Adjectives for the Body: Words to Describe Build, Shape and Skin
The most useful adjectives for the body describe build and size (tall, slim, slender, stocky, muscular, broad-shouldered, petite), fitness and health (fit, athletic, strong, frail, weak), how a body moves (graceful, agile, stiff, clumsy) and skin (pale, tanned, freckled, weathered). The same word can be kind or rude: slim is a compliment, skinny can sound critical and scrawny usually is.
Below: a picker by body part, a polite-to-rude scale for weight and build, other meanings of “body” (wine, hair, writing), example tables, mistakes and practice with answers.
On this page: by body part · polite or rude? · other meanings of body · example tables · mistakes · practice · quick answers
Adjectives for the body by part
| Part | Adjectives | Example |
|---|---|---|
| whole body / build | tall, short, slim, slender, lean, wiry, stocky, heavy-set, muscular, athletic, well-built, petite, lanky, burly, curvy | He was a burly man with a soft voice. |
| shoulders and chest | broad, narrow, square, sloping, hunched, barrel-chested | The swimmer had broad, square shoulders. |
| arms and legs | long, short, thin, muscular, toned, sturdy, gangly, bandy (legs bowed outward) | The foal stood on long, gangly legs. |
| hands and fingers | slender, long, nimble, calloused, rough, bony, chubby, steady, shaky | Her nimble fingers flew over the keys. |
| waist and hips | narrow, slim, thick, wide, ample, curvy | The dress was cut for a narrow waist. |
| posture | upright, straight, stooped, hunched, slouched, rigid | Years at a desk had left him slightly stooped. |
| skin | pale, fair, olive, dark, tanned, freckled, smooth, wrinkled, weathered, clear | The fisherman had weathered skin. |
For a single part, see the full guides to faces, eyes, hair, hands, legs, skin and posture.
Polite or rude? Words for weight and build
Words about someone’s size are where description most often turns into judgement. When you are describing a real person, pick from the left of each row; save the right-hand words for characters, or for when you mean to be critical.
| Meaning | Polite or neutral | Informal, can sound critical | Rude or clinical |
|---|---|---|---|
| thin | slim, slender, lean, petite | skinny, thin | scrawny, bony, skeletal, underweight (clinical) |
| heavy | full-figured, curvy, plus-size (clothing), heavy-set, stocky | chubby, plump, big | fat, obese (clinical), dumpy, flabby |
| strong | muscular, athletic, fit, toned, well-built | beefy, brawny, buff | bulky (can imply too much) |
| tall and thin | tall, rangy, willowy | lanky, gangly | beanpole (noun, teasing) |
| short | petite (women), compact, small | short, little | stumpy, squat |
Chubby is affectionate for babies (“chubby cheeks”) but not for adults. Portly and stout are old-fashioned and slightly humorous.
Other meanings of “body”
- Wine and coffee: full-bodied, medium-bodied and light-bodied describe how heavy a drink feels in the mouth. “A full-bodied red.”
- Hair: hair “with body” is thick and holds its shape; the opposite is limp or flat.
- Writing: the body of an essay or email is the main part between the opening and the close.
- Groups: a governing body, a professional body, the student body.
- Water and objects: a large body of water; a car’s dented body.
Examples of adjectives for the body
Build and appearance
The following table provides examples of adjectives used to describe physical appearance. Each example sentence demonstrates how the adjective can be used in context.
| Adjective | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Tall | He is a tall man with a commanding presence. |
| Short | She remained short, even in her adult years. |
| Thin | The model was exceptionally thin, almost skeletal. |
| Overweight | He struggled with being overweight for most of his life. |
| Muscular | The athlete had a muscular build from years of training. |
| Slender | She had a slender figure, perfect for ballet. |
| Stocky | The wrestler was stocky and powerful. |
| Lanky | He was a lanky teenager, all arms and legs. |
| Petite | She was a petite woman with a strong spirit. |
| Busty | The actress was known for her busty figure. |
| Obese | The doctor warned him about the dangers of being obese. |
| Well-built | He was a well-built man, clearly dedicated to fitness. |
| Scrawny | He was a scrawny kid who grew into a strong man. (Can sound unkind.) |
| Stout | The old sailor was a stout man with a hearty laugh. |
| Athletic | Her athletic physique was the result of daily workouts. |
| Wiry | He had a wiry frame, suggesting great endurance. |
| Chubby | The baby had chubby cheeks and a cheerful disposition. |
| Lean | The marathon runner had a lean and efficient body. |
| Plump | The plump woman had a kind and welcoming smile. |
| Curvaceous | The model was praised for her curvaceous figure. |
| Portly | The portly gentleman enjoyed a good cigar after dinner. |
| Elegant | She was tall and elegant, with a dancer’s posture. |
| Dumpy | A rude word for short and heavy; best kept for fiction. |
| Sleek | The dancer had a sleek and streamlined body. |
Body Condition Examples
The following table provides examples of adjectives used to describe body condition. These adjectives indicate the state of health or physical well-being.
| Adjective | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Healthy | She leads a healthy lifestyle through exercise and diet. |
| Sick | He stayed home because he felt sick and feverish. |
| Injured | The soccer player was injured during the game. |
| Weak | After the illness, he felt weak and tired. |
| Fit | She is very fit and can run a marathon easily. |
| Frail | The elderly woman was frail and needed assistance. |
| Robust | He was a robust man, rarely getting sick. |
| Athletic | The athletic student excelled in all sports. |
| Recovering | She is recovering from a serious surgery. |
| Infirm | The infirm patient required constant care. |
| Tired | After a long day, he felt extremely tired. |
| Energetic | The children were energetic and full of life. |
| Exhausted | The marathon runner was exhausted at the finish line. |
| Vigorous | At eighty he was still vigorous and walked every day. |
| Lethargic | He felt lethargic and had no motivation. |
| Agile | The gymnast was incredibly agile and flexible. |
| Supple | The dancer’s body was supple and graceful. |
| Stiff | He woke up with a stiff neck after sleeping in an awkward position. |
| Numb | His fingers felt numb from the cold. |
| Radiant | She looked radiant after the holiday. |
| Feeble | The feeble old man could barely walk without assistance. |
| Hardy | The hardy mountaineer was well-prepared for the harsh conditions. |
| Disabled / injured | An injured leg kept him off the pitch. (Crippled is now considered offensive for people.) |
| Bruised | Her bruised arm was a reminder of the fall. |
| Swollen | His swollen ankle needed immediate medical attention. |
| Sore | Her sore muscles were a result of the intense workout. |
Body Movement Examples
The following table provides examples of adjectives used to describe body movement. These adjectives reflect the quality and characteristics of how someone moves.
| Adjective | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Graceful | The ballerina was graceful and elegant on stage. |
| Clumsy | He was clumsy and often tripped over things. |
| Agile | The cat was agile and could jump over high fences. |
| Nimble | The surgeon had nimble fingers during the operation. |
| Stiff | He walked with a stiff gait due to his back pain. |
| Spry | The old man was surprisingly spry for his age. |
| Awkward | His awkward dance moves made everyone laugh. |
| Fluid | Her movements were fluid and natural. |
| Lithe | The lithe climber pulled herself onto the ledge. |
| Ungainly | The ungainly teenager kept knocking things over. |
| Jerky | The robot’s movements were jerky and unnatural. |
| Labored | His breathing was labored after running up the stairs. |
| Swift | The runner was swift and easily won the race. |
| Sluggish | He felt sluggish after a heavy meal. |
| Brisk | She took a brisk walk to get some exercise. |
| Limping | He was limping after twisting his ankle. |
| Staggering | The drunk man was staggering down the street. |
| Unhurried | They walked at an unhurried pace along the beach. |
| Dashing | In “a dashing young officer”, dashing means stylish and attractive, not running. |
| Waddling | Late in her pregnancy she walked with a slight waddling gait. |
| Hesitant | His hesitant steps revealed his uncertainty. |
| Purposeful | Her purposeful stride showed her determination. |
| Fluid | The dancer’s fluid motions captivated the audience. |
| Stilted | His stilted movements betrayed his discomfort. |
Size and Shape Examples
The following table provides examples of adjectives used to describe the size and shape of the body or its parts, offering a detailed visual representation.
| Adjective | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Broad | He had broad shoulders and a muscular back. |
| Narrow | She had a narrow waist and delicate features. |
| Round | The baby had a round face and chubby cheeks. |
| Angular | The model had an angular face that photographed well. |
| Curvy | She was known for her curvy figure. |
| Symmetrical | Her face was perfectly symmetrical, a mark of beauty. |
| Asymmetrical | His asymmetrical smile gave him a unique charm. |
| Bony | He had bony fingers and a gaunt face. |
| Plump | The plump woman had a warm and welcoming presence. |
| Protruding | He had a protruding chin that defined his profile. |
| Bulky | The weightlifter had a bulky physique. |
| Diminutive | She was a diminutive woman, barely reaching five feet. |
| Huge | The wrestler had a huge frame. (Gigantic is usually too strong for a person.) |
| Tiny | The newborn had tiny fingers and toes. |
| Compact | The gymnast had a compact and powerful body. |
| Sprawling | His sprawling limbs took up most of the space. |
| Chunky | The child had chunky legs and a playful demeanor. |
| Skeletal | The starving animal had a skeletal appearance. |
| Tapered | The pianist had long, tapered fingers. |
| Ample | She had ample hips and a generous figure. |
| Lanky | The lanky teenager struggled to find clothes that fit. |
| Stumpy | The puppy waddled on stumpy little legs. |
| Sinuous | The dancer’s sinuous movements held the audience. |
| Rotund | The rotund man had a jolly laugh and a friendly smile. |
| Gangly | The gangly youth was still growing into his limbs. |
Complexion and Skin Examples
The following table provides examples of adjectives used to describe the complexion and skin, illustrating various conditions and appearances.
| Adjective | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Pale | She had a pale complexion after being indoors all winter. |
| Dark | He had dark skin and close-cropped grey hair. (Skin darkened by the sun is tanned.) |
| Rosy | The child had rosy cheeks after playing outside. |
| Smooth | She had smooth skin, thanks to her skincare routine. |
| Rough | The construction worker had rough hands from his job. |
| Wrinkled | The elderly woman had wrinkled skin, a sign of her age. |
| Tanned | He had a tanned body after his beach vacation. |
| Freckled | She had a freckled face and bright blue eyes. |
| Clear | She had clear skin, free from blemishes. |
| Acne-prone | He had acne-prone skin and struggled with breakouts. |
| Sallow | Her sallow complexion suggested she wasn’t feeling well. |
| Glowing | She had glowing skin, a sign of good health. |
| Blotchy | His skin was blotchy after the allergic reaction. |
| Sunburned | He was sunburned after forgetting to apply sunscreen. |
| Delicate | She had delicate skin that was easily irritated. |
| Weathered | The sailor had a weathered face from years at sea. |
| Olive | She had olive skin that tanned easily. |
| Calloused | The gardener had calloused hands from working in the soil. |
| Flushed | Her face was flushed with embarrassment. |
| Moisturized | She kept her hands moisturized through the winter. |
| Dry | He had dry skin, especially during the winter months. |
| Oily | Her oily skin required special cleansers. |
| Pimpled | His pimpled face made him self-conscious. |
| Leathery | The old cowboy had a leathery face from years in the sun. |
| Ruddy | The farmer had a ruddy complexion from working outdoors. |
| Translucent | Her skin was so translucent that you could see her veins. |
| Velvety | The baby had velvety skin that was soft to the touch. |
Usage Rules
When using adjectives for the body, several rules should be followed to ensure correct grammar and clarity.
- Adjective Order: In English, adjectives typically follow a specific order. While not always strict, a common order is: opinion, size, age, shape, color, origin, material, and purpose. For example, “a beautiful tall woman” sounds more natural than “a tall beautiful woman.”
- Placement: Adjectives usually come before the noun they modify (attributive position). However, they can also follow linking verbs (predicative position).
- Agreement: Adjectives do not change form to agree with the noun they modify in English. For example, “tall man” and “tall woman” both use the same adjective form.
- Compound Adjectives: These are adjectives made up of two or more words, often hyphenated. For example, “well-built man” or “sun-tanned skin.”
- Descriptive Accuracy: Choose adjectives that accurately and appropriately describe the body. Avoid offensive or insensitive language.
Example of Correct Usage: “The athletic man ran quickly.”
Example of Incorrect Usage: “The man quickly athletic ran.”
Common Mistakes
Here are some common mistakes to avoid when using adjectives for the body:
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| “He is a man tall.” | “He is a tall man.” | Adjectives usually precede the noun in English. |
| “She is more taller than me.” | “She is taller than me.” | Avoid using “more” with adjectives that already have comparative endings (-er). |
| “A skin pale.” | “Pale skin.” | Adjectives typically come before the noun. |
| “He is very muscularly.” | “He is very muscular.” | “Muscularly” is an adverb. Use the adjective form “muscular.” |
| “They are health.” | “They are healthy.” | “Health” is a noun. Use the adjective form “healthy.” |
| “She has a body skinny.” | “She has a skinny body.” | Adjectives usually come before the noun. |
| “She is very slimmer now.” | “She is much slimmer now.” | Use much or a lot, not very, before a comparative. |
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding of adjectives for the body with these practice exercises.
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Choose the correct adjective from the options provided to complete each sentence.
| Question | Options | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1. The _______ runner won the race easily. | (a) swift (b) swiftness (c) swiftly | (a) swift |
| 2. She has _______ skin, thanks to her skincare routine. | (a) smooth (b) smoothly (c) smoothness | (a) smooth |
| 3. He is a _______ man with a commanding presence. | (a) tall (b) tallness (c) taller | (a) tall |
| 4. The elderly woman was _______ and needed assistance. | (a) frail (b) frailly (c) frailty | (a) frail |
| 5. The ballerina was _______ and elegant on stage. | (a) graceful (b) gracefully (c) grace | (a) graceful |
| 6. After the illness, he felt _______ and tired. | (a) weak (b) weakly (c) weakness | (a) weak |
| 7. The child had _______ cheeks after playing outside. | (a) rosy (b) rosily (c) rose | (a) rosy |
| 8. His _______ dance moves made everyone laugh. | (a) awkward (b) awkwardly (c) awkwardness | (a) awkward |
| 9. The athlete had a _______ build from years of training. | (a) muscular (b) muscularly (c) muscle | (a) muscular |
| 10. She leads a _______ lifestyle through exercise and diet. | (a) healthy (b) healthily (c) health | (a) healthy |
Exercise 2: Sentence Construction
Create sentences using the following adjectives to describe the body.
- Thin
- Injured
- Agile
- Broad
- Wrinkled
- Stout
- Lean
- Radiant
- Limping
- Glowing
Example Answers:
- She was remarkably thin after her illness.
- The injured player was helped off the field.
- The agile gymnast performed incredible feats.
- He had broad shoulders from years of swimming.
- The old man had a wrinkled face, full of stories.
- The stout man had a hearty laugh.
- The marathon runner had a lean physique.
- Her radiant skin reflected her inner health.
- He was limping after twisting his ankle.
- She had glowing skin from the facial.
Exercise 3: Error Correction
Identify and correct the errors in the following sentences.
| Incorrect Sentence | Correct Sentence |
|---|---|
| 1. He is a man strongly. | He is a strong man. |
| 2. She is more taller than her sister. | She is taller than her sister. |
| 3. They are health. | They are healthy. |
| 4. A skin smooth. | Smooth skin. |
| 5. He is very muscularly. | He is very muscular. |
| 7. She has a body skinny. | She has a skinny body. |
| 8. Is he agilely? | Is he agile? |
| 9. He is more frailer than before. | He is frailer than before. (More frail is also correct; do not use both.) |
| 10. Is she gracefuly? | Is she graceful? |
Advanced Topics
For advanced learners, here are some more complex aspects of using adjectives for the body:
Figurative Language: Body words often describe character: “thick-skinned” (not easily hurt), “spineless” (cowardly), “big-hearted” (generous), “nerves of steel” (calm under pressure).
Nuance and Connotation: Some adjectives have subtle differences in meaning or carry certain connotations. For example, “thin” can be neutral, while “gaunt” suggests illness or suffering. “Plump” can be endearing, while “obese” is more clinical.
Cultural Sensitivity: Be mindful of cultural differences when describing the body. What is considered attractive or healthy can vary widely across cultures.
Literary Devices: Adjectives can be used to create imagery, symbolism, and other literary effects. For example, a writer might use “pale skin” to symbolize weakness or death.
Medical Terminology: In medical contexts, specific adjectives are used to describe body conditions and symptoms. Understanding these terms is crucial for accurate communication in healthcare settings.
Quick answers
What are some positive adjectives for the body?
Fit, strong, athletic, healthy, slim, slender, toned, graceful, agile and well-built are all compliments.
How do you describe someone’s body type politely?
Describe build rather than weight: slim, slender, athletic, stocky, heavy-set, curvy, petite, tall. Avoid fat, skinny and scrawny about real people.
What does “full-bodied” mean?
Rich and heavy in the mouth; used of wine, coffee and beer, not people.
Is “physique” the same as “body”?
Physique means the body’s shape and muscle, usually a fit one: “an athletic physique”. You would not say “a sick physique”.
For a letter-by-letter view rather than a subject one, see 132 adjectives that start with B, where brawny, burly and bandy-legged sit with the rest of the letter. For movement, see adjectives for gait.
Checked against Merriam-Webster, the Chicago Manual of Style and the AP Stylebook. Spotted an error? Tell us — see our editorial policy.
