Writing with Adjectives
250+ Describing Words by Category, and How to Choose Them
Describing words are words that tell you what something is like: its size, colour, sound, feel, mood or character. Most…
The right word, for whatever you are trying to describe
Adjective lists for every subject you might write about, and plain-English guides to using them well. Free, and written to be read in a couple of minutes.
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One half teaches you to use adjectives well. The other hands you the words.
235 guides
Writing with Adjectives
How adjectives behave in a sentence — the order they fall into, how they compare, when they carry opinion rather than fact, and how to reach for a vivid word without overreaching.
Browse the guides714 word lists
Adjectives by Subject
Curated describing words for people, food, places, feelings, work and more — each list sorted by shade of meaning, with example sentences so you can hear how the word behaves.
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Nature & Environment
92 lists
Emotions & Feelings
74 lists
Work & Professions
71 lists
People & Relationships
69 lists
Objects & Everyday Things
69 lists
Personality & Character
68 lists
Animals & Creatures
49 lists
Appearance & Physical Traits
42 lists
Arts & Entertainment
38 lists
Food & Drinks
34 lists
Travel & Places
34 lists
Events & Celebrations
29 lists
Education & Learning
24 lists
Health & Wellness
21 lists
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Work & Professions
106 Adjectives for a Hard-Working Person
Most lists on this subject are lists of compliments. This one is not, and it says which is which: of…
People & Relationships
62 Words to Describe a God
The striking thing about this vocabulary is how much of it is built out of negatives. 15 of the 62…
Writing with Adjectives
Adjectives With Prepositions: Good At, Afraid Of, Interested In
Many English adjectives are followed by one specific preposition, and the pairing has to be learned rather than worked out.…
Writing with Adjectives
Double Comparatives: Why “More Better” Is Wrong
A double comparative marks a comparison twice, and English allows only one marker per adjective. More better, most easiest and…
Writing with Adjectives
As … As Comparisons: Saying Two Things Are Equal
The as … as structure says two things are equal, where a comparative says one exceeds the other. She is…
Worth your time
Editors’ picks
People & Relationships
Describing Men: A Guide to Adjectives for Male Subjects
Choosing the right adjectives to describe men is crucial for clear and effective communication. Whether you’re writing fiction, crafting professional…
Emotions & Feelings
Adjectives for Passion: A Comprehensive Guide
Passion is a powerful emotion, and describing it accurately requires a rich vocabulary. This article explores a wide range of…
Nature & Environment
Describing the Dawn: Mastering Adjectives for Sunrise
The English language offers a rich palette of adjectives to paint vivid pictures with words. Describing a sunrise, a daily…
Food & Drinks
Describing Strawberries: A Guide to Adjectives
Adjectives are the vibrant words that paint a picture in our minds, adding detail and color to nouns. When it…
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Grammar essentials
01
Descriptive Adjectives: Painting Vivid Settings with Words
Writing with Adjectives · 18 min
02
Elevate Your Writing: Powerful Adjectives to Replace “Said”
Writing with Adjectives · 19 min
03
Descriptive Adjectives: Enhancing Speech and Writing
Writing with Adjectives · 15 min
04
The Dangling Modifier, and Why Your Sentence Sounds Absurd
Writing with Adjectives · 3 min
05
Comprise, Compose, Consist: The One That Takes No “Of”
Writing with Adjectives · 2 min
06
143 Adjectives That Start With T
Writing with Adjectives · 4 min
07
Proper Adjectives: When an Adjective Takes a Capital Letter
Writing with Adjectives · 2 min
08
Describing the Void: Mastering Adjectives for Silence
Writing with Adjectives · 12 min
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Plain-English grammar guides and curated adjective lists. Free to read, checked against Merriam-Webster, Chicago and AP before publication.
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