Daily Writing Tips

100 exquisite adjectives.

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Adjectives — descriptive words that modify nouns — often come under fire for their cluttering quality, but often it’s quality, not quantity, that is the issue. Plenty of tired adjectives are available to spoil a good sentence, but when you find just the right word for the job, enrichment ensues. Practice precision when you select words. Here’s a list of adjectives:

Adamant : unyielding; a very hard substance Adroit : clever, resourceful Amatory : sexual Animistic : quality of recurrence or reversion to earlier form Antic : clownish, frolicsome Arcadian : serene Baleful : deadly, foreboding Bellicose : quarrelsome (its synonym belligerent can also be a noun) Bilious : unpleasant, peevish Boorish : crude, insensitive Calamitous : disastrous Caustic : corrosive, sarcastic; a corrosive substance Cerulean : sky blue Comely : attractive Concomitant : accompanying Contumacious : rebellious Corpulent : obese Crapulous : immoderate in appetite Defamatory : maliciously misrepresenting Didactic : conveying information or moral instruction Dilatory : causing delay, tardy Dowdy : shabby, old-fashioned; an unkempt woman Efficacious : producing a desired effect Effulgent : brilliantly radiant Egregious : conspicuous, flagrant Endemic : prevalent, native, peculiar to an area Equanimous : even, balanced Execrable : wretched, detestable Fastidious : meticulous, overly delicate Feckless : weak, irresponsible Fecund : prolific, inventive Friable : brittle Fulsome : abundant, overdone, effusive Garrulous : wordy, talkative Guileless : naive Gustatory : having to do with taste or eating Heuristic : learning through trial-and-error or problem solving Histrionic : affected, theatrical Hubristic : proud, excessively self-confident Incendiary : inflammatory, spontaneously combustible, hot Insidious : subtle, seductive, treacherous Insolent : impudent, contemptuous Intransigent : uncompromising Inveterate : habitual, persistent Invidious : resentful, envious, obnoxious Irksome : annoying Jejune : dull, puerile Jocular : jesting, playful Judicious : discreet Lachrymose : tearful Limpid : simple, transparent, serene Loquacious : talkative Luminous : clear, shining Mannered : artificial, stilted Mendacious : deceptive Meretricious : whorish, superficially appealing, pretentious Minatory : menacing Mordant : biting, incisive, pungent Munificent : lavish, generous Nefarious : wicked Noxious : harmful, corrupting Obtuse : blunt, stupid Parsimonious : frugal, restrained Pendulous : suspended, indecisive Pernicious : injurious, deadly Pervasive : widespread Petulant : rude, ill humored Platitudinous : resembling or full of dull or banal comments Precipitate : steep, speedy Propitious : auspicious, advantageous, benevolent Puckish : impish Querulous : cranky, whining Quiescent : inactive, untroublesome Rebarbative : irritating, repellent Recalcitrant : resistant, obstinate Redolent : aromatic, evocative Rhadamanthine : harshly strict Risible : laughable Ruminative : contemplative Sagacious : wise, discerning Salubrious : healthful Sartorial : relating to attire, especially tailored fashions Sclerotic : hardening Serpentine : snake-like, winding, tempting or wily Spasmodic : having to do with or resembling a spasm, excitable, intermittent Strident : harsh, discordant; obtrusively loud Taciturn : closemouthed, reticent Tenacious : persistent, cohesive, Tremulous : nervous, trembling, timid, sensitive Trenchant : sharp, penetrating, distinct Turbulent : restless, tempestuous Turgid : swollen, pompous Ubiquitous : pervasive, widespread Uxorious : inordinately affectionate or compliant with a wife Verdant : green, unripe Voluble : glib, given to speaking Voracious : ravenous, insatiable Wheedling : flattering Withering : devastating Zealous : eager, devoted

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what are adjectives for creative writing

32 thoughts on “100 Exquisite Adjectives”

Fantastic list! Thank you for sharing it with us.

I love your site. The daily writings are magnificent. Your daily writing tips are useful! Unlike many other writing blogs or websites out there!

Interesting list. However, for some of the words, I see the following definitions as more accurate: adroit-skillful judicious-prudent, discerningly precipitate – should say precipitous to describe as steep. Precipitate as an adj means falling.

Thanks for sharing these. I can’t imagine writing without adjectives. It always pains me to have to cut them. As a writer for children, it is a challenge to find adjectives that are new words for kids, but simple enough for them to understand. Obviously, I cannot use “salubrious”, but “luminous,” “limpid,” “verdant,”and “withering” are delightful.

How about a list especially for young readers?

Thanks for this! Especially for “jejune”. I heard that one spoken aloud years ago, but didn’t know how to spell it (and no one I asked had ever heard of it), so I couldn’t look it up. Now I can finally use it!

I think you meant “Recalcitrant” and not “Recalcitant”? Just a small elision, however.

Thanks for a great list.

An exquisite list, in deed.

I would also say that “fecund” also means fertile. Great list!

A very good list. A lot of words here that I had never heard before and several others for which I didn’t know the definitions.

You might like to clarify your point about ‘belligerent’, though. A belligerent is an entity participating in war. The noun form of the adjective ‘belligerent’ is ‘belligerence’.

Oh, publishers, beware! Coming your way are manuscripts populated with fecund protagonists, mendacious antagonists, didactically sagacious guardians, and platitudinous sidekicks.

Actually, that could be fun.

really useful list. much needed 🙂 thanks

This a the PERFECT list for expanding your vocabulary, but also great for speaking professionals as well. Sometimes I find myself using the same words over and over as I facilitate workshops, so this will come in handy…bookmark worthy!

@Lahesha – Is that the correct word? To “facilitate” a workshop? Facilitate means to make something easier, less difficult, or free from impediment. You could conduct a workshop, moderate a worshop, direct, guide, chair, etc.. However, just now checking “Business Speak” in Wikipedia, I see it as one of those terms. So, check out the “Beware of Buzz Word Bingo” column (Feb 2011). “Facilitate” could be added to that list since workshops tend to spew buzz words in abundance.

Insidious is one of my favorites — such a pithy word. Pithy is pretty good as well. Maybe it could be tacked on. I’m retweeting this now…

Stephen: But “belligerent” is an adjective, as well as a noun…has the list been modified?

Katie: Don’t forget “jemay”– almost or becoming dull or puerile, and “jedecember”– exciting, witty, and mature, but colder. And “irksall” which meand even more annoying– to everybody.

I must get across my respect for your generosity supporting those people that really want guidance on in this situation. Your very own commitment to getting the solution all around ended up being quite practical and has permitted others just like me to achieve their dreams. Your warm and helpful suggestions means so much to me and a whole lot more to my fellow workers. Thanks a lot; from all of us.

I love words, and particularly adjectives. This list is wondrous fair indeed. However, many of these words are going to come across as being self-conscious, vainglorious or simply twee. While I will always choose the word that comes closest to the meaning I wish to convey (reticent over reluctant when I’m speaking or writing of being hesitant to speak) I also am aware that using a highly decorative word (rhadamanthine, for instance) can be the literary equivalent of wearing too much perfume.

Yes indeed Stephen, agreed. Bellicose and Belligerent are not synonymous but are often used that way. Belligerency is an instrument of the state, not just a singular person’s aggressiveness. Check out Article 9 of Japan’s Constitution for fun.

Also Corpulent, is bodily. It’s broader than the definition given.

Still, great to see such a list.

What about a list of collective nouns? Especially birds. Ie: a Parliament of owls, a murder of crows…fun!

To the 4 writers and the editor! Great Job! When coming up with content that just looks and reads the same you kinda get that same feeling about it as you do others to some degree. You’re book marked for some exciting adjectives in my writing. Thanks don

Superb stuff, absolutely top notch.

In searching for lists of adjectives to aid in the enrichment of my middle school students’ writing, I happened across this list on stumpbleupon.com. I thought this might be the perfect resource until I reached the word “dowdy”. What a great disappointment from dailytwritingtips.com, especially in light of their own “About the blog”, which states, “Whether you are an attorney, manager or student, writing skills are essential to your success. The rise of the information age – with the proliferation of emails, blogs and social networks – makes the ability to write clear, correct English more important than ever. Daily Writing Tips is about that.”

“Dowdy”? Seriously, M. Nichol, in 2015? Because I respect all of my students, but in this case especially my female students, that one word is a deal breaker, for more reasons than I’ll even entertain here.

Fabulous list of adjectives..all are pretty helpful.

Some good choices here. Love arcadian and cerulean. 🙂

I am a french student. Needless to say that this fantastic list will help me a lot. I was definitely smitten with these harmonious and suggestive words. Now come my challenge: be able to use all of them in my english essays ! 😀 Thanks for sharing

A good, stimulating list.

95% of the adjectives have a negative connotation. Some positive please?

njnnjnnj wow

i d k im only 100000000000000 yrs old relax due

@Roberta B.

No, they used facilitate correctly 🙂

Now these are helpful, I know how useful these can be even people that aren’t me. You will be in my book you have helped a lot.

Wow, thank you for sharing and I’m really learning.

this list made me hard

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Strong Adjectives to Show Creative Writing

Table of Contents

With strong adjectives come strong thoughts. Anyone can use strong adjectives to convey a potent idea or paint a vivid picture through their words. There’s always a better way to state a fact.

Our manner of speech can influence the way people perceive us and our ideas. You need only look at how leaders, lawyers, and other influential people write and speak. Their word choices and tone can hold sway over listeners and deliver a powerful message.

In this article, we’ll be learning some strong  adjectives for a writer .

person writing on brown wooden table near white ceramic mug

But before we delve into these words, it’s important to understand strong adjectives and the right way to use them.

What are Strong Adjectives?

Strong adjectives describe the important characteristics, feelings, or qualities of writing . These adjectives are often things that readers cannot ignore. 

Writers use strong adjectives instead of very + a normal adjective.

For example:

Very short → Succinct, Terse

Very long → Lengthy, Extensive 

They often paint a strong example of a noun they are describing. They can help make a sentence more potent or describe a character in greater detail. Writers use strong adjectives in all sorts of creative works, from books to poems.

These adjectives often cause readers to take note of an object they read about.

The Importance of Strong Adjectives

Strong adjectives are important because not all descriptive words can sufficiently capture the full meaning of a subject. Strong adjectives give a different sense of reality and highlight one part of an object or idea. It does this to demonstrate the characteristics that make certain nouns unique.

Strong adjectives also help an audience relate better to a thought. They help them grasp their essence entirely, allowing us to accurately describe what we feel and want to convey.

Moreover, strong adjectives also give the impression that we are an authority on the subject we are describing. Rarely will you find a critic use “very bad” to describe a poorly-written piece of writing.

You need to learn to use strong adjectives to write powerful sentences that leave a strong impression. The list below includes strong adjectives for a writer: 

List of Strong Adjectives for a Writer

  • Authoritative
  • Enthralling
  • Exhilarating
  • Imaginative
  • Intelligent

The English language is replete with a wide collection of words you can use to convey a thought. Descriptors are among the most potent words writers can use to paint a vivid picture for their audience. Strong adjectives are useful in order to command influence over your audience and deliver a powerful message.

Try to learn new and better words to spice up your vocabulary. Doing so will improve your writing and speaking skills and will allow you to command attention like the way influential people do. Feel free to follow our other guides on strong adjectives if you want to gain better mastery of the English language.

Strong Adjectives to Show Creative Writing

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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List of 200+ Descriptive Adjectives and Their Definitions

descriptive adjectives

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.

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.

Beyond the Chapter

Descriptive Adjectives

a quill, colourful background, descriptive adjectives hero image

Written by Sam Constance Hemmings

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 .

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Writer & Founder

Sam 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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Become a Writer Today

135+ List of Adjective Words To Add To Your Writing

Here is a list of adjective words that you can add to your writing projects.

Adjectives play a vital role in forming clear and vivid sentences. They are critical to describing things, events, people, and feelings. Not only are adjectives essential in writing, but they are also a key part of language, and we use them daily to describe our feelings, events, and surroundings. It pairs nicely with our list of mood words for literature .

What Are Adjective Words?

Opinion adjectives, size adjectives, physical quality adjectives, shape adjectives, age adjectives, color adjectives, origin adjectives, material adjectives, purpose adjectives.

List of adjective words

An adjective is a term or phrase that describes and modifies the qualities, state, and quantity of nouns and pronouns. There is a specific rule when there’s more than one adjective in a sentence that cannot be broken even in informal speech or writing, unlike grammar and syntax. It’s called the “order of adjectives,” where the use of adjectives is ranked accordingly: opinion, size, physical quality, shape, age, color, origin, material, and purpose.

List of adjective words

Age-oldFrenchRolling
AgingGardeningRough
AmazingGiantRound 
AmericanGlisteningRude
AngularGlobularRunning
AncientGoldRustic
AntiqueGreekSeductive
AshyHammeredSenescent
AttractiveHandsomeSenile
BaldHeftySenior
BasketHollowSilk
BeautifulImmeasurableSilver
BigIrritatingSharp 
BlueItalianShopping
BrawnyJapaneseShort
BritishJealousSleeping
BroadKoreanSplashy
CaucasianLatinStone
CoolLife-sizeStraight
ChintzyLeather Square
CleaningLovelyTall
CompactMatureTapered
CookingMexicanTattooed
CopperMetalTeenage
CottonMicroscopicTender
CrookedMonotoneTennis
CurvyMuskyThai
DancingMuddyTranslucent
DecliningNiceTriangular
DeepNylonTurkish
DelicateObliqueUnlimited
DiagonalOldUntidy
DiamondOpalescentUnusual
DottedOversizeVast
DutchOvalVelvet
ElderlyPeerVibrant
ElegantPetiteVulnerable
EnglishPinkWashing
EnormousPlasticWeird
EuropeanPlumpWell-built
FishingPointyWooden
FitPolishingWool
FlirtatiousPolyesterWriting
FlamboyantRectangularYoung
FrailRedYouthful

Opinion adjectives express thoughts and feelings about a topic, person, or thing. It also describes and modifies a person’s facial expression, body parts, actions, and traits. 

Linda has an amazing voice.

The new cafe’s interior design is beautiful .

She had a very cool demeanor. 

  • Flirtatious

Many believe that Helena isn’t a flirtatious woman.

Leonardo De Caprio is one of the most handsome Hollywood actors.

My dad has the irritating habit of talking during meals.

My husband is irrationally jealous of my ex-boyfriend.

Our new professor has a lovely personality.

He’s a nice guy when he’s in a good mood.

You should apologize to your mom for your rude behavior.

She’ll use all her seductive charms to get John’s attention.

I want my steak to be delicious, juicy, and tender .

The drink has a very unusual taste.

Old people and kids are the most vulnerable members of our society.

Ed likes to say a lot of weird things.

These words denote the amount of space available or occupied by a person or an object. It also describes how small or large someone or something is.

Liam wants a big house, but his wife says no.

I want a brainy and brawny boyfriend.

They have a compact kitchen with all the necessary tools and appliances.

Every year, Brazil produces an enormous amount of coffee in the world.

The pack must hunt down a giant bear before the winter season begins.

The story she’s been writing contains a hefty amount of comedy.

  • Immeasurable

I hope more filmmakers create movies with immeasurable effects on the younger generation.

She wants to buy a life-size standee of her favorite idol.

  • Microscopic

The doctor has microscopic handwriting that’s hard to read.

Many people like to wear an oversize t-shirt because it’s trendy and comfortable.

Do you know where I can buy quality dresses that fit my petite body?

Cecile’s short hair makes her look younger.

Our company will build a tall building in the area.

Every guest has unlimited access to the pool and gym.

A dictionary is a vast treasure box of information.

These describe the physical characteristics of a person, animal, place, happening, or thing. 

He likes to surround himself with attractive people.

My father is still young, but he’s already starting to go bald .

A curvy figure is the new sexy.

Lina is small and delicate.  

Our neighbor is preparing an elegant party for her daughter’s birthday.

He’s fit because he’s a gym enthusiast.

My frail grandfather still refuses to even sit up on his bed.

The hotel room had a musky odor filling the air.

His plump lips are what make him so handsome.

The new table in our kitchen has a rough finish.

Please avoid making sharp turns because it’s dangerous.

His long, straight hair makes people mistake him for a girl.

My brother is that tattooed guy riding the big bike. 

My professor told me to work on my untidy writing.

His well-built body is the fruit of his hard work.

These words describe things without referring to the color and type of material used. Use the terms below to describe and compare different objects based on their shape and structure.

Gio inherits his father’s angular face.

Most bodybuilders have a broad torso and narrow waist.

Grandpa said that his crooked front teeth are his lucky charm.

Big cruise ships need to be in deep waters to sail.

A diagonal line divides the layout of The Da Vinci Code book cover.

Professional contractors in Switzerland make globular houses and buildings.  

Our engineer tests the strength of a hollow block by the drop test method.

The wall painting is at an oblique angle.

My mother’s ring has a unique oval ruby ​​gem.

The kingdom’s soldiers have pointy helmets.

  • Rectangular

His rectangular smile is contagious.

People with round faces should opt for a layered haircut.

His uncle has a square jaw.

She’s wearing her favorite tapered jeans.

Today, they will perform on the triangular stage in the park.

These words are commonly used in verbal communication and writings to describe or indicate the age of animate and inanimate objects. 

There are no plans to resolve the age-old issue of land distribution.

The aging founder of our company is planning to resign.

My dream is to visit every ancient home and building around the world.

There’s a lot of antique furniture in my grandmother’s house. 

The declining demand for traditional kimonos will ultimately affect Japan’s culture. 

The group that I will tour today has a lot of elderly people.

Her mature boyfriend always helps her make rational decisions.

Peer pressure often leads to bad decisions among young people.

An old man’s advice is the best you can get.

The neighbor’s senescent dog has been with them for 13 years. 

The organization’s senile leader needs will soon step down.

Hailey is promoted to the senior psychologist position at the clinic.

Her teenage daughter loves to party. 

The modeling company is looking for young models to train.

My mom still has her youthful spirit.

Color adjectives describe the shade of nouns and can also express emotions or feelings.

She wants to change her hair color to ashy gray.

Jay looks good in blue clothes.

The designer uses bright colors and chintzy fabrics to make the room livelier.

Her smallpox left her with dotted skin.

He’s a famous celebrity known for his flamboyant lifestyle.

The athlete’s glistening back shines under the sun.

Half of the clothes in her closet are monotone black.

The newborn child has beautiful muddy eyes.

Add sparkle to your fabrics by making opalescent dyes by hand.

She has a natural pink undertone.

The compliment highlights her red cheeks.

The tourist is amazed by the rustic charm of the village.

The little girl’s skirt has lots of splashy flower prints.

  • Translucent

The bathrooms are made of frosted and translucent glass.

She likes to add vibrant colors to her room.

These words indicate where a person, animal, or thing comes from. See the most commonly used origin adjectives by many speakers and writers.

I ate the American breakfast offered by the hotel.

Most of the British police don’t carry a gun .

A Caucasian model visits our store to shop for clothes.

New York City was a trading post founded by a Dutch colonist.

Spice up your usual potato salad with English mustard.

My favorite singer will have his European concert tour next year!

I love cheesy French fries with soda.

He has a strong Greek accent.

Italian pizza is the best!

Japanese people have the highest life expectancy . 

Korean culture is prevalent all over the world because of K-Pop.

The majority of English words we know have Greek and Latin origins.

Ysa loves Mexican food, especially enchiladas.

Can you tell me where I can buy Thai rice?

Dad likes the strong, bold, and bittersweet taste of Turkish coffee.

Material is a substance from which an object is made. In most cases, these adjectives are usually nouns that act as adjectives to describe another noun. 

My uncle collects copper coins.

Sheila’s new husband owns a cotton plantation.

She dreams of having a diamond ring.

Angel’s mom is fond of gold utensils.

Her expensive vice includes shopping for leather bags.

Their house has a metal gate painted like wood.

She needs a replacement for her guitar’s nylon strings.

We should avoid using plastic bags to save Mother Earth.

Polyester clothing is affordable but durable. 

Her silk hair floats with the wind.

Wait for a silver car that will take you to your destination.

Ian dreams of living in a stone house.

She likes how velvet skirts feel against her skin.

I prefer using wooden kitchen utensils. 

My favorite part of the house is the wool carpet in our living area.

Purpose adjectives are words that are almost part of the noun. They describe what an item is for. 

Put your dirty garments in the laundry basket .

Can you look in the cleaning supplies aisle and get some borax?

Mon uses his new cooking pan to make pancakes.

Do you want to take dancing lessons?

My dad stores his fishing rods in the shed.

I use my grandmother’s gardening tools for my planting project.

The hammered copper bowl is the center of attention for today’s auction.  

I use a polishing cloth to clean my glasses.

Mom holds the rolling pin like she wants to hit me.

I lost my running shoes at the local gym.

Come with me to the shopping center and buy a gift for Sophia.

Jake always makes sure that his sleeping bag is in his car.

Miko is looking for a new tennis racket for his brother.

I broke our washing machine.

I use a writing app to assist me in my essays. Looking for more descriptive words to elevate your writing? Check out list of descriptive words !

Creative Writing Words - wordscoach.com

Creative Writing Words

Words are the building blocks of stories, the tools that paint vivid pictures and stir emotions in our readers. But for aspiring writers, the vast ocean of vocabulary can feel daunting. Fear not, wordsmiths! This guide delves into the treasure trove of creative writing words , helping you unearth gems that will elevate your craft.

List of Creative Writing Words

Astonishing

Captivating

Charismatic

Conspicuous

Contemplate

Effervescent

Enthralling

Fantastical

Illuminating

Incandescent

Indomitable

Inquisitive

Mesmerizing

Paradoxical

Rambunctious

Resplendent

Scintillating

Spectacular

Spellbinding

Spontaneous

Transcendent

Clandestine

Quintessential

Serendipitous

Superfluous

Unfathomable

Creative Writing Words with meaning and examples

Here is the table of Creative Writing words with their meanings and examples:

  • Meaning: Existing or available in large quantities; plentiful.
  • Example: The garden was abundant with flowers, creating a vibrant display of colors.
  • Meaning: To make (suffering, deficiency, or a problem) less severe.
  • Example: The new medication helped alleviate her chronic pain.
  • Meaning: Open to more than one interpretation; having a double meaning.
  • Example: The ending of the movie was ambiguous, leaving the audience to speculate.
  • Meaning: Enough or more than enough; plentiful.
  • Example: They had ample time to prepare for the exam.
  • Meaning: Extremely surprising or impressive; amazing.
  • Example: Her performance was astonishing, earning her a standing ovation.
  • Meaning: To cause (someone) to become perplexed and confused.
  • Example: The complex instructions bewildered everyone in the room.
  • Meaning: Burning brightly and strongly.
  • Example: The blazing sun made it a perfect day for the beach.
  • Meaning: Extremely happy; full of joy.
  • Example: They spent a blissful afternoon in the park, enjoying the sunshine and each other’s company.
  • Meaning: Noisy, energetic, and cheerful; rowdy.
  • Example: The children were boisterous as they played in the yard.
  • Meaning: Unlimited or immense.
  • Example: She had a boundless enthusiasm for learning new things.
  • Meaning: Active, fast, and energetic.
  • Example: They went for a brisk walk in the crisp autumn air.
  • Meaning: Showing deep unhappiness of thought.
  • Example: He sat by the window, brooding over his recent breakup.
  • Meaning: Capable of attracting and holding interest; charming.
  • Example: The story was so captivating that she couldn’t put the book down.
  • Meaning: In a state of complete confusion and disorder.
  • Example: The airport was chaotic with travelers rushing to make their flights.
  • Meaning: Exercising a compelling charm which inspires devotion in others.
  • Example: The charismatic leader easily won the support of the crowd.
  • Meaning: Delighted greatly; enchanted.
  • Example: She felt charmed by the quaint little village and its friendly residents.
  • Meaning: The quality of being clear, in particular.
  • Example: The clarity of the lake water was remarkable, allowing them to see the bottom.
  • Meaning: Extremely large or great.
  • Example: The ancient ruins were a colossal testament to the civilization’s grandeur.
  • Meaning: Evoking interest, attention, or admiration in a powerfully irresistible way.
  • Example: Her argument was compelling and convinced everyone in the room.
  • Meaning: To cause surprise or confusion in (someone), especially by acting against their expectations.
  • Example: The unexpected turn of events confounded everyone involved.
  • Meaning: Standing out so as to be clearly visible.
  • Example: Her red coat made her conspicuous in the crowd.
  • Meaning: To look thoughtfully for a long time at.
  • Example: He sat on the bench, contemplating the beauty of the sunset.
  • Meaning: A confusing and difficult problem or question.
  • Example: Solving this conundrum required a lot of creative thinking.
  • Meaning: Giving a feeling of comfort, warmth, and relaxation.
  • Example: They spent the evening in a cozy cabin by the fire.
  • Meaning: (of a substance) firm, dry, and brittle, especially in a way considered pleasing or attractive.
  • Example: The crisp autumn leaves crunched under their feet as they walked.
  • Meaning: Having a meaning that is mysterious or obscure.
  • Example: He left a cryptic message that no one could understand.
  • Meaning: Extremely bright, especially so as to blind the eyes temporarily.
  • Example: The fireworks display was dazzling, lighting up the night sky.
  • Meaning: In an acutely disturbed state of mind resulting from illness or intoxication and characterized by restlessness, illusions, and incoherence.
  • Example: He was delirious with fever and needed immediate medical attention.
  • Meaning: Having or showing care and conscientiousness in one’s work or duties.
  • Example: She was diligent in her studies and always turned in her assignments on time.
  • Meaning: Careful and circumspect in one’s speech or actions, especially in order to avoid causing offense or to gain an advantage.
  • Example: He was discreet in handling the sensitive information.
  • Meaning: Depressing; dreary.
  • Example: The weather was dismal, with constant rain and grey skies.
  • Meaning: Far away in space or time.
  • Example: The distant mountains were barely visible through the haze.
  • Meaning: (of a person or their behavior) unconventional and slightly strange.
  • Example: His eccentric behavior made him the talk of the town.
  • Meaning: (of a liquid) giving off bubbles; fizzy.
  • Example: Her effervescent personality made her the life of the party.
  • Meaning: Ecstatically happy.
  • Example: She was elated when she received the job offer.
  • Meaning: Filled with delight; charmed.
  • Example: The enchanted forest was like something out of a fairy tale.
  • Meaning: An attempt to achieve a goal.
  • Example: Their endeavor to climb the mountain was fraught with challenges.
  • Meaning: Difficult to interpret or understand; mysterious.
  • Example: Her smile was enigmatic, leaving him wondering what she was thinking.
  • Meaning: Capturing and holding one’s attention; fascinating.
  • Example: The magician’s performance was enthralling, leaving the audience in awe.
  • Meaning: Lasting for a very short time.
  • Example: The beauty of the sunset was ephemeral, fading quickly into the night.
  • Meaning: Extremely beautiful and, typically, delicate.
  • Example: The artist’s work was exquisite, with fine details that took your breath away.
  • Meaning: Extraordinary, especially extraordinarily large.
  • Example: They lived in a fabulous mansion with stunning views of the ocean.
  • Meaning: Imaginative and fanciful; unrealistic.
  • Example: The story was filled with fantastical creatures and magical adventures.
  • Meaning: Lacking physical strength, especially as a result of age or illness.
  • Example: The old man’s voice was feeble, barely audible over the noise.
  • Meaning: Having or displaying an intense or ferocious aggressiveness.
  • Example: The fierce competition kept everyone on their toes.
  • Example: They shared a fleeting glance before going their separate ways.
  • Meaning: To grow or develop in a healthy or vigorous way.
  • Example: The small business began to flourish after the new marketing strategy was implemented.
  • Meaning: (of an object) easily broken or damaged.
  • Example: The fragile vase shattered into pieces when it fell.
  • Meaning: Distraught with fear, anxiety, or other emotion.
  • Example: She made a frantic call to the police when she realized her child was missing.
  • Meaning: Shining with a sparkling light.
  • Example: The morning dew left the grass glistening under the sun.
  • Meaning: Characterized by elegance or beauty of form, manner, movement, or speech.
  • Example: The dancer moved in a graceful manner across the stage.
  • Meaning: Fond of company; sociable.
  • Example: The gregarious student made friends quickly in her new school.
  • Meaning: Causing repulsion or horror; grisly.
  • Example: The movie was so gruesome that many viewers left the theater.
  • Meaning: Lacking any obvious principle of organization.
  • Example: The books were stacked in a haphazard fashion on the table.
  • Meaning: Forming a pleasing or consistent whole.
  • Example: The choir’s harmonious singing captivated the audience.
  • Meaning: Poignant and evocative; difficult to ignore or forget.
  • Example: The haunting melody lingered in my mind long after the concert ended.
  • Meaning: Sincere; deeply and strongly felt.
  • Example: She gave a heartfelt apology for her mistakes.
  • Meaning: Requiring great strength or effort.
  • Example: Moving the heavy furniture was a herculean task.
  • Meaning: Tentative, unsure, or slow in acting or speaking.
  • Example: She was hesitant to share her opinion in the meeting.
  • Meaning: Having a calm and still silence.
  • Example: The room was hushed as the judge entered.
  • Meaning: Extremely happy, peaceful, or picturesque.
  • Example: They spent a week in an idyllic cottage by the lake.
  • Meaning: Providing insight, clarity, or light.
  • Example: The professor’s lecture was illuminating and helped us understand the topic better.
  • Meaning: Perfectly clean, neat, or tidy.
  • Example: She kept her house in immaculate condition.
  • Meaning: Grand and impressive in appearance.
  • Example: The castle was an imposing structure on the hill.
  • Meaning: Emitting light as a result of being heated; full of strong emotion.
  • Example: Her incandescent smile brightened the room.
  • Meaning: Impossible to subdue or defeat.
  • Example: The indomitable spirit of the athletes inspired everyone.
  • Meaning: Having a tendency to be overly generous to or lenient with someone.
  • Example: The indulgent parents allowed their children to stay up late.
  • Meaning: Curious or inquiring.
  • Example: The inquisitive child asked endless questions about the world.
  • Meaning: Impossible to satisfy.
  • Example: She had an insatiable appetite for knowledge.
  • Meaning: Proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects.
  • Example: The insidious disease spread without any obvious symptoms.
  • Meaning: Having the effect of inspiring someone.
  • Example: The speech was inspiring and motivated everyone to take action.
  • Meaning: Fearless; adventurous.
  • Example: The intrepid explorer ventured into the unknown wilderness.
  • Meaning: Very complicated or detailed.
  • Example: The artist created an intricate design on the pottery.
  • Meaning: Feeling or expressing great happiness and triumph.
  • Example: The team was jubilant after winning the championship.
  • Meaning: Displaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed.
  • Example: The hot, languid afternoon made everyone feel sleepy.
  • Meaning: Full of or shedding light; bright or shining, especially in the dark.
  • Example: The luminous stars lit up the night sky.
  • Meaning: Growing luxuriantly.
  • Example: The garden was filled with lush greenery and colorful flowers.
  • Meaning: Having or showing impressive beauty or dignity.
  • Example: The majestic mountains towered over the landscape.
  • Meaning: Causing great wonder; extraordinary.
  • Example: The fireworks display was absolutely marvelous.
  • Meaning: A feeling of pensive sadness, typically with no obvious cause.
  • Example: The melancholic tune of the song made me feel nostalgic.
  • Meaning: Capturing one’s complete attention as if by magic.
  • Example: The dancer’s performance was mesmerizing and held the audience spellbound.
  • Meaning: Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.
  • Example: He was meticulous in his research, ensuring every detail was accurate.
  • Meaning: Full of mirth; merry or amusing.
  • Example: The mirthful laughter of the children filled the playground.
  • Meaning: Difficult or impossible to understand, explain, or identify.
  • Example: The mysterious disappearance of the keys baffled everyone.
  • Meaning: In the form of a cloud or haze; hazy.
  • Example: His plans for the future were still nebulous and unclear.
  • Meaning: (Typically of an action or activity) wicked or criminal.
  • Example: The villain’s nefarious scheme was eventually uncovered by the hero.
  • Meaning: Feeling, evoking, or characterized by nostalgia.
  • Example: Looking at old photos always made her feel nostalgic.
  • Meaning: Not discovered or known about; uncertain.
  • Example: The meaning of the ancient text was obscure to modern scholars.
  • Meaning: Ostentatiously rich and luxurious or lavish.
  • Example: The opulent mansion was filled with priceless artwork and luxurious furniture.
  • Meaning: Seemingly absurd or self-contradictory.
  • Example: It is paradoxical that standing is more tiring than walking.
  • Meaning: Strange or odd; unusual.
  • Example: There was a peculiar smell in the room that no one could identify.
  • Meaning: Full of danger or risk.
  • Example: The journey through the mountains was perilous due to the steep cliffs and unpredictable weather.
  • Meaning: Very remarkable; extraordinary.
  • Example: The athlete’s performance was phenomenal, breaking several records.
  • Meaning: Not easily upset or excited; calm and peaceful.
  • Example: The placid lake was a perfect spot for a relaxing afternoon.
  • Meaning: Evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret.
  • Example: The poignant film brought tears to the eyes of many viewers.
  • Meaning: In its original condition; unspoiled.
  • Example: The pristine beaches of the island attracted tourists from around the world.
  • Meaning: Remarkably or impressively great in extent, size, or degree.
  • Example: The prodigious talent of the young musician amazed everyone.
  • Meaning: Very great or intense; having or showing great knowledge or insight.
  • Example: The philosopher’s words were profound and thought-provoking.
  • Meaning: Sending out light; shining or glowing brightly.
  • Example: She looked radiant in her wedding dress.
  • Meaning: Uncontrollably exuberant; boisterous.
  • Example: The rambunctious children played noisily in the yard.
  • Meaning: Delightful; entrancing.
  • Example: She looked ravishing in her evening gown.
  • Meaning: Able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions.
  • Example: The resilient community rebuilt their homes after the flood.
  • Meaning: Attractive and impressive through being richly colorful or sumptuous.
  • Example: The garden was resplendent with a variety of beautiful flowers.
  • Meaning: Feeling or showing deep and solemn respect.
  • Example: The audience was reverent during the solemn ceremony.
  • Meaning: Extravagantly emotional; rapturous.
  • Example: The poet’s rhapsodic description of the sunset was captivating.
  • Meaning: Strong and healthy; vigorous.
  • Example: The robust economy showed no signs of slowing down.
  • Meaning: Optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation.
  • Example: Despite the setbacks, she remained sanguine about the project’s success.
  • Meaning: Sparkling or shining brightly; brilliantly and excitingly clever or skillful.
  • Example: The scintillating performance by the actor earned him a standing ovation.
  • Meaning: Calm, peaceful, and untroubled; tranquil.
  • Example: The serene landscape provided a perfect backdrop for meditation.
  • Meaning: Giving the impression that something harmful or evil is happening or will happen.
  • Example: The abandoned house had a sinister look about it.
  • Meaning: Smooth and glossy; streamlined.
  • Example: The sleek design of the new car made it very appealing.
  • Meaning: Done or existing alone.
  • Example: He enjoyed solitary walks in the park.
  • Meaning: Dark or dull in color or tone; gloomy.
  • Example: The somber atmosphere at the funeral reflected the deep grief of the family.
  • Meaning: Beautiful in a dramatic and eye-catching way.
  • Example: The fireworks display was a spectacular end to the evening.
  • Meaning: Holding one’s attention completely as though by magic; fascinating.
  • Example: The magician’s spellbinding tricks left the audience in awe.
  • Meaning: Performed or occurring as a result of a sudden inner impulse or inclination and without premeditation or external stimulus.
  • Example: The crowd broke into spontaneous applause.
  • Meaning: Of such excellence, grandeur, or beauty as to inspire great admiration or awe.
  • Example: The artist’s sublime work left viewers speechless.
  • Meaning: Having the qualities of surrealism; bizarre.
  • Example: The surreal landscape looked like something out of a dream.
  • Meaning: Tending to keep a firm hold of something; clinging or adhering closely.
  • Example: The tenacious detective refused to give up on the case.
  • Meaning: Very weak or slight.
  • Example: The tenuous connection between the two events was hard to prove.
  • Meaning: Causing excitement and pleasure; exhilarating.
  • Example: The roller coaster ride was a thrilling experience.
  • Meaning: Free from disturbance; calm.
  • Example: The tranquil garden was a perfect place to relax.
  • Meaning: Beyond or above the range of normal or merely physical human experience.
  • Example: The view from the mountaintop was a transcendent experience.
  • Meaning: Shaking or quivering slightly; timid or nervous.
  • Example: Her tremulous voice betrayed her fear during the interview.
  • Meaning: Not giving way to pressure; hard or solid.
  • Example: His unyielding determination helped him achieve his goals.
  • Meaning: Possessing or showing courage or determination.
  • Example: The valiant soldiers fought bravely in the battle.
  • Meaning: Full of energy and enthusiasm.
  • Example: The vibrant city life was a stark contrast to the quiet countryside.
  • Meaning: Experienced in the imagination through the feelings or actions of another person.
  • Example: She felt a vicarious thrill watching her friend perform on stage.
  • Meaning: Strong, healthy, and full of energy.
  • Example: He led a vigorous workout session at the gym.
  • Meaning: Attractively lively and animated.
  • Example: Her vivacious personality made her the life of the party.
  • Meaning: Playfully quaint or fanciful, especially in an appealing and amusing way.
  • Example: The whimsical decorations at the party delighted the children.
  • Meaning: Attractive or appealing in appearance or character.
  • Example: Her winsome smile won over everyone she met.
  • Meaning: Having or showing a feeling of vague or regretful longing.
  • Example: He had a wistful look in his eyes as he reminisced about his childhood.
  • Meaning: Inspiring a feeling of wonder or delight; marvelous.
  • Example: The wondrous sight of the Northern Lights left us speechless.
  • Meaning: Having or showing zeal; fervent.
  • Example: The zealous advocate worked tirelessly for the cause.
  • Meaning: A soft gentle breeze.
  • Example: The zephyr from the ocean brought a refreshing coolness to the air.
  • Meaning: Characterized by great enthusiasm and energy.
  • Example: She approached every challenge with a zestful attitude.
  • Meaning: Clever or skillful in using the hands or mind.
  • Example: The adroit artist created a masterpiece with just a few brushstrokes.
  • Meaning: Brisk and cheerful readiness.
  • Example: She accepted the invitation with alacrity, eager to join the event.
  • Meaning: Something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected.
  • Example: The scientist noted the anomaly in the data, which indicated a potential discovery.
  • Meaning: Understood by few; mysterious or secret.
  • Example: The professor’s lecture on arcane topics fascinated the curious students.
  • Meaning: Showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks.
  • Example: The audacious explorer ventured into uncharted territory.
  • Meaning: Well-meaning and kindly.
  • Example: The benevolent philanthropist donated millions to charity.
  • Meaning: Given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior.
  • Example: The capricious weather made it difficult to plan the picnic.
  • Meaning: Providing psychological relief through the open expression of strong emotions.
  • Example: Writing in her journal had a cathartic effect, helping her release pent-up feelings.
  • Meaning: Kept secret or done secretively, especially because illicit.
  • Example: The clandestine meeting was held at midnight to avoid detection.
  • Meaning: Come together to form one mass or whole.
  • Example: The different factions coalesced to form a united front.
  • Meaning: Confident, stylish, and charming.
  • Example: The debonair gentleman captivated everyone at the party with his charm.
  • Meaning: Fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing.
  • Example: Her eloquent speech moved the audience to tears.
  • Meaning: Showing or giving emphasis; expressing something forcibly and clearly.
  • Example: He was emphatic in his refusal to participate in the scheme.
  • Meaning: Filled with or characterized by a lively energy and excitement.
  • Example: The children were exuberant as they ran around the playground.
  • Meaning: Well-chosen or suited to the circumstances.
  • Example: Her felicitous remarks during the meeting impressed her colleagues.
  • Meaning: Intelligently analytical and clear-thinking.
  • Example: His incisive analysis of the situation revealed the root of the problem.
  • Meaning: Too great or extreme to be expressed or described in words.
  • Example: The beauty of the sunset was ineffable, leaving them speechless.
  • Meaning: Thin, supple, and graceful.
  • Example: The lithe dancer moved with effortless grace across the stage.
  • Meaning: Knowing everything.
  • Example: The novel was narrated by an omniscient narrator who knew the thoughts and feelings of all the characters.
  • Meaning: Having or showing sensitive insight.
  • Example: Her perceptive comments during the discussion showed her deep understanding of the topic.
  • Meaning: Representing the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class.
  • Example: The painting is the quintessential example of the artist’s early work.
  • Meaning: Having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment; wise or shrewd.
  • Example: The sagacious leader was admired for his wise decisions and strategic thinking.
  • Meaning: Occurring or discovered by chance in a happy or beneficial way.
  • Example: Their meeting was serendipitous, leading to a long-lasting friendship.
  • Meaning: Loyal, reliable, and hardworking.
  • Example: The stalwart soldiers stood firm in the face of danger.
  • Meaning: Unnecessary, especially through being more than enough.
  • Example: The report was filled with superfluous details that did not contribute to the main argument.
  • Meaning: Vigorous or incisive in expression or style.
  • Example: Her trenchant commentary on social issues made her a respected columnist.
  • Meaning: Incapable of being fully explored or understood.
  • Example: The depth of the ocean seemed unfathomable to the sailors.

Creative Writing Words Infographic

Creative Writing Words - wordscoach.com

Mastering creative writing words is a journey, not a destination. Embrace the exploration, have fun with language, and let your creativity flow! With dedication and practice, you’ll soon be wielding words with the confidence and skill of a true storyteller.

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Synonyms For Creative Writing - wordscoach.com

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200+ Adjectives To Describe A Creative Person and Creativity

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. 

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.

AbilitiesAbilityAble
AbsurdAccomplishedActivity
AcuteAdeptAdroit
AdventurousAlternativeAmazing
AnarchicAnarchisticApproach
ArtfulArtistArtistic
ArtsAssembly-LineAstute
AtypicalAvant-Garde
BizarreBlackBlue-Sky
BoldBoundlessBrainy
BreathtakingBrightBrilliant
CalculatingCannedCanny
CapableCapacityCertain
CleverCleverishCompetent
ComplexConvenientCookie-Cutter
CooperativeCraftyCulinary
DeftDemonstrateDerivative
DestructionDexterousDextrous
DomesticDull
EccentricEffortEndearing
EnergyEvolutionExceptional
ExperimentalExpertExpression
ExpressiveExtraordinary
FacultyFar-OutFecund
FertileForceFormative
FosterFranticFreakish
FreakyFreedomFresh
Fruitful
GadgetyGenerativeGenius
GenuineGerminalGifted
GimmickyGroundbreakingHackneyed
HandsomeHandyHuman
IdeasIdiosyncraticImagination
ImaginativeImitativeImpractical
ImpulseIncredibleIndividual
InfertileIngeniousInherent
InjuredInnovationalInnovative
InnovatoryInspirationsInspired
IntellectualIntelligenceIntelligent
IntensiveInternalInventive
Irrepressible

J | K | L | M

JewishKeenKnowing
LiteraryLucidMasterly
MaximumMeaningMind
MindsMusical
NaturalNeatNew
NewfoundNiftyNonconformist
NovelOddOff The Beaten Track
Off The WallOffbeatOpen
OriginalOriginativeOut In Left Field
Out Of The BoxOut Of The OrdinaryOutstanding
PedanticPedestrianPeople
PersonalityPhenomenalPhilosophical
PioneeringPoeticPotential
PowerPowerfulPractical
ProcessProductiveProficient
ProgressiveProlificPromethean
QuickQuick-WittedQuirky
RadicalRealResourceful
Revolutionary
SageSavvySharp
ShrewdSkilledSlick
SmartSophisticatedSpirit
SpontaneousStodgyStrange
Surprising
TacticalTalentTalented
TalentlessTeamTension
ThinkersThinkingThought
TrailblazingTricky
UnboundedUnbridledUncommon
UnconventionalUncreativeUncustomary
UnimaginativeUninspiredUninventive
UniqueUnoriginalUnorthodox
UnproductiveUnrivaledUnusual
UsefulUseless
VisionaryWay-OutWord
WorkWriting

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what are adjectives for creative writing

60 Words To Describe Writing Or Speaking Styles

Writers Write creates and shares writing resources. In this post, we give you 60 words to describe writing or speaking styles .

What Is Your Writing Or Speaking Style?

“Style, in its broadest sense, is a specific way in which we create, perform, or do something. Style in literature is the way an author uses words to tell a story. It is a writer’s way of showing his or her personality on paper.

Just as a person putting together items of clothing and jewellery, and applying make-up creates a personal style, the way a person puts together word choice, sentence structure, and figurative language describes his or her literary style.

When combined, the choices they make work together to establish mood , images, and meaning. This has an effect on their audience.”

From  7 Choices That Affect A Writer’s Style

  • articulate – able to express your thoughts, arguments, and ideas clearly and effectively; writing or speech is clear and easy to understand
  • chatty – a chatty writing style is friendly and informal
  • circuitous – taking a long time to say what you really mean when you are talking or writing about something
  • clean – clean language or humour does not offend people, especially because it does not involve sex
  • conversational – a conversational style of writing or speaking is informal, like a private conversation
  • crisp – crisp speech or writing is clear and effective
  • declamatory – expressing feelings or opinions with great force
  • diffuse – using too many words and not easy to understand
  • discursive – including information that is not relevant to the main subject
  • economical – an economical way of speaking or writing does not use more words than are necessary
  • elliptical – suggesting what you mean rather than saying or writing it clearly
  • eloquent – expressing what you mean using clear and effective language
  • emphatic – making your meaning very clear because you have very strong feelings about a situation or subject
  • emphatically – very firmly and clearly
  • epigrammatic – expressing something such as a feeling or idea in a short and clever or funny way
  • epistolary – relating to the writing of letters
  • euphemistic – euphemistic expressions are used for talking about unpleasant or embarrassing subjects without mentioning the things themselves
  • flowery – flowery language or writing uses many complicated words that are intended to make it more attractive
  • fluent – expressing yourself in a clear and confident way, without seeming to make an effort
  • formal – correct or conservative in style, and suitable for official or serious situations or occasions
  • gossipy – a gossipy letter is lively and full of news about the writer of the letter and about other people
  • grandiloquent – expressed in extremely formal language in order to impress people, and often sounding silly because of this
  • idiomatic – expressing things in a way that sounds natural
  • inarticulate – not able to express clearly what you want to say; not spoken or pronounced clearly
  • incoherent – unable to express yourself clearly
  • informal – used about language or behaviour that is suitable for using with friends but not in formal situations
  • journalistic – similar in style to journalism
  • learned – a learned piece of writing shows great knowledge about a subject, especially an academic subject
  • literary – involving books or the activity of writing, reading, or studying books; relating to the kind of words that are used only in stories or poems, and not in normal writing or speech
  • lyric – using words to express feelings in the way that a song would
  • lyrical – having the qualities of music
  • ornate – using unusual words and complicated sentences
  • orotund – containing extremely formal and complicated language intended to impress people
  • parenthetical – not directly connected with what you are saying or writing
  • pejorative – a pejorative word, phrase etc expresses criticism or a bad opinion of someone or something
  • picturesque – picturesque language is unusual and interesting
  • pithy – a pithy statement or piece of writing is short and very effective
  • poetic – expressing ideas in a very sensitive way and with great beauty or imagination
  • polemical – using or supported by strong arguments
  • ponderous – ponderous writing or speech is serious and boring
  • portentous – trying to seem very serious and important, in order to impress people
  • prolix – using too many words and therefore boring
  • punchy – a punchy piece of writing such as a speech, report, or slogan is one that has a strong effect because it uses clear simple language and not many words
  • rambling – a rambling speech or piece of writing is long and confusing
  • readable – writing that is readable is clear and able to be read
  • rhetorical – relating to a style of speaking or writing that is effective or intended to influence people; written or spoken in a way that is impressive but is not honest
  • rhetorically – in a way that expects or wants no answer; using or relating to rhetoric
  • rough – a rough drawing or piece of writing is not completely finished
  • roundly – in a strong and clear way
  • sententious – expressing opinions about right and wrong behaviour in a way that is intended to impress people
  • sesquipedalian – using a lot of long words that most people do not understand
  • Shakespearean – using words in the way that is typical of Shakespeare’s writing
  • stylistic – relating to ways of creating effects, especially in language and literature
  • succinct – expressed in a very short but clear way
  • turgid – using language in a way that is complicated and difficult to understand
  • unprintable – used for describing writing or words that you think are offensive
  • vague – someone who is vague does not clearly or fully explain something
  • verbose – using more words than necessary, and therefore long and boring
  • well-turned – a well-turned phrase is one that is expressed well
  • wordy – using more words than are necessary, especially long or formal words

Source for Words:  Macmillan Dictionary

what are adjectives for creative writing

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List of Adjectives : Types and How They Are Used

Are you looking for the perfect word to describe someone, somewhere, or something? If so, there are many great words to choose from in the English language. Yet, without a list of adjectives on hand, it’s hard to remember every single word you know. 

Luckily, you have access to this helpful adjectives list ! Use it whenever you want a fresh and exciting way to talk about a noun or pronoun. Plus, if you study new words on this adjective list, you’ll expand your vocabulary. For a printable PDF to keep on your desk, visit this informative site.

There are many different words on a list of adjectives . Some are similar in nature or have identical meanings , while others are very different from one another. Because there are so many adjectives , it’s better to learn them all in their individual groups.

There are two main categories of words you’ll find on a list of adjectives : Descriptive words and limiting words . Each has its own adjective list subcategories. Here’s an overview of what is covered in this guide:

Attributive and Predicate Words

Cardinal adjective list, definite and indefinite articles, demonstrative adjective list, interrogative adjective list, nouns that function as limiting words, ordinal words, possessive words, proper words.

  • Advanced Descriptive Adjectives List
  • List of Adjectives for Kids
  • Personality Adjectives List

General List of Positive Adjectives

A list of adjectives of sensory words.

Let’s begin with a descriptive adjectives list and the subcategories of descriptive words.

A Descriptive Adjectives List

In short, descriptive words describe things. Here are some common examples below. This could also be a list of adjectives for kids :

List of positive adjectives :

List of negative adjectives:

List of general adjectives (positive or negative depending on context):

You’ve probably heard all of the words on this descriptive adjectives list before. To learn a few more advanced descriptive words, go to the section “ A List Adjectives for…”

Many descriptive adjectives can also be paired as opposites of each other. Below is a descriptive adjectives list with pairs of opposite words. You’ll recognize a few words from the list of positive adjectives, list of negative adjectives, and list of general adjectives.

Happy  Sad
Good Bad
Dry Wet
High Low
Thin Fat
Wide Narrow
Internal External

Within descriptive words, there are two subcategories: attributive and predicate words. Both subcategories are similar in that they both modify a noun. However, both do things a bit differently and have slightly different use s. 

Attributive and predicate words are like two sides of the same coin. You can find attributive words in a sentence directly beside a noun. Most of the time, it comes before the noun or pronoun. 

  • The leaping lizard.
  • An argumentative anteater.
  • The humongous hippo.

Predicative words on the other hand come after a noun, following a verb. A predicate gets its name from being within the predicate of the sentence.

  • She has wavy hair.
  • Jeffrey is jovial .
  • Is your crossword puzzle fun ?
  • Our flight was exhausting .

Below is a good-sized adjectives list . Depending on the sentence, some of these words could function as either an attributive or predicative word. However, some can only function as one or the other. 

Can you figure out which words only fit as an attributive (before a noun) or predicative (after a noun and verb) word?

Finding this all a little challenging? Skip to the “A List of Adjectives for…” section. There is a general list of positive adjectives , a personality adjectives list , a li st of adjectives for kids , and more!

A Limiting Adjectives List

The second category of adjectives contains limiting words. Whereas some words describe nouns, many do not. These words instead restrict nouns and pronouns . Limiting words let a reader or listener know the exact thing you’re talking about, by defining it. 

There are many subcategories of limiting adjectives/words . But don’t worry, there’s a description of each type below, and there’s an adjectives list for each subcategory for you to review. Here’s a list of adjectives that features a few common limiting words:

This list of adjectives has words that don’t seem very similar to each other. However, each fits into a different subcategory of limiting words that we will explore next.

Cardinal words are easy to remember. Basically, they tell you the number of a noun.

  • I have over fifty gel pens in my backpack.
  • Is it possible for Tim to have three best friends?
  • She’s seen this movie at least one hundred times already.

Here’s a short cardinal adjectives list:

  • Eighty-seven
  • One million five hundred thirty-six thousand seven hundred and forty-two.

That’s right! Any numbers you can think of can become cardinal words!

Before you move on to the next type of limiting word, learn a thing or two about APA format . Then afterward, if you need help checking your writing, visit this helpful paper checker .

The definite article defines a specific noun. An indefinite article points to a nonspecific noun. There’s one definite article, the , and two indefinite articles, a and an .+

  • The cat on top of my hat.
  • Is there a cat on top of my hat?
  • But mommy, I want a crocodile for Christmas!

You may already know the demonstrative pronouns:  

If you do, then you already know all the demonstrative words. Each one makes the demonstrative adjectives list because each one can modify a noun or noun phrase.

  • This music is amazing.
  • That book is a best-seller.
  • Those boys are twins.

Similarly, the interrogative list of adjectives contains the same words you find on an interrogative pronoun list. These words are what and which . Again, in this use, what and which modify a noun or noun phrase.

  • Which glass is Frank’s? He’d like more water please.
  • What movie would you like to watch? Peter Pan is a classic.

One of the most interesting occurrences is when one part of speech imitates another. That’s exactly what happens when you have nouns that function as limiting words.

  • A production factory.
  • Steven’s a showboat actor.
  • I’m going to the video game museum.

An ordinal word tells you the order of a noun in a series.

  • I enjoyed the first Karate Kid movie.
  • I thought the second Back to the Future movie was best.

An ordinal adjectives list contains words like forth, sixtieth, and even seven hundred and first.

Possessive words explain who has ownership or possession of something.

A short adjectives list showing possession includes: my, your, our, his, her, its , and their .

  • Please return my pen.
  • Your hat is over there.
  • Their food is getting cold.

You capitalize a proper word because it’s derived from a proper noun.

  • I think I’ll try your American coffee blend.
  • Can she try a slice of your homemade Russian honey cake?
  • Would you like French fries with that?

A List of Adjectives for …

Now that you know the basics, further expand your adjective knowledge by checking out a few other lists below. We’ll cover more advanced descriptive adjectives, a list of adjectives for kids , a personality adjectives list , a list of positive adjectives , and finally a list of adjectives for sensory words. For another printable PDF, click to this site.

An Additional Descriptive Adjectives List

This list includes more advanced descriptive adjectives than listed previously.

  • Comprehensive
  • Efficacious
  • Investigative

Are there any words that you don’t know? DoOn’t fret! It only takes a minute to look them up in a dictionary.

L ist of Adjectives for Kids

Words that are great for children include:

A Personality Adjectives List

There are many words that describe personality. We’ve divided up this list into two sections: A positive personality adjectives list , and a negative personality adjectives list . Let’s start with a few positive ones.

Positive Personality Adjectives List:

  • Hardworking
  • Understanding

To complement the list of positive adjectives above, we’ve included a negative list of adjectives next.

Negative Personality Adjectives List:

  • Irresponsible

The list of positive adjectives shares a few excellent describing words, including:

This list of adjectives touches upon words that relate to our five senses: Touch, taste, smell, hearing, and sight. Each type gives a few adjective examples.

Touch List of Adjectives:

Taste List of Adjectives:

Smell List of Adjectives:

Hearing List of Adjectives:

  • High-pitched

Sight List of Adjectives:

Congratulations on learning so many adjectives! You’ve gone from learning what descriptive and limiting words are, to memorizing a personality adjectives list, to revising a list of adjectives for kids. Now that you’re done, take a few minutes to learn about MLA format and more styles of citation for your next English paper!

Published March 9, 2019. Updated May 22, 2020.

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Super Easy Storytelling creative writing website for kids

Awesome Adjectives List

List of adjectives for kids creative writing- easy and advanced lists

Adjectives are words that describe nouns. When you write with interesting adjectives, you help your reader know more about how your characters and your setting look, feel, smell, taste, and sound. Better adjectives create a story with more vivid and precise detail. For example, your character could have blue eyes. Or, your character could have narrowed, ice-blue eyes that glint like sharpened diamonds. Your character just got a lot more interesting with some stronger adjectives. Explore the lists of awesome adjectives for kids that will help you bring your story to life. See our story samples for more awesome adjectives in action.

Choose an Awesome Adjectives List:

  • Easy Adjectives List - 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade adjectives
  • Advanced Adjectives List - 5th grade, 6th grade, middle school adjectives

Activities:

Also try our adjective-based activities.

Awesome Adjectives List- For Kids Grades 2, 3, 4

Download the adjectives list for kids in 2nd, 3rd, 4th grade: PDF Download-- Awesome Adjectives List (2nd, 3rd, 4th grade)

Busy Lazy Careless Clumsy Nimble Brave Mighty Meek Clever Dull Afraid Scared Cowardly Bashful Proud Fair Greedy Wise Foolish Tricky Truthful Loyal Happy Cheerful Joyful Carefree Friendly Moody Crabby Cranky Awful Gloomy Angry Worried Excited Calm Bored Hardworking Silly Wild Crazy Fussy Still Odd Starving Stuffed Alert Sleepy Surprised Tense

Rude Selfish Strict Tough Polite Amusing Kind Gentle Quiet Caring Hopeful Rich Thrifty Stingy Spoiled Generous Quick Speedy Swift Hasty Rapid Good Fantastic Splendid Wonderful Hard Difficult Challenging Easy Simple Chilly Freezing Icy Steaming Sizzling Muggy Cozy Huge Great Vast Sturdy Grand Heavy Plump Deep Puny Small Tiny Petite Long Endless

Beautiful Adorable Shining Sparkling Glowing Fluttering Soaring Crawling Creeping Sloppy Messy Slimy Grimy Crispy Spiky Rusty Smelly Foul Stinky Curly Fuzzy Plush Lumpy Wrinkly Smooth Glassy Snug Stiff Ugly Hideous Horrid Dreadful Nasty Cruel Creepy Loud Shrill Muffled Creaky

Awesome Adjectives List- Grades 5, 6, Middle School

Download the list for kids in 5th grade, 6th grade and middle school: PDF Download-- Awesome Adjectives List (5th, 6th, Middle School)

Graceful Clumsy Awkward Nimble Clever Dull Obtuse Meek Anemic Frightened Timid Vigilant Cautious Capable Adequate Absent-minded Adventurous Daring Indifferent Apologetic Hideous Horrid Dreadful Ghastly Revolting Nasty Cruel Cheeky Obnoxious Disrespectful Contrary Ornery Subtle Optimistic Courageous Cowardly Gullible Arrogant Haughty Naïve Curious Stubborn Brazen Modest Humble Proud Dishonest Righteous Greedy Wise Tricky Loyal Relaxed Tranquil Lazy Rambunctious Erratic Fidgety Lively Still Famished Surprised Startled Sullen Terrified Furious Annoyed

Sullen Groggy Alert Tense Cranky Gloomy Irritable Lonely Exhausted Ecstatic Cheerful Delighted Blithe Content Carefree Demanding Challenging Effortless Simple

Fantastic Marvelous Splendid Brilliant Superb Striking Stunning Gorgeous Picturesque Lovely Charming Enchanting Delicate Pleasant Monstrous Immense Enormous Massive Brawny Bulky Towering Rotund Cavernous Puny Minute Diminutive Microscopic Petite Slight Bitter Frosty Sweltering Scorching Blistering Muggy Stifling Oppressive Cozy Eternal Ceaseless Perpetual Endless Temporary Intimidating Menacing Miserable Dangerous Delinquent Vile Quarrelsome Hostile Malicious Savage Stern Somber Mysterious Shocking Infamous Ingenious Thrifty Generous Prudent Stingy Spoiled

Anxious Nervous Impatient Worried Excited Courteous Compassionate Benevolent Polite Amusing Entertaining Creative Precise Eccentric Decrepit Ancient Rotten Whimsical Dense Desolate Disgusting Dismal Opulent Idyllic Lavish Edgy Trendy Peculiar Rancid Fetid Foul Filthy Repulsive Lousy Fluttering Soaring Sparkling Gilded Verdant Glowing Askew Dowdy Gaunt Sloppy Serious Grave Intense Severe Heavy Solemn Absurd Ridiculous Sluggish Dawdling Meandering Scarce Copious Muffled Lulling Creaky Shrill Piercing Slimy Grimy Gauzy Mangy Swollen Parched Crispy Spiky Slick Fuzzy Lumpy Plush Wrinkly Slick Glassy Snug Stiff

Writing Resources

  • Story Prompts for Kids
  • Vibrant Verbs List
  • Adverbs List
  • Adjective Activities

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KathySteinemann.com: Free Resources for Writers

Word lists, cheat sheets, and sometimes irreverent reviews of writing rules. kathy steinemann is the author of the writer's lexicon series..

what are adjectives for creative writing

500+ Ways to Describe Faces: A Word List for Writers

How to Describe Faces

(Discover even more words in The Writer’s Body Lexicon .)

Why Are Faces Important?

St. Jerome said that the face is the mirror of the mind. It’s usually the first thing people notice when they meet someone, and is often the body feature they rely on to make snap judgments.

That raises the question Pablo Picasso posed: “Who sees the human face correctly: the photographer, the mirror, or the painter?”

Picasso forgot poets and writers.

This post provides more than 500 ways for wordcrafters to depict faces.

Exploit Facial Shapes to Augment Personalities

Characters’ faces can mirror their minds and temperaments.

Someone with a blocky or cubic face might be a stubborn conservative. Flatness might indicate a bore. Irregular features could hint at a nonconformist.

Here are a few shape adjectives to get you started:

B to W blocky, box-shaped, broad, cube-shaped, cubic, diamond-shaped, egg-shaped, expansive, flat, hatchet-faced, heart-shaped, irregular, long, marshmallow-shaped, moon-round, narrow, oblong, oval, pumpkinesque, pyramid-shaped, rectangular, round, square, triangle-shaped, triangular, wide

Colors: Another Tool in the Wordcrafter’s Creativity Palette

The following are just a few of the many colors that lend depth to characters:

A to Y albino, anemic, blanched, bloodless, bluish, brown, cadaverous, colorless, crimson, dark, faded, fair, florid, flushed, freckled, green (because of nausea, perhaps), grey, olive, pale, pallid, pasty, pink, purple, red, reddened, rosy, rouged, rubicund, ruddy, sallow, scarlet, scorched, sooty, sunburnt, swarthy, tanned, tawny, wan, waxen, white, yellow

See also 1000+ Ways to Describe Colors .

Animal Adjectives Build on Pre-Conceived Perceptions

A miser might be ferret-faced, whereas a glutton could be described as hoggish or hog-jowled. The face of a CEO whose company practices unscrupulous business tactics might be labelled vulturish, while her sycophant assistant is identified by his toady or toad-faced features.

Study this mini-list, and then develop your own unforgettable descriptors.

B to W bestial, bulldoggish, canine, feline, ferret-faced, frog-faced, hawkish, hoggish, hog-jowled, horse-faced, horsey, leonine, rat-nosed, ratty, reptilian, simian, toad-faced, toady, vulpine, vulturish, weasel-faced

Opinion Adjectives Excel for Flash Fiction or Action Scenes

Opinion adjectives reduce word count by telling rather than showing. A point-of-view character might describe someone’s face as gloomy. However, gloomy is a judgment based on the POV character’s opinion. Perhaps the person being described is in fact thoughtful or perplexed.

Select these words with care, opting to show instead of tell when circumstances permit.

A and B alcoholic, alert, aloof, amiable, angelic, angry , anguished, anorexic, anxious, aristocratic, austere, beautiful , bemused, benevolent, benignant, bland, blank, bloody, bold, brave, brazen

C calm, candid, charming, cheerful, cheery, cherubic, childlike, clever, common, commonplace, confused , contemptuous, cool, crafty, crooked, cultured, cunning, curious, cynical

D and E dazed, dead, deceptive, demonic, dependable, despairing, dishonest, distraught, dour, downcast, drunken, dubious, eager, effeminate, empty, enthusiastic, evil, expectant

F and G false, fierce, foolish, frank, friendly, frightened, frosty, funny, gentle, glamorous, gloomy, good-humored, good-natured, grave, grim, grotesque, guileless

H and I haggard, haggish, happy, haughty, haunting, healthy, hideous, homely, honest, impassioned, imposing, imperturbable, infantile, innocent, inscrutable, insipid, intellectual, intelligent, inviting, ironic

J to O jovial, judgmental, livid, malevolent, mawkish, meek, merry, miserly, Neanderthal, obnoxious, obtuse, odious, odd, open, optimistic, ordinary

P to R pained, pampered, passive, pathetic, peaked, peculiar, pious, piteous, plain, pleasant, predatory, prim, pugnacious, puritanical, repellent, resolute, rested, revolting, rueful

S sad , sanguine, sarcastic, sardonic, satanic, saturnine, saucy, savage, scornful, seamy, sensitive, sensual, serene, serious, severe, shifty, shrewd, sinister, slow-witted, smug, snobbish, solemn, sour, spiritual, stern, stingy, steady, stormy, strange, stubborn, stupid, sunny, supercilious, suspicious, sweet

T to W tense, tired, troubled, ugly , unfamiliar, unfortunate, unpleasant, unsavory, vacuous, weak, weary, wholesome, wicked, wise, wry

More Adjectives for Well-Rounded Character Descriptions

Exercise caution with clichés such as baby-faced and chiseled . Although they might be suitable for dialogue or certain narrators, editors often red-pencil them.

A and B acned, ageless, animated, baby-faced, baby-smooth, bearded, beardless, beefy, blemished, bloated, blotchy, bony, Botoxed, boyish, bright, bright-eyed, broken-nosed, bruised, bumpy, burnished

C and D careworn, chinless, chiseled, chubby, clean-shaven, clear, contorted, craggy, crinkled, deadpan, delicate, dimpled, dimple-plump, dirty, dull

E and F elegant, elfin, emaciated, emotionless, expressionless, expressive, familiar, famous, fat, feverish, fiery, fine, fine-boned, firm, flabby, flaccid, fleshy, fresh, full, furrowed, furry

G to M gaunt, gnarled, grizzled, grubby, hairless, hairy, hirsute, hollow, hot, immobile, impassive, lantern-jawed, lean, leathery, lived-in, lumpy, made-up, massive, matte, motionless, mud-spattered, mustachioed

P to R pendulous, pert, perspiring, pimpled, pinched, placid, plastic, plump, pockmarked, poker-faced, powdered, pox-ravaged, puffy, puny, radiant, rawboned, refined, rigid, rotund, rough, rough-hewn, rugged

S scarred, scrunched, sculpted, seamed, seamless, shaved, shaven, shiny, silicone-pumped, skeletal, skinny, slack, small, smooth, smudged, smushed, soft, splotchy, spotted, spotty, stained, stolid, stony, stretched, strong, sunken, sweaty, swollen

T to Y taut, thin, tight-lipped, timeless, transparent, unemotional, unlined, unreadable, unshaven, unwashed, veined, warty, watchful, weather-beaten, wet, whiskered, wide-eyed, windburnt, withered, wrinkled, youthful

Props Enhance Facial Descriptions

Props add dimension you won’t find with many descriptors. However, an overabundance will weaken writing. Try to stick with one or two.

A to W acne, aftershave, beards , beauty marks, bindis, blemishes, cigars, cigarettes, drinking straws (hanging out one corner of the mouth, perhaps), eyebrow-pencil marks, eyeglasses, fake lashes, freckles, keratoses, lack of eyebrows, lipstick, liver spots, mascara, mustaches, moles, nose rings, piercings, pimples, pipes, perfume, rouge, scars, sideburns, tattooed eyebrows , tattoos, teeth, toothpicks, warts

Surrogate Nouns Offer Another Avenue for Creativity

Words that might replace face in narrative include:

C to V countenance, expression, façade, features, kisser, mask, mien, mug, muzzle, phiz, phizzog, profile, puss, visage

Verbs and Phrasal Verbs (1): Transitive

Faces react to both internal and external stimuli. They might:

B to S brighten with, burn with, cloud over with, darken with, flame with, flush with, glisten with, glow (in, with), light up, pucker into, ogle, shine (in with), shrivel into

Verbs and Phrasal Verbs (2): Intransitive

Faces don’t smile or frown — people do. However, the following verbs show emotion. Characters might:

B to Y beam, blink, cry, frown, glower, grin, laugh, leer, lour, moue, pout, scowl, simper, smile, smirk, sneer, squint, stare, weep, wink, yawn

… and so forth.

These words provide an opportunity to describe how faces look while their features react to emotion.

Similes, in Moderation, Merit Consideration

Faces can be compared to or with:

  • a __________’s butt
  • a baby doll
  • a bad dream
  • a brewing storm
  • a bruised peach
  • a camel’s puss
  • a da Vinci portrait
  • a movie star’s glam close-up
  • a nightmare
  • a sunny day
  • a tree trunk
  • an aging rock star’s kisser
  • an anchovy pizza
  • an overripe tomato
  • an unmade bed
  • bubbling spaghetti sauce
  • smooth chocolate
  • the back end of __________
  • the loser of a dog fight
  • translucent parchment
  • vanilla custard

300+ Words to Describe Skin 400+ Ways to Describe Eyes Other Ways to Say Roll the Eyes 200+ Ways to Say Frown or Scowl 99 Ways to Say Laughed or Smiled 100+ Ways to Say Cried 120 Ways to Say Pout 50 Alternatives for Wink in Writing 100+ Ways to Say Blush

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12 thoughts on “ 500+ Ways to Describe Faces: A Word List for Writers ”

Thank you so much

My pleasure, Mika.

Have an enjoyable week!

There had to be words out there to describe what I wanted to say and I am finding them. Thanks a bundle.

I’m glad you found the post helpful, Ayodele. Thanks for stopping by, and stay safe!

Good job! We all know the words but it’s to corral them that’s the problem.

Much appreciated, William. Good way to put it: corral the words.

Thanks for stopping by, and stay safe!

Very helpful, thanks!

Thanks for stopping by, Landon!

Thank you for this useful information. 🙂

Thanks for visiting my blog, Marje!

Thanks, Kathy! Bookmarking this. 🙂

Thanks for stopping by, Cate!

Make It Fun: Teach Adjectives Using These 9 Creative Writing Ideas

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Having fun whilst learning is an objective that most teachers aim for and this can be achieved during a lesson with a focus on writing. Getting your students’ creative juices flowing will result in fun lessons and lots of opportunities for learning new vocabulary. are just one area of vocabulary that can benefit from writing creatively.

Many students may claim that they don’t know where to start with but giving clear instructions and suggested themes will start the ball rolling. Using a story telling exercise to teach topic vocabulary is just one way of getting their creativity going. Don’t be disheartened if they don’t take to the idea immediately, they will once they see how easily a story can evolve from a simple prompt!

Try these creative writing ideas to help your students to expand their bank of adjectives:

For example they may choose etc. When they have written ten adjectives they should compare their lists and see whether they are correct.

is an essential part of creative writing and one in which you can have lots of fun. In pairs ask your students to make assumptions about another pair that they don’t know well. Give them prompts ie Make sure you give them some suggestions and make it clear that they’re not writing what they know but what they think! When they’ve made their assumptions they should join up with the other pair and discuss them to see which are true and which are not.

First they have to decide the following; age, gender, appearance, interests/job. Then give them a list of around ten questions to consider. For example: How would they feel if their best friend had a party and didn’t invite them? What would they do if somebody fainted in front of them? How do they feel when they watch a scary movie? When they have answered these questions they will have a good basis for a character which can then be developed.

Put the students in pairs and ask them to choose two famous people and brainstorm as many descriptive adjectives as they can to describe them. Give prompts such as hair colour, physical build, eye colour etc. but stress that this is about appearance not personality. When complete do the same with descriptive adjectives about personality, job, nationality. They are only allowed to use adjectives – allow them to use dictionaries if necessary. When they have at least ten adjectives the pair should join with another pair and try to guess each other’s celebrity from the descriptive adjectives.

Let them look around them and brainstorm as many adjectives as they can to describe what they can see, smell, hear and touch. Then back in the classroom get them to find synonyms for the adjectives they have come up with and construct a poem or short descriptive passage using the new adjectives.

Alternatively they could write an acrostic and find an adjective to represent their town/city for each letter of the name. Check out for other activities using acrostics.

. Ask your students to look around them when they are next on the bus or walking around outside of the school. Ask them to look for someone who looks interesting to them and write down some of their observations. Ask them to think about appearance, personality, feelings and background. They can then use their observations to develop a character.

Blank out all the descriptive adjectives in the passage and ask you students to add their own. They can then join another student and compare their passages.

Getting them into the habit of looking for synonyms when they learn a new word and to step away from the use of favourites they’ve already learnt can only enhance their learning experience. It is not always necessary to stress that an activity is focused on vocabulary but let the vocabulary come naturally from a descriptive or writing exercise. Most students are enthusiastic about and will participate fully in any activity which helps them to do this. Most of all have fun!

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Cool Adjectives

170 Cool Adjectives That Will Add Color To Any Sentence

Never underestimate the power of cool adjectives. These words will sprinkle color on the greyest sentence, so quit being craven and start reading through this lengthy list of super cool adjectives.

1. Aback: by surprise

2. Abaft: at or near or toward the stern of a ship or tail of an airplane

3. Abashed: feeling or caused to feel uneasy and self-conscious

4. Aberrant: markedly different from an accepted norm

5. Abhorrent: offensive to the mind

6. Abiding: unceasing

7. Abject: most unfortunate or miserable

8. Abortive: failing to accomplish an intended result

9. Abounding: existing in abundance

10. Abrasive: sharply disagreeable

11. Abstracted: taken out of or separated from

12. Acrid: harsh or corrosive in tone

13. Adamant: unyielding; a very hard substance

14. Adhoc: done for a specific purpose, without regard for larger or future issues

15. Adjoining: having a common boundary or edge

16. Adroit: clever, resourceful

17. Aloof: remote in manner

18. Amatory: sexual

Cool Adjectives

20. Animistic: quality of recurrence or reversion to earlier form

21. Antic: clownish, frolicsome

22. Arcadian: serene

23. Auspicious: tending to favor or bring good luck

24. Axiomatic: evident without proof or argument

25. Baleful: deadly, foreboding

26. Barbarous: (of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering

Cool Adjectives

28. Bellicose: quarrelsome (its synonym belligerent can also be a noun)

29. Bilious: unpleasant, peevish

30. Boorish: crude, insensitive

31. Brash: presumptuously daring

32. Cagey: characterized by great cautious and wariness

33. Calamitous: disastrous

34. Capricious: determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason

35. Caustic: corrosive, sarcastic; a corrosive substance

36. Cerulean: sky blue

37. Cloistered: providing privacy or seclusion

38. Comely: attractive

39. Concomitant: accompanying

40. Contumacious: rebellious

41. Corpulent: obese

42. Crapulous: immoderate in appetite

43. Craven: lacking even the rudiments of courage

44. Dapper: marked by smartness in dress and manners

45. Debonair: gentle, courteous

46. Decorous: characterized by propriety and dignity and good taste in manners and conduct

47. Defamatory: maliciously misrepresenting

48. Didactic: conveying information or moral instruction

49. Dilatory: causing delay, tardy

50. Direful: causing fear or dread or terror

51. Divergent: diverging from another or from a standard

52. Dowdy: shabby, old-fashioned; an unkempt woman

53. Draconian: of or relating to Draco or his harsh code of laws

54. Efficacious: producing a desired effect

55. Effulgent: brilliantly radiant

56. Egregious: conspicuous, flagrant

57. Elated: exultantly proud and joyful

58. Endemic: prevalent, native, peculiar to an area

Cool Adjectives

60. Erratic: liable to sudden unpredictable change

61. Ethereal: characterized by lightness and insubstantiality

62. Execrable: wretched, detestable

63. Exultant: joyful and proud especially because of triumph or success

64. Fallacious: containing or based on a fallacy

65. Fastidious: meticulous, overly delicate

66. Feckless: weak, irresponsible

67. Fecund: prolific, inventive

68. Friable: brittle

69. Fulsome: abundant, overdone, effusive

70. Furtive: marked by quiet and caution and secrecy

71. Garrulous: wordy, talkative

72. Guileless: naïve

73. Gustatory: having to do with taste or eating

74. Heady: extremely exciting as if by alcohol or a narcotic

75. Heuristic: learning through trial-and-error or problem solving

76. Histrionic: affected, theatrical

77. Hubristic: proud, excessively self-confident

78. Incandescent: emitting light as a result of being heated

79. Incendiary: inflammatory, spontaneously combustible, hot

80. Innate: not established by conditioning or learning

81. Insidious: subtle, seductive, treacherous

82. Insolent: impudent, contemptuous

83. Intransigent: uncompromising

84. Inveterate: habitual, persistent

85. Invidious: resentful, envious, obnoxious

86. Irate: angry; enraged

87. Irksome: annoying

88. Jejune: dull, puerile

89. Jocular: jesting, playful

90. Judicious: discreet

91. Lachrymose: tearful

92. Languid: lacking spirit or liveliness

93. Limpid: simple, transparent, serene

94. Loquacious: talkative

Cool Adjectives

96. Luminous: clear, shining

97. Macabre: shockingly repellent

98. Mannered: artificial, stilted

99. Mendacious: deceptive

100. Meretricious: whorish, superficially appealing, pretentious

101. Minatory: menacing

102. Mordant: biting, incisive, pungent

103. Munificent: lavish, generous

104. Nebulous: lacking definition or definite content

105. Nefarious: wicked

106. Nondescript: lacking distinct or individual characteristics

107. Noxious: harmful, corrupting

108. Obsequious: attentive in an ingratiating or servile manner

109. Obtuse: blunt, stupid

110. Onerous: not easily borne

111. Ossified: set in a rigidly conventional pattern of behavior, habits, or beliefs, changed into bone

112. Overwrought: deeply agitated especially from emotion

113. Parsimonious: excessively unwilling to spend

114. Pendulous: suspended, indecisive

115. Penitent: feeling or expressing remorse for misdeeds

116. Pernicious: injurious, deadly

117. Pervasive: widespread

118. Petulant: rude, ill humored

119. Picayune: (informal terms) small and of little importance

120. Piquant: stimulating to the taste or mind; spicy, pungent; appealingly provocative

121. Placid: pleasantly calm or peaceful

122. Platitudinous: resembling or full of dull or banal comments

123. Plucky: showing courage in the face of danger

124. Precipitate: steep, speedy

125. Propitious: auspicious, advantageous, benevolent

126. Puckish: impish

127. Querulous: cranky, whining

128. Quiescent: inactive, untroublesome

Cool Adjectives

130. Rebarbative: irritating, repellent

131. Recalcitrant: resistant, obstinate

132. Recondite: difficult to penetrate

133. Redolent: aromatic, evocative

134. Rhadamanthine: harshly strict

135. Risible: laughable

136. Ruminative: contemplative

137. Sagacious: wise, discerning

138. Salubrious: healthful

139. Sartorial: relating to attire, especially tailored fashions

140. Sclerotic: hardening

141. Serpentine: snake-like, winding, tempting or wily

142. Sordid: morally ignoble or base; vile

143. Spasmodic: having to do with or resembling a spasm, excitable, intermittent

144. Spurious: not genuine, authentic, or true

145. Squalid: morally degraded

146. Strident: harsh, discordant; obtrusively loud

147. Succinct: briefly giving the gist of something

148. Taciturn: closemouthed, reticent

149. Tawdry: cheap and shoddy

150. Tenacious: persistent, cohesive,

151. Tenuous: having little substance or significance

152. Torpid: slow and apathetic

153. Tremulous: nervous, trembling, timid, sensitive

154. Trenchant: sharp, penetrating, distinct

155. Truculent: defiantly aggressive

156. Turbulent: restless, tempestuous

157. Turgid: swollen, pompous

158. Ubiquitous: being present everywhere at once

159. Uxorious: inordinately affectionate or compliant with a wife

160. Vacuous: devoid of significance or point; complacently or inanely foolish

161. Verdant: green with vegetation; covered with growing plants or grass

162. Vivacious: vigorous and active

163. Voluble: glib, given to speaking

164. Voracious: excessively greedy and grasping

166. Waggish: witty or joking

167. Wheedling: flattering

168. Wistful: showing pensive sadness; full of longing or unfulfilled desire

169. Withering: devastating

Read more Reference .

About the author

Jerome London

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More From Forbes

How to make money writing – 6 ideas.

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Learn how to get paid to write for beginners and much more.

Strategies For Earning Money By Writing

Ghost writing, copywriting, technical writing, social media writing, magazine and newspaper writing, frequently asked questions (faqs).

Do you have a way with words? You could turn your prowess with pronouns, verbs and adjectives into a lucrative side hustle when you learn how to make money by writing. Many large and small websites hire freelance writers to produce their content, offering you a platform to share your insights and an opportunity to make some extra dough. Even those who have never written anything besides personal social media posts or journal entries can find a place to sell their writing. This list provides a step-by-step guide to how to earn money by writing and will answer all your questions, whether you’re a beginning or veteran scribe.

You can make money by writing in many different ways, including blogging, ghost writing, penning reviews and working for small businesses. You have a greater chance of being published by pursuing several options simultaneously instead of prioritizing one. It’s like baiting multiple fishhooks. The more you cast, the better your odds of pulling something in.

You will make the most money by working for bigger sites and businesses, and you can do nearly all of it remotely. Ghostwriting pays better than blogging because businesses want more polished, focused writing. Blogging, however, may take less time and allow you the chance to complete more assignments. Journalism gives you greater opportunities for creativity in your work, and social media writing appeals to those who like pithy, funny writing. Copywriting and technical writing can be drier, but they also provide higher payment and steadier work than other writing. Here is a breakdown of the main ways to make money while writing.

Blogging means publishing content online written especially for that publication. Individuals, businesses, journalists, influencers, homemakers and many more publish blogs, which are often but not always written in first person. Anyone can write their own blog and publish it through a self-publishing platform, such as Medium, Blogger or WordPress.

The time and effort required for blogging depends on what you write about. For instance, if you run in your spare time and decide to start a running blog, you may be able to write several short blogs about running a race in under an hour. But if you want to explore the ethical implications of artificial intelligence using reliable sources, it could take hours to finish one post. The better the writing and sourcing, the better a post will perform, so making the extra effort to be informed and publishing grammatically correct copy is always worth it.

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You don’t need experience to become a blogger. Anyone can do it, though it may take a while for you to settle into a style and voice that becomes popular. You need readers to make money on a blog. People make money on blogs in several ways:

  • Advertising : You can sign on with a blogging ad network or sell your own ads to local businesses to make money.
  • Sponsorship : You can write about a sponsor’s products in return for money, though you must disclose that you received compensation for your post.
  • Syndication : You can sign on with syndication networks to distribute your blog on larger networks that will pay for your work.

How much can you make from blogging? The answer varies according to how often you publish, what type of payment method you use, and the popularity of your work. Some top bloggers make six figures per year. Sponsorships with big companies like Walmart that pay people to hawk their goods can be lucrative, paying thousands of dollars. But most bloggers make a few hundred dollars per month, enough to pay off a car or credit card bill but not enough to live on.

Blogging, ghost writing, copywriting, technical writing, social media writing and newspaper and ... [+] magazine writing are six of the most lucrative ways to earn money writing.

Ghost writing is the most lucrative type of writing. Ghost writers channel the voice of a third party, writing as though they were that person or business and presenting their ideas in first person. Businesses and thought leaders use ghost writers to take their thoughts and ideas and present them in a prettier package.

Ghost writing can take many forms. You might produce communications for a company CEO or create a book about an important event for a historical society. Every job is a little different. Ghost writing usually requires several years of writing experience, though if you are a subject matter expert on something—for example, if you are a nurse asked to write articles for a nursing degree program—then you may be able to get a job without writing experience. Time spent on an assignment will vary, but it takes longer than blogging. Ghost writing demands high-level clarity, grammar and readability.

You can make money by earning an hourly or per-project rate from the client. Most ghost writing gigs pay well, from $50 per hour and more. Some ghost writers pull in six figures per year, though those have extensive experience. To get started, search LinkedIn for the words “freelance writer” or “writer.” Or think about companies you would like to work with and send an email to the hiring manager introducing yourself and spelling out your expertise. You can also sign on with agencies that hire out ghost writers to businesses. Again, send your resume and a letter of introduction (LOI) to the agency hiring manager or search job ads online.

Copywriting is similar to ghostwriting, but sometimes you will receive a byline and the writing is not always presented in first person. Copywriting includes copy on businesses’ websites, material for pamphlets, mission statements, advertising, newsletters and more. People with copywriting skills are persuasive and clear writers good at conveying information and encouraging sales.

You can start with simple copywriting jobs and work your way up to higher-paying ones. Experience is required for bigger companies, but small businesses around your town might hire an inexperienced writer. You can begin by approaching them and offering to, for instance, rewrite their website or start a monthly newsletter. As you gain knowledge and confidence, you can reach out online to larger places. Follow freelance job boards to find new opportunities, interact with companies on LinkedIn to get your name out there, and send LOIs to hiring managers wherever you want to work.

You can get a little creative to find jobs, too. Find newsletters for companies you love or share expertise with. Send them an LOI outlining your subject matter background and what you could contribute. Copywriting work requires precision and often background research, and it takes longer than many other types of writing. You can make a good living as, like with ghost writing, clients tend to pay on the higher end of the payscale for copywriters, often $40 per hour and more. The best copywriters can make more than $150,000 per year.

Technical writing refers to communicating information about niche topics, such as medicine, engineering, manufacturing or construction. It can also encompass things like the directions to put something together or operate an electronic device. The aim is to create digestible, informative content while eliminating jargon.

Technical writing requires a great deal of writing experience, but it can be lucrative. Few people have the skills to boil down information and serve it back up in the right format. It can take hours to finish even a short writing assignment because you need to get every word right and leave out extraneous ones. But most jobs are paid per hour ($60 and up for experienced writers), so the time and effort pay off.

A lot of technical writing jobs are full time. But you can find part-time opportunities using job sites such as LinkedIn, Indeed, Monster and more. Taking courses in technical writing could be a worthy investment, as that background will open up new opportunities and give you valuable experience.

Technical writing, a great way to earn money by writing, may involve simplifying jargon and ... [+] complexities for a lay audience.

Social media writing is a relatively new way to make money. Many businesses hire people to write captions on Instagram , video descriptions on YouTube , thought leadership posts on LinkedIn and much more. This is an excellent entry point for writers with little formal experience.

Social media writing pays more modestly than other types of business writing, anywhere from $15-$35 per hour. However, it takes less effort. You can often bang out lots of posts in an hour, and very little knowledge or experience is needed, beyond knowing the character limits for different social platforms. You can find jobs by looking at writing job sites or reaching out directly to businesses with LOIs. Try small businesses in your hometown first to get some examples for your resume before targeting more prominent places.

Magazine and newspaper writing is one of the more specialized forms of writing to make money. But if you have some training and are more interested in writing as a means of changing the world and informing people, it is a worthy pursuit. You can start by publishing pieces in hometown newspapers or niche magazines.

You won’t break the bank with journalism writing. Even some bigger papers and publications pay less than $1,000 per story, and you would need to string together a lot of assignments to make a living. But to make extra spending money and perhaps affect change, you can’t beat journalism. You will need to learn the publication’s style guide and adhere to it for pieces you submit. Editors make assignments, which you can get by pitching (sending a cold email) to the editor explaining your story idea and why you are the right person to write it.

Time and effort vary depending on the scope of the story. Many can be quite involved. Editors often prefer to work with people who have experience, so build up your resume with pitches to smaller publications first.

Bottom Line

Writing can be a fun way to make extra money, or you can even turn it into a high-paying career with the right experience. Whether you pen blogs, website copy or social media posts, you can find an outlet that’s “write” for you.

How Much Do Writers Make?

Writers can make a decent salary depending on their experience level and who they write for. How much writers make may depend on on where they work, how many clicks their work generates, and how long the job took. 

The salary range for a writer, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , is a median of $73,690 per year, or $35.43 per hour. Income rises with higher experience levels. 

What Websites Pay You To Write?

You can find hundreds of websites that pay for writing. A few of the most popular include: 

The Penny Hoarder

Bustle  

Transitions Abroad

Vibrant Life

Scary Mommy

Paying websites look for writing they think will draw readers. Using search engine optimization (SEO) techniques, such as incorporating keywords that people search for, can generate higher traffic, so be sure to mention any SEO knowledge when you apply, as that will help your chances. The more views you generate, the more money the website makes. Create a portfolio of your past work that you can share when you apply for jobs that shows your best efforts. 

How Can You Get Paid To Write Reviews?

You can get paid to write reviews across a number of platforms for products ranging from books to vacuum cleaners. Some of the most popular include Get Reviewed , Kirkus , UserTesting and Amazon Vine , though note that you get paid in products for that site. 

To become a reviewer, you may need no experience at all for many sites. They value trustworthiness and honest feedback. Some hire people they find through online reviews they have already posted. Other sites require more extensive background in writing reviews. For instance, if you want to work for DotDash, one of the largest editorial operations on the web that runs lots of reviews across its sites, you will need writing experience for a major website and product expertise. 

How Can You Get Paid To Write Letters?

You can write letters and get paid by watching for these jobs on freelance sites such as Upwork , Contently , compose.ly and Fiverr , which serve as clearinghouses to hire writers for businesses. A business may need one letter or a series. You can gain repeat work if you do a good job. 

You may have seen TikTok and YouTube videos about writing handwritten notes for businesses and earning $5 per letter. This is a scam that has been debunked by multiple websites. You won’t find companies paying you a lot of money to write handwritten letters. They want polished, professional copy for communications with clients and customers, and you must have experience doing this type of work. It falls under copywriting and can pay $40 per hour or more. 

How Can You Get Paid To Write As A Beginner?

How can you get paid to write for beginners? Breaking in with little experience can be difficult. Some aspiring writers choose to take volunteer gigs to build their portfolio, but you can probably find low-paying work that will do the same for you. 

Search job boards such as Indeed, ZipRecruiter, Monster and LinkedIn. You can also start a blog of your own with no experience, though it will take time to monetize it using the strategies outlined above. You could also submit poetry or prose to literary magazines, which usually pay an honorarium, or submit finished essays to magazines or newspapers. As you gain experience, you can approach higher-paying markets. 

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An Antidote to the Cult of Self-Discipline

A new novel sees procrastination as one of the last bastions of the creative mind.

a cup in front of a painting of clouds against floral wallpaper

Procrastination, or the art of doing the wrong things at one specifically wrong time, has become a bugbear of our productivity-obsessed era. Wasting resources? Everybody’s doing it! But wasting time? God forbid. Schemes to keep ourselves in efficiency mode—the rebranding of rest into self-care, and of hobbies into side hustles—have made procrastinating a tic that people are desperate to dispel; “life hacks” now govern life. As the anti-productivity champion Oliver Burkeman once put it , “Today’s cacophony of anti-procrastination advice seems rather sinister: a subtle way of inducing conformity, to get you to do what you ‘should’ be doing.” By that measure, the procrastinator is doing something revolutionary: using their time without aim. Take to the barricades, soldiers, and when you get there, do absolutely nothing!

The novel has been sniffily maligned throughout its history as a particularly potent vehicle for wasting time—unless, of course, it improves the reader in some way. (See: the 19th-century trend of silly female characters contracting brain rot from reading, which Jane Austen hilariously skewered with Northanger Abbey ’s Catherine Morland.) Which makes Rosalind Brown’s tight, sly debut, Practice , a welcome gift for those who dither about their dithering. It presents procrastination as a vital, life-affirming antidote to the cult of self-discipline, while also giving the reader a delicious text with which to while away her leisure time.

what are adjectives for creative writing

In Practice , Annabel, a second-year Oxford student, wakes long before sunrise on a misty Sunday morning “at the worn-out end of January.” The day holds only one task—to write a paper on Shakespeare’s sonnets—but Annabel is a routinized being and must act accordingly: “The things she does, she does properly.” So first she makes herself tea (coffee will rattle her stomach) and leaves the radiator turned off to keep the room “cold and dim and full of quiet.” She settles in with a plan: a morning spent reading and note-taking, a lunch of raw veggies, a solo yoga session in the afternoon, writing, a perfectly timed post-dinner bowel movement. A day, in short, that is brimming with possibilities for producing an optimized self. Except that self keeps getting in its own way: Her mind and body, those dueling forces that alternately grab at our attention, repeatedly turn her away from Shakespeare. Very little writing actually takes place in Practice ; Annabel’s vaunted self-discipline encounters barrier after barrier. She wants to “thicken her own concentration,” but instead she takes walks, pees, fidgets, ambles down the unkept byways of her mind. She procrastinates like a champ.

Read: How to spend your time ‘poorly’

Brown’s novel elevates procrastination into an essential act, arguing that those pockets of time between stretches of productivity are where living and creating actually happen. Which makes procrastination one of the last bastions of the creative mind, a way to silently fight a hundred tiny rebellions a day. Screwing around, on the job and otherwise, isn’t just revenge against capitalism; it’s part of the work of living. And what better format for examining this anarchy than the novel, a form that is created by underpaid wandering minds?

Practice is technically a campus novel, but it makes far more sense as a complement to the recent spate of workplace fiction that wonders what exactly we’re all doing with our precious waking weekly hours. Some Millennial novelists, born in an era of prosperity and then launched into adulthood just as the usual signposts of success slid out of reach, have fixated on the workplace as a source of our discontent. Many of us were told in childhood that we can do anything we want, that “if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.” Work was supposed to be a promised land of fulfillment, a place where your aptitudes would flourish and— bonus —you’d get paid. But no job could live up to such a high standard. It doesn’t help that a torrent of systemic issues—inadequate health care, drastic rent hikes, underfunding of the arts—have left members of this generation feeling like they’re dedicating 40-plus hours a week to treading water.

Recent literature has been flush with examples. In Helen Phillips’s The Beautiful Bureaucrat , a 20-something spends her workdays entering inexplicable series of numbers into “The Database” at a labyrinthine office. The job itself turns out to be vital to humanity, but compensation, explication, and basic human dignity aren’t on offer. Halle Butler’s The New Me features a 30-year-old working as a temp at a design firm, the kind of place populated by ash-blondes in “incomprehensible furry vests.” Her try-hard personality keeps her from climbing the office social ladder, which in turn leaves her pathetically shuffling papers and slipping further into loneliness, both at work and in her personal life. The young narrator of Hilary Leichter’s barely surreal Temporary takes gigs as a mannequin, a human barnacle, a ghost, and a murderer—but all she really wants is what she and the other temps call “the steadiness,” an existence in which work and life feel benignly predictable. According to these novels, the contemporary workplace turns us into machines, chops our intellect into disparate bits, and hands our precious attention over to the C-suite.

What’s missing in each of these characters’ lives is the space for rumination, the necessary lapses our brains need to live creatively, no matter our careers. Brown exquisitely spells out how procrastination is intrinsic to the imaginative process. Despite her professed allegiance to a schedule, Annabel interrupts her own routine early and often. Just after waking, she opens a window and then immediately wishes she could experience the feeling of opening it again: “She wants to know exactly how the cold blue light feels when it begins to appear, she doesn’t want to miss a single detail of the slow dawn , the reluctant winter morning .” While settled at her desk under a cape-like blue blanket, she spends as much time considering how to spend her time as she does actually spending it. She imagines her old tutor advising her to “look away from the text and out the window if you have to, try and pause your mind on the one thing.” Sure, she jots down occasional adjectives to describe Shakespeare and the mystery lover he courts in the sonnets, but most of Annabel’s focus is in the moment, in the rabbit hole of lightly connected memories and notions her brain accesses when it’s drifting off piste. Rather than turn her ideas into a work product, she listens to a robin sing, thinks through an unconsummated relationship from the past year, and fondly recollects her time studying Virginia Woolf—a writer who herself dwelled in the interstices of passing time.

Read: Procrastinating ourselves to death

Like Woolf, Brown understands that life is lived in the in-between moments, and that buckling down to produce a piece of art does not necessarily have the intended effect. (Anyone who has sat at a desk, desperate for the words to come, can affirm.) It’s no surprise, then, that Annabel admires Woolf, whose churning novels of the mind revolve around ordinary activities that are often waylaid by characters’ fancies and distractions. Mrs. Dalloway’s party planning ends up on the back burner as she considers alternate versions of her life; the Ramsay family fails to reach the tower at Godrevy in To the Lighthouse because their musings intervene; the children of The Waves spend as much time dallying as they do putting on their play. Similarly, Practice places Annabel’s decision making—what to write about the sonnets, whether her much-older boyfriend should visit her at college—on the same footing as her daydreams.

What Annabel senses, and Brown beautifully drives home, is that it’s the strange mental collisions between the thinking mind and the wandering mind that yield the most interesting results. These are the moments when artistry sneaks in unbidden; Annabel understands that if art is created out of life, the latter has to have space to happen. She copies out a line from the poetry critic Helen Vendler: “A critical ‘reading’ is the end product of an internalisation so complete that the word reading is not the right word for what happens when a text is on your mind. The text is part of what has made you who you are.” The creative life isn’t about doling a self out into different portions—it’s about sitting in the stew that a whole life makes and offering your perspective on it.

Annabel’s day turns extraordinary, albeit in small ways. She breaks a treasured brown mug, the one thing she’d rescue in a fire; this slash through her routine almost makes her cry. She finally decides whether to invite her boyfriend for a weekend, and maybe invite him deeper into her life. A tragedy in the bedroom next door jerks her toward the understanding that all lives are as complicated as her own. She also ends the day with no more than some notes and a few words on Shakespeare’s poems: “slick — bitter — nimble.” Who is to say if she’s been productive or not?

The art of procrastination requires confrontation—with our inefficiencies, with the allure of easy pleasure, with the fact that time will someday end for us. But we can melt into it. We can let ourselves float in the in-between. Perhaps with a meaningful, self-aware novel.

​When you buy a book using a link on this page, we receive a commission. Thank you for supporting The Atlantic.

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Darrell Christian, former AP managing editor and sports editor, dies at 75

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FILE - Associated Press Sports Editor Darrell Christian addresses a writing seminar for the AP’s Nashville staff in September 1980, in Nashville, Tenn. Christian, a former managing editor and sports editor of the AP known for a demanding demeanor and insistence on excellence during more than four decades with the news agency, died Monday, July 1, 2024. He was 75. (AP Photo/Corporate Archives, File)

FILE - Associated Press Gramling Award winners, including from left, Sally Jacobsen, Michael Boord, Colleen Newvine, Darrell Christian of the Stylebook team, Achievement Award; Julia Weeks, Scholarship Award; and AP President Tom Curley pose for a photo during the Gramling Awards dinner at New York headquarters, Oct. 26, 2011. Christian, a former managing editor and sports editor of the AP known for a demanding demeanor and insistence on excellence during more than four decades with the news agency, died Monday, July 1, 2024. He was 75. (AP Photo/Stuart Ramson, File)

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Darrell L. Christian, a former managing editor and sports editor of The Associated Press known for a demanding demeanor and insistence on excellence during more than four decades with the news agency, died Monday. He was 75.

Christian died of Parkinson’s disease at Elegant Senior Living in Encino, California, according to his wife, Lissa Morrow Christian. He had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease around 2015, his wife said.

“Darrell was the finest story editor I ever saw, with an unerring instinct for the lead and shape of copy and zero tolerance for anything but the best,” said Mike Silverman, the AP’s managing editor from 2000 to 2007 and senior managing editor through 2009. ”I had the great good fortune to be his deputy for several years when he was managing editor and much of what I later brought to the job I owed to him.”

A no-nonsense editor known for directness and rigor, Christian modernized AP’s sports coverage during seven years in charge, emphasizing breaking news and in-depth reporting on such issues as the sports business, academics and high school safety standards. That coverage earned him a promotion to managing editor under William E. Ahearn, then the executive editor.

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“Sports is just an extension of hard news with a slightly different flavor,” Christian told the National Press Club in 2007.

Born on Dec. 26, 1948, Christian was a native of Henderson, Kentucky. He began his newspaper career as a sports writer and sports editor at the Henderson Gleaner in 1964, worked two summers in the AP’s bureau at Charleston, West Virginia, and received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky in 1969. After serving in the Navy from 1969-1972, Christian joined the AP in Indianapolis in 1972. He became news editor in 1975, moved to the Washington bureau in 1980 and became deputy sports editor in New York the following year.

Christian was promoted to sports editor in 1985, coordinating coverage of the 1988 and 1992 Winter and Summer Olympics and overseeing the addition of featurized approaches to game stories on all major sports events — something he brought to news stories as managing editor.

“When Jackie Robinson came along, sports began to develop a social consciousness,” Christian said at the National Press Club. “It really exploded in the 1970 and early ’80s with television coverage, which brought sports events into the living room and the proliferation of money in sports, the free agency where you suddenly created a whole generation of instant millionaires. And what happened between the lines was no longer enough. That created a public appetite for everything you could possibly want to know about these athletes.”

Called “DLC” throughout the AP, Christian was known for his sharp, concise critiques sent to reporters, left in mailboxes in blue envelopes in the pre-digital era. The “blue notes” were feared among the staff.

Christian said the top story he covered as sports editor was Ben Johnson testing positive for a banned steroid at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, which caused him to work for 48 consecutive hours . Among the major stories he oversaw as managing editor: the O.J. Simpson saga, whose coverage he led with aplomb.

“It was indeed the circus of the century and it was one wild ride to cover it on a day-in, day-out basis,” Christian said.

Christian replaced Martin C. Thompson as managing editor in 1992 and chaired the Pulitzer Prize investigative jury in 1995 and 1996.

“Darrell was an old-school competitive newsman who valued creative stories delivered quickly to readers,” said Kathleen Carroll, the AP’s executive editor from 2002 to 2016. Those values infused every decision he made leading state, national and sports coverage: Make it interesting, write cleanly and get it out the door. His crusty exterior and droll sense of humor barely disguised his deep devotion to fast, accurate, interesting stories and the people who wrote them.”

After six years as managing editor, Christian was succeeded by Jonathan P. Wolman and became director of MegaSports, the AP’s multimedia sports service for newspaper and broadcast members and commercial online services and websites.

“Darrell combined old-school editing skill with a hunger to stay on top of the latest and innovation that would help keep AP competitive at the very beginning of the internet news age,” said Michael Giarrusso, AP’s deputy for newsgathering-global beats, who worked under Christian. “He was as comfortable editing the lead on a story as he was meeting with tech startups that wanted access to AP news or photos.”

Christian became business editor in 2000, and in 2003 was appointed to the newly created position of director of sports data, combining AP Digital’s MegaSports service with the AP’s newspaper sports agate service.

“Behind the gruff old-school newsman exterior was an editor who proved to be a mentor for the next generation of journalists,” said Brian Orefice, a manager of the data division and now vice president of product at Stats Perform, the renamed digital company. “His professional credentials were unquestioned and his advice invaluable.”

Christian became editor at large in 2006, then created the AP’s Top Stories Desk in 2008 and managed it until his retirement in 2014, when he moved to California.

“Darrell never really stopped doing what he loved, which was to edit and illustrate,” AP golf writer Doug Ferguson said. “He put an emphasis on letting details do the work of adjectives. And he had this terrific ability of knowing what the story was and how to get there. He made us better.”

Christian had been living at home in Encino and still going to a gym and playing golf and softball before he entered Encino Hospital Medical Center on May 24. He was transferred to a rehabilitation facility a few weeks later and moved to the senior living facility on June 25.

Christian’s first marriage ended in divorce. He met Lissa Morrow when he was supervising AP’s coverage at the 1984 Super Bowl in Tampa, Florida, where she was covering for a radio station. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a brother, Scott, and niece Erika Whitman.

what are adjectives for creative writing

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    Creativity is the heart of innovation and artistic expression. Through descriptive adjectives, we can further understand and explore the many facets of creativity. Description of Creativity Creativity is the ability to produce original ideas and solutions by thinking differently and seeing beyond the usual. Words to Describe Creativity Here are the 30 most common words ... <a title="Top 30 ...

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  26. Darrell Christian, former AP managing editor and sports editor, dies at

    1 of 2 | . FILE - Associated Press Sports Editor Darrell Christian addresses a writing seminar for the AP's Nashville staff in September 1980, in Nashville, Tenn. Christian, a former managing editor and sports editor of the AP known for a demanding demeanor and insistence on excellence during more than four decades with the news agency, died Monday, July 1, 2024.