When speaking or writing in the English language you are going to need to use descriptive words. But what are these types of describing words and how can we use them? We will look at the answers to these questions and look at examples of the different types of descriptive words.
You may be tired of always using the same adjectives and are in desperate need to add some new ones to your vocabulary. If that’s the case, then you’re in the right place! Here we will be sharing with you, the most common descriptive words and describing words. As well as, how to use gerunds, verbs, and nouns as descriptive words.
Descriptive Words
What Are Descriptive Words?
A descriptive word is a word that is used to describe something, that something could be a person, a place, a situation, or an item amongst other things. These words enable you to better explain the condition of something, for example, if you were talking about a person, you might use descriptive words to explain how that person looks. If you were talking about a country, you would use descriptive words to talk about the size of the country for example.
A descriptive word can also help you to intensify the meaning of a word or phrase.
Descriptive Words to Describe Colors
| Word | Example |
|---|
| Crimson | The crimson sun set over the horizon. (Deep red) |
| Scarlet | She wore a scarlet dress to the party. (Bright red) |
| Burgundy | The burgundy wine had a rich, complex flavor. (Dark red or purple) |
| Rose | The rose petals were soft and delicate. (Light pink) |
| Magenta | The magenta flowers added a pop of color to the garden. (Purplish-red) |
| Lavender | The lavender fields stretched out as far as the eye could see. (Pale purple) |
| Indigo | The indigo dye gave the fabric a deep, rich color. (Deep blue-purple) |
| Azure | The sky was a brilliant shade of azure. (Bright blue) |
| Sapphire | The sapphire earrings sparkled in the light. (Rich blue) |
| Turquoise | The turquoise waters of the Caribbean were crystal clear. (Blue-green) |
| Olive | The olive trees provided shade from the hot sun. (Yellow-green) |
| Lime | The lime juice gave the drink a refreshing tang. (Bright green) |
| Emerald | The emerald ring gleamed on her finger. (Deep green) |
| Chartreuse | The chartreuse walls of the room added a bold splash of color. (Yellow-green) |
| Gold | The gold medal gleamed in the athlete’s hand. (Yellow-orange) |
| Tangerine | The tangerine sunset painted the sky with vibrant hues. ( Bright orange) |
| Rust | The rust-colored leaves fell gently from the trees. (Orange-red) |
| Chocolate | The chocolate cake was rich and indulgent. (Dark brown) |
| Beige | The walls were painted a soft shade of beige. (Light brown) |
| Ivory | The ivory wedding gown was stunning. (Creamy white) |
| Pearl | The pearl necklace shimmered in the light. (Pale grayish-white) |
| Silver | The silver car gleamed in the sun. (Shiny gray) |
| Charcoal | The charcoal drawing was incredibly detailed. (Dark gray) |
Descriptive Words to Describe Shapes
| Word | Meaning |
|---|
| Circular | Having the shape of a circle |
| Oval | Having the shape of an ellipse |
| Square | Having four equal sides and four right angles |
| Rectangular | Having four sides with opposite sides parallel and equal in length |
| Triangular | Having three sides |
| Diamond | Having a rhombus shape |
| Pentagon | Having five sides |
| Hexagon | Having six sides |
| Octagon | Having eight sides |
| Sphere | A three-dimensional circular object |
| Cube | A three-dimensional object with six square sides |
| Cylinder | A three-dimensional object with circular bases and straight sides |
| Cone | A three-dimensional object with a circular base and a pointed tip |
| Pyramid | A three-dimensional object with a polygonal base and triangular sides that meet at a point |
| Diamond | A two-dimensional shape with four straight sides of equal length, arranged in a diamond shape |
Descriptive Words to Describe Sizes
| Word | Meaning |
|---|
| Tiny | Extremely small |
| Petite | Small and delicate |
| Miniature | Small in size, but accurately detailed |
| Compact | Small and efficiently designed |
| Little | Small in size or amount |
| Dainty | Small and delicate in a pleasing way |
| Slim | Narrow or thin in shape |
| Narrow | Long and thin in shape |
| Short | Not tall in height |
| Average | A typical or common size |
| Moderate | Of medium size or amount |
| Large | Big in size |
| Grand | Impressive or magnificent in size |
| Massive | Extremely large or heavy |
| Colossal | Enormous in size or scale |
| Giant | Very large in size or stature |
Descriptive Words to Describe Age and Time
| Word | Example |
|---|
| New | She bought a new car last week. |
| Fresh | The bakery sold fresh bread every morning. |
| Young | The young puppy was full of energy. |
| Juvenile | The juvenile delinquent was arrested for theft. |
| Infant | The infant slept soundly in her crib. |
| Toddler | The toddler stumbled while taking her first steps. |
| Adolescent | The adolescent struggled with peer pressure. |
| Teenage | She was a typical teenage girl, always on her phone. |
| Mature | The mature oak tree provided shade on a hot day. |
| Elderly | The elderly man needed help crossing the street. |
| Aged | The aged book was a valuable antique. |
| Ancient | The ancient ruins of Rome attract millions of tourists every year. |
| Timely | The timely arrival of the ambulance saved his life. |
| Prompt | The prompt response to the emergency call was appreciated. |
| Current | The current pandemic has affected people all over the world. |
| Contemporary | The contemporary art exhibit featured works by modern artists. |
| Outdated | The outdated technology was replaced with newer models. |
| Obsolete | The obsolete machinery was sold for scrap metal. |
Descriptive Words to Describe Taste
| Word | Example |
|---|
| Bitter | Coffee, dark chocolate, tonic water |
| Sweet | Candy, fruit, honey |
| Sour | Lemon, vinegar, sour cream |
| Salty | Chips, salted nuts, seaweed salad |
| Savory | Steak, bacon, mushroom soup |
| Spicy | Chili peppers, hot sauce, curry |
| Tangy | Pickles, mustard, citrus fruits |
| Mild | Cream cheese, rice, cucumber |
| Rich | Chocolate cake, beef stew, creamy pasta |
| Tart | Green apples, yogurt, sourdough bread |
| Bland | Plain rice, boiled potatoes, tofu |
| Astringent | Red wine, tea, unripe fruit |
| Earthy | Beets, mushrooms, root vegetables |
| Fruity | Berry jam, tropical juice, apple cider |
| Nutty | Almond butter, pecan pie, peanut brittle |
| Smoky | Grilled meat, smoked salmon, roasted nuts |
| Herbal | Basil pesto, rosemary chicken, mint tea |
| Floral | Rosewater, lavender honey, chamomile tea |
| Citrusy | Orange juice, lemon zest, grapefruit slices |
| Robust | Espresso, dark beer, aged cheese |
Descriptive Words to Describe Sounds
| Word | Example |
|---|
| Loud | Thunder, explosion, car horn |
| Soft | Whisper, rustle, purr |
| Shrill | Scream, alarm, screech |
| Mellow | Jazz music, warm voice, cello |
| Melodic | Singing, bird chirping, guitar solo |
| Harmonious | Chorus, symphony, choir |
| Grating | Nails on a chalkboard, metal scraping |
| Jarring | Siren, slamming door, breaking glass |
| Clanging | Bell, metal drum, cymbal |
| Thumping | Bass drum, heartbeat, pounding feet |
| Whirring | Fan, blender, air conditioner |
| Buzzing | Bee, electrical wires, phone |
| Rustling | Leaves, paper, fabric |
| Sizzling | Bacon, steak, frying pan |
| Crackling | Fire, popping popcorn, twigs |
| Screeching | Brakes, metal scraping, chalkboard |
| Murmuring | Whispering, water flowing, wind |
| Gurgling | Waterfall, creek, stomach |
| Cooing | Pigeon, baby, dove |
Descriptive Words to Describe Touch
| Descriptive Word | Examples |
|---|
| Soft | The baby’s skin was soft like silk. |
| Rough | The surface of the rock was rough and jagged. |
| Smooth | The polished marble was smooth to the touch. |
| Prickly | The cactus had prickly spines all over its surface. |
| Cold | The ice cube was cold to the touch. |
| Warm | The cup of tea was warm to the touch. |
| Wet | The raincoat was wet from the rain. |
| Dry | The desert sand was dry and gritty. |
| Bumpy | The dirt road was bumpy and rough to drive on. |
| Furry | The cat was furry and cuddly. |
| Slimy | The slug left a slimy trail behind it. |
| Sticky | The tape was sticky and adhered to the paper. |
| Tingly | The minty toothpaste left a tingly sensation in my mouth. |
| Numb | My hand felt numb after holding the ice pack for too long. |
| Jarring | The impact of the car accident was jarring and painful. |
| Ticklish | I’m ticklish on my feet and it always makes me laugh. |
Descriptive Words to Describe Smell
| Descriptive Word | Examples |
|---|
| Sweet | The aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls was sweet and inviting. |
| Sour | The smell of spoiled milk was sour and unpleasant. |
| Floral | The bouquet of roses filled the room with a sweet and floral fragrance. |
| Earthy | The smell of freshly cut grass was earthy and refreshing. |
| Spicy | The curry had a spicy smell that made my nose tingle. |
| Smoky | The campfire had a smoky smell that lingered on our clothes. |
| Musky | The perfume had a musky smell that was alluring and sensual. |
| Fruity | The bowl of fresh fruit had a fruity smell that was refreshing. |
| Herbal | The tea had an herbal smell that was calming and soothing. |
| Woody | The cabin had a woody smell that reminded me of the forest. |
| Chemical | The cleaning solution had a chemical smell that made my eyes water. |
| Rancid | The old cheese had a rancid smell that made me feel nauseous. |
| Metallic | The smell of the metalwork shop was metallic and sharp. |
| Fishy | The fish market had a fishy smell that was overwhelming. |
| Musty | The old attic had a musty smell that was unpleasant. |
| Aromatic | The herbs had an aromatic smell that filled the kitchen with deliciousness. |
| Pungent | The onions had a pungent smell that made my eyes water. |
| Foul | The garbage had a foul smell that made me gag. |
Descriptive Words to Describe Quantity
| Word | Meaning |
|---|
| Scanty | Barely sufficient or inadequate |
| Meager | Lacking in quantity or quality |
| Sparse | Thinly scattered or distributed |
| Paltry | Insignificant or small in amount |
| Modest | Limited or moderate in amount |
- Medium quantity:
| Word | Meaning |
|---|
| Adequate | Sufficient or satisfactory |
| Ample | Enough or more than enough |
| Sufficient | Adequate or enough to meet a need or demand |
| Considerable | Large or significant in amount |
| Substantial | Large or considerable in amount |
- Large quantity:
| Word | Meaning |
|---|
| Abundant | Plentiful or ample in quantity |
| Copious | Large in quantity or number |
| Profuse | Abundant or excessive in quantity |
| Overflowing | Filled beyond capacity or brimming over |
| Innumerable | Too many to be counted or too numerous to mention |
Descriptive Words to Describe Quality
- Poor quality:
| Word | Meaning |
|---|
| Shoddy | Poorly made or inferior in quality |
| Inferior | Lower in quality or value |
| Substandard | Below the accepted standard or quality |
| Defective | Faulty or imperfect in quality |
| Flawed | Containing defects or imperfections |
- Average quality:
| Word | Meaning |
|---|
| Mediocre | Neither good nor bad; average |
| Decent | Adequate or satisfactory in quality |
| Standard | Conforming to the accepted standard or norm |
| Acceptable | Suitable or satisfactory in quality |
| Tolerable | Bearable or acceptable in quality |
- High quality:
| Word | Meaning |
|---|
| Superior | Higher in quality or value |
| Excellent | Exceptionally good or of high quality |
| Premium | Of superior quality and value |
| Exceptional | Unusually good or outstanding in quality |
| Top-notch | Of the highest quality or excellence |
Descriptive Words to Describe the Weather
| Word | Example |
|---|
| Sunny | It’s a sunny day, let’s go to the beach. |
| Cloudy | The sky is cloudy, it might rain later. |
| Rainy | It’s a rainy day, don’t forget your umbrella. |
| Windy | It’s very windy outside, hold on to your hat. |
| Stormy | The stormy weather caused power outages throughout the city. |
| Snowy | The snowy landscape looks beautiful in winter. |
| Foggy | The foggy morning made it hard to see the road. |
| Misty | The misty morning made everything look mysterious. |
| Hazy | The hazy afternoon made the distant mountains barely visible. |
| Humid | It’s very humid outside, it feels like a sauna. |
| Dry | The dry heat made it difficult to breathe. |
| Hot | It’s too hot to go outside, let’s stay indoors. |
| Cold | The cold weather made me shiver even with my coat on. |
| Freezing | The freezing weather caused the roads to be covered in ice. |
| Chilly | The chilly breeze made me put on a sweater. |
| Pleasant | The weather is so pleasant today, let’s have a picnic. |
| Unpleasant | The weather is so unpleasant today, I don’t want to go outside. |
| Dreary | The dreary weather matched my mood. |
| Muggy | The muggy weather made it hard to breathe. |
| Breezy | The breezy day made flying kites so much fun. |
Descriptive Words to Describe the Environment
| Word | Example |
|---|
| Pristine | The pristine beach was untouched by tourists. |
| Lush | The lush rainforest was home to many species of animals. |
| Arid | The arid desert had very little rainfall. |
| Barren | The barren land had no plants or trees. |
| Serene | The serene lake was a great place to meditate. |
| Polluted | The polluted air in the city made it difficult to breathe. |
| Noisy | The noisy construction site made it hard to concentrate. |
| Vibrant | The vibrant city was alive with activity. |
| Tranquil | The tranquil forest was a great place to escape from the city. |
| Industrial | The industrial park was home to many manufacturing companies. |
| Rural | The rural farm was miles away from the nearest town. |
| Urban | The urban landscape was full of skyscrapers and bustling streets. |
| Picturesque | The picturesque village looked like it came straight out of a postcard. |
| Secluded | The secluded beach was only accessible by boat. |
| Majestic | The majestic mountains were a sight to behold. |
| Prickly | The prickly cactus was a common sight in the desert. |
| Rustic | The rustic cabin was a perfect getaway for those seeking a quiet retreat. |
| Scenic | The scenic drive along the coast was breathtaking. |
| Wild | The wild animals in the jungle were dangerous and unpredictable. |
| Eerie | The eerie silence in the abandoned house made us feel uneasy. |
Learn more: Words to Describe Someone
Types of Describing Words
What types of descriptive words are there? There are two main types of descriptive words. Adjectives and adverbs. Adjectives are extremely important and useful in the English language. They have been around for many years, largely influential people like Shakespeare invented many during his time on Earth. They provide us with the access to describe the things around us, which comes in handy in many situations. For example, if you’re going to see a doctor about a specific issue, you’ll need to be able to describe it. If you’re writing a story, adjectives will help your audience to visualize your story more vividly. If you looking to complement or describe someone, adjectives are crucial.
Gerunds, verbs, and nouns can also be used as descriptive words. Let’s look at each of these types of descriptive words in a little more detail.
Descriptive Adjectives
An adjective is used to modify or describe a noun. The adjective can give more information about a noun such as things like its size, shape, texture, or color.
An adjective is useful when there is a selection of the same objects which have subtle differences, for example, if there were a group of fish, each one a different color. You are asked ‘which fish do you like?’ You can reply to this question by simply using the adjective, and you could say ‘the blue one.’
Here are a few examples of adjectives in use:
- The building is modern.
- The pizza is delicious.
- Her dress is elegant.
- The concert was loud.
- The movie was exciting.
- The flowers are fragrant.
- The sky is blue.
- The lake is crystal-clear.
- The city is vibrant.
- The sunset was breathtaking.
It is worth noting that an adjective is likely end with the following letters:
| Suffix | Examples |
|---|
| -al | Logical, Rational, Regional, Principal, Clinical |
| -an | American, Mexican, Human, Suburban, Urban |
| -ar | Popular, Clear, Lunar, Regular, Cellular, Solar |
| -ent | Decent, Magnificent, Excellent, Independent, Fluent |
| -ful | Beautiful, Blissful, Helpful, Grateful, Successful |
| -ic | Athletic, Majestic, Historic, Romantic, Comedic |
| -ical | Magical, Fantastical, Chemical, Logical, Historical |
| -ine | Feminine, Ovine, Porcine, Marine, Alpine |
| -ile | Immobile, Juvenile, Agile, Hostile, Infantile |
| -ive | Aggressive, Adaptive, Creative, Positive, Productive |
| -less | Colourless, Thoughtless, Endless, Fearless, Pointless |
| -ous | Ginormous, Luminous, Dangerous, Courageous, Enormous |
| -some | Awesome, Boresome, Tedious, Troublesome, Fearsome |
However, as with many grammar rules there are exceptions and so sometimes an adjective might not fall into one of these categories. Some of the less common endings for adjectives can be -ing, -er, -y, -ary, -ate.
These types of descriptive words can appear anywhere in a sentence.
