  (referring to any member of a group)  or definite  (referring to a particular member of a group) .

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT ADJECTIVE

Do you sometimes find yourself struggling to choose the right adjective?

We know that choosing the right word to describe something that you are writing about is hard.

If you are a blog writer or use article writing services, descriptive words can really make a difference.

When you are writing an article, it is not just about describing the topic in your own words but doing it in an exciting way to wow your audience. How do you do so?

The answer is simple; use lots of adjectives!

An adjective is a word that describes a noun. 

So, when you are writing, it is important to choose descriptive words so that your audience can have a clear image of what you are trying to describe. 

It can be anything ranging from a person to an object and everything in between.

WHAT IS A LINKING VERB? 

A  linking verb , sometimes known as a connecting verb, is a type of verb that connects two different parts of a sentence. 

It can link two clauses, or it can link a subject with a noun complement. As the term suggests, the verb links these phrases together.

The most common way to use linking verbs is within compound sentences. 

Frequently, they’re used to connect  two  main clauses.

The main linking verb types are:  is, am, are, was, were, be, being, and been.  

LINKING VERB EXAMPLES 

I like to read books, and I like to review them on my blog.

In this sentence, the first main clause uses the present tense version of “to like,” while the second clause uses the present tense version of “to review.”

Linking Verb:  I am proud of you.

Controller Noun: My son is proud of his grades.

Linking verbs are also commonly used in conjunction with nouns to create a noun complement-a noun that characterizes the subject of a sentence.

LIST OF DESCRIPTIVE ADJECTIVES AND THEIR DEFINITIONS

abashed –  embarrassed, ashamed, shy, abashed

abstemious –  moderate in eating and drinking, sparing

abrasive –  causing irritation or anger

abstruse –  difficult to comprehend; incomprehensible

academic –  of or pertaining to or like a student or a scholar

accede –  agree, yield, accede

accident –  by chance, without intention

acclivity –  upward slope, rise, incline

acclimate –  accustom to a particular climate or to unfamiliar circumstances

accost –  approach and speak to someone in a forward manner

accretion –  growth by addition of small amounts. I love this descriptive adjective.

accrue –  descriptive language for collect, gather together by natural growth or accumulation

acerbic –  sour, bitter, sharp, cutting in a manner that wounds feelings

achromatic –  colorless

acicular –  long thin rod-shaped; needle-shaped

acidic –  having or denoting the properties of an acid; sharp

acquiescent –  submissive or acquiescent

acquisitive avid –  grasping; greedy; eager to gain by taking from others

adamant –  insistent on having one’s own way; inflexible in one’s attitude or opinion; unyielding; obstinate

adduct –  draw toward

aesthetic –  artistic, beautiful, or pleasing in appearance… etc.

Baboonish –  Of or pertaining to the species of apes

Baffling –  Confusing or hard to understand.”

Bacchanalian –  very happy and lively.

Brittle –  Crisp, delicate, and easily broken; easily fractured or snapped.

Brawny –  Having great strength; muscular and powerful.

Brainy –  Having exceptional intelligence.

Brackish –  Moderately salty, as a small lake or an area of water.

Baleful –  harmful: malignant.

Bull-headed –  having a head that is difficult to influence or persuade 

Broken-hearted –  feeling or showing sorrow because of a loss or disappointment

Capacious –  Apt to hold or contain; spacious.

Capacity –  The power, ability, or opportunity to contain or hold.

Confused –  not be clear in one’s mind; to have no clear idea or concept of a situation or thing.

Cautious –  proceeding from careful thought or consideration; deliberate: a cautious speech; cautious advice.

Cheerful –  means full of cheer, but a couple of  synonyms  are happy and smiling.

Clumsy –  clumsy in a physical manner; ungraceful

Competent –  the ability to do something at the right time and in the right way

Concerned –  to worry about something or be anxious about it.

Consonant –  A consonant is a speech sound

Certain –  positive, definite, dependable.

Cheery –  Just like cheerful, a couple of synonyms are happy and glad.

Clownish –  characteristic of a clown; ludicrous; buffoonish; silly

Competent –  having the skill and knowledge to do something well.

Conscientious –  thorough, careful, and vigilant.

Daedal –  something that is intricate, complex, and cleverly designed with many details or intricacies. A great descriptive adjective.

Darling –  beloved one.

Dashing –  lively, energetic, and charming.

Dastardly –  fiendishly or scoundrel.

Disagreeable –  Unlikely to agree.

Disastrous –  resulting in a disaster. 

Discouraging –  To make somebody feel bad.

Disgusting –  Gross.

Dishonest –  Not honest.

Disillusioning –  the feeling you get when your ideals are shattered.

Distant –  Far away.

Distinctive –  Something, especially a feature or quality that makes .someone or something stand out from the rest of a group.

Distorted –  Not straightforward or direct; devious or deceitful; misleading or fallacious.

Displeasing –  Causing displeasure or annoyance; annoying.

Eager –  having or showing great desire, keenness, or impatience

Early riser –  a person who gets up very early in the morning.

Easygoing –  people who are relaxed and calm with their life, made easier with  quotes by Epictetus ..

Ebullient –  filled with excitement and energy

Eccentric –  deviating from the commonly or customarily accepted, usual, or normal.

Ecliptic –  the process of omission.

Enthusiastic  – having or showing great excitement and interest 

Energetic –  possessing or showing great energy 

Excitable –  easily excited 

Fabulous – very good or excellent

Fantastic – extremely good or pleasing

Flawless – without any mistakes

Fetching – attractive or appealing

Fierce – very intense or powerful

Flattering – making someone look or feel good

Forgiving – willing to forgive someone’s mistakes

Friendly – pleasant and welcoming

Frisky – lively and playful 

Freckle-faced – having many freckles

Fuzzy – covered with fuzz

Funny – amusing or humorous 

Handsome – having a pleasing appearance 

Hearty – vigorous and strong 

Honest – truthful and sincere 

Helpful: kindly disposed and willing to assist 

Happy – contented and satisfied 

Homey – having a comfortable and familiar atmosphere 

Heavy-handed – using a lot of force

Heartless – without feeling or sympathy

Huge – very large 

High-heeled – having a high heel

Halcyon – idyllically calm and peaceful

Hard – physically tough or robust

Hardworking – taking great pains to do one’s work conscientiously

Harmonious – having a pleasingly consistent sound or effect

Haunting – suggestive of the supernatural; ghostly 

ill-mannered –  behaving badly or rudely 

Impatient –  finding it difficult to wait for something 

Inattentive –  not paying attention 

Inconsiderate –  not thinking of other people’s feelings 

Independent –  not needing other people 

Inflexible –  not able to change your mind 

Insensitive  – not caring about other people’s feelings 

Inexpensive –  not costing a lot of money

Incredibly –  extremely; so as to produce a strong impression

Intense –  strong or vigorous; very severe or violent 

inteligente –  means “intelligent.” 

Long-winded –  having a lot to say; talking a lot

Loquacious –  tending to talk a lot; very talkative

Lengthy –  long in duration; taking a long time

Life-giving –  giving life; supplying vitality or energy 

Majestic:  having or showing great beauty or nobility

Magnificent:  very impressive or large

Marvelous:  extremely good or pleasant

Metallic:  of or relating to metals

Mysterious:  difficult or impossible to understand or explain 

quaint –  describes something that is old-fashioned and unusual

quick –  describes something that is fast or that happens quickly

quiet –  describes something that is calm and peaceful 

quantitative –  A word that describes the quantity of something. 

Sarcastic –  tending to mock or ridicule.

Sardonic –  means having a sneering or cynical quality. 

Short-tempered –   easily angered

Sensitive –  easily hurt emotionally or physically

Self-conscious –  aware of and worried about how you look and act around other people 

Self-centered –   thinking only of oneself and one’s own interests 

Thorough – Having or showing care in every detail; painstaking. 

Terrific – good; excellent. 

Tiny – Very small; tiny. 

Tight-fisted – stingy, not generous with money 

Ugly –  not pretty or attractive

Unique –  being the only one of its kind; not having a duplicate

Under –  lower in rank, status, or quality

Understood –  comprehended or grasped 

Uninterested –  not interested

Ubiquitous –  being present everywhere at the same time

Unbelievable –  too extraordinary or unlikely to be believed

Unpredictable –  not able to be foreseen or predicted 

PERSONALITY ADJECTIVES 

Aggressive –  of, relating to or marked by aggression

Active –  positive words for ready and able to take action.

Adventurous –  full of adventure: an adventurous journey.

Agreeable –  a desire to be in agreement with others.

Ambitious –  having a strong desire for success or achievement.

Analytical –  Advanced or careful consideration

Artistic –  creativity or original ideas in any field of artistic endeavor.

Assertive –  characterized by a confident assurance and readiness to defend one’s opinions or actions.

Authoritative –  of or relating to an authority: of recognized or accepted authority

Beautiful –  handsome, pretty

Calm –  Suitable for a situation that requires patience and quiet behavior.

Caring –  Feeling or showing concern for the well-being of others

Charismatic –  the quality of being alluring or attracting; drawing power

Clever –  observant, expeditious, and ingenious

Cooperative –  agreeable, willing to work together towards a common goal

Courteous –  having or showing courtesy : polite

Curious –  that describes a person who is curious or inquisitive.

Daring –  having or showing a readiness to do bold or daring things

Decisive –  acting with or characterized by quick, firm determination; resolute. 

Deliberate –  to think about something carefully.

Dependable –  worthy of being depended on.

Meticulous –  Having extreme attention to detail.

Rational –  Making judgments based on reason rather than emotions.

Spontaneous –  Not planned or premeditated.

Haughty –  having or showing an offensively superior attitude; behaving as if you are better than other people

DESCRIPTIVE ADJECTIVES FOR FOOD

I got an email from a friend who is a professional food writer, and she said  “We’re often asked to describe a dish or a meal using only words that describe food” , and here is an example of some adjectives and  positive words  to describe food.

Appetizing 

Palatable 

Gourmet –  only used in  a singular form.

Divine –  Also only used in a singular form.

Mouth-Watering

Scrumptious

Crackling –  descriptive language for crisp, juicy, but not so sweet as to be cloying. Used to describe the fruit. 

Creamy –  Smooth, rich, not at all lumpy. Used more to describe different types of dessert items.

Substantial –  healthy with enough protein and fiber 

Light –  low-calorie packaged foods ideal for dieting or reducing weight

Healthy –  fresh produce, lean meats, whole grains

Low Carb Diet –  cutting carbs from your diet and counting calories

Meat Eater- no plant-based items like fruits or vegetables.

Acidic –  having acid

Bitter –  having an unpleasantly sharp taste

Bland –  tasteless or unseasoned

Buttery –  of, or relating to butter; “buttery spread”; “a buttery flavor”

Citrusy –  having the flavor of citrus fruit or juice.

Decadent –  luxurious and sensuous; voluptuous

Delectable –  very great pleasure and enjoyment from a meal. 

Good Descriptive Adjectives

1. Beautiful 

2. charming 

3. funny 

6. intelligent

9. friendly

10. loving 

common adjective

Nationality adjective.

Nationality adjectives examples – The noun adjectives that refer to nationality, or similar concepts.

American, Brazilian, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mexican, Russian, Spanish 

List of different descriptive adjectives

1. Beautiful

4. handsome

7. adorable

8. stunning

9. impressive

10. fantastic 

JUST FOR FUN SPANISH ADJECTIVES

Note: This is just for fun, and while I think they are correct, I am not fluent in Spanish, and the gender rules might change them. So double check the gender rule and meaning before you use these adjectives.

Looking for Spanish Adjectives or want the definition of a Spanish adjective?

Follow these quick examples on how to find them and their definitions:

•  ‘aburrido’  is a Spanish adjective meaning ‘boring’.

•  ‘fuera’  is a Spanish adjective meaning ‘outside’.

•  ‘fuertemente’  is a Spanish adjective meaning ‘strongly’.

•  ‘Caliente’  is a Spanish adjective meaning ‘hot’.

•  ‘Seguro’  is a Spanish adjective meaning ‘sure’.

•  ‘grande’  is a Spanish adjective meaning ‘big’.

Bueno –  Good.

Just for More Fun Descriptive Adjectives French

1. beau 

2. bon 

3. charmant

6. généreux

9. intelligent

10. intéressant

12. lumineux

13. magnifique

15. passionnant

16. sympathique

17. talentueux

18. terrible 

In conclusion,  descriptive adjectives  are words that describe the qualities or features of a person, place, or thing. They can be used to make writing more interesting and vivid, and to help the reader get a better understanding of what is being described. There are many different  types of descriptive adjectives , and they can be used to create different effects.

819 Descriptive Words to Elevate Your Vocabulary

By: Author English Study Online

Posted on Last updated: October 17, 2023

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Are you looking for a list of descriptive words? This article delves into the realm of descriptive language and its potential to elevate your writing. Through the use of various examples, we will illustrate the different categories of descriptive words and demonstrate how they can be effectively incorporated into your writing.

By the time you reach the end of this article, you will have gained a deeper appreciation for the potency of descriptive words and developed a stronger ability to utilize them to craft persuasive content.

Table of Contents

List of Descriptive Words

Adjectives to Describe Appearance

• Fashionable
• Captivating
• Fascinating
• Mesmerizing

Adjectives to Describe Emotions

• Melancholic
• Enthusiastic
• Exhilarated
• Affectionate
• Sentimental
• Sympathetic
• Compassionate
• Tenderhearted
• Warmhearted
• Understanding
• Appreciative
• Overwhelmed
• Disappointed
• Discouraged
• Heartbroken
• Embarrassed

Adjectives to Describe Personality Traits

• Adventurous
• Charismatic
• Conscientious
• Considerate
• Cooperative
• Disciplined
• Experienced
• Extroverted
• Hardworking
• Imaginative
• Independent
• Industrious
• Inspirational
• Intelligent
• Knowledgeable
• Open-minded
• Philosophical
• Professional
• Progressive
• Quick-witted
• Resourceful
• Responsible
• Risk-taking
• Self-confident
• Self-disciplined
• Self-motivated
• Self-reliant
• Sophisticated
• Spontaneous
• Trustworthy
• Unflappable

Adjectives to Describe Taste and Smell

• Caramelized

Adjectives to Describe Sounds

• High-pitched
• Low-pitched

Adjectives to Describe Textures

• Embroidered
• Embellished

Adjectives to Describe Shape and Colors

Adjectives to Describe Shape:

• Rectangular
• Symmetrical
• Asymmetrical
• Cylindrical
• Hourglass-shaped
• Tear-shaped
• Heart-shaped
• Diamond-shaped
• Star-shaped

Adjectives to Describe Colors:

Adjectives to Describe Size and Quantity

• Lilliputian
• Pocket-sized
• Microscopic
• Innumerable
• Multitudinous
• Overflowing

Adjectives to Describe Food

• Scrumptious
• Mouthwatering
• Substantial
• Locally-sourced
• Sustainable
• Handcrafted
• Traditional

Learn more: Adjectives to Describe Food .

Types of Descriptive Words

• Absent-minded
• Accomplished
• Astonishing
• Belligerent
• Clandestine
• Comfortable
• Complicated
• Coordinated
• Crestfallen
• Magnanimous
• Parsimonious
• Picturesque
• Questionable
• Spectacular
• Spider-like
• Angelically
• Apathetically
• Appallingly
• Assertively
• Astonishingly
• Beautifully
• Begrudgingly
• Belligerently
• Bewilderedly
• Boisterously
• Comfortably
• Compulsively
• Confidently
• Continuously
• Courageously
• Dangerously
• Deafeningly
• Deliberately
• Deliciously
• Delightfully
• Depressingly
• Desperately
• Determinedly
• Differently
• Disappointingly
• Disapprovingly
• Disastrously
• Disgustedly
• Disinterestedly
• Disrespectfully
• Distressingly
• Distrustfully
• Emphatically
• Endearingly
• Enthusiastically
• Euphorically
• Exaggeratedly
• Exceedingly
• Excellently
• Exclusively
• Exhaustedly
• Expeditiously
• Expressively
• Extraordinarily
• Extrovertedly
• Facetiously
• Falteringly
• Fascinatingly
• Fashionably
• Faultlessly
• Ferociously
• Frivolously
• Gloweringly
• Intelligently
• Masterfully
• Methodically
• Neglectfully
• Nerve-wrackingly
• Offensively
• Passionately
• Pointlessly
• Underhandedly

Participles

• Bewildering
• Challenging
• Crystallized
• Devastating
• Disappointing
• Disconcerting
• Disheartening
• Disillusioning
• Displeasing
• Distracting
• Distressing
• Electrifying
• Embarrassing
• Encouraging
• Enlightening
• Entertaining
• Exasperating
• Exhilarating
• Far-reaching
• Frightening
• Frustrating
• Hard-hearted
• Heartbreaking
• Heartwarming
• Humiliating
• Illuminating
• Infuriating
• Interesting
• Intimidating
• Invigorating
• Jaw-dropping
• Mind-blowing
• Overwhelming
• Scandalizing
• Side-splitting
• Stimulating
• Threatening

Descriptive Words that Start with These Letters…

Descriptive Words that Start with A

• Accelerated

Learn more: Synonyms for afraid

Descriptive Words that Start with B

• Benign (formal)
• Breathtaking

Descriptive Words that Start with C

• Calculating
• Chicken out
• Conventional
• Crappy/ Shitty(slang)

Learn more: Synonyms for Complex

Descriptive Words that Start with D

• Deep-pocketed
• Delish ( Informal)
• Disagreeable
• Disgraceful

Learn more: Synonyms for Dangerous

Descriptive Words that Start with E

• Educational
• Efficacious
• Enthralling
• Everlasting
• Exceptional
• Extraordinary
• Eye-catching

Learn more: Synonyms for Essential

Descriptive Words that Start with F

• Fundamental

Learn more: Synonyms for famous

Descriptive Words that Start with G

• Goal-oriented
• Good-humored
• Good-looking
• Good-natured

Learn more: Synonyms for Great

Descriptive Words that Start with H

• High-spirited
• Horror-struck

Learn more: Synonyms for Huge

Descriptive Words that Start with I

• Inexpensive
• Informative
• Intellectual
• Introverted

Learn more: Synonyms for Interesting, Synonyms for Important

Descriptive Words that Start with J

Descriptive words that start with k.

• Kindhearted

Descriptive Words that Start with L

• Loaded (slang)

Learn more: Synonyms for Large

Descriptive Words that Start with M

• Magnificent
• Motivational
• Mouth-watering

Descriptive Words that Start with N

• Nonsensical

Descriptive Words that Start with O

• Old-fashioned
• Openhearted
• Outstanding
• Overprotective
• Over the Moon (informal)
• Overthinker

Descriptive Words that Start with P

• Participant
• Particularly
• Pleasurable
• Pygmy (with Animals)

Descriptive Words that Start with Q

• Quarrelsome

Descriptive Words that Start with R

• Radioactive
• Respectable
• Resplendent

Descriptive Words that Start with S

• Self-assertive
• Shell-shocked
• Sidesplitting
• Significant

Learn more: Synonyms for Small , Synonyms for Sad

Descriptive Words that Start with T

• Teeny-weeny
• Thought-provoking
• Thoughtless
• Tremendously

Learn more: Synonyms for Tough , Synonyms for Terrible

Descriptive Words that Start with U

• Unbelievable
• Unconventional
• Unimaginable
• Uninterested

Descriptive Words that Start with V

• Vainglorious

Learn more: Synonyms for vital

Descriptive Words that Start with W

• Wack (slang)
• Well-behaved
• Well-heeled
• Well-off/better off (informal)

Descriptive Words that Start with X, Y

• Xerothermic
• Yummy (informal)

Descriptive Words that Start with Z

Faqs on descriptive words.

What are descriptive words?

Descriptive words are words that describe or provide details about a person, place, thing, or idea. They are used to add color and depth to writing, helping to create a vivid image in the reader’s mind.

What are some good descriptive words?

There are some good descriptive words that can help to add color and detail to your writing including vivid, luminous, serene, vibrant, majestic, radiant, ethereal, enchanting, pristine, serendipitous, idyllic, mystical, resplendent,  and blissful.

What are some negative descriptive words?

Negative descriptive words are words that describe something or someone in a negative way. They can be used to express displeasure, frustration, or disappointment. Here are some examples: aggravating, arrogant, boring, brutal, clumsy, corrupt, cowardly, cruel, cynical, deceitful, defeated, and depressing.

Related Links

• 70 Useful Words of Feelings & Emotions
• 250+ Feeling Words with Examples
• List of 900+ Adjectives in English
• Different Ways to Express Feelings
• Recent Posts

• Learn English Pronunciation - August 1, 2023
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• Conjunctions
• Prepositions

200+ Adjectives To Describe A Creative Person and Creativity

If you’re stumped on how to describe a creative person with adjectives, you’re not alone. It can be tricky to find the right words to define someone whose work is defined by its originality and inventiveness. However, there are a few characteristics that are often found in creative people. 

They tend to be inquisitive and open-minded, always exploring new ideas and approaches. They’re also usually good at problem-solving, seeing things from different angles and coming up with innovative solutions. And of course, creative people often have a strong sense of intuition and imagination, which allows them to see possibilities where others see only limitations. 

So if you’re looking for a way to describe a creative person, keep these qualities in mind.

Table of Contents

How to describe a creative person with adjectives?

If you’re looking for creative adjectives to describe someone, you’ve come to the right place. This article is chock-full of creative words to describe a person, whether you’re looking for positive adjectives to describe a creative person or creative adjectives to describe someone with a more negative connotation. 

But before we get into all of that, let’s start with a quick definition of what we mean by creative adjectives. Creative adjectives are words that are used to describe someone who is creative. Simple, right? Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s get into the good stuff.

J | K | L | M

Final verdict

A creative person is someone who sees the world a little differently. They’re often able to find beauty in things that others might miss, and they have a unique way of looking at the world. Creative people are often imaginative and curious, always exploring new ideas and ways of doing things. They’re also often passionate and expressive, with a strong need to express their creativity. If you’re looking for a way to describe someone who is creative, any of these terms might be a good fit.

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Quotes and Descriptions to Inspire Creative Writing Discover, Share, Connect

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

essential career advice for writers

"For writers in the next half century and beyond, a comprehension of how creative writing, neurology, biology and our environment interact will be essential for a successful career." - a link to the full article is in my bio and on the Descriptionari "About" page. Much love!!! Angela Abraham (Daisy)

prime minister

"Aha!" said the Prime Monister, "we will have the poor scrap with the destitute for scraps! We can't lose!"

"When we make daily choices that are emotionally indifferent, the sort that the money-nexus makes faux-virtues of, we build our capacity for emotional indifference at the direct expense of our capacity for empathy, and thus the conflict between money and love is laid bare."

In war let us keep a warm heart and a cool head, remembering always the humanity of the 'othered' or else lose our own.

Joys born of vice should never be held in equivalency with joys born of true virtue or else we create a cerebral short-circuit and confusion reigns; thus the word 'happiness' should belong only to that uplift born of loving goodness.

marvellous school of neurology

"It turns out, as obviousness would have it, that our brains (especially those of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in this case) have been teaching us neurology through comic books and the movies that have come from them." Full article linked to from my profile, click "abraham" below, awesome!!

It was a bonny path that chattered day and night, the free leaves upon it and their twig-attached brethren in seasonal conversation.

walking in the rain

I won't say I love the cold rain. I won't say I love being soaked to the skin. I won't say I'm alright with how long it takes for my boots to dry. But I will say it enlivens me and awakens a part of me that slumbers in the warm and sunny weather. I will say that jumping in puddles is fun and that I'm far too old to be enjoying such things. I will say that a part of me finds a beauty in wondering how many raindrops there are and listening for them in the meditative pitter patter.

"Adjective and noun associations are worthy of our consideration because by careful linkage of words such as 'black' with strong emotionally positive words (such as in 'black heavens' and 'noble black night') we can start to program subconscious bias from the brain by creating a background neurochemistry that is more positive. This keeps the prefrontal cortex more fully operational and encourages more empathy in both thoughts and behaviours. Thus society develops better through their own choices and evolves. This is part of social evolution and this kind of awareness in writers is essential."

I wonder if the roof tiles miss the rain on these long summer days. I wonder if they miss making their together song. Or perhaps they await the tickle of bird feet and a hearth-warm breeze. Or maybe it is the variation that makes these seasons special.

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10 Beautiful Words You Can Use in Narrative / Descriptive Writing | Secondary School

• Posted By blog-user

Have you ever asked yourself: what makes a word beautiful? Is it because of what it means or the way it sounds? According to British linguist David Crystal in his article titled, “Phonaesthetically Speaking”, we tend to love words that have three or more syllables and include letters that we enjoy enunciating like “ m ” and “ l ”. Simply put, beautiful words are lovely to read and sound pleasant to our ears.

For Secondary English students, such charming words with positive connotations can be used to bedazzle your reader. Let’s explore ten beautiful words which not only sound great but will also be useful in painting vivid pictures for your examiners (especially for narrative and descriptive writing). With the examples provided below, try coming up with your own sentences to use these words! (:

1. Compelling (adj.)

Meaning: (something e.g. a reason, argument) that makes you pay attention to it because it is interesting and exciting

Synonym: enthralling, captivating, gripping

Sentence examples:

I found it hard to look away from his compelling eyes that seemed to ask me to inch closer. It was such a compelling story that I ended up reading the entire book in one sitting.

2. Effervescent (adj.)

Meaning: (of people and their behaviour) excited, enthusiastic and full of energy

Synonym: vivacious, animated, bubbly

She has a warm effervescent personality that made her easy to get along with. The effervescent host spoke with infectious energy and was able to bring a smile to not only the contestants on the show, but also the audience at home.

3. Euphonious (adj.)

Meaning: (of a sound, especially speech) pleasing to the ear

Synonym: pleasant-sounding, sweet-sounding, honeyed

The euphonious chimes of the bell lulled the baby to sleep. Her euphonious tone made her sound like an angel and I was immediately all ears to what she was explaining.

4. Evocative (adj.)

Meaning: bringing strong images, memories, or feelings to mind

Synonym: reminiscent, suggestive

The writer uses descriptive vocabulary to paint evocative images, moving his readers to tears. The evocative music that she often heard as a child in her grandparents’ house made her miss them dearly.

5. Halcyon (adj.)

Meaning: denoting a period of time in the past that was idyllically happy and peaceful

Synonym: happy, carefree, blissful

My grandmother would often recall the halcyon days of the past when her grocery store business boomed and she was healthy and free to do what she liked. The halcyon summer holidays where we could play outdoors freely in groups without our masks are long gone.

6. Lissom (adj.)

Meaning: (of a person or their body) thin, supple, and graceful

Synonym: lithe, elegant, svelte

The lissom dancer mesmerised the audience as she swayed to the music. Perry grew up with horses and always admired how graceful they looked trotting around the stables with their lissom bodies.

7. Resplendent (adj.)

Meaning: very bright, attractive and impressive in appearance

Synonym: splendid, magnificent, brilliant

Dressed in resplendent costumes, the children created a beautiful rainbow of colours on the stage. During the Singapore Night Festival in 2019, a resplendent underwater scene full of marine animals was projected onto the building of the National Museum of Singapore.

8. Redolent (adj.)

Meaning: having a strong pleasant smell

Synonym: aromatic, perfumed

Although my mother had left for work, the entire house was redolent with the fragrance of her perfume. The kitchen was redolent with the aroma of freshly baked bread, making my mouth water.

9. Serendipitous (adj.)

Meaning: occurring or discovered by chance in a happy or beneficial way

Synonym: coincidental, lucky

The serendipitous encounter with my primary school classmate after not seeing him for two years led to an enjoyable chat about our shared experience. The scientists made a serendipitous discovery which could lead them to the cure for cancer.

10. Sublime (adj.)

Meaning: of great excellence or beauty

Synonym: outstanding, grand, majestic, stellar

The Great Barrier Reef is known for its sublime natural seascape full of unique marine life and vibrantly coloured corals. Having devoured the delectable food, we complimented the chef for the sublime meal.

Were you able to come up with your own examples to use the beautiful words in your narrative writing as you were reading this post? Feel free to look them up in a dictionary to familiarise yourself with more contexts where you can use these charming words appropriately.

I hope you would use these beautiful words in your narrative writing. Go forth and apply the new knowledge you have acquired to impress your readers. See you in future posts!

Ms. Hui Jun

As a teacher, Ms Hui Jun is driven to create a safe conducive space for learning in her classroom. To achieve this, she makes an effort to build rapport with her students so that they are unafraid to ask questions when in doubt. With an aim for her students to grow from every lesson, she encourages them to reflect on their learning and find ways to connect them to real life application. With this, she hopes to stretch the young minds of all her pupils and to equip them with the language skills necessary in our world today.

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Descriptive Writing Examples: A Guide to Mastering the Art of Description

Imagine an article so teeming with life that it seems sentient.

As you consume its words, it seizes your attention and transports you to a world where scaly dragons slice through the sky as sharply as the knight’s blade that threatens their existence.

Okay, this post may not be that invigorating, but let’s see how we can bring our words to life through descriptive writing….

The Draw of Descriptive Writing

Descriptive writing is a powerful tool that enables you to create vivid images in your reader’s mind.

When you use figurative language and sensory details, it creates an immersive experience for your readers, drawing them into your narrative more fully.

The use of metaphors, for example, helps you illustrate similarities in ways that are easily understood:

“Her eyes were radiant stars in the night sky.”

Beyond using metapors, descriptive writing highlights emotion, describing it in fine detail.

You can evoke emotion through the reactions of your characters and the atmosphere you create.

Instead of stating that a character is sad, describe their trembling lip, downcast eyes, or the heavy weight on their shoulders.

Incorporate figurative language, such as similes and personification, to convey more depth in your descriptions.

Similes make explicit comparisons:

“The leaves rustled like whispers in the night.”

Personification attributes human characteristics to non-human things:

“The wind howled in frustration.”

Engage your reader’s senses by describing not only how things look but also how they sound, feel, taste, and smell.

For instance:

• describe the warmth of a crackling fireplace,
• the aroma of freshly baked bread,
• or the sound of rain beating against the window.

Finally, include specific sensory details so that your reader can easily envision what you’re trying to describe. Instead of simply stating that a room was messy, describe the piles of clothes on the floor, the papers strewn about, and the half-empty coffee mugs on the cluttered desk.

By combining these elements in your descriptive writing, you’ll create a rich and engaging experience that will captivate your readers and leave lasting impressions.

Get a free writing exercise (includes prompts)!

Key elements of descriptive writing.

First, provide a clear setting . Inform your readers of the location and time period of your scene.

Whether you’re describing a busy city street or a serene forest, give a clear context that allows your readers to immerse themselves within the locale.

Make sure to address the surroundings and any relevant objects that contribute to the setting.

Next, organize your description in a logical order . Guide your reader through the scene by providing a clear sequencing of events, objects, or characters.

This can be done chronologically, spatially, or in order of importance to the story.

Having a clear flow of information ensures that your reader can easily follow the narrative—without getting lost in the details.

Lastly, it’s important to be clear and concise throughout the writing process. Being detailed doesn’t mean being overly wordy.

Efficiently and effectively convey your message to the reader.

Remember to keep the focus on the scene, setting, and characters, and avoid inserting unnecessary opinions or judgments.

A consistent and informative tone allows your reader to fully appreciate and understand your writing.

The Role of Language Selection

When writing descriptive paragraphs , the use of various linguistic devices helps paint a vivid picture in the reader’s mind.

Let’s explore how some of these devices can enhance your writing.

Adjectives enrich your writing by adding details and depth to nouns. Be intentional with the choice of your adjectives. Opt for compelling descriptors to create a lasting impression.

Verdant has more pizazz than green , don’t you think?

Verbs and adverbs give life and movement to your writing.

Avoid repetition, and be precise with your verb or adverb word choice. Instead of saying “walked slowly,” you could use “sauntered” or “strolled.”

Include specific details that help your reader perceive a scene exactly as you do. It might be the texture of a fabric, a particular smell, or the way light reflects off a surface.

Opt for expressive terms, and utilize devices such as metaphors and personification to create strong mental images.

Lastly, onomatopoeia is a useful tool in descriptive writing, involving words that represent sounds, such as “buzz,” “sizzle,” or “whisper.”

They help aurally immerse your readers in the scene and make the experience more engaging.

Remember, it’s essential to balance these language features to effectively maintain your reader’s interest.

3 Examples of Descriptive Writing

1. descriptive writing sample about a place.

Imagine you’re walking through an enchanting forest. The sunlight filters through the dense canopy, casting dappled shadows on the soft, mossy ground.

Surrounding you, tall trees stretch towards the sky, their bark rough and gnarled, providing a home for scurrying beetles. A gentle breeze brings the scent of fresh pine and damp earth, stirring your senses and enveloping you in the forest’s calming embrace.

As you continue further, a babbling brook emerges, its crystal-clear water reflecting the sky above. The tranquil sound of the water brings a sense of serenity to the enchanted forest.

2. Descriptive Writing Sample About a Person

Consider a grandmother you know—someone whose face has been etched with the wisdom of a long life. Her once-dark hair—now a silver cascade—frames her face, showcasing the crinkles around her worn, yet joy-filled eyes.

Her hands, strong and calloused from decades of hard work, are nevertheless gentle, cradling a grandchild or cupping the cheek of a loved one.

When she speaks, her voice is like the rustling of leaves, soft yet strong, exuding age, wisdom, and a hint of mischievous humor.

Her smile is a treasure that spreads warmth to everyone she encounters.

3. Descriptive Writing Sample About Emotion

Imagine the sensation of excitement—that fluttering in your stomach as your heart races. It’s as if electricity buzzes beneath your skin.

Your hands tremble slightly as your breathing intensifies. Your thoughts race, jumping from one subject to another as a smile spreads across your face.

It’s a contagious feeling that spreads like a wave, refreshing those around you.

Did these short samples help you better understand descriptive writing? Now it’s your turn! Practice with this free creative writing exercise:

If you have an elementary-aged student, try these creative writing topics to get him or her started.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can i improve my descriptive writing skills.

To improve your descriptive writing skills, practice is essential. Write regularly, describing various objects, settings, and people.

Also, study examples of descriptive writing to analyze how other authors create vivid imagery. Experiment with various literary devices, such as similes, metaphors, and personification. Remember, it’s okay—even highly recommended—to revise your work and refine your descriptions.

What are some techniques used in descriptive writing?

Some common techniques used in descriptive writing include:

• Imagery : Use vivid language to create mental images that help readers visualize the subject.
• Sensory details : Engage the reader’s senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch) by providing specific details.
• Similes and metaphors : These comparisons help readers understand complex subjects by comparing them to familiar, simpler objects.
• Personification : Bring stories to life by giving human characteristics to non-human objects.
• Precise language : Use clear and accurate words to describe the subject effectively.
• Varied sentence structure : Mix short and long sentences to maintain the reader’s interest and provide a natural flow to your writing.

How does descriptive writing differ between grade levels?

Descriptive writing expectations change as students progress through grade levels:

• Elementary grades : At younger ages, students are encouraged to use simple, familiar language to describe objects, scenes, and characters. They should focus on basic descriptive techniques such as adjectives and sensory details. Consider picture-based writing prompts for this age group.
• Middle grades : As students advance, they begin to incorporate more complex language, literary devices, and varied sentence structures. They also start to tailor their descriptions to their audience and purpose.
• High school : High school students refine their descriptive writing skills by using more sophisticated vocabulary, creating nuanced images, and developing their personal writing style. They are expected to demonstrate a mastery of descriptive techniques and employ them effectively across various writing genres.

About The Author

Jordan Mitchell