creative writing adjectives list

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.

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.

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 !

Maria Caballero is a freelance writer who has been writing since high school. She believes that to be a writer doesn't only refer to excellent syntax and semantics but also knowing how to weave words together to communicate to any reader effectively.

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Descriptive Adjectives

Written by Eira Edwards

9 february 2024, art of storytelling.

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

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

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

So, What Exactly is a Descriptive Adjective?

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

Here are a few more examples:

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

List of Descriptive Adjectives

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

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

GET MORE INSPIRATION

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

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

Written By Eira Edwards

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

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

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

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List of 200+ Descriptive Adjectives and Their Definitions

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

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

We go over everything that  YOU   need to know !

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

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

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

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

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

EXAMPLES OF INTERROGATIVE ADJECTIVES

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

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

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

Let’s look at some examples.

The flowers are beautiful.

The flowers are red, orange, and yellow.

The flowers are big, brightly colored, and fragrant.

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

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

Types of Descriptive Adjectives

What are interrogative adjectives.

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

They usually begin with the letters  W and H .

What do you think?

Which one do you like better?

Who was in charge of the order?

WHAT ARE POSSESSIVE ADJECTIVE

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

Your bike was stolen.

My homework is late.

What Are quantitative adjectives?

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

WHAT IS A COMPOUND ADJECTIVE?

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

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

big picture

simple math

empty bucket

The second way is by using two adjectives together.

nice and warm

soft and gentle

new and popular

What is a limiting adjective?

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

This is a small room.

This is not a large room. 

What is a qualitative adjective?

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

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

WHAT IS A DEMONSTRATIVE ADJECTIVE?

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

It is this book.

That is a good book.

This is my house.

WHAT ARE LIMITING ADJECTIVES

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

Let’s take a look at some examples: 

The tall man 

A good car 

He ran fast 

The small building 

I have a big yard 

She is a good student. 

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

WHAT IS A PREDICATE ADJECTIVE

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

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

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

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

WHAT ARE PROPER ADJECTIVES?

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

Harry is a  funny  man.

The new dress looks  pretty .

That was a  fascinating  movie.

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

Simple Adjectives

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

MEANING OF DETERMINER IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

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

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

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

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT ADJECTIVE

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

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

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

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

The answer is simple; use lots of adjectives!

An adjective is a word that describes a noun. 

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

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

WHAT IS A LINKING VERB? 

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

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

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

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

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

LINKING VERB EXAMPLES 

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

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

Linking Verb:  I am proud of you.

Controller Noun: My son is proud of his grades.

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

LIST OF DESCRIPTIVE ADJECTIVES AND THEIR DEFINITIONS

abashed –  embarrassed, ashamed, shy, abashed

abstemious –  moderate in eating and drinking, sparing

abrasive –  causing irritation or anger

abstruse –  difficult to comprehend; incomprehensible

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

accede –  agree, yield, accede

accident –  by chance, without intention

acclivity –  upward slope, rise, incline

acclimate –  accustom to a particular climate or to unfamiliar circumstances

accost –  approach and speak to someone in a forward manner

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

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

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

achromatic –  colorless

acicular –  long thin rod-shaped; needle-shaped

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

acquiescent –  submissive or acquiescent

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

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

adduct –  draw toward

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

Baboonish –  Of or pertaining to the species of apes

Baffling –  Confusing or hard to understand.”

Bacchanalian –  very happy and lively.

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

Brawny –  Having great strength; muscular and powerful.

Brainy –  Having exceptional intelligence.

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

Baleful –  harmful: malignant.

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

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

Capacious –  Apt to hold or contain; spacious.

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

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

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

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

Clumsy –  clumsy in a physical manner; ungraceful

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

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

Consonant –  A consonant is a speech sound

Certain –  positive, definite, dependable.

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

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

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

Conscientious –  thorough, careful, and vigilant.

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

Darling –  beloved one.

Dashing –  lively, energetic, and charming.

Dastardly –  fiendishly or scoundrel.

Disagreeable –  Unlikely to agree.

Disastrous –  resulting in a disaster. 

Discouraging –  To make somebody feel bad.

Disgusting –  Gross.

Dishonest –  Not honest.

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

Distant –  Far away.

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

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

Displeasing –  Causing displeasure or annoyance; annoying.

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

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

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

Ebullient –  filled with excitement and energy

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

Ecliptic –  the process of omission.

Enthusiastic  – having or showing great excitement and interest 

Energetic –  possessing or showing great energy 

Excitable –  easily excited 

Fabulous – very good or excellent

Fantastic – extremely good or pleasing

Flawless – without any mistakes

Fetching – attractive or appealing

Fierce – very intense or powerful

Flattering – making someone look or feel good

Forgiving – willing to forgive someone’s mistakes

Friendly – pleasant and welcoming

Frisky – lively and playful 

Freckle-faced – having many freckles

Fuzzy – covered with fuzz

Funny – amusing or humorous 

Handsome – having a pleasing appearance 

Hearty – vigorous and strong 

Honest – truthful and sincere 

Helpful: kindly disposed and willing to assist 

Happy – contented and satisfied 

Homey – having a comfortable and familiar atmosphere 

Heavy-handed – using a lot of force

Heartless – without feeling or sympathy

Huge – very large 

High-heeled – having a high heel

Halcyon – idyllically calm and peaceful

Hard – physically tough or robust

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

Harmonious – having a pleasingly consistent sound or effect

Haunting – suggestive of the supernatural; ghostly 

ill-mannered –  behaving badly or rudely 

Impatient –  finding it difficult to wait for something 

Inattentive –  not paying attention 

Inconsiderate –  not thinking of other people’s feelings 

Independent –  not needing other people 

Inflexible –  not able to change your mind 

Insensitive  – not caring about other people’s feelings 

Inexpensive –  not costing a lot of money

Incredibly –  extremely; so as to produce a strong impression

Intense –  strong or vigorous; very severe or violent 

inteligente –  means “intelligent.” 

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

Loquacious –  tending to talk a lot; very talkative

Lengthy –  long in duration; taking a long time

Life-giving –  giving life; supplying vitality or energy 

Majestic:  having or showing great beauty or nobility

Magnificent:  very impressive or large

Marvelous:  extremely good or pleasant

Metallic:  of or relating to metals

Mysterious:  difficult or impossible to understand or explain 

quaint –  describes something that is old-fashioned and unusual

quick –  describes something that is fast or that happens quickly

quiet –  describes something that is calm and peaceful 

quantitative –  A word that describes the quantity of something. 

Sarcastic –  tending to mock or ridicule.

Sardonic –  means having a sneering or cynical quality. 

Short-tempered –   easily angered

Sensitive –  easily hurt emotionally or physically

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

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

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

Terrific – good; excellent. 

Tiny – Very small; tiny. 

Tight-fisted – stingy, not generous with money 

Ugly –  not pretty or attractive

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

Under –  lower in rank, status, or quality

Understood –  comprehended or grasped 

Uninterested –  not interested

Ubiquitous –  being present everywhere at the same time

Unbelievable –  too extraordinary or unlikely to be believed

Unpredictable –  not able to be foreseen or predicted 

PERSONALITY ADJECTIVES 

Aggressive –  of, relating to or marked by aggression

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

Adventurous –  full of adventure: an adventurous journey.

Agreeable –  a desire to be in agreement with others.

Ambitious –  having a strong desire for success or achievement.

Analytical –  Advanced or careful consideration

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

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

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

Beautiful –  handsome, pretty

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

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

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

Clever –  observant, expeditious, and ingenious

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

Courteous –  having or showing courtesy : polite

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

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

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

Deliberate –  to think about something carefully.

Dependable –  worthy of being depended on.

Meticulous –  Having extreme attention to detail.

Rational –  Making judgments based on reason rather than emotions.

Spontaneous –  Not planned or premeditated.

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

DESCRIPTIVE ADJECTIVES FOR FOOD

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

Appetizing 

Palatable 

Gourmet –  only used in  a singular form.

Divine –  Also only used in a singular form.

Mouth-Watering

Scrumptious

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

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

Substantial –  healthy with enough protein and fiber 

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

Healthy –  fresh produce, lean meats, whole grains

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

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

Acidic –  having acid

Bitter –  having an unpleasantly sharp taste

Bland –  tasteless or unseasoned

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

Citrusy –  having the flavor of citrus fruit or juice.

Decadent –  luxurious and sensuous; voluptuous

Delectable –  very great pleasure and enjoyment from a meal. 

Good Descriptive Adjectives

1. Beautiful 

2. charming 

3. funny 

6. intelligent

9. friendly

10. loving 

common adjective

Nationality adjective.

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

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

List of different descriptive adjectives

1. Beautiful

4. handsome

7. adorable

8. stunning

9. impressive

10. fantastic 

JUST FOR FUN SPANISH ADJECTIVES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bueno –  Good.

Just for More Fun Descriptive Adjectives French

1. beau 

2. bon 

3. charmant

6. généreux

9. intelligent

10. intéressant

12. lumineux

13. magnifique

15. passionnant

16. sympathique

17. talentueux

18. terrible 

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

• Conjunctions
• Prepositions

200+ Adjectives To Describe A Creative Person and Creativity

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

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

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

Table of Contents

How to describe a creative person with adjectives?

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

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

J | K | L | M

Final verdict

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

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This List Of 100+ Adjectives By Type Is All You Need

• Categories Of Adjectives
• Take The Quiz

Adjectives are words that modify nouns and pronouns . There are 13 different categories of adjectives that describe the many different ways adjectives can be used in the English language. We have grammar guides to help you understand the difference between these, including 13 Types Of Adjectives And How To Use Them . Here we’ll focus on lists of these adjectives and quick tips on using them. And don’t forget: because we’re the Thesaurus.com, if you click on each adjective, you’ll get dozens more! (Score!)

Descriptive adjectives

One of the broadest categories of adjectives is descriptive adjectives .  Descriptive adjectives are adjectives that describe the characteristics, traits, or qualities of a noun or pronoun . In English, descriptive adjectives often are placed directly before the noun they are describing. For example:  Excited children ate delicious treats in the colorful cafeteria.

Examples of descriptive adjectives:

• competent  

Let’s review lists of other types of adjectives.

Compound adjectives

Compound adjectives are adjectives that are formed from multiple words, which are usually connected by hyphens . For example: We all enjoyed some ice-cold sodas.

Examples of compound adjectives:

• old-fashioned
• run-of-the-mill
• middle-of-the-road
• happy-go-lucky
• see-through

Comparative adjectives

Comparative adjectives are used to compare two different people or things to each other. Most comparative adjectives in English end in -er . In other instances, they are denoted with more . For example: My brother is stronger than yours.

Examples of comparative adjectives:

• more determined
• more interesting

Superlative adjectives

Superlative adjectives are used to compare more than two people or things by indicating which one is the most supreme or extreme. Most superlative adjectives in English end in -est . In other instances, they are denoted with most or least . For example: I thought she was the most creative artist on the planet.

Examples of superlative adjectives:

• most striking

Ready for a refresher? What’s an adjective, and why is it the perfect part of speech to zhuzh up your sentences? Learn more here.

Proper adjectives

Proper adjectives are adjectives formed from proper nouns . For example: At the grocery store, we bought Mexican tortillas, German sausage, and French cheese.

There are some proper adjectives that are based on people and places that may not be capitalized if they are used as more general words, such as herculean . (These are the adjectives you’re most likely to find in Thesaurus.com.) 

Examples of proper adjectives:

• Shakespearean

Participial adjectives

Participial adjectives are adjectives that are based on participles , which are words that usually end in -ed or -ing and derive from verbs . For example: The frightened students ran away from the terrifying clown.

Examples of participial adjectives:

• misunderstood
• time-consuming

Distributive adjectives

Distributive adjectives are used to refer to members of a group individually. For example:  Both of the team captains took the time to congratulate every member of the team.

Examples of distributive adjectives:

Limiting adjectives

Limiting adjectives are adjectives that restrict a noun or pronoun rather than describe any of its characteristics or qualities. For example: The building had twelve floors, hundreds of windows, and several unique features.

Examples of limiting adjectives:

Possessive adjectives

Possessive adjectives are used to express possession or ownership. For example: Everyone brought their own dish and my mom made her famous punch for our potluck.

Examples of possessive adjectives:

Interrogative adjectives

Some categories of adjectives are more limited. There are only three interrogative adjectives in English. They are used to ask questions. For example:  What is the fastest way to get this done?

The three interrogative adjectives are:

Demonstrative adjectives

Demonstrative adjectives are used to express relative positions in space and time. For example: I think that color looks great on you, but this one matches those shoes better.

The four most commonly used demonstrative adjectives in English are:

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Finally, a djectives can be in different categories depending on how they are used in a sentence. Let’s briefly look at these.

Attributive adjectives

Many descriptive adjectives are commonly used as attributive adjectives. Attributive adjectives are adjectives that are usually directly next to the noun and pronoun that they modify.

These sentences all use attributive adjectives:

• The sleepy dogs dozed on the doorstep.
• A tardy student ran in as the bell rang.
• We fed the hungry cat.
• The strange figures appeared in the mist.
• Her hopeful eyes gazed at me.

Predicate adjectives

Some of the same descriptive adjectives that were used as attributive adjectives above can also be used as predicate adjectives . Predicate adjectives are adjectives that appear in the predicate of a sentence as a subject complement rather than directly next to the nouns or pronouns that they modify. Predicate adjectives follow linking verbs in sentences and clauses.

These sentences all use predicate adjectives: 

• They are asleep .
• I arrived l ate to work.
• She felt hungry .
• The figures seemed strange .
• The children looked hopeful .

How well do you know adjectives?

Can you tell your limiting adjectives from your possessive adjectives? Do you know what the difference is between a predicate adjective and a participial one? You can test your adjectival knowledge with our quick , fun , challenging adjective quiz here . To review these adjectives in one list, click on this list:  All Types Of Adjectives To Spark Your Creativity . You’ll find flash cards and quizzes here too.

Feeling spontaneous? This list of totally off-the-cuff, random words is for you.

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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.

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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Descriptive Adjectives List for Kids to Level Up Their Writing 

Help kids learn what descriptive adjectives are and get a printable list to build their vocabulary and writing.

Michele is a writer who has been published both locally and internationally.

Learn about our Editorial Policy .

English is nothing if not a descriptive language. It's full of adjectives to describe everything from how tall you are to the color of a backpack. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or even a student looking for a list of adjectives for kids, you can find plenty of examples here. Find types of adjectives kids might learn at different age levels to make their writing and vocabulary more colorful. You'll also get a printable to keep handy, along with tips on how to teach adjectives and make it fun.

What Is an Adjective?

Words that describe people, places, and things, or nouns, are called adjectives. You can remember this by thinking "an adjective adds something." But what's a descriptive adjective? Let's break it down.

• A descriptive adjective is one of the three main types of adjectives .
• Descriptive adjectives, or describing words, give details about a subject.
• Descriptive adjectives can help you understand how something looks, how many there are, what size it is, or what it's made of.
• Printable Feelings Charts for Kids and How to Use Them

Having a clear definition of adjectives for kids is only the beginning. Now, it's time to break descriptive adjectives down.

• Printable List of Prepositions

Examples of Descriptive Adjectives for Kids

Having an extensive list of descriptive adjectives handy can help kids improve their vocabulary skills, whether they are at home or at school. You can look at a list of adjectives to see how some are describing words and others tell you different details about a noun. You'll also notice that some are simple and some are compound (like itsy-bitsy).

Adjectives to Describe a Person's Appearance

A world without descriptive adjectives would be very bland indeed, especially if you are trying to describe an adult or child. You can use descriptive adjectives to give details about their appearance, size, or age.

Descriptive Adjectives for Size

If you're describing a building, animal, or object, giving details about exactly what size your subject is will make your writing come alive.

Adjectives to Describe Personality Traits

Whether it's how an animal or a person is acting, descriptive adjectives about personalities can be fun and useful. For example, you can say your brother has a bold attitude or your mom is a clever crafter.

Adjectives to Describe Emotions and Feelings

Kids have lots of emotions, and they're often very big feelings. Different emotion words can help you share exactly how you are feeling.

Positive Descriptive Adjectives for Kids

In a world where you want to be kind and happy, positive describing words can help you be positive too. It's fun for kids to tell their friends how amazing they are. You might even turn that into a lesson for your kiddos to write positive notes about the class using positive descriptive adjectives.

Descriptive Adjectives by Grade-Level

Not all descriptive adjectives are the same; as children learn and grow, they'll gain more advanced ways to describe things. The vocabulary your child has at four isn't the same as the one they have at ten. Get a quick breakdown of some common adjectives found in early elementary, upper elementary, and middle school.

Early Elementary Descriptive Adjectives

Preschoolers and kindergarteners are just learning how to define themselves, their peers, and the world around them. The descriptive adjectives they learn include color, size, shape, texture, and weather.

Elementary Descriptive Adjectives

Older elementary students have a better grip on their describing words. They are working to expand their vocabulary to include more complex words, like compound and proper descriptive adjectives.

Middle School Descriptive Adjectives

By the time students reach the middle school level, it's all about expanding their vocabulary to make their writing more colorful and incorporating figurative language .

Printable List of Adjectives

Keeping a printable list of adjectives handy can help kids find new words to use during writing lessons or creative writing time. This list features nine categories that cover common adjectives, such as words describing feelings and words describing size. Click on the image of the list to download and print it.

Descriptive Adjective Teaching Tips

Learning adjectives can be a challenge for kids. Looking for creative ways to share adjective examples to make the most of these grammar lessons can make it more fun and engaging.

• Buy or print flash cards with descriptive adjectives on them. Hold up a picture of a person, animal, or other noun and let kids sort through the pile of cards to find a great describing word for that picture.
• After a child writes a paragraph or short story, circle all their adjectives and challenge them to come up with new adjectives to use in place of the circled ones.
• Use mad lib style writing activity to help kids explore a variety of adjectives with humor.
• Encourage kids to combine adjectives when describing items like saying "the adorable brown dog" instead of just "the dog."
• Teach your child to use a thesaurus or kid's dictionary to liven up their writing and keep lists of new adjectives they discover.
• You can also try banning certain generic adjectives to help your child be creative in making their writing more lively.

Describe in Detail

Writing in elementary school is important because kids really build their own vocabulary and writing style. Each descriptive adjective means something very specific, and kids can explore lists of words to find the right adjective to use at the moment. Using descriptive adjectives also just makes writing more fun!