sophisticated words for creative writing

50 Sophisticated Words to Trick Schools into Thinking You’re Classy

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Many students are intimidated by the essays that must be written to complete college or scholarship applications. The truth is, you don’t have to use big words or fancy words you don’t understand to write a compelling essay — a few well-placed, sophisticated words will do. College essays should be extremely polished and fluff-free.

It’s time to get creative and make every word count, so be sure to use sophisticated words rather than slang or Internet acronyms (LMAO). Forget everything Urban Dictionary taught you and add a touch of class to your vocabulary with more sophisticated words in your writing and speech.

When you are ready to choose a school, we recommend you use our ranking of the top 100 best online colleges as your starting point.

• Advantageous (adjective) beneficial; creating a favorable situation to give an advantage. My volunteer work puts me in an advantageous position over other applicants.
• Alacrity (noun) pep in your step; lively, cheerful, and eager behavior. She lit up the dull room with her alacrity; her energy was palpable. She was thrilled to have been chosen to help.
• Amiable (adjective) friendly and good-natured. He was amiable and well-liked in the community prior to the discovery in his basement.
• Aptitude (noun) talent or ability She discovered her aptitude for real-life math at a young age while shopping with her mother.
• Assiduity (noun) dedication, diligence, and great focus. I studied with assiduity for the exam and feel confident and fully prepared.
• Candor (noun) open; honest; sincere. The senator’s candor during his speech won many voters over.
• Cumulative (adjective) accumulative, all added together. Exercising for one day may not yield results, but the health benefits are cumulative over time.
• Debase (verb) to corrupt or contaminate. I don’t allow mainstream media to debase my common sense.
• Deferential (adjective) yielding out of respect. The commissioner became accustomed to deferential treatment.
• Diligent (adjective) attention to detail; careful and hard-working. My diligent work on the project was critical to its success.
• Eloquent (adjective) fluent; having a way with words; perfectly said. Her eloquent speech moved the audience to tears.
• Elucidate (verb) to explain very clearly. She was eager to elucidate the problem to the mechanic so that it could be fixed.
• Emboldened (adjective) being made bold. We were emboldened by our success and ready to take it to the next level.
• Ephemeral (adjective) fleeting or short-lived. Summer romance is often ephemeral, as is the season itself.
• Equitable (adjective) a fair division between all parties. My equitable share of the profit was 45%.
• Extol (verb) to give high praise. He gave a speech to extol the benefits of online college .
• Gratuitous (adjective) unnecessary; uncalled-for. Both parties hurled gratuitous insults at each other and nothing was accomplished.
• Gregarious (adjective) outgoing; extroverted. The gregarious host made us feel welcome and comfortable in her home.
• Hypocrisy (noun) the insincerity of pretending to believe something you do not believe. My mother’s hypocrisy was exposed when I caught her cursing and smoking after speeding home from a late night out.
• Incisive (adjective) the ability to identify or draw sharp distinctions. Her incisive remarks were hurtful, mostly because they were pointedly accurate.
• Industrious (adjective) hard-working and persevering. In order to stand out from others, you must be smart, polite and industrious at your job.
• Innate (adjective) born with it. He has the innate ability to make people smile and uses it to his advantage.
• Insular (adjective) isolated; an island unto itself. Small-town life has many advantages, but can also be insular in many ways.
• Intrepid (adjective) Bold or brave. The intrepid explorer has seen things the rest of us can only imagine.
• Latent (adjective) there, but not there; having the potential to be realized, but hidden. Since the virus is latent there are no obvious signs of infection.
• Lithe (adjective) supple, bending easily. The dancers were lithe, yet also very strong.
• Maxim (noun) a widely known saying that is accepted as truth. Gandhi’s maxim “Be the change you wish to see in the world” is one to live by.
• Meticulous (adjective) precise attention to every detail. She is always meticulous about her research, leaving no stone unturned.
• Modicum (noun) a small token amount. We enjoyed only a modicum of success so far, but are optimistic about the next project.
• Myriad (noun) a large amount; countless. With online college , there are a myriad of career possibilities.
• Nuance (noun) a very subtle difference. The nuance of her voice added new dimensions to the song she covered.
• Obsequious (adjective) subservient; brown-nosing. His obsequious behavior failed to flatter his boss and quickly became annoying to everyone.
• Panacea (noun) a cure-all. Mom’s homemade chicken soup is the ultimate panacea.
• Pellucid (adjective) clearly understandable. The assembly instructions were surprisingly pellucid, which made the desk easy to put together.
• Penchant (noun) a strong preference or liking. He has a penchant for antique automobiles and frequently attends car shows.
• Perusal (noun) studying with the intent to memorize. A perusal of the material the night before made me feel confident about taking the test.
• Plethora (noun) an abundance or extreme excess. With the plethora of choices, making a decision about which car to buy came down to consumer reviews.
• Pragmatic (adjective) realistic and practical. Her pragmatic approach offered no frills but worked perfectly.
• Predilection (noun) a preference or bias. Her predilection for the color blue was evident in her wardrobe choices.
• Repudiate (verb) to reject or refuse to recognize as valid. He began to repudiate my excuse without even letting me finish.
• Salient (adjective) something that stands out and is obvious. There may be some advantages to buying in early, but they are not immediately salient.
• Staid (adjective) dignified and with decorum. I have lived a particularly staid life, so as not to embarrass myself.
• Studious (adjective) character trait involving diligent study. She was always quite studious; it was not uncommon to find her books lying about.
• Substantiate (verb) to give facts to support a claim. He said he was robbed, but there is nothing to substantiate his claim.
• Superfluous (adjective) in excess; more than is needed. Don’t waste your precious breath with superfluous flattery; it will get you nowhere.
• Surfeit (noun) the quality of overabundance. Considering the surfeit of food in America it is amazing that we still have some of our population go hungry.
• Sycophant (noun) someone who sucks up to others for personal gain. She often wondered if Bruce really liked her or if he was simply being a sycophant because of her wealthy parents.
• Taciturn (adjective) reserved or aloof. I tried to talk to my mother about what happened, but she remained taciturn.
• Venerable (adjective) honorable; highly regarded. I was nervous about performing on opening night because of all the venerable guests in attendance.
• Zenith (noun) the highest point. Looking back, Bradley realized that winning the tournament was the zenith of his high school career.

Visit Vocabulary.com for more sophisticated words to expand your vocabulary — and always keep it classy.

500 Descriptive Words To Improve Your Writing

These  descriptive words  will help improve your writing. All these  describing words  are from my own personal notes. I’m an avid, and active, reader, and over the last couple of years I’ve jotted down the descriptive words that I pop out to me.

This list of descriptive words for writing was born from a desire to become enhance my vocabulary and become a better storyteller, and writer. Three things I care a lot about – just a  fun fact about me .

I’ve learned over time – and with many failures – that working with describing words on a page is akin to a potter at the molding wheel. And as writers, we use them to slowly shape our stories whether it’s writing about  driving around the world  or inspiring people to create their own list of  bucket list ideas .

The list is separated by  parts of speech ; You’ll find a list of adjectives, descriptive phrases, action verbs, and more.

At the end are some phrases I like, that I have read here or there over the years. Make sure to check out our  list of descriptive adjectives  as well.

I hope you use this  list of descriptive words , and phrases and garner inspiration to enhance your tales.

500 Describing Words to Improve Your Writing

“This is one of the best resources I’ve come across in a long time…”

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1 – although.

“he was making headway, albeit rather slowly.”

1 – very typical of a certain kind of person or thing.

“the archetypal country doctor”

1 – without purpose or direction.

“Don’t live an aimless life.”

1 – To face or endure danger or pain; showing courage.

The brave healthcare workers are putting their life on the line.

1 – perplexed and confused; very puzzled.

“I had a bewildered look on my face”

1 – giving out or reflecting a lot of light; shining.

The sun was bright in his eyes.

2 – vivid and bold color.

The grass in Ireland is bright green.

1 – Bright or Radiant.

The brilliant light was blinding.

1 – Clever or Smart

He was a brilliant student. He always chose to use the right word.

1 – unlimited, infinite, or immense.

The boundless energy of the kid wore me out.

1 – socially unconventional in a way regarded as characteristic of creative

Running this  travel blog  has led me to live a boho life.

2 – woman’s fashion aesthetic is characterized by flowing print fabrics, layers of clothing, and costume jewelry such as long strings of beads, dangling earrings, and multiple bangles.

she went for the boho look in a floor-length green dress teamed with a fringed  jacket  and chandelier earrings.

1 – hurt by repeated blows or punishment.

he finished the day battered and bruised.

2 – damaged by age or used repeatedly.

I finished the day battered and bruised.

1 – a taste sensation that is peculiarly sharp or acrid.

The bitter fruit tasted terrible.

1 – lacking due thought or consideration

Zack Morris showed a blithe disregard for the rules.

2 – Happy or Lighthearted Character

Want to watch a blithe romantic comedy?

1 – having a blue tinge; somewhat blue.

The bluish tint of the water was stylish.

1 – Lost in deep sadness of thought.

The kid was brooding that his parents wouldn’t buy the toy.

1 – having the characteristic of a baby.

He acted babyish when he lost the game.

1 – not fake; or counterfeit

This is a bona fide masterpiece.

1 – lose or hanging.

My eyes are baggy after a red-eye flight.

1 – loved very dearly.

The teacher was beloved by his students.

1 – a low murmuring or humming sound.

The buzzing bee flew across the park.

1 – strong, or strongly built.

The burly bear was intimidating.

1 – having a lot of bounce.

The trampoline was extra bouncy.

2 – confident or having a jaunty rhythm.

The man was bouncy and full of life.

1 – very apt to stay afloat.

The pool floaty was extremely buoyant.

2 – cheerful.

The buoyant salesman was very charming.

1 – lacking plants or life.

The bleak desert was barren.

2 – Cold and Miserable Outlook.

After his divorce, he had a bleak outlook on life.

1 – expressing or marked by earnest entreaty or pleading.

The beseeching peasant feared for his life.

1 – having the taste of butter.

The buttery bread warmed the soul.

1 – having feelings or actions control or remaining calm.

Even though he was afraid he remained composed.

1 – caverns in either size, shape, or atmosphere.

The cavernous mansion stood empty.

2 – Giving the impression of dark and vast.

The cavernous eyes.

1 – a series of columns set at specific intervals, and supporting a roof.

The ancient marble colonnades are just one reason to explore the  best islands in Greece .

1 – free from worry or anxiety.

he was a carefree soul.

1 – having a rough texture; large grains.

The treated wood was coarse.

1 – anxious to protect or avoid potential danger or mishaps.

he was careful not to get into trouble.

1 – making or liable to make a harsh, high-pitched sound when being moved or when pressure or weight is applied.

“I climbed the creaky stairs”

1 – dirt free, unmarked, or have been washed.

the room was clean.

1 – having a wavy outline

The crenelated coast when  backpacking Thailand  is breathtaking. ..

1 – covered by clouds.

It was too cloudy to go hiking.

1 – present from birth.

“a congenital defect of the heart.”

1 – a striking array of colors.

The colorful painting lit up the room.

1 – rude language.

They didn’t allow the colorful speech to get past the sensors.

1 – Happy / Sprightly

He was chipper after getting  married in Sweden .

1 – rude shortness

The curt manager’s comments angered the waiter.

1 – confused

The chef was confounded by the dinner tickets.

1 – continuing occurrence

I suffer from chronic indigestion.

2 – present and encountered.

Chronic meddling always causes problems.

1 – relating to the community / Collective ownership.

The communal garden gives us great vegetables every year.

1 – huge in size, power, or stupendous.

The colossal rocks blocked the dusty path.

1 – pleasing

Chicago food  has some of the most delectable meals I’ve ever had.

1 – delicate

The dainty glass broke from the fall.

2 – tasty

The dainty sandwich was filling.

1 – untidy in appearance

Boys often have a disheveled room.

1 – devoted to a cause or purpose

Star Wars has dedicated fans.

2 – given a purpose

He has a dedicated server to protect his data.

1 – awarded or received marks of honor.

He was decorated with a medal for winning the race.

2 – furnished with something ornamental

A hallmark of the parade are the decorated floats.

1 – chosen but not yet installed

the ambassador designates the future assignments.

He has a designated server to protect his data.

1 – bright, brilliant, or showy, colorful, and impressive.

The dazzling fireworks were the highlight of the festival.

1 – eating food quickly.

The Lion is a devouring beast.

2 – destructively consuming/absorbing

Don’t let devouring loneliness defeat you.

1 – below / far from the surface

His joy was buried deep below the surface of an ocean of swirling emotions.

Deep-Pocketed 

1- Having a great deal of money; being wealthy.

The deep-pocketed businessman donated a large sum of money to the charity. 

Disagreeable 

1- Having a disposition that is not pleasant or agreeable; disagreeable behavior or remarks.

“I’m sorry I was so disagreeable earlier. I had a really bad day.” 

DILAPIDATED

1 – fallen into decay or deteriorated

The dilapidated home needed an intense amount of love and care.

1 – serving for ornamental decoration.

The decorative replica was made to be displayed. And invoked a strong emotion.

1 – moving from the common direction.

Do follow the popular path. Instead, go into the unknown, and discover your divergent path.

Compassionate 

1 – Showing concern and sympathy for others, especially those in distress.

When I saw the homeless man on the side of the road, I felt compassion for him and wished I could help him. 

Entertaining  

1 – A movie that is enjoyable and amusing.

The new comedy starring Melissa McCarthy was very entertaining. 

1 – hard to pin down, identify, or isolate.

They knew the elusive thief lurked nearby.

1 – enthusiastic joy

They were exuberant about their upcoming trip to some of the  most beautiful places in the world .

1 – vertical position

Few erect columns were peppered throughout the temple ruins.

1 – having the ability to expand.

The expansive landscape is seemingly never-ending.

1 – deriving style, ideas, and taste from a wide range of sources.

The eclectic mix of opinions caused an argument.

EXASPERATING

1 – cause a strong feeling of annoyance

The planes exasperating delay made everyone late.

1 – fully detailed or well planned.

The elaborate design of Bangkok’s royal palace is breathtaking.

1 – uttered, or emphasizing on.

The emphatic refusal helped them close the deal.

1 – productive / desired effects.

The efficient writer finished before the deadline.

2 – being involved or an immediate agent.

The efficient action helped make a change.

EVER-DEEPENING

1 – go deeper

He had an ever-deepening love for sports.

1 – thorough / all possibilities

The exhaustive to-do list was intimidating.

1 – seemingly without end

The endless forest instilled a mood of tranquility.

EXTRAVAGANT

1 – exceeding normal limits or excessively elaborate

The extravagant building is grand.

2 – extremely high in price

The extravagant purchase maxed out his credit card purchase.

1 – elegance

The elegant clothes belonged to the king.

1 – relating to or named after

The eponymous landscape outside Dingle is one of the  best places to visit in Ireland .

1 – relating to a celebration,  festival , or feast.

The festive dinner got a little out of hand.

1 – tinged with red in the face, from shame, heat, or physical exertion.

Caught in a lie, his face became flushed with embarrassment.

1 – very hot or passionate desire.

I have a fervent desire to explore the world.

FAST-MOVING

1 – moving quickly

The fast-moving current washed away our supplies.

FANTASTICAL

1 – based on fantasy

Game of Thrones takes place in a fantastical world, filled with dragons, and magic.

1 – unrestrained violence or brutality

The ferocious lion hunted his prey.

1 – having to do with the burial.

They found treasure in the Pharaoh’s funerary chamber.

1 – focused on something.

The dog was fixated on the squirrel.

1 – loving having fun.

The fun-loving locals love putting on their annual festival.

1 – covered with grass

The grassy knolls are stunning.

1 – a large number of

He had charm galore.

1 – repulsion, or inspiring horror.

The movie was too gruesome for me.

1 – possessing glory

When  backpacking New Zealand  you see glorious landscapes. 

Good-Looking 

1 – Very good-looking, or beautiful. Can be used to describe people, things, or places. For example, “She is a glorious sight in that dress.” 

1 – painful or distressing

It was a harrowing adventure filled with an unexpected twists, turns, and sacrifices.

1 – an unrestrained expression

I was greeted with a hearty welcome.

2 – wholesome or substantial

I enjoyed the hearty meal.

1 – relating to an herb

Those herbaceous florae were savory.

1 – alone

He was isolated during the exam.

INTOLERABLE

1 – not tolerable or unbearable

The intolerable noise kept me up all night.

1 – picturesque or pleasing

The idyllic Irish landscapes are some of the best in Europe.

1 – great in size or degree

Our immense Universe is without limits.

1 – extreme degree

The intense amount of work was overbearing.

1 – irk or tedious

Sometimes we all have to do Irksome tasks.

1 – prone to act, acting momentarily

To lose weight sometimes we have to deny our impulses for bad food.

1 – tempting

The inviting meal made my mouth water.

1 – existing in, or belonging to

The innate behavior of a child was to cause trouble.

1 – memorable or cannot be washed away or erased.

The indelible landscape means there are hundreds of  places to visit in the United States .

INFURIATING

1 – the feeling of extreme anger.

The infuriating delay at the airport made him miss his flight.

1 – spotless / extremely clean

Singapore is an immaculately clean country.

2 – having no flaw

The glass in Venice is immaculate.

1 – having many complex parts

Mona Lisa is an intricate painting. Making it the most famous in the world.

1 – belonging to the inside,

I great battles happen inside the interior of our minds.

1 – sprightly

he took a jaunty stroll through the park.

1 – having a disorienting effect

The jarring truth is that dreams without goals, remain dreams.

1 – ready, or in favor of

I am keen to go to the bar.

2 – sensitive perception

He had a keen nose.

1 – having lungs

The lunged fish swan in the pond.

1 – transparent or clear; Glasslike

The limpid waters in Thailand or famed around the world.

1 – expending or bestowing excess

The lavish palace of Versailles is one of the most popular  day trips from Paris .

1 – outlandish, or eccentric

Some ludicrous movies aren’t bad.

1 – filled with desire or lust

She was filled with lascivious thoughts.

1 – lack of interest, or energy

His listless attitude held him back in life.

1 – sad or lonely

Ah, the lonesome road, has many trails, but many rewards.

1 – highly significant, outstanding

The monumental task can be accomplished by taking little steps every day.

1 – expressing sadness

A melancholy nature will keep you stuck.

MERITORIOUS

1 – deserving reward or praise.

A meritorious life of service.

1 – intrusive or getting involved in

The meddlesome raccoon knocked over the trash can.

1 – Huge, exceedingly large

Many of the mammoth  caves in the United States  are worth visiting.

1 – existing today

Many modern-day advances give our lives ease.

1 – inferior in size or degree

The minor problems in life or nothing to sweat over –  life is too short .

1 – covered by mist.

The heavy air of the misty morning endowed the park with an eerie coolness.

1 – covered by mystery

The monk has a mysterious nature.

OUT-OF-PLACE

1 – not where it should be

The restaurant felt out of place.

1 – elaborate or excessively decorated

The ornate .ruins draw in visitors.

OUTSTANDING

1 – standing out

His outstanding skills put him in line for a promotion.

2 – unpaid

Outstanding bills can be stressful.

1 – lack of sharpness

His obtuse answer made no sense.

1 – lacking remembrance, or memory

Don’t be oblivious to the opportunities that life presents you.

1 – wealth, abundance

The opulent hotel is worth the price tag.

1 – characteristic of a person

His hot temper was peculiar.

2 – different from the normal

The book had a particular plot twist in the book.

1 – not spoiled, or corrupted

The pristine beaches had soft sand.

2 – earliest state

The pristine state of the forest

1 – a sense of peace

The peaceful forest instilled a peace of tranquility.

1 – argumentative quarrelsome

He has a pugnacious nature.

1 – mental and emotional state of fear

Don’t panic. Breathe and slow down.

1 – able to be passed

The currents were passable during the low tide.

1 – turning, a pivot

Taking my first trip to Ireland was a pivotal moment in my life.

1 – critical

It was a pivotal piece of the puzzle.

1 – polishing, smooth, glossy

Polish your writing before publishing the piece.

1 – by or in itself

That’s not the facts per se, but valuable to know.

1 – notably luxurious or rich

His plush life made him soft.

1 – elevated or arrogant

The pompous rhetoric is hurtful.

2- exhibiting an air of self-importance.

The pompous politician lost sight of his vision.

1 – extreme or severe

After rigorous training, he was ready to test himself.

Sidesplitting 

1 – When something is so funny that it causes one’s sides to split, it is side-splitting.

My mom’s joke was sidesplittingly funny.

1 – like thunder

The thunderous roar of the waves beating along the coast.

DESCRIPTIVE WORDS FOR WRITING: ACTION and Strong VERBS

These are some of the best words. They are great when wanting to show a clear meaning of a sentence or improve a short story.

1- regard something as being caused by.

I attribute my grammar skill to how many questions I ask.

1 – provide clear evidence; declare that something exist.

I attest that life is good

1 – make minor changes.

I had to amend your application before sending it in.

1 – regard (an object, quality, or person) with respect or warm approval.

I admire your commitment to learning the English Language.

1 – praise enthusiastically

I acclaimed actor won the best actor for his deep performance.

1 – achieve or complete successfully.

I accomplish my goals.

1 – increase in sound

They amplify the sound at the concert.

2 – make copies of something

The notes amplify that new evidence. ..

1 – change, or make changes too

They altered the rules of the game.

1 – (of a problem, opportunity, or situation) emerge; become apparent.

“a string of new difficulties have arisen “

2 – get or stand up.

“he arose at 5:30 to work out.”

1 – to clear out or save (Usually water from a boat)

They bailed him out of trouble.

1 – talk enthusiastically for a long time

Just one of the many  fun facts about me . Sometimes I like to babble about travel.

1 – to set upon

We were beset with locals trying to make a sale.

2 – to set with ornaments

The roses are beset with thrones.

1 – fail to give a true notion or impression of (something); disguise or contradict.

I newspaper story belied the facts.

2 – fail to fulfill or justify (a claim or expectation); betray.

The notebooks belie Darwin’s later recollection.

1 – hit repeatedly with blows.

He battered the broken car.

1 – become perplexed.

I was bewildered by the lack of work the team had done.

1 – bend the head or upper part of the body as a sign of respect, greeting, or shame.

It is common to bow in Asia.

2 – play (a stringed instrument or music) using a bow.

The techniques by which the pieces were bowed.

1 – think deeply about something that makes the person unhappy.

He brooded over his bad day.

1 – encourage or help

I need to boost my spirits.

2 – push from below

She needs to boost to master the English Language.

1 – cast a spell or enchant.

I was bewitched by the lush landscape.

1 – low murmuring or humming sound.

Flies buzz when they fly.

1 – lock with a bar that slides into a socket.

He bolted the door for protection.

2 – ran away quickly.

He bolted down the street.

1 – strike hard.

He bashed the wall in anger.

2 – criticize.

He bashed the smoking industry.

1 – break or burst

They bust the water balloon.

2 – lose something

He went bust at the poker table…

1 – squeeze together

Compress the laptop’s file to save space.

1 – to bring to an end.

The summit concluded with world peace.

2 – to reach a logical end or decision.

The magazine concludes that Rome is one of the  most beautiful cities in the world .

He concluded his college application with a question.

1 – unmarked, free dirt

He cleaned the room every other week.

1 – fall or hang in copious or luxuriant quantities.

“the cool water cascading down the waterfall.”

1 – decrease in size, number, or range.

“glass contracts as it cools.”

2 – become shorter and tighter to affect the movement of part of the body.

“The heart is a muscle that contracts about seventy times a minute”

1 – wind into rings

The sailor coiled the rope.

1 – to cover something

Massive trees canopied the small island.

1 – to form short bends or ripples / Wrinkle

Don’t crinkle my shirt.

2 – a think crackling sound

The crinkling bag woke up the dog.

1 – chuckle or laugh

He chortled with amusement.

2 – sing or chant

She chortled in her happiness.

1 – broken into small parts.

The  Greek Islands  are filled with crumbling ruins.

1 – beg or sponge

He cadges for a free cup of coffee.

1 – sharp, quick, repeated noises

The crackling fire.

1 – to dig and bring to light.

Don’t dredge up those painful memories.

1 – travel somewhere in a hurry

I dashed through the forest.

2 – strike, or destroy

The ship was dashed upon the rocks.

She dashed his spirits.

1 – cause (someone) to feel consternation and distress.

A deep  feeling  of dismay overtook the room.

1 – greatly astonish or amaze

I’m often dumbfounded after watching the task force meetings.

1 – eat / destroy / adsorb quickly

I want to devour the big meal.

2 – read eagerly

Amy always devours a good book.

1 – make (someone’s) clothes or hair messy.

Boris Johnson disheveled his hair before being on camera.

1 – to lessen the courage of

A lesser man would be daunted by this challenge.

1 – to set apart for a purpose. to distinguish as a class

We designate this room as the class lab.

2 – to point out a location

A marker designating where the trial starts.

1 – to feel aversion to (Offend)

His distaste for the joke was apparent.

1 – to dig

Suspicion led him to delve into his wife’s bag.

1 – to search for information

He delved into the past to find the problem.

1 – to get carried along (by water, air, etc)

The windy drift pushed the hot air balloon to the west.

1 – a pile of something in heaps

Snow drifts covered the landscape.

1 – to stray or move from a principle, standard, or topic.

Don’t deviate from your goals. Stayed focused even when life is tough.

1 – to cause annoyance or irritation

I hope you’re not exasperated by this list of descriptive words.

1 – Set up / to fix/put together in an upright position

The father and son erected the tree house.

1 – to become known,

Jane emerged from her travels a most well-rounded person.

1 – To make it ornamental or make it more attractive.

Frank embellished his life story to impress his date.

1 – to furnish / to provide with

I’m endowed with a  good sense of humor .

1 – allure or tempt

He was enticed by the smell of the chocolate.

1 – eliminate by wearing away surface

The rocks are effaced by wear and tear.

1 – rot slowly

Don’t let your anger fester about your tough English test.

1 – steal secretly

He filches the cookie from the jar.

1 – give a false appearance

The company feigned how bad his leg hurt.

1 – containing frescoes

The frescoed walls of the chapel inspired my love of art.

1 – to pass quickly or shift

The chortling birds flitted around the forest.

1 – to flow in an irregular current

The stream gurgling stream swept over the rocks.

2 – ta gurgling sound

The gurgling stream blocked the path.

1 – to gather,

Tim garnered his courage before presenting his  essay  to his teachers.

1 – move quickly

He hastened his journey home.

1 – lift or raise by tackle

Hoist the flag.

1 – lift or raise or pull

He heaved the trunk onto the oak table.

1 – a harmful or disquieting occurrence

The past mistakes haunted him.

2 – to visit often to seek the company of

I spend a lot of time haunting the bookstore.

1 – cross one with another.

The intertwined vines were impassable.

1 – place a body in a tomb or grave

The king was interred with all the honor due him.

1 – weave.

It’s dangerous to interweave lies and the truth.

1 – to make, irritated, or weary

He was irked trying to learn all the  English grammar  rules.

1 – endow or influence

He imbued the spirit of the old times.

INTERSPERSE

1 – spaced in intervals

The interspersed paintings covered the east wing.

1 – sharp uneven surface

The jagged mountains dotted the horizon.

1 – come into contact or pushing

The jostling crowd flooded to the door.

2 – vying for a position.

The workers began to jostle for the new job.

1 – expend or bestow

His lavish habits cost him a lot of money.

1 – slow parting

The effects lingered long after it was over.

1 – take a large shape or an impending occurrence

The  teacher  loomed over the  student  to make sure he wasn’t cheating.

1 – an area to stop

Lay-by the dock the ship tied up.

1 – utter barely audible sounds in a low voice.

He muttered to himself about his workload.

1 – hypnotizing

The mesmerizing beauty of the  best islands in Croatia  is not easily forgotten.

1 – settle snugly

A small town nestled among the mountains.

1 – grab or catch

He nabbed the best spot in the class for the  English lesson .

1 – a slow trickle, to seep out of something

The oozing gunk stained the floor.

1 – exiled

He was ostracized after his betrayal was made public.

1 – to peer through / to look furtively.

Don’t peek around the corner.

1 – to go deep into, or thrust into something.

I plunged into the task of self-development.

1 – landscape with a level surface, and little change

He wandered the plateau looking for his lost wallet.

1 – search for information.

His friend probed him with questions about the girl.

1 – sprinkled throughout

The olive trees peppered the Greek countryside.

1 – work laboriously

The book plodded along slowly.

1 – soaked in

The city was steeped in charm.

1 – a loud sharp noise

He shirked when he thought he saw a ghost.

1 – to spread without restraint

The sprawling landscape of the desert is one of the best  things to do in Tucson .

1 – fill with things or with satiety

He was stuffed after Thanksgiving dinner.

1 – feeling to do something (usually wrong)

He was tempted to eat the candy.

DESCRIPTIVE WORDS FOR WRITING: LIST OF ADVERBS

1 – Suddenly or Unexpectedly.

The car stopped abruptly.

2 – In a rude manner.

His mom abruptly cut him off.

3 – Steep

The hill ascends abruptly.

Apathetically 

1- Without enthusiasm or interest.

She played with the dog apathetically, barely looking at it. 

ADDITIONALLY

1 – extra factor or circumstance.

brokers finance themselves additionally by short-term borrowing.

2 – used to introduce a new fact or argument.

Additionally, the regulations require a clean environment.

ALTERNATELY

1 – one after the other or next

Alternately, don’t give up when things get hard.

Begrudgingly 

begrudgingly (adverb) – unwillingly; reluctantly 

I begrudgingly gave him my number.

 Deliberately 

1- done or planned with care and intention

The mother deliberately left the child in the car while she went into the store. 

 Dramatically 

1. in a dramatic manner

The actress dramatically read the lines from the script. 

EFFECTIVELY

1 – being effective or in effect

John effectively finished his to-do list before stopping for the day.

1 – evident or provide evidence

He was evidently born in Ohio.

1 – expert in something

He expertly navigated his way through the maze of alleyways.

Extraordinary 

1 – strikingly unusual or different; remarkable

This painting is extraordinary! 

FURTHERMORE

1 – what precedes

Furthermore, people should travel more.

1 – a gloomy or somber

He grimly walked to see his boos.

1 – a sinister character

The dark figure had a grimly stance that shadows seemed to cling to.

Inquisitively 

1- Inquisitively is defined as in a curious or questioning manner. 

Looking inquisitively at someone means looking at them in a way that suggests you want to know more about them. For example, you may be staring intently at their face as if you are trying to read their thoughts. 

Intelligently

1 – In an intelligent way

The mother cat was intelligently trying to get her kitten out from under the car. 

1 – to a great degree

The immensely talented writer self-published his book.

INTENTIONALLY

1 – intentional manner or awareness

He intentionally arrived at the airport early.

1 – intense

He intensely focused on the problem at hand.

IMPULSIVELY

1 – from impulse

He impulsively got up early every morning.

He invitingly offered me a free drink.

INFURIATINGLY

1 – extreme anger

Moving to my wife in Sweden is an infuriatingly slow process.

1 – born or existing in.

He innately loved filling his head with quotes about adventure.

1 – lasting or unforgettable cannot be removed.

The indelibly hued landscape when  backpacking Italy  changed my life.

INTRICATELY

1 – complex with many parts

The intricately designed plot has levels of detail.

1 – eager or intense

They are keenly attuned to your bad behavior.

1 – clear; glassiness

The limpidly rushing water of the cascading waterfall.

LUDICROUSLY

1 – meriting laughter or exaggeration

He ludicrously lost his wallet.

Synonym for Richly or Grandly

1 – marked by excess

The lavishly decorated crown marked him as king.

Methodically 

1 – In a precise and orderly way.

The scientist methodically recorded the data. 

MONUMENTALLY

1 – large, or to an extreme degree

He monumentally failed in his task.

1 – without doubt

The claims were patently false.

1 – peace or tranquility

he peacefully listened to the sounds of birds singing outside his window.

1 – strict

He rigorously worked at his craft every day.

ROMANTICALLY

1 – romantic

He was romantically involved with her.

DESCRIPTIVE WORDS FOR WRITING: NOUNS

1 – the process of absorbing.

The absorption of the spilled water.

2 – The whole occupation of the mind.

The absorption of my work overtakes every other desire.

1 – strong desire to do or to achieve something which takes hard work.

People trying to improve their skills with this list of descriptive words for  writing  have a lot of ambition.

2 – determination to achieve success.

life offers many opportunities for those with ambition.

1 – a large quantity of something.

I have an abundance of ambition.

2 – The condition of having a copious quantity of something; bountifulness.

The vineyard has an abundance of grapes.

1 – a person who is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about an activity, subject, or pastime.

“He’s a wine aficionado.”

1 – a dark volcanic rock that displays a columnar structure and is made of fine-grained.

The fertile soil was made of decomposed basalt.

1 – something of monstrous size

That’s a behemoth-sized lion.

1 – a person who is socially unconventional in a way regarded as characteristic of creative artists; a bohemian.

The town bohos opened an art gallery.

1 – an increase

A boost in the economy.

1 – a room or pantry used for storing wine or hard liquor.

Can you grab the wine out of the buttery?

1 – a beer that has a strong hop taste; or liquor with the sharp taste of plant extracts.

What bitters do you have on tap?

1 – a combination of qualities of color, such as shape, or form, that pleases the aesthetic senses, especially the sight.

“I was struck by her beauty .”

Synonym  for Rock or Stone

1 – a large rock, mostly worn smooth by years of erosion.

The boulder blocked the path.

1 – move quickly.

He buzzed through these descriptive words.

1 – Irish name for a beehive hut.

The ruins of a clochán sat on the other side of the field.

1 – a written or spoken agreement, especially one concerning employment, sales, or tenancy, that is intended to be enforceable by law.

“both parties must sign employment contracts “

1 – a mass of something that falls or hangs in copious or luxuriant quantities.

“A cascade of pink bougainvillea.”

2 – a large number or amount of something occurring or arriving in rapid succession.

“a cascade of antiwar literature”

1 – an ornamental decoration at the ridge of a roof or top of a wall or screen.

High on the roof was a cresting decoration.

1 – Someone who chips

The chipper was hard at working cutting down the tree.

1 – one delegated by a superior to execute a duty or an office

The commissary was tasked with finding a cure.

1 – a series of loops

The coil of pumps was confusing.

2 – everyday troubles

Sometimes we all need to shrug off the coils of the workday.

1 – any of an order (Coniferales) of mostly evergreen trees and shrubs having usually needle-shaped or scalelike leaves like pine, cones, and arillate fruit.

The group of conifer trees took over the forest.

1 – to create

Christians believe in the creation story.

1 – an agreement or promise / attached to someone or something

I have a commitment to my wife.

1 – a cover carried above by a person of rank / or a cloth suspended

The canopy covered the diners on the patio.

1 – a heap of stones in a heap. Usually a landmark or memorial. Typically on a hilltop or skyline.

The stony cairn marked the way back.

Characteristics

1- Colorful Having many different colors. The sunset was so colorful.

Loyalty is one of his best characteristics

1 – something to eat considered rare and luxurious

What is your favorite delicacy in Italy?

2 – the quality or state of being dainty of someone or something

Spiderwebs have a delicacy.

1 – to flow along

To drift through life is sad.

2 – an underlying meaning or design.

The spy understood the drift of his orders.

1 – dislike food or drink

Many have a distaste for mushrooms.

1 – representation in images or  describing words  depicting something or someone.

The depiction of the movie wasn’t congruent with the book.

1 – a deep place or state of being

The depths of our abilities remain unknown until we push for greatness.

1 – an arrangement, or state of being engaged

Social engagement took most of my day.

1 – a massive structure

The social edifice holds together certain rules.

plural noun

1 – city districts / or surroundings in your space or vicinity

The crystal environs of the waterfalls.

1 – a public showcase

The art exhibition was a success.

1 – a high position of superiority, Commanding or in a profession.

His eminence in the film made him a legend.

1 – refined taste, dignified gracefulness

The novel had an air of elegance and wit.

EXASPERATION

1 – a state of exasperated or exasperating someone/feeling irritation

He was exasperated after working all day.

1 – the act of representing a medium

I don’t understand the expression that artists are trying to achieve.

FOCAL POINT

1 – point of attention.

The focal point of this blog post is  describing words  that help others master descriptive  writing .

1 – an embarrassing mistake or error.

Interpreting someone is considered a social faux pas.

1 – the front of the building

The store’s facade was highly decorated.

1 – a false, or fake appearance

His friends saw through his thinly veiled facade.

A love this descriptive word.

1 – a boisterous and loud burst of laughter.

The joke caused a guffaw in the room.

1 – enthusiastic and filled with joy.

1 – a gloomy or somber outlook

He had a grim disposition on life.

The grim tale left me afraid.

1 – the quality or current state

The grandeur of ancient Rome inspired our world.

1 – grand

Many of the  best places to visit in Europe  are grand in design, scope, and scale.

1 – strong wind

The gust of wind caused the bike to tip over.

1 – an outburst of feeling

He had a gust of energy that came with the good news.

1 – either side of an arch.

The dog loves to have his back haunches scratched.

1 – a great number

A host of ants took over the picnic.

1 – something to indicate

He gave the indication that he was going to travel this summer.

1 – a stage or exception

In this instance, we all need to be quiet.

2 – example

For instance, pasta tastes better in Italy.

1 – inside limits or inner constitution

Travelers loved the lavish interior of the modern-day art gallery.

1 – limestone land or limestone plateau

The karst lands were filled with sinkholes and caverns.

1 – a plant organism made up of alge

Working the lichen spotted lake held a natural charm rarely found.

1 – machine for interlacing

Working the loom is hard and painful.

1 – soil made of silt, sand, and clay.

The loam ground was hard to walk.

LAUNDERETTE

1 – a self-service laundry

The launderette was packed with others.

1 – causing wonder and astonishment

Abu Simbel, in Egypt, is a marvel to behold.

1 – a great number of

This myriad  list  of descriptive words is very helpful – like our list of descriptive words for personality -.

1 – middle of the day

The midday meal made him want a nap.

1 – a single massive stone in a column or obelisk

Monoliths pepper the old landscape.

1 – a single massive stone in a column or obelisk from prehistoric origin.

The Menhir’s of Stonehenge tower over all who stand before it.

METROPOLITAN

1 – one who lives in a metropolis

The metropolitan knew the city backward and forwards.

1 – wealth and Abundance

The opulence of the Blue Mosque makes it one of the  best things to do in Turkey .

1 – of an unusual size

The outsize bed wouldn’t fit.

1 – a dirty slovenly place

Clean up this pigpen of a room.

1 – the quality of excitement or attractive

He was charming and had a large amount of pizzazz.

1 – an earnest entreaty

They plead for another helping of mashed potatoes.

1 – a bar something is hung on

The bird sat on the perch.

1 – a medical instrument for exploring

The doctor used a probe to discover what was wrong.

1 – a person despised or rejected

The thief was treated as a pariah.

1 – chasing after

Our pursuits define our lives.

1 – contradictory phases or conclusions.

Life is full of many a paradox.

1 – state of fear

Don’t panic about your writing . Just learn more descriptive words that will improve your writing.

1 – a close inspection; under a microscope

His paper was under a lot of scrutiny.

1 – riot or commotion

Tumult uprisings are a big part of history.

2 – loud noise

a tumult of noise kept me from sleeping.

1 – tiles

The tiling walls were stunning.

DESCRIPTIVE WORDS FOR WRITING: LIST OF PREPOSITIONS WITH DEFINITION

preposition

1 – surrounded by; in the middle of

He walked amid the rolling hills and lush landscape.

2 – in an atmosphere or against a background of.

Mid accusations of cheating the student were suspended.

DESCRIPTIVE WORDS FOR WRITING: DESCRIPTIVE PHRASES

Here are a lot of describing words that I’ve picked up from various books, and blog posts. I fell in love with this word list. And are great for adding detail.

Pro tip:  The  describing words  are all around you. Listen to how people use descriptive language in your favorite movies, tv shows, and podcast. Try to find describing words in the things you read. The  lesson  you are looking for and the right words are all around you! You just have to look for the lesson to find the best describing word.

ARID STEPPE

1 – one of the vast treeless tracts in Europe and Asia.

The arid steppe of Mongolia is famous around the world.

ATLANTIC SWELLS

1- Waves crashing on the coast.

The Atlantic swells crashed against the crenelated coast.

BROODING SUMMITS

1 – sad terrain, a  phrase to describe  mountain ranges.

The brooding summits, covered in clouds, look like a storm is coming.

BEHIND THE TIMES

1 – not aware of or using the latest ideas or techniques; out of date.

When it came to tech, he was behind the times.

CRYSTALLINE LAKES

1 – a good description to describe a still lake. Or a phrase lake on a nice day.

The crystalline lake boasted the perfect space to camp.

CRUMBLING CASTLES

1 – a castle falling apart.

Ireland’s peppered with crumbling castles.

CRESTING MOUNTAINS

1 – descriptive of a scenic mountain range.

The cresting mountains of New Zealand are unforgettable.

EVER- DEEPENING

1 – getting deeper

The ever-deepening snow made the terrain impassable.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The historical significance of Rome echoes even until today.

INFINITE HILLS

The infinite hills of New Zealand lure thousands of visitors a year. This is one of my favorite descriptive phrases.

ICY ROLLERS

1 – cold waves

The icy rollers of the Atlantic Ocean beat along the coast.

INDELIBLY WILD

The indelibly wild forest of Peru.

LUNAR-SCAPED

1 – landscape similar to that on the moon

The Lunar-scaped beaches on Milos, put it high on many travelers’  lists of Greek Islands  to visit.

LONG-FORGOTTEN

The long-forgotten castle has centuries of neglect.

A great  descriptive word  for the forest!

1 – covered by moss

The moss-clad rocks sat along the stream.

MODERN HIGH-RISE SKYSCRAPERS

The hundreds of workers wasted their lives in modern high-rise skyscrapers.

Descriptive Words for Food

1 – having a pleasing smell

1 – having a brittle texture and a dry, brittle sound when broken

Crunchy 

1 – having a brittle texture and a crisp, crackling sound when broken

1 – having a strong, satisfying flavor

1 – having a pleasing, sugary flavor

1 -having a sour, acidic taste

Salty 

1 – having a salty, savory flavor

1 – not having a strong or distinctive flavor

 1 – having a hot, pungent flavor

1 – having a lot of flavors 

1 – something that tastes extremely good 

1- providing the body with essential nutrients 

1 – making someone want to eat something 

Scrumptious

1 – extremely delicious and appetizing 

1 – a sweet liquid produced by flowers and used as a drink or in cooking 

1 – producing an excessive flow of saliva 

1 – of or relating to the sense of taste 

1 – arousing or tempting the appetite 

1 – having an extremely pleasing taste 

1 – delightfully beautiful or elegant 

1 – extremely luxurious and expensive 

Scintillating

1 – brilliantly sparkling 

1 – strikingly unusual or different 

1 – restoring or invigorating 

1 – promoting good health

1 – energetically alive and vigorous 

1 – pleasantly firm and fresh 

1 -full of juice 

1 – having a strong, distinctive taste 

Mouth-watering 

1- so delicious as to make the mouth water 

1 – easily broken or chewed and having a delicate, pleasing texture 

Descriptive Words for Trees

Words to describe trees is one of the most requested updates for this post. So I have updated the list with a bunch of tree descriptive words. I hope you enjoy it! 

• massive 
• towering 
• gigantic 
• enormous 

Descriptive Words in Spanish

• ágil – agile
• bello – beautiful
• brillante – brilliant
• cálido – warm
• claro – clear
• colorido – colorful
• cortés – courteous
• curioso – curious
• dulce – sweet
• enérgico – energetic
• fresco – fresh
• gentil – gentle
• inteligente – intelligent
• joven – young
• ligero – light
• lindo – pretty
• maduro – mature
• maravilloso – marvelous
• nervioso – nervous
• optimista – optimistic
• pacífico – peaceful
• perezoso – lazy
• romántico – romantic
• sensible – sensible
• serio – serious
• simpático – likable
• triste – sad
• vibrante – vibrant 

LIST OF DESCRIPTIVE ADJECTIVES

Here are some words to describe the positive qualities of people’s personalities. And using words like this to showcase a  personality  can connect those feeling with your readers.

affectionate – readily feeling or showing fondness or tenderness.

Agile – able to move quickly and easily.

Altruistic – showing a disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others; unselfish.

amiable – having or displaying a friendly and pleasant manner.

bright – giving out or reflecting much light; shining. – A very common descriptive phrase.

Bonza – excellent; first-rate.

charming – very pleasant or attractive.

Conscientious – wishing to do one’s work or duty well and thoroughly

imaginative – having or showing creativity or inventiveness.

List of Common Adjectives

These are great for common adjectives that can be used for anything from a descriptive phrase, descriptive writing, or a cover letter. 

compassionate

distinguished

enthusiastic

fashionable

fascinating

independent

influential

intelligent

mesmerizing

WORD LIST OF ATTRIBUTIVE ADJECTIVES

What are attributive adjectives?

These are words to can be placed inside a sentence that can modify a person or a thing. These  different adjective  are only used before nouns.

Example Sentence:  The tender steak made my mouth water.

Heart-stopping

Too-yummy-to-be-believed

Face-to-face vicious

adjective for thick vines

• coiling, twisting, writhing
• constricting
• claustrophobic 

WORD LIST OF MULTIPLE ADJECTIVES

What are multiple adjectives?

Sometimes called paired adjectives. This is using more than one word to describe a noun.

Almost an adjective can be multiple adjectives if it can be paired together with other describing words to describe a noun. The key is to put them in the right order.

But here are some common ones.

Example Sentence:  The thick, dense college application seemed daunting.

Smart, energetic

Small, round

Short, Fast

Pretty Little

WHAT ARE COORDINATE ADJECTIVES

Similar to paired adjectives,  Coordinate adjectives

are two – or maybe even more – adjectives that describe the same noun. They are separated by a common.

LIST OF POSITIVE ADJECTIVES

Positive words are a great way to make your readers feel something about a character, place, or object. Positive words of descriptive are powerful.

Example: He was brave enough to use a new word to showcase his skill in front of the class.

Adventurous

Affectionate

Broadminded

Knowledgeable

Self-confident

Warmhearted

descriptive words starting with m

Magnificent.

impressively beautiful, elaborate or striking

Example: The view from the top of the mountain was simply magnificent.

given to unpredictable changes in mood or feelings

Example: He was in a moody state after his fight with his girlfriend.

Melancholic

feeling or expressing a deep sadness or gloominess

Example: The melancholic music helped me release my emotions.

Mischievous

Playful or causing trouble in a playful way Example: The mischievous child kept on playing pranks on his siblings.

difficult or impossible to understand or explain

Example: The disappearance of the man is still a mysterious case to this day.

having or showing impressive beauty or dignity

Example: The Taj Mahal is a majestic work of art.

having a smooth, rich, or full flavor or personality

Example: The mellow sound of the saxophone helped me relax.

relating to the present or recent times as opposed to the remote past

Example: The modern technology we have today has made life easier.

Magnanimous

generous or forgiving, especially towards a rival or less powerful person

Example: Despite losing the game, he still remained magnanimous and congratulated the winning team.

unassuming or moderate in size, quantity, or importance

Example: She is a modest person who never seeks attention.

Descriptive Words Starting With N

feeling or showing anxiety or worry.

Example: I’m nervous about my upcoming job interview.

having or showing high moral principles or ideals.

Example: He was a noble man who always put others before himself.

making a lot of sound, often in an unpleasant or disruptive way.

Example: The party next door was very noisy and kept us up all night.

existing or occurring as part of nature; not artificial or man-made.

Example: The park was a beautiful natural oasis in the middle of the city.

clean, orderly, and well-organized.

Example: His desk was always so neat and tidy.

pleasingly stylish or clever; neat or attractive.

Example: The nifty new gadget made my life easier.

quick and light in movement or action.

Example: The nimble cat easily caught the mouse.

feeling a sentimental longing for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations.

Example: Looking at old family photos made her feel nostalgic for her childhood.

providing nourishment or food that is essential for health and growth.

Example: The salad was full of nutritious vegetables and healthy fats.

worthy of attention or notice; remarkable.

Example: His notable achievements in the field of science made him a household name.

descriptive words of a leader and Leadership Skills

Here are some great descriptive words that are great for describing effective leaders, passionate leaders, and other leadership qualities.  

Charismatic

Having a compelling charm or appeal that inspires devotion in others.

Example: His charismatic personality made him a great public speaker. And a successful leaders. 

having or showing a powerful imagination and the ability to think about or plan the future with wisdom or foresight.

Example: Steve Jobs was a visionary who revolutionized the technology industry. And held many leadership roles throughout his life. 

Feeling or showing self-assurance; having faith in oneself and one’s abilities.

Example: A confident leader can inspire confidence in others. Which makes him a true leader. 

Settling an issue; producing a definite result.

Example: A decisive leader is able to make tough decisions when necessary.

Having the ability to understand and share the feelings of others.

Example: An empathetic leader is able to connect with and inspire their team. Which makes them effective leaders. 

Relating to the identification of long-term or overall aims and interests and the means of achieving them.

Example: A strategic leader is able to plan and execute successful business strategies.

Inspirational

providing inspiration or motivation to others; uplifting and motivating.

Example: An inspirational leader can inspire their team to achieve great things. And allows him to be a true leader. 

Trustworthy

deserving of trust or confidence; reliable.

Example: A trustworthy leader is one who can be relied upon to keep their promises.

able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions.

Example: A resilient leader is able to bounce back from setbacks and continue to lead effectively.

having or showing a modest or low estimate of one’s importance.

Example: A humble leader is able to put the needs of others ahead of their own and lead with integrity. And a true leader is humble, and it’s a sign of effective leadership. 

MORE ENGLISH GRAMMAR QUESTIONS WERE ANSWERED!

What are the different kinds of adjectives.

There are several kinds of adjectives, including descriptive adjectives, limiting adjectives, proper adjectives, demonstrative adjectives, interrogative adjectives, and distributive adjectives.

Descriptive adjectives describe the qualities of a noun or pronoun, such as “blue,” “soft,” or “happy.”

Limiting adjectives limit the noun or pronoun by indicating a specific quantity or amount, such as “two,” “many,” or “few.”

Proper adjectives are formed from proper nouns and describe a particular noun or pronoun, such as “American,” “Italian,” or “Shakespearean.”

Demonstrative adjectives point out or indicate which noun or pronoun is being referred to, such as “this,” “that,” “these,” or “those.”

Interrogative adjectives are used to ask questions and include “which,” “what,” and “whose.”

Distributive adjectives refer to individual members of a group, such as “each,” “every,” “either,” or “neither.”

What are Negative Adjectives?

Negative adjectives are adjectives that describe something negatively, or with a negative connotation. And indicating that it lacks or has the opposite of a positive quality. They can be used talk about a personality trait, character trait, and change your writing style. 

Examples of negative adjectives include “bad,” “ugly,” “harmful,” “horrible,” “unpleasant,” “unfortunate,” “unfriendly,” “unhappy,” “displeasing,” “unfair,” and “unsatisfactory.”

These adjectives can be used to express criticism, disapproval, or disappointment towards someone or something. Negative adjectives can also be used to contrast one thing with another, such as in phrases like “less beautiful,” “not as smart,” or “less effective.”

positive personality adjectives

• Affable – friendly, easy-going and pleasant to talk to
• Ambitious – determined to succeed and reach goals
• Assertive – confident and self-assured; able to stand up for oneself and one’s beliefs
• Authentic – genuine and true to oneself; not fake or artificial
• Benevolent – kind, caring and generous, with a desire to do good for others
• Brave – courageous, not afraid to face challenges or danger
• Charismatic – possessing a compelling charm or appeal that inspires devotion in others
• Compassionate – empathetic, caring and understanding towards others who are suffering
• Confident – having faith in oneself and one’s abilities; self-assured
• Creative – imaginative, original and innovative
• Diplomatic – able to handle delicate or difficult situations with tact and sensitivity
• Empathetic – having the ability to understand and share the feelings of others
• Enthusiastic – passionate, energetic and eager to do things
• Gracious – courteous, kind and polite
• Honest – truthful and sincere; not deceptive or deceitful
• Humorous – having a sense of humor and able to make others laugh
• Independent – self-sufficient and able to take care of oneself
• Intuitive – able to understand or know something instinctively, without the need for conscious reasoning
• Optimistic – hopeful and positive, expecting good outcomes and opportunities
• Passionate – having strong emotions and intense feelings towards something or someone.

WHAT IS A PRESENT PARTICIPLE?

A word formed from a verb that ends in ing.

Sentence: He couldn’t stop laughing.

What is a Pronoun?

Pronouns are words that replace a noun.

A word formed from a verb that ends in  ing.

Sentence: He couldn’t stop  laughing.

What is a Collective Noun?

A collective noun is a word that refers to a group of things or animals as a single unit. Some common collective nouns are flock, herd, pack, and swarm. 

What is a Prepositional Phrase?

A prepositional phrase is a group of words that begins with a preposition and ends with a noun or a pronoun. The preposition shows the relationship between the noun or pronoun and the verb. 

 What are Some Popular Synonyms?

Some popular synonyms are beautiful, pretty, handsome, and stunning. 

What are Transition Words

Transition words are used to connect ideas, show relationships between ideas, and indicate the logic of thought or argument. They are used to signal the start and end of paragraphs, introduce new paragraphs, and connect related thoughts within a paragraph. 

There we go! Over 500 descriptive words that will help you improve your writing! This list is always being updated as I find new  describing words  I like through reading and writing. Becoming a good writer and increasing your  skill , and learning  a new word  is an endless quest. These are great words that can improve your follow-up comments or inline feedback on your writing.

And I hope that you found the list of adjectives, nouns, descriptive phrases, and verbs useful. And helps you get a little better and expand your  vocabulary.

Check back for new  descriptive words  monthly!

Descriptive Words List: 400 Words to Make Your Writing Pop

Describing words or adjectives bolster the detail of your writing by modifying the language. Our descriptive words list will help you engage your readers.

Using descriptive words will help you better include your reader in your narrative. They fill in the gaps and change a sentence from merely informative to captivating.

Descriptive words are adjectives which modify nouns and pronouns, or adverbs, which describe verbs, adjectives and other adverbs. Identifying and using these will help you write stronger pieces and descriptive essays. Our descriptive word list is a good place to start. It also pairs nicely with our list of mood words .

What is the Purpose of Describing Words? 

Common endings for adjectives, example sentences using adverbs, what are some good descriptive words, what words describe movement.

Descriptive words  take writing from boring to engaging. Consider this sentence:

• She swam across the water.

While this tells you what is happening, it has little to help you imagine the scene. If you add some adjectives and adverbs and transform the statement into this:

• She swam speedily across the choppy water.

Now you have a better picture of what happened. In order to transform your writing in this way, you need a number of  descriptive words  at the ready, and this list of descriptive words will help.

List of Adjectives in English

Adjectives are the most common type of  descriptive words , so first, we will look at these. These words describe features like shape, texture, color, and size. They help differentiate between items in a group by calling out distinguishing features.

In  English  grammar, you can use the following to describe  nouns and pronouns:

• Adventurous
• Accomplished
• Comfortable
• Embellished
• Enthusiastic
• Everlasting
• Fashionable
• Intelligent
• Quarrelsome
• Questionable
• Thoughtless
• Uninterested

This list is not exhaustive, and there are many synonyms and other words that could be added. In addition, all colors are considered adjectives and describing words . Nationalities, like American or English, can also fit this list.

As you work on creating descriptive writing, get used to using these and similar words. You might also find our list of pronouns useful.

Example Sentences Using Adjectives

To better understand how adjectives look in sentences, consider these examples:

• The fuzzy red fox jumped over the tall fence. (red, tall)
• We like to visit the beautiful forest (beautiful)
• The garden shed feels damp this morning. (garden, damp)
• The trip to Disney World was magical. (Magical)
• The beautiful bird sat on the rough branch and sang. (beautiful, rough)
• The woman is short, but her husband is tall. (short, tall)
• I prefer cold climates. (cold)
• The luxurious hotel included soft robes for each guest. (luxurious, soft, each)

Because listing all adjectives in the English language is impossible, knowing their endings is helpful, especially for ESL language learners. Some of the common endings for adjectives include:

If you see a word ending in one of these, and you know it isn’t a noun, chances are high it is an adjective.

List of Adverbs in English

The English language also uses adverbs to describe verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. These descriptive words show intensity, number, and extent. They often end in -ly.

• Accidentally
• Aggressively
• Apathetically
• Assertively
• Astronomically
• Beautifully
• Begrudgingly
• Deceivingly
• Deliberately
• Differently
• Dramatically
• Emotionally
• Exceptionally
• Frightfully
• Frenetically
• Frivolously
• Hysterically
• Inquisitively
• Intelligently
• Impressively
• Ludicrously
• Methodically
• Mysteriously
• Neglectfully
• Obnoxiously
• Occasionally
• Pointlessly
• Significantly
• Splendidly 
• Substantially
• Technically
• Unexpectedly
• Victoriously
• Vivaciously
• Voluntarily

Again, this is not an exhaustive list. As you learn to identify  adverbs or use them in your writing, look for words that describe verbs and other descriptive words that end in -ly.

Editing tip: Sometimes, adverbs can also serve as filler words that you can remove or use to slow down or speed up a piece.

To better understand how adverbs show up in sentences as  descriptive words , consider these examples:

• The electric car drove so quietly we didn’t hear it coming. 
• My dog barked angrily at the intruder.
• The girls sang beautifully .
• He swam across the pool quickly .
• The box is surprisingly heavy for its size.
• The toddler walked very carefully across the slippery floor.
• Language learning is incredibly easy for some studentsand incredibly hard for others.

Like this? Check out our list of sensory words .

FAQs on Descriptive Words List

Descriptive words are words that make something easier to identify by describing its characteristics. Some good words that fit this include: Bright Adventurous Jovial Charming Peaceful

Some descriptive words describe the movement of an object. These include: Swiftly Fluidly Gracefully Smoothly Disjointedly

Creative Writing Words

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

List of Creative Writing Words

Astonishing

Captivating

Charismatic

Conspicuous

Contemplate

Effervescent

Enthralling

Fantastical

Illuminating

Incandescent

Indomitable

Inquisitive

Mesmerizing

Paradoxical

Rambunctious

Resplendent

Scintillating

Spectacular

Spellbinding

Spontaneous

Transcendent

Clandestine

Quintessential

Serendipitous

Superfluous

Unfathomable

Creative Writing Words with meaning and examples

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

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

Creative Writing Words Infographic

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

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10 Beautiful Words You Can Use in Narrative / Descriptive Writing | Secondary School

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Have you ever asked yourself: what makes a word beautiful? Is it because of what it means or the way it sounds? According to British linguist David Crystal in his article titled, “Phonaesthetically Speaking”, we tend to love words that have three or more syllables and include letters that we enjoy enunciating like “ m ” and “ l ”. Simply put, beautiful words are lovely to read and sound pleasant to our ears.

For Secondary English students, such charming words with positive connotations can be used to bedazzle your reader. Let’s explore ten beautiful words which not only sound great but will also be useful in painting vivid pictures for your examiners (especially for narrative and descriptive writing). With the examples provided below, try coming up with your own sentences to use these words! (:

1. Compelling (adj.)

Meaning: (something e.g. a reason, argument) that makes you pay attention to it because it is interesting and exciting

Synonym: enthralling, captivating, gripping

Sentence examples:

I found it hard to look away from his compelling eyes that seemed to ask me to inch closer. It was such a compelling story that I ended up reading the entire book in one sitting.

2. Effervescent (adj.)

Meaning: (of people and their behaviour) excited, enthusiastic and full of energy

Synonym: vivacious, animated, bubbly

She has a warm effervescent personality that made her easy to get along with. The effervescent host spoke with infectious energy and was able to bring a smile to not only the contestants on the show, but also the audience at home.

3. Euphonious (adj.)

Meaning: (of a sound, especially speech) pleasing to the ear

Synonym: pleasant-sounding, sweet-sounding, honeyed

The euphonious chimes of the bell lulled the baby to sleep. Her euphonious tone made her sound like an angel and I was immediately all ears to what she was explaining.

4. Evocative (adj.)

Meaning: bringing strong images, memories, or feelings to mind

Synonym: reminiscent, suggestive

The writer uses descriptive vocabulary to paint evocative images, moving his readers to tears. The evocative music that she often heard as a child in her grandparents’ house made her miss them dearly.

5. Halcyon (adj.)

Meaning: denoting a period of time in the past that was idyllically happy and peaceful

Synonym: happy, carefree, blissful

My grandmother would often recall the halcyon days of the past when her grocery store business boomed and she was healthy and free to do what she liked. The halcyon summer holidays where we could play outdoors freely in groups without our masks are long gone.

6. Lissom (adj.)

Meaning: (of a person or their body) thin, supple, and graceful

Synonym: lithe, elegant, svelte

The lissom dancer mesmerised the audience as she swayed to the music. Perry grew up with horses and always admired how graceful they looked trotting around the stables with their lissom bodies.

7. Resplendent (adj.)

Meaning: very bright, attractive and impressive in appearance

Synonym: splendid, magnificent, brilliant

Dressed in resplendent costumes, the children created a beautiful rainbow of colours on the stage. During the Singapore Night Festival in 2019, a resplendent underwater scene full of marine animals was projected onto the building of the National Museum of Singapore.

8. Redolent (adj.)

Meaning: having a strong pleasant smell

Synonym: aromatic, perfumed

Although my mother had left for work, the entire house was redolent with the fragrance of her perfume. The kitchen was redolent with the aroma of freshly baked bread, making my mouth water.

9. Serendipitous (adj.)

Meaning: occurring or discovered by chance in a happy or beneficial way

Synonym: coincidental, lucky

The serendipitous encounter with my primary school classmate after not seeing him for two years led to an enjoyable chat about our shared experience. The scientists made a serendipitous discovery which could lead them to the cure for cancer.

10. Sublime (adj.)

Meaning: of great excellence or beauty

Synonym: outstanding, grand, majestic, stellar

The Great Barrier Reef is known for its sublime natural seascape full of unique marine life and vibrantly coloured corals. Having devoured the delectable food, we complimented the chef for the sublime meal.

Were you able to come up with your own examples to use the beautiful words in your narrative writing as you were reading this post? Feel free to look them up in a dictionary to familiarise yourself with more contexts where you can use these charming words appropriately.

I hope you would use these beautiful words in your narrative writing. Go forth and apply the new knowledge you have acquired to impress your readers. See you in future posts!

Ms. Hui Jun

As a teacher, Ms Hui Jun is driven to create a safe conducive space for learning in her classroom. To achieve this, she makes an effort to build rapport with her students so that they are unafraid to ask questions when in doubt. With an aim for her students to grow from every lesson, she encourages them to reflect on their learning and find ways to connect them to real life application. With this, she hopes to stretch the young minds of all her pupils and to equip them with the language skills necessary in our world today.

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The Ultimate List Of 369 Beautiful Words

What makes a word beautiful?

Is it the sound of the word or its meaning?

The study of the pleasantness or unpleasantness of the way words and phrases sound (regardless of their meaning) is called phonaesthetics .

But I think the combination of sound and meaning is what makes for pretty words.

Consider the word “diarrhea” which trills off the tongue but isn't a pleasant topic to ponder.

But the word “diary” is equally pleasing to the ear and has an intriguing meaning.

What Are the Most Beautiful Words?

What is the prettiest word in the world, how to use beautiful words in english, 1. abundance, 2. ad infinitum, 3. admirable, 4. adoration, 7. ailurophile, 8. alacrity, 9. alluring, 11. altruism, 12. amaranthine, 13. amiable, 14. amorous, 15. angelic, 16. apotheosis, 17. assemblage, 18. astonishing, 19. astounding, 20. ascension, 22. audacious, 25. beatify, 26. beauteous, 27. becoming, 28. beguile, 29. belonging, 30. beloved, 31. benefactor, 32. benevolence, 33. blazing, 34. blessing, 36. blossom, 37. breathtaking, 38. breeziness, 39. brilliance, 41. bubbling, 42. bucolic, 43. bungalow, 44. buoyancy, 45. calcination, 48. caprice, 49. carpe diem, 50. cascade, 51. cashmere, 52. catharsis, 53. celerity, 54. centered, 55. champion, 56. charisma, 58. chatoyant, 59. cheerful, 60. chrysalis, 61. cinnamon, 62. clarity, 64. clearheaded, 65. clinomania, 66. coalesce, 68. compassion, 69. conflate, 70. consciousness, 71. contentment, 72. coruscate, 73. creativity, 74. crepuscular, 75. crystalline, 77. cynosure, 78. dalliance, 81. dauntless, 82. dazzling, 83. debonair, 84. delicate, 85. delicious, 86. delightful, 87. demesne, 89. denouement, 90. desirable, 91. desuetude, 92. desultory, 93. devotion, 94. diaphanous, 95. discombobulate, 96. dissemble, 97. divinity, 100. dulcet, 101. earnest, 102. ebullience, 103. ecstasy, 104. effervescent, 105. efflorescence, 106. effortless, 107. elation, 108. elegant, 109. elision, 110. elixir, 111. eloquence, 112. embrocation, 113. emollient, 114. emulate, 115. enamoured, 116. enchanted, 117. enraptured, 118. enthralled, 119. ephemeral, 120. epiphany, 121. equanimity, 122. equilibrium, 123. erstwhile, 124. ethereal, 125. etiquette, 126. euphoria, 127. evanescent, 128. evocative, 129. exonerate, 130. exquisite, 131. exuberant, 132. fabulous, 133. faithful, 134. fascination, 135. feasible, 136. feisty, 137. felicity, 138. festive, 139. fetching, 140. fidelity, 141. filament, 142. flawless, 143. flourish, 144. flowing, 145. forbearance, 146. fortitude, 147. friendship, 148. fugacious, 149. fulfilling, 150. furtive, 151. gambol, 152. gargantuan, 154. ginger, 155. glamour, 156. glorious, 157. goddess, 158. gorgeous, 159. gossamer, 160. graceful, 161. halcyon, 162. handsome, 163. harbinger, 164. harmony, 165. heartfelt, 166. heartwarming, 167. heavenly, 168. hilarity, 169. holiness, 170. hopefulness, 171. humility, 172. idyllic, 173. illumination, 174. illustrious, 175. imbrication, 176. imbroglio, 178. incandescence, 179. incipient, 180. ineffable, 181. ingenue, 182. inglenook, 183. insouciance, 184. intrepid, 186. invincible, 187. iridescent, 188. jaunty, 189. jocular, 190. jovial, 191. joyous, 192. jubilant, 193. judicious, 194. juvenescent, 195. kindred, 196. kindliness, 197. kissable, 198. labyrinthine, 199. lagniappe, 200. lagoon, 201. languid, 202. languor, 203. lassitude, 204. leisure, 205. lilting, 206. lissome, 208. lovable, 209. lullaby, 210. luminescence, 211. luxury, 212. magnificent, 213. marvelous, 214. mellifluous, 215. mellow, 216. mindfulness, 217. minutiae, 218. moiety, 219. mondegreen, 220. murmurous, 221. nemesis, 222. namaste, 223. nebulous, 224. nirvana, 225. nourishment, 226. nurture, 227. oblivion, 228. omnipotent, 229. onomatopoeia, 230. optimistic, 231. opulent, 232. pacify, 233. palimpsest, 234. panacea, 235. panoply, 236. paradise, 237. passion, 238. pastiche, 239. persevering, 240. perspicacious, 241. petrichor, 242. phenomenal, 243. phosphenes, 244. piquancy, 245. plethora, 246. precious, 247. prevarication, 248. propinquity, 249. prosperity, 250. pyrrhic, 251. quaint, 252. quantum, 253. quickening, 254. quiescent, 255. quietude, 256. quintessential, 257. radiant, 258. rapturous, 260. ratatouille, 262. ravishing, 263. redolent, 264. rejuvenate, 265. relent, 266. repose, 267. resilience, 268. resplendent, 269. revelation, 270. reverence, 271. rhapsodic, 272. righteousness, 273. riparian, 274. ripple, 275. romance, 276. sacred, 278. sapphire, 280. scintilla, 281. sempiternal, 282. sequoia, 283. seraglio, 284. serendipity, 285. serenity, 287. simplicity, 288. solitude, 289. somnambulism, 290. sonorous, 291. soulmate, 292. spacious, 293. spellbound, 294. spherical, 295. splendid, 296. sprightliness, 297. statuesque, 298. sublime, 299. succulent, 300. summery, 301. sumptuous, 302. supine, 303. surreptitious, 304. susquehanna, 305. susurrous, 306. symphony, 307. talisman, 308. tenacity, 309. tender, 310. tintinnabulation, 311. tolerance, 312. tranquility, 313. transfiguration, 314. triumph, 315. umbrella, 316. unabashed, 317. unflappable, 318. unification, 319. unique, 320. varnish, 321. veneration, 322. verity, 323. vestigial, 324. vibrant, 325. victorious, 326. virtuous, 327. vitality, 328. vitriolic, 329. vortex, 330. vulnerable, 332. wanderlust, 333. warmhearted, 334. wherewithal, 335. wholesome, 337. wondrous, 336. worship, 338. xanadu, 339. xenophobia, 340. xylophone, 341. yearling, 343. yesteryear, 344. zealous, 345. zenith, 346. zephyr, 347. zestful, 348. zinfandel, 349. zither, 350. zoophilic, 351. amorphous, 352. atrament, 353. caliginous, 354. cimmerian, 355. crepuscule, 356. darkling, 357. dystopian, 358. eigengrau, 359. gloaming, 360. nebulochaotic, 361. nefarious, 362. nyctophilia, 363. pernicious, 364. photophobic, 365. somber, 366. stygian, 367. tenebrous, 369. woebegone.

The most beautiful words in English are those that thrill the ear and that stir the mind or soul.

They are words that inspire , uplift, excite, comfort, challenge, move and entice us. But they can also have a neutral or even unpleasant meaning (hemorrhage, flatulence, etc.).

British linguist, David Crystal, created a series of attributes of words that are commonly considered beautiful. Those attributes include:

• Having three or more syllables.
• Emphasis on the first syllable.
• The presence of particular letters people enjoy saying (like I and M).

Ultimately, the most beautiful words are the words that you find beautiful.

There are more than 7000 languages in the world, with hundreds of thousands of words in most of them. So it's difficult (if not impossible) to narrow the list to one word alone.

You might start by exploring the most beautiful languages in the world which are often considered Italian, French, Arabic, and Turkish.

But still, what each person finds beautiful is subjective.

Maybe we should just be happy there are so many lovely words in all languages.

Whether you are a logophile (a word lover) and simply enjoy the variety and character of words, or you're a writer who is looking for the perfect word, you'll find yourself needing to find aesthetic words at some point.

Maybe you wonder, “What are elegant words I can use to reflect my intelligence or sophisticated style.” The words you use do communicate to others who you are and how you see yourself.

You can use these words to . . .

• Expand your vocabulary.
• Write a memorable poem or song lyrics related to something lovely and pleasing.
• Better express yourself in conversation .
• Create a mood or feeling with your writing.
• Enhance your descriptions of people, places, emotions, and things.
• Develop a particular rhythm or flow with your writing.
• Develop your own list of favorite words with beautiful meanings and sounds.

Are you ready to explore some really good words that you can add to your vocabulary?

Our list of beautiful words below is a great resource to bookmark and keep handy whenever you need just the right word that sounds lovely.

Don't have time to read the complete list of beautiful words? You can download the PDF here .

List of 369 of the Most Beautiful Words

A very large quantity of something.

Again and again in the same way; forever

Arousing or deserving respect and approval.

Deep love and respect.

Friendly, good-natured, or easy to talk to.

Ability to move or think quickly and easily.

A cat lover.

Brisk and cheerful readiness.

Powerfully and mysteriously attractive or fascinating; seductive.

A Hawaiian word used when greeting or parting from someone.

The belief in or practice of disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others.

From the Greek word amarantos, meaning immortal or unfading.

Having or displaying a friendly and pleasant manner.

Showing, feeling, or relating to sexual desire.

An exceptionally beautiful, innocent, or kind person.

The highest point in the development of something; culmination or climax.

A collection or gathering of things or people.

Extremely surprising or impressive; amazing.

Surprisingly impressive or notable.

The act of rising to an important position or a higher level.

Of, connected with or resembling the stars.

Showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks.

A natural electrical phenomenon characterized by the appearance of streamers of reddish or greenish light in the sky, usually near the northern or southern magnetic pole.

A feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder.

To make holy or sacred.

Flattering a person's appearance.

To charm or enchant (someone), sometimes in a deceptive way.

An affinity for a place or situation.

Dearly loved.

A person who gives money or other help to a person or cause.

The quality of being well-meaning; kindness.

To burn fiercely or brightly.

A beneficial thing for which one is grateful; something that brings well-being.

Perfect happiness; great joy.

The state or period of flowering.

Astonishing or awe-inspiring in quality, so as to take one's breath away.

Fresh and animated;lively.

An intense brightness of light.

Active, fast, and energetic.

Characterized by cheerful high spirits.

Relating to the pleasant aspects of the countryside and country life.

A low house, with a broad front porch, having either no upper floor or upper rooms set in the roof, typically with dormer windows.

The ability or tendency to float in water or air or some other fluid.

To heat (a substance) to a high temperature but below the melting or fusing point, causing loss of moisture, reduction or oxidation, and the decomposition of carbonates and other compounds.

Not showing or feeling nervousness, anger, or other strong emotions .

The quality of being open and honest in expression; frankness.

A sudden and unaccountable change of mood or behavior.

Latin, ‘seize the day!’, a quotation from Horace.

A small waterfall, typically one of several that fall in stages down a steep rocky slope.

Fine, soft wool, originally that from the Kashmir goat.

The process of releasing, and thereby providing relief from, strong or repressed emotions.

The swiftness of movement.

Well balanced and confident or serene.

A person who fights or argues for a cause or on behalf of someone else.

Compelling attractiveness or charm that can inspire devotion in others.

The power or quality of giving delight or arousing admiration.

Of a gem, especially when cut en cabochon, showing a band of bright reflected light caused by aligned inclusions in the stone.

Noticeably happy and optimistic.

A transitional state.

An aromatic spice made from the peeled, dried and rolled bark of a Southeast Asian tree.

The quality of being coherent and intelligible.

Stylish and sophisticated.

Alert and thinking logically and coherently.

An obsession with bed rest.

Come together to form one mass or whole.

Typically a woman who is pleasant to look at; attractive.

Sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.

Combine (two or more texts, ideas, etc.) into one.

The state of being awake and aware of one's surroundings.

A state of happiness and satisfaction.

Flash or sparkle of light.

The use of the imagination or original ideas, especially in the production of an artistic work.

Of, resembling, or relating to twilight.

Having the structure and form of a crystal; composed of crystals.

Hold close in one's arms as a way of showing love or affection.

A person or thing that is the center of attention or admiration.

A casual romantic or sexual relationship.

A man unduly devoted to style, neatness, and fashion in dress and appearance.

Typically a man who is neat and trim in dress, appearance, or bearing.

Showing fearlessness and determination.

Extremely bright, especially so as to blind the eyes temporarily.

A man who is confident, stylish, and charming.

Very fine in texture or structure; of intricate workmanship or quality.

Highly pleasant to the taste.

Causing delight; charming.

Land attached to a manor and retained for the owner's own use.

A woman who is reserved , modest, and shy.

The final part of a play, movie, or narrative in which the strands of the plot are drawn together and matters are explained or resolved.

Wanted or wished for as being an attractive, useful, or necessary course of action.

A state of disuse.

Lacking a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm.

Love, loyalty, or enthusiasm for a person, activity, or cause.

Light, delicate, and translucent, especially a fabric.

To disconcert or confuse someone.

To conceal one's true motives, feelings, or beliefs.

The state or quality of being divine.

Extremely and uncritically fond of someone; adoring.

Having a magical or pleasantly unreal quality; dreamlike.

A sweet and soothing sound.

Resulting from or showing sincere and intense conviction

The quality of being cheerful and full of energy; exuberance.

An overwhelming feeling of great happiness or joyful excitement.

A liquid giving off bubbles; fizzy.

A state or time of flowering.

Requiring no physical or mental exertion.

Great happiness and exhilaration.

Pleasingly graceful and stylish in appearance or manner.

The omission of a sound or syllable when speaking

A magical or medicinal potion.

Fluent or persuasive speaking or writing.

A liquid used for rubbing on the body to relieve pain from sprains and strains.

Having the quality of softening or soothing the skin.

Match or surpass (a person or achievement), typically by imitation.

To be filled with a feeling of love for someone or something.

Placed under a spell; bewitched.

Experiencing intense pleasure or joy.

Experiencing fascinated attention.

Lasting for a very short time.

A moment of sudden revelation or insight.

Mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation.

A state in which opposing forces or influences are balanced.

Extremely delicate and light in a way that seems too perfect for this world.

The customary code of polite behavior in society or among members of a particular profession or group.

A feeling or state of intense excitement and happiness.

Soon passing out of sight, memory, or existence; quickly fading or disappearing.

Bringing strong images, memories, or feelings to mind.

To absolve someone from blame for a fault or wrongdoing, especially after due consideration of the case.

Extremely beautiful and, typically, delicate.

Filled with or characterized by a lively energy and excitement.

Amazingly good; wonderful.

Loyal, constant, and steadfast.

The power to fascinate someone; the quality of being fascinating.

Possible to do easily or conveniently.

A person who is relatively small or weak but also lively, determined, and courageous.

Intense happiness.

Cheerful and jovially celebratory.

Attractive.

Faithfulness to a person, cause, or belief, demonstrated by continuing loyalty and support.

A slender threadlike object or fiber, especially one found in animal or plant structures.

Without any blemishes or imperfections; perfect.

To grow or develop in a healthy or vigorous way, especially as the result of a particularly favorable environment.

Hanging or draping loosely and gracefully.

Patient self-control; restraint and tolerance.

Courage in pain or adversity.

The emotions or conduct of friends; the state of being friends.

Tending to disappear; fleeting.

Making someone satisfied or happy because of fully developing their character or abilities.

Attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt or a belief that discovery would lead to trouble; secretive.

Run or jump about playfully.

Having a sensation of whirling and a tendency to fall or stagger; dizzy.

A hot, fragrant spice made from the rhizome of a plant, which may be chopped or powdered for cooking, preserved in syrup, or candied.

An attractive or exciting quality that makes certain people or things seem appealing.

Having a striking beauty or splendor that evokes feelings of delighted admiration.

A woman who is adored, especially for her beauty.

Beautiful; very attractive.

Used to refer to something very light, thin, and insubstantial or delicate.

Having or showing grace or elegance.

Denoting a period of time in the past that was idyllically happy and peaceful.

A good-looking man.

A forerunner of something.

The quality of forming a pleasing and consistent whole.

A feeling or its expression that is sincere; deeply and strongly felt.

Emotionally rewarding or uplifting.

Very pleasing; wonderful.

Extreme amusement, especially when expressed by laughter.

The state of being holy.

Having or manifesting hope.

A modest or low view of one's own importance; humbleness.

A time or place that is extremely happy, peaceful, or picturesque.

Lighting or light.

Well known, respected, and admired for past achievements.

An overlapping of edges (as of tiles or scales).

An extremely confused, complicated, or embarrassing situation.

To inspire or permeate with a feeling or quality.

The light emmited by an incandescent object.

In an initial stage; beginning to happen or develop.

Too great or extreme to be expressed or described in words.

An innocent or unsophisticated young woman, especially in a play or film.

A space on either side of a large fireplace.

Casual lack of concern; indifference.

Fearless; adventurous (often used for rhetorical or humorous effect).

Accustom to something, especially something unpleasant.

Too powerful to be defeated or overcome.

Showing luminous colors that seem to change when seen from different angles.

Having or expressing a lively, cheerful, and self-confident manner.

Fond of or characterized by joking; humorous or playful.

Cheerful and friendly.

Feeling,showing,or causing joy; joyful

Feeling or expressing great happiness and triumph.

Having or showing good judgment or sense.

Becoming young or youthful.

One's family and relations.

The quality of being kind, warmhearted, or gentle; kindness.

Capable of being kissed; inviting to be kissed through attractiveness.

A network like a labyrinth; irregular and twisting.

Something given as a bonus or extra gift.

A stretch of salt water separated from the sea by a low sandbank or coral reef.

Displaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed.

The state or feeling, often pleasant, of tiredness or inertia.

A state of physical or mental weariness; lack of energy.

Speak, sing, or sound with a lilt.

A person or their body that is thin, supple, and graceful.

A person's body that is thin, supple, and graceful.

Inspiring or deserving love or affection.

A quiet, gentle song sung to send a child to sleep.

The emission of light by a substance that has not been heated, as in fluorescence and phosphorescence.

Sumptuous or extremely comfortable living surroundings.

Splendid in appearance;grand.

Causing great wonder; extraordinary.

Sweet or musical; pleasant to hear.

Pleasantly smooth or soft; free from harshness.

A mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.

Small or trivial details.

Each of two parts into which a thing is or can be divided.

A misunderstood or misinterpreted word or phrase resulting from a mishearing of the lyrics of a song.

Filled with or characterized by murmurs; low and indistinct

A long-standing rival; an archenemy.

A respectful greeting said when giving a namaskar.

Unclear, vague, or ill-defined concept or idea.

A transcendent state in which there is neither suffering, desire, nor sense of self, and the subject is released from the effects of karma and the cycle of death and rebirth. It represents the final goal of Buddhism .

The food or other substances necessary for growth, health, and good condition.

Care for and encourage the growth or development of.

The state of being unaware or unconscious of what is happening.

Having unlimited power; able to do anything.

The formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named

Hopeful and confident about the future.

Ostentatiously rich and luxurious or lavish.

Quell the anger, agitation, or excitement of.

A manuscript or piece of writing material on which the original writing has been effaced to make room for later writing but of which traces remain.

A solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases.

A complete or impressive collection of things.

An ideal or idyllic place or state.

Strong and barely controllable emotion.

An artistic work in a style that imitates that of another work, artist, or period.

Persistent; constant in the execution of a purpose .

Clear-sighted; mentally perceptive or acute; keen.

A pleasant smell that frequently accompanies the first rain after a long period of warm, dry weather.

Very remarkable; extraordinary.

A ring or spot of light produced by pressure on the eyeball or direct stimulation of the visual system other than by light.

A pleasantly sharp and appetizing flavor.

A large or excessive amount of something.

An object, substance, or resource of great value; not to be wasted or treated carelessly.

To deviate from the truth

The state of being close to someone or something; proximity.

The state of being prosperous.

A victory won at too great a cost to have been worthwhile for the victor.

Attractively unusual or old-fashioned.

A discrete quantity of energy proportional in magnitude to the frequency of the radiation it represents.

To enter into a phase of active growth and development

In a state or period of inactivity or dormancy.

A state of stillness, calmness, and quiet in a person or place.

Representing the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class.

Sending out light; shining or glowing brightly.

Characterized by, feeling, or expressing great pleasure or enthusiasm.

A vegetable dish consisting of onions, zucchini, tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers, fried and stewed in oil and sometimes served cold.

Untangle or unravel something.

Delightful; entrancing.

Strongly reminiscent or suggestive of something.

Make someone or something look or feel younger, fresher, or more lively.

Abandon or mitigate a harsh intention or cruel treatment.

A state of rest, sleep, or tranquility.

The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.

Attractive and impressive through being richly colorful or sumptuous.

A surprising and previously unknown fact, especially one that is made known in a dramatic way.

Deep respect for someone or something.

Immoderately empassioned or enthusiastic.

The quality of being morally right or justifiable.

Relating to or situated on the banks of a river.

A small wave or series of waves on the surface of water, especially as caused by an object dropping into it or a slight breeze.

A feeling of excitement and mystery associated with love.

Connected with God (or the gods) or dedicated to a religious purpose and so deserving veneration.

Something that is soothing or consoling for wounded feelings or an uneasy conscience.

A transparent precious stone, typically blue, that is a variety of corundum (aluminum oxide).

Enjoy or appreciate something pleasant completely, especially by dwelling on it.

A tiny trace or spark of a specified quality or feeling.

Eternal and unchanging; everlasting.

A redwood tree, especially the California redwood.

A large harem.

The occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.

The state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled.

Of or resembling silk, especially in being soft, fine, and lustrous.

The quality or condition of being easy to understand or do.

The state or situation of being alone.

An abnormal condition of sleep in which motor acts (such as walking) are performed

Capable of producing a deep or ringing sound.

A person ideally suited to another as a close friend or romantic partner .

Having ample space.

Hold the complete attention of someone as though by magic; fascinate.

Shaped like a sphere.

Magnificent; very impressive.

Marked by a gay lightness and vivacity.

An attractively tall and dignified woman.

Of such excellence, grandeur, or beauty as to inspire great admiration or awe.

Tender, juicy, and tasty food.

Characteristic of or suitable for summer.

Splendid and expensive-looking.

Lying face upward.

Kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of.

A river 444 miles (714 kilometers) long in the eastern U.S. flowing from central New York south through Pennsylvania and into the Chesapeake Bay in northern Maryland

Full of whispering sounds.

Something regarded, typically favorably, as a composition of different elements.

An object, typically an inscribed ring or stone, that is thought to have magic powers and to bring good luck.

The quality or fact of being able to grip something firmly; grip.

Showing gentleness and concern or sympathy.

A ringing or tinkling sound.

The ability or willingness to tolerate something, in particular, the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree with.

The quality or state of being tranquil; calm.

A complete change of form or appearance into a more beautiful or spiritual state.

A great victory or achievement.

A device consisting of a circular canopy of cloth on a folding metal frame supported by a central rod, used as protection against rain or sometimes sun.

Not embarrassed, disconcerted, or ashamed.

Having or showing calmness in a crisis.

The process of being united or made into a whole.

Being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else.

Resin dissolved in a liquid for applying on wood, metal, or other materials to form a hard, clear, shiny surface when dry.

Great respect; reverence.

A true principle or belief, especially one of fundamental importance.

Forming a very small remnant of something that was once much larger or more noticeable.

More Related Articles:

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109 Of The Best Appreciation Messages To Show Your Gratitude

Full of energy and enthusiasm.

Having won a victory; triumphant.

Having or showing high moral standards.

The state of being strong and active; energy.

Filled with bitter criticism or malice.

A mass of whirling fluid or air, especially a whirlpool or whirlwind

Susceptible to physical or emotional attack or harm.

Pass or cause to pass easily or gently through or as if through the air.

A strong desire to travel.

A person or their actions that are sympathetic and kind.

The money or other means needed for a particular purpose.

Conducive to or suggestive of good health and physical well-being.

Inspiring a feeling of wonder or delight; marvelous.

The feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity.

An idealized place of great or idyllic magnificence and beauty.

Dislike of or prejudice against people from other countries.

A musical instrument played by striking a row of wooden bars of graduated length with one or more small wooden or plastic mallets.

An animal (especially a sheep, calf, or foal) that is a year old or that is in its second year.

Have an intense feeling of longing for something, typically something that one has lost or been separated from.

Last year or the recent past, especially as nostalgically recalled.

Having or showing zeal.

The time at which something is most powerful or successful.

A soft gentle breeze.

Characterized by great enthusiasm and energy.

A variety of wine grape grown in California.

A musical instrument consisting of a flat wooden soundbox with numerous strings stretched across it placed horizontally and played with the fingers and a plectrum. It is used especially in central European folk music.

Having an attraction to or preference for animals.

Beautiful Words with Dark Meanings

There are some words that sound lovely but have darker or more negative meanings. Take a look at these pretty words whose sound belies their meanings.

Without a clearly defined shape or form.

A very dark substance — usually liquid.

Misty, dark, obscure.

A member of a mythical people living in perpetual mist and darkness near the land of the dead.

Twilight. Obscure, doubtful, or uncertain.

Growing dark or characterized by darkness.

Relating to an imagined state or society where there is great suffering or injustice.

The dark grey color that human eyes see in perfect darkness.

Twilight, dusk.

A state of being hazy and confused.

Wicked or criminal.

An attraction to darkness or night; finding relaxation or comfort in the darkness.

Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.

Having an extreme sensitivity to light; growing best under reduced illumination.

Gloomy, sullen, melancholy; solemn in mood.

Extremely dark, gloomy, or forbidding.

Dark, shadowy, or obscure.

Shadow or darkness. A shaded area.

Exhibiting great sorrow, or misery.

Final Thoughts

Which of these beautiful words are your favorites?

How will you include them in your writing or conversation so you can make them a regular part of your vocabulary?

Learning good words that aren't part of your current lexicon has a variety of benefits. Improving your vocabulary . . .

• Boosts your ability to articulate well.
• Improves reading comprehension.
• Gives you access to powerful and effective language.
• Allows you to better express your beliefs and opinions.
• Improves verbal fluency.
• Leads to academic and career success.
• Opens your mind to new ideas.

The most beautiful words in the English language don't mean anything unless they are appreciated and used in communication, education, and writing.

Take advantage of this list of words, commit as many of them to memory as possible, and try to use a new word every day.

And . . . if you want to inspire others, please share this list of beautiful words on your favorite social media platform.

Transform Your Writing With This Epic List of Descriptive Words

Words are powerful tools that we use to communicate and describe the world around us. Verbs and adjectives are particularly useful in this regard, as they allow us to convey action and describe qualities and characteristics.

In this article, we’ll explore a diverse range of descriptive verbs and adjectives that can be used to enhance writing and better communicate thoughts and ideas. Whether you are a writer looking to expand your vocabulary or simply want to add more descriptive language to your everyday conversations, this list is sure to provide you with plenty of inspiration!

Common Descriptive Adjectives and Different Ways to Say Them

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How to Transform Words Into Writing Inspiration

by Melissa Donovan | Oct 7, 2021 | Creative Writing | 25 comments

Words as writing inspiration.

I recently flipped through my copy of Susan Goldsmith Wooldridge’s Poemcrazy: Freeing Your Life with Words (aff link), and after just a couple of chapters, my imagination was on fire.

I’m always looking for new ways to inspire writing ideas, and lately I’ve been thinking that we should talk more about a writer’s most basic building blocks: words. Using words as a way to come up with writing ideas sounded ideal to me.

In Poemcrazy, Wooldridge talks about collecting words. She captures words, stores them, and then stashes them in all kinds of interesting places where they might come in handy.

As I read about how this brilliant poet gathers words so she can use them to jump-start her creative writing, I saw how the idea could apply to any kind of writer, not just a poet. I also saw how physically collecting words could be exhilarating.

After all, words are the key ingredients to every concoction that we writers cook up. Some writers view words as means to an end — they’re the raw materials and nothing more. Then there are those writers who appreciate a wonderful word, writers who pause when they come across a word that’s compelling in its own right, a word that moves or grooves even if it’s just sitting there all by itself.

Chasing and Capturing Words

As Woodridge says, we can borrow, trade, steal, even invent words for our own pleasure. To find words, you have to pay attention. You’ll discover them in your environment (around the house or when you’re out and about), in conversations, in your reading material, on TV, and in the songs you listen to. They are the labels we use for ordinary objects, extraordinary moments, and anything unusual.

I plucked eviscerate from a favorite R.E.M. song. Arbitrary came from a television show. Humma humma — something my mom used to say when I was a kid (it means “ho hum” or “that’s hot,” depending on the inflection) . Wooldridge’s favorite method is to take walks and grab words from nature or from field guides. She notes, “My friend Tom’s Ford pickup repair manual is chock full of great words: luminosity probe, diesel throttle, control tool, acceleration pump link, swivel, internal vent valve, choke hinge pin…”

Once you attune yourself to all the words you come into contact with every day, you need a place to stash the ones that speak to you. Jot them down in your journal, on index cards, or sticky notes. Use postcards, gift tags, or scrap paper. Lots of these are easy to tote around (a friend of Wooldridge’s always tucks a few index cards in her back pocket). Be sure to carry a pen.

Tip: You don’t always have to write your words down. If you find words in a magazine or newspaper, simply cut them out and then tape them into your journal, or use a glue stick to attach them to index cards. You probably always have your phone on your person, so snap a photo of the words you like, or save them in a notes file on your mobile device.

Storing and Stashing Words

If you’re a word-crazy writer, your word collection will grow rapidly. What are you going to do with all those words? Woodridge keeps a few in her purse, a couple on her desk, some special favorites in a cloth bag. I keep envisioning a big, round glass fishbowl filled with colorful cards, each with a choice word scrawled on it in. The words in this fishbowl are written in various, vibrant colors of ink.

You could keep them in a tin, a basket, a bucket. Toss them into a drawer or slip them into an envelope. Tuck them into your journal.

The idea is to make the process fun. I’ve actually never seen the fun in collecting anything other than books and music, but words are a collectible that I can really get behind.

Using Words for Writing Ideas

The human mind is a funny thing. Ever notice how annoying, unsavory, or unwelcome memories pop into your brain at the most inopportune moments? Or how sometimes, when you sit down to write, you suddenly have absolutely nothing to say? We’ve all experienced the frustrating phenomenon of having a word on the “tip of your tongue.” You know the word, you know what it means. You even have a general sense of how it sounds. But you just can’t remember it!

With your word collection, you’ll have plenty of words at your disposal — words that will inspire a writing session or provide the perfect adjective when that other one that you wanted to use can’t get past the tip of your tongue.

When you’re ready to create, just pull out your collection and start building. Grab a handful of words, put them in an order that interests you, maybe add a few new words to the mix (off the top of your head or from beyond the tip of your tongue), and then make something out of them. It doesn’t have to a be a poem or an essay or a story. It’s a collection of words. Your collection.

For more details about Poemcrazy , check out my full review . In the meantime, get out there, start collecting words, and let them provide you with fresh writing ideas. You’re going to need them!

25 Comments

That sounds like a very interesting idea! What I have done before when I couldn’t come up with anything was IMing several friends to each give me a list of ten random words. I have come up with stories based on those words before. Carrying a collection of words with you… now that’s something I’ve never heard of. (Or rather, that’s something of which I’ve never heard, if you prefer.)

It sounds like a fun approach for collecting ideas though!

I have made lists of words, but the problem is that I can never find them. I’d have to flip through all my journals and notebooks to find that one word. This is a much better method, in my opinion. I’m planning on starting my word collection by the weekend. Already have my supplies ready to go!

I love to collect words and names. If I come across an unusual name, I jot it down and use it in the future.

I recently collected the longest name I’ve ever seen and will create an extremely large character…a giant to be exact. I can’t wait!

I’ve gotten some great words over the years but I usually just throw them out when I’m talking to The Man. He then says, “When did you make that up?” hahahaha! He knows how to make-a-me laugh.

I have a love-hate relationship with names. When I need a name for one of my projects, I can never find the right one. But if someone else needs a name, I can usually come up with something that works well. So this method of collecting words will be good for names too. Made up words are the best!

Thank you! This was wonderful…I’ve always meant to collect words, but for some reason it is hard to start until you are given specific directions. I think keeping these tips in mind will be very helpful.

I feel the same way. I too have collected words but not in this fashion. I have a couple sets of tags from a photo project I did last year and I’m going to start with those. I figure I’ll just put them on my desk and when an intriguing word pops up, I’ll jot it down and then put it in a storage container. The container is the only thing I’m missing, actually. I’m going to try to find a pretty glass jar because the tags I’m using are so colorful.

It’s so reassuringly awesome I’m not the only one who collects words. And it’s no surprise to you that I make words up, but part of the fun of doing that is looking up my made up word to make sure it doesn’t already exist. I laughed when you said you pulled a word out of a song because I do that all the time. Sometimes a word just sticks with you and you are inspried by it or feel the need to look it up to get several definitions. The word for me this past week has been “purpose” and I even came up with a six word story for it. But since I have way too many sticky notes that I know what to do with, I now have use for them and will start putting words on them. I already collect words on my phone. In fact, forgetting a word happened to me the other night. A friend and I were discussing the word that I guess means the same thing as “reference” but when it applies to one story talking about another story in context to the current story. Rather than confuse you, the discussion was about Phil Collins and how Eminem reffered to him in his song “Stan”. However my friend didn’t think the word “reference” was the correct term. We both knew of another word but still we haven’t figured out what it was. I found some nice ones in the process of my search though.

I think “reference” works. Here’s an article that talks about a David Bowie song, “Space Oddity,” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Oddity_%28song%29 . It mentions several other songs that reference the main character in the song (Major Tom). Words used: feature, allude, and reference. Keep collecting those words!

words are all I have to take your heart away… It was a pop song long ago but it’s stayed with me, along with Rilke’s poem about gathering words to make them ‘smile as they step into my song.’ Though Walter Raleigh warned, Psassions are likened best to floods and streams/The shallow murmur, but the deep are dumb./ Those who are rich in words, in words discover/ they are poor in that which makes a lover. What do we want most, words or love. or both?

What a beautiful quote, Jenny. Thank you for sharing it.

Hi Melissa,

Just want to thank you for the poetry prompts. I was finally able to write down a poem after a long time and the inspiration came from one of your posts,the “Love Poetry prompts”.Here is what i came up with:

She stands still in a trance, The leaves fall from the branch; Her eyes wander in their search, For her perfect match on this earth.

Her heart has heard the harbinger’s cry, She is ready for another try; The blood gushes down in her veins as her heart beats with a strain .

His steps sound, soft and slow, To her enchanted ears they flow; Carried by the blissful breeze, Which none of us would want to cease.

The twilight rays brighten her face, One last glance she has that way. Through the shadows into the fading light, He makes his way to her delight.

He recognizes her from his countless dreams, Her voice he has heard beyond those streams. Dazed and dazzled, she falls into his arms, The two of them dissolve into a trance.

Hi Peter. What a lovely poem! Thank you for sharing it.

Word collectors unite! Yes, the collecting of words is acknowledged. One of the things I enjoy doing is reading a good old fashioned, hard copy dictionary. The online versions simply don’t compare.

I’m still in possession of my wonderful magnetic word collection, and love moving them about to create simple or complex sentences and short (terrible) poetry. But, the idea of collecting my own written version of a word collection is . . . well, for lack of a better word, exciting.

Thanks, Melissa for letting us know about the book and the concept.

I have been known to read the dictionary. In fact, I was reading it a couple of years ago, looking for a perfect word (for a name) and I was on the phone with a friend who thought I was crazy. The things we writers will do!

I do read the dictionary but the thesaurus is my favorite reference book, and I do mean ‘book’. Roget’s Thesaurus has a wonderful beginning called the Synopsis of Categories. I love looking through all the concepts it covers like Class 3 – Physics or Class 8 – Affection. You can look up words alphabetically in the index, but I can get lost in the concepts and how they are related.

Love this post! I think I’m going to become a word collector 🙂 I’m a novelist, not a poet, but words are still important to me. Thanks for introducing this idea!

Words are just as useful to a novelist! I also collect names.

What a great way to look at words – as inspiration for writing ideas. I love it. I’m going to share this post on my blog.

Thanks for the unique way to think of our most important asset – our words.

I have started poems with words before. A word or phrase pops into my mind and somehow it develops into a poem. It’s pretty cool.

Very inspiring, thank you!

I like to read novels or poems with a notebook and pen handy (or my iPhone notes app) and I can jot down other writers’ inspiring words. Rather than copy them exactly into my own writing, I can juggle them around and use with my own. I recently learnt that in ‘Gone with the Wind’, Scarlett got angry and her ‘lips turned pale’. I am always looking for more interesting ways to express emotion instead of saying ‘she felt angry’ or ‘she felt sad’.

I have also discovered something wonderful about my new Kindle that I did not realise it could do. If I email my work as a Word attachment to my Kindle email, it will appear as a download and I can read and proof read it on the Kindle, marking words, making notes for changes or else just checking for a more useful word in the dictionary that pops up. Brilliant and no paper wasted!

I’ve heard a lot of authors talk about proofreading on their Kindles. I haven’t tried that yet. I either proof on my computer screen or I use a printed copy. I will check Kindle for formatting. I definitely try to save paper. In fact I don’t have a printer hooked up at all. I only proof printed copies for longer projects.

I collect words (from books I read) in Field Notes Notebooks – http://www.fieldnotesbrand.com . I staple two or three together along the spine and keep it handy while I’m reading.

I’ve heard good things about Field Notes notebooks!

Fun idea for getting inspired to write. It makes me think of the OuLiPo writing group who would find creative potential out of exercises such as replacing every fourth or fifth word in an existing piece of text with a word that came x number of words after it.

Oh yes, I’ve done a few writing exercises that start with a word hunt. Good fun!

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KathySteinemann.com: Free Resources for Writers

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

200+ Ways to Say “Beautiful”: A Word List for Writers

Too Many Instances of Beautiful in Your Prose or Poetry Will Dilute Its Effectiveness

The rainbow is beautiful .

Look at that beautiful woman.

This dress is beautiful .

If you resort to beautiful more than a handful of times throughout a novel, dialogue excluded, your writing will suffer.

At the bottom of this post, you’ll find more than 200 alternatives for beautiful . Don’t merely plug in substitutions. Try using the suggestions as catalysts to transform the words into verbs or nouns.

Consider This Sentence

Helen was beautiful .

Let’s pick a few words from the list and do a rewrite.

Helen’s ethereal poise tantalized every suitor who bowed the knee before her.

Here’s the List

A adorable, alluring, amazing, angelic, appealing, arresting, astonishing, astounding, attractive, awe-inspiring, awesome

B beauteous, bedazzling, beguiling, bewitching, bodacious, bonny, boundless, breathtaking

C captivating, celestial, charming, chaste, cherubic, come-hither, comely, compelling, consummate, coquettish, cosmopolitan, curvaceous, cute

D dazzling, delectable, delicious, delightful, desirable, disarming, divine, dreamy, dumbfounding, dynamic

E electrifying, elegant, empyrean, enchanting, endearing, engaging, enrapturing, enthralling, enticing, entrancing, ethereal, exceptional, exciting, exotic, exquisite, extraordinary, eye -catching

F fabulous, fair, fascinating, fetching, fiery, fine, flabbergasting, flaming, flawless, flirtatious, formidable, foxy

G and H genteel, genuine, glamorous, glittering, glorious, glowing, good-looking, gorgeous, gracious, gripping, handsome, heady, heavenly, hot, hypnotic

I immeasurable, impeccable, impersonal, imposing, incomparable, inconceivable, incredible, indescribable, inescapable, inexorable, infinite, inimitable, intoxicating, intriguing, inviting, irresistible

J to L jaw-dropping, knockout, limitless, lissome, lovely, luminous, luscious, lush, lustrous

M magical, magnetic, magnificent, majestic, matchless, measureless, mesmerizing, mind-boggling, momentous, mouth -watering, mysterious, mystical

N and O noble, nonpareil, opulent, otherworldly, outstanding, overpowering, overwhelming

P paralyzing, peerless, perfect, perky, personable, phenomenal, picture-perfect, picturesque, pleasing, poised, polished, potent, prepossessing, pretty, pristine, provocative, pure

R radiant, rapturous, rare, ravishing, recherché, red-hot, refined, regal, remarkable, resplendent

S saintly, salacious, scorching, seductive, sensational, sensuous, seraphic, serene, sexy , singular, slinky, smoking, sophisticated, sparkling, spectacular, spectral, spellbinding, spine-tingling, splendid, splendiferous, splendorous, staggering, stately, statuesque, striking, stunning, stupefying, stylish, sublime, sui generis, sultry, sunny, superior, supreme, surreal, sweet

T taking, tantalizing, teasing, tempting, thrilling, titillating, torrid, transcendent, transcendental, transfixing

U unbelievable, uncanny, unearthly, unequalled, unimaginable, unique, unprecedented, unrivaled, unsurpassed, untold

V and W vivacious, voluptuous, wholesome, willowy, winning, winsome, wondrous

Are You Interested in More Word Lists and Writing Tips?

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15 thoughts on “ 200+ Ways to Say “Beautiful”: A Word List for Writers ”

My favourite word here refers to Lucy Westenra, the “Bloofer Lady” seduced by Count Dracula.

Hi, Peter. Which word?

I only had twelve of these, this time, but I still managed to cut five of them. Thanks, as always!

Kewl! It sounds like you’re busy–the best way to be, right?

A hushed silence as she entered the room. I will use this phrase as a replacement for beautiful.

Excellent, Narendra. This shows the effect she has on others as she enters–a good alternative.

Pulchritudinous – not a very beautiful word, but it means ‘great physical beauty and appeal’. Concupiscent – a word I’ve always liked.

Thanks, Peter. Interesting adjectives. However, will they send readers scrambling for their dictionaries? Nowadays many have problems with the simplest of words. 🙂 Used for the right pieces, though, they could lend atmosphere. I’ll add them to my master list for the book that will come out someday.

Yes Kathy. I had to resort to the dictionary when I first read them about 30years ago. I can’t remember where I read them, but I still remember the definitions.

The word beautiful is so overused, it doesn’t mean anything anymore. It’s not in my dictionary. 🙂

Oh, you beautiful person, you. Uh … you inventive, creative, gifted writer. 😉 Beautiful doesn’t mean anything anymore, does it?

Great list! However, I felt “coquettish” and “flirtatious” did not belong here. I suppose they describe beauty in a negative sense though. On that note, maybe…

Thank-you for the comment, Ohita.

Sometimes coquettish and flirtatious would be considered negative. However, if you’re a guy, and a girl is looking at you with a coquettish expression, you might find it appealing. 😉 Words can have different connotations when viewed in context with surroundings and circumstances.

From a man’s point of view, they can all be replaced by WOW.

Ha ha! Never thought of it that way, Trevor.

170 cool, unique, and beautiful English words to spark a little joy

Karolina Assi

Have you ever experienced serendipity? Do you have a nemesis? Are you a flibbertigibbet? Unless you know what these words mean, you won’t know the answer to these questions!

And if you don’t know what these words mean - don’t worry! It’s estimated that there are 171,146 words in use in the English language, plus around 47,156 obsolete words. That’s a lot of words! No wonder you don’t know all of them, especially if you’re not a native speaker.

However, if you’re as passionate about learning languages as we are (and if you’re reading our blog, then you must be), you know how fun it can be to learn new words in a foreign language. Having a vast vocabulary can not only help you express yourself better, but it’ll also make you sound more eloquent.

So, in this list, we’ve gathered over 170 unique, cool, and beautiful English words that you will love.

Beautiful English words and their meanings

While it’s often said that French and Spanish are the most romantic and beautiful languages, English also has its fair share of beautiful words. You may already know a couple, such as solitude , euphoria , or labyrinth .

If you want to expand your vocabulary with beautifully-sounding words, below you’ll find a list of what we believe to be the most beautiful English words, accompanied by their meanings.

Beautiful English words

While the beauty of a word is subjective and may differ for each of us, many English words are undeniably mellifluous (yes, that’s one of them). This list is the quintessence of the most beautiful English words.

Ready to further your career with a new language?

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Beautiful English phrases, sayings, and idioms

Beautiful words lead to beautiful phrases and expressions. English is full of literal and metaphorical expressions that inspire us, bring us joy, or make us wonder about the meaning of life.

Below is a list of some of the most beautiful English phrases, sayings, and expressions.

Cool English words that will make you chuckle

The English language is full of strange, funny words. Some of them are so odd that you can’t help but wonder how they became part of the language! Others sound so funny that they’ll certainly make you chuckle. Love a bit of gibberish? You might enjoy being flabbergasted when you discover the longest words in English here !

Popular slang words in English you need to know

If you’re an internet person who scrolls through Instagram and watches TikTok, you might have seen some words you thought you knew used in a completely different context. While some vocabulary may seem like some sort of a Gen Z code to you, it’s actually quite fun to play around with once you understand it.

With this list of the most popular slang words in English, you’ll be fluent in the TikTok lingo in no time. You can also find 321 more fun American slang expressions here .

And even more unique English words…

Did you know that English has a word for throwing someone out of the window? You’ll be surprised to find out that there are lots of English words that even native speakers aren’t always aware of!

From clinomania to petrichor , you’re about to discover a whole new world of unique words in English that you had no idea existed.

Feeling effervescent?

Learning English words can leave you feeling light-headed!  But there’s no need to be lackadaisical or woebegone about it. Everyone can learn new beautiful words in English with a bit of practice, even if it’s a lot of gobbledygook.

We hope that this list of the weirdest, funniest, and most beautiful English words will turn you into a true logophile with an ineffable epeolatry.

Keep up the free English vocabulary fun here.

Expand your knowledge of English

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Learn2Write

Learn to write - the right way, striking a balance with sophisticated vocabulary.

Any piece of creative writing is woven with specific words that help to evoke emotions, convey ideas and inspire action. Obviously, the allure of using sophisticated vocabulary for that purpose is undeniable. We use it to elevate our language so that our writing resonates not only with intellect but also with eloquence. Hence, we go ahead and choose high-sounding words like brobdingnagian, obfuscate, ineffableness, etc. Now, here is the tricky part: using words that are too fancy can sometimes make things confusing! So, we need to find the perfect balance between showing off our creative skills and making sure everyone enjoys the show! That is, we need to know which word is the most effective in a context. In the words of Captain Marvel, "It's not about the powers. It's about using them wisely." In simple words, dear young writers, to use strong words wisely, you need to understand the tiny differences between them.

Accordingly, when it comes to choosing words, we need to take note of two types of choices: ‘synonyms’ that are context-appropriate and ‘near synonyms’ that somewhat mean the same thing but have opposite connotations. Let’s check out both kinds in depth.

Synonyms:  

What’s a synonym? Imagine words are like colours. We know that a single colour can have different shades, like different shades of blue. Well, words can be like that too! Let's take the word "happy." There are other words that mean almost the same thing: "joyful" or "gleeful." These words are synonyms because they mean the same thing—feeling good.

Now, here's the tricky part: even though they're similar, these words have tiny differences, just like light and dark blue. For instance, if you had a happy day, saying it was "joyful" makes it feel extra special and full of joy. But if you say it was "gleeful," it means not only happy but also a bit playful with some giggles. So, it's like choosing different colours to make our sentences more interesting! Let's explore some words with advanced synonyms along with examples.

Colossal: extremely large, like a gigantic mountain or a colossal statue.

Enormous: really, really big, like something that's much larger than usual.

Example : The cake at the party was colossal; its enormous layers of sweetness signalled everyone to indulge.

Expeditious: this refers to the quality of being prompt, efficient and done with speed. It implies a timely and efficient execution of tasks or actions.

Accelerated: this refers to the increase in speed or pace.

Example : The company witnessed accelerated growth in the global market due to their expeditious manner of completing projects.

Near synonyms:

What is a near/nuanced synonym? Let's explore the nuanced differences between the words ‘simple and plain,’ and let’s compare them to variations in our colour palette. If something is "simple," it suggests clarity and straightforwardness, like a clean stroke on the canvas. On the other hand, if it's described as "plain," it might mean lacking adornment, like a canvas without intricate details. They are near synonyms as they have similar meanings but come with distinct connotations that can alter the perception of the described word.

Let's explore near-synonyms with advanced words and their common counterparts:

1.     Courageous vs. Audacious: courageous suggests bravery and noble qualities, while audacious implies bravery or daring nature, often with a hint of recklessness.

2.     Famous vs. Infamous: famous implies positive renown, while infamous implies being well-known for negative reasons.

3.     Diligent vs. Meticulous: diligent refers to careful and persistent work, while meticulous implies an almost obsessive attention to detail.

4.     Sceptical vs. Cynical: sceptical suggests a cautious questioning to verify claims to be sure. Cynical, on the other hand, is wanting to verify claims out of a general lack of trust in others' intentions and not just to be sure.

5.     Serene Vs Tranquil: serene suggests a state of calmness and peace within an individual, even in the face of challenges, while tranquil describes an external environment that is quiet and undisturbed. While both convey a sense of calmness and peacefulness, the nuance lies in the context of that calmness.

6.     Shrewd vs Cunning: shrewd indicates sharpness in judgment, often positively, while cunning can have a more negative connotation, implying deceit or trickery.

So, here's the deal: using fancy words can be cool, but we've got to be careful. Do not overload your writing as you can risk writing convoluted sentences that hinder the reader’s ability to understand your piece. Because even though words might seem kind of alike, they each bring their own special twist (in tone and meaning) to our writing. After all, they are synonyms, not the same word; they are definitely not interchangeable.

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Daily Writing Tips

100 exquisite adjectives.

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

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

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32 thoughts on “100 Exquisite Adjectives”

Fantastic list! Thank you for sharing it with us.

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

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

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

How about a list especially for young readers?

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

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

Thanks for a great list.

An exquisite list, in deed.

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

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

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

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

Actually, that could be fun.

really useful list. much needed 🙂 thanks

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Still, great to see such a list.

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

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

Superb stuff, absolutely top notch.

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

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

Fabulous list of adjectives..all are pretty helpful.

Some good choices here. Love arcadian and cerulean. 🙂

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

A good, stimulating list.

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

njnnjnnj wow

i d k im only 100000000000000 yrs old relax due

@Roberta B.

No, they used facilitate correctly 🙂

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

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

this list made me hard

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, suggested sophisticated words for essays.

I'm working on my college application essays and I want to make sure my vocabulary is on point. Can anyone suggest some sophisticated words to use in essays that could make them stand out while staying authentic?

Incorporating sophisticated vocabulary can definitely enhance your essays, but remember to prioritize clarity and authenticity. Your writing should still reflect your own voice and experiences. That being said, here are some words you might consider using:

1. Ephemeral: short-lived; temporary

2. Serendipity: the phenomenon of finding valuable things not sought for

3. Ineffable: too great or extreme to be expressed in words

4. Disenfranchised: Deprived of the right to vote or other privileges

5. Alacrity: cheerful willingness; eagerness

6. Venerable: accorded a great deal of respect due to age, wisdom, or character

7. Insidious: proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects

8. Paradox: a statement or situation that seems contradictory but may reveal a deeper truth

9. Dichotomy: a division or contrast between two things that are opposed or entirely different

10. Ubiquitous: present, appearing, or found everywhere

When using these words or any others, make sure you thoroughly understand their meaning and proper usage. Overusing sophisticated words or using them inappropriately can detract from your essay, making it feel forced or pretentious. Additionally, different words may be more or less effective depending on the context of your essay. Prioritize how well they fit into your personal narrative and the overall message you want to convey.

And remember, there are thousands of words you can use to make your essays more sophisticated and communicate your ideas more effectively. The more you read—especially reputable publications like the New York Times or classic novels—the more you will expand your vocabulary.

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CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

English Harmony

I’m Robby, and I’m a non-native English speaker. Throughout my entire life I’ve always wanted to speak in English fluently, but because of the way English is taught in schools, I always struggled with my spoken English.

I couldn't learn to speak fluent English for 5 years - read about what I was doing to learn to speak fluently HERE - are YOU in the same situation?

Then, one fine day, after years of constant pursuit of English fluency, I realized the key aspect of spoken English improvement – learning English phrases and word combinations instead of studying grammar rules and trying to construct sentences in your head from scratch!

If you’re interested in improving your English fluency too, please check out the English Harmony System which is a product I created to help all my fellow foreigners to better their spoken English and achieve so much more in professional, social and personal life.

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Useful Sophisticated English Words & Phrases

If you are new here please read this first.

When I arrived in Ireland 15 years ago, I went onto a mission of learning English vocabulary because I thought it was going to help me overcome my fluency issues.

As a result, I acquired hundreds upon hundreds long English vocabulary lists also containing plenty of words that even native English speakers don’t use and they simply didn’t have a clue what they meant when I tried using them in real life!

I like to call such English vocabulary “sophisticated” , and I’ve also written extensively on this topic on my blog, here’s a couple of articles:

• Don’t Learn Some Obscure English Words that Even Native Speakers DON’T KNOW!
• Simple vs Sophisticated Vocabulary? It’s All Just Semantics (Interpretation)!

Now I know better than to learn English words that nobody uses in day-to-day communication; I’d rather use to learn the vocabulary I already know in DIFFERENT WAYS thus enabling me to speak about virtually any topic.

Sometimes, however, knowing how to use certain sophisticated English words comes in handy and as it was pointed out by one of my YouTube commentators, some English tests and exams may include such vocabulary.

So, without further ado, let’s learn some useful English expressions containing words that you may not have heard before – or maybe you’ve heard them a few times and wondered what they actually mean.

Needless to say, it’s strongly advised you acquire this sophisticated vocabulary by learning the entire word combination thus ensuring you’ll be able to USE the word in question! ( Read this article to understand what exactly I’m talking about here )

NEW!  Clairvoyant – you know the way sometimes people would assume that you know something while in reality you haven’t got any idea what they’re talking about? In situations like that I’d normally say “Do you think I’m a psychic or what?” You can, however, use this sophisticated word instead – clairvoyant – it describes pretty much the same concept. “Do you think I’m a clairvoyant or what?”

NEW! Serendipity  – personally I love this word – and you’d use it to describe an event which is a result of a very, very big, almost impossible coincidence that has a very happy ending. A typical example would be two people meeting each other against all odds and finding out that they were almost destined to meet.

NEW! Seismic shift   – this English collocation will come in really handy when describing a massive, fundamental change: “There’s been a seismic shift in the government’s stance in relation to the water charges – believe it or not, but they’ve been abolished which nobody could see coming!”

NEW! Pivotal role   – when you want to describe something or someone playing a central role in the process, this is exactly the kind of expression to use: “My master’s degree in IT played a pivotal role in the recruitment process – without it I wouldn’t have been hired.”

NEW!  Obnoxious  behavior – this word is used to described something extremely unpleasant – typically other people’s behavior or their qualities. Here’s a good example: “I’m sorry, but I just can’t stand Allison’s obnoxious behavior so I end up avoiding her company altogether.”

NEW!  Ludicrous  – have you ever experienced a situation that is absurd to the point of being funny? Imagine, for instance, being pulled over by the cops, getting checked for alcohol in your breath and actually being tested positive despite the fact you hadn’t been drinking before… It would be ludicrous simply because it would be very last thing you’d ever expect and if you’re a person endowed with a sense of humor you’d be able to laugh about it and demand a second opinion on the basis of the breathalyzer being wrong!

Exhilarating experience – super-exciting experience such as a parachute jump, for example.

Ad nauseam – when some activity is repeated all over and over again till you’re sick of it, you can use this phrase to describe how you feel about it. For example – “I’ve tried to explain it to him ad nauseam but he just doesn’t understand what I’m talking about…”

Atrocious crime – especially vicious and cruel crime resulting in a number of victims.

Begging and cajoling – when you’re trying to convince someone to change their mind and they finally give in, you can say that “After plenty of begging and cajoling I finally managed to convince my mom to allow me to go to the trip to Utah.”

Detrimental effect – a bad, negative effect.

Eliminate from the equation – exclude something from a number of factors to be considered in relation to the main issue. Example: “When talking about day-to-day stress management, it’s important to eliminate unnecessary distractions from the equation so that you can be more focused on your tasks at hand.”

Endowed with the ability – When someone or something is endowed with the ability, it simply means they possess (have) this particular ability. “All human beings are endowed with the ability to love and take care of others.”

Evoke emotions – when something makes us feel a certain way. For example – “Hard rock evokes depressive emotions whereas upbeat, cheerful music lifts up our mood.”

Gain momentum – normally used in business English to describe economical processes that require some time to reach their full potential. A good example would be a start-up business that demands a lot of investment and effort to establish, but when it’s gained momentum, it practically starts to run itself.

Heinous crime – especially gross and unhuman crime.

Unilateral decision – decision made by only one person or group of people without taking others’ opinion into consideration. This phrase was used a lot during the financial crisis a few years ago in Ireland (it’s where I live so that’s why I’m using the example of Ireland!) when the government decided to guarantee bank losses without taking into account the opinion of other political parties.

Hinder communication – to prevent communication. The word “hinder” can be used pretty much as a substitute to the word “prevent” in any context!

Conditions that exacerbate … – this phrase is most commonly used in medical context when speaking about diseases that may get worse because of certain factors. Here’s a good example – “Are you aware that you work in conditions that may exacerbate your asthma? You should change your job immediately!”

Illicit affairs – “illicit” simply means “illegal” – so when you hear the word “illicit” used in combination with words such as “affairs”, it means that some criminal, unlawful activities are being discussed.

Oblivious to – totally unaware of something. When a person is going through a really intense emotional suffering, they may become oblivious to their surroundings and people around them at times. Also, when you’re simply deep in your thoughts, you may become temporarily oblivious to what’s going on around you.

Ambiguous situation – a situation that can be interpreted in two ways; it’s when there’s no clear-cut answer to a particular problem. In sports, for example, judges’ decisions are sometimes disputed but it’s all because the situation during a game is so ambiguous that it’s almost impossible to ascertain (find out) the truth. Also, when someone sends you an e-mail, for example, and you can interpret their instructions in many ways, you can say that the instructions are ambiguous and you can’t really take action in case you get it wrong.

Eloquent – fluent, someone who has a way with words. If you can speak fluent English and you’re really good at it, you can say you’re an eloquent English speaker. Just bear in mind – you have to be REALLY good at it to be considered eloquent – not every native English speaker is eloquent, for that matter.

Media- perpetuated – when certain subject is being constantly mentioned in media – Internet, newspapers, radio and TV – it’s said that it’s “media-perpetuated”. Let’s say, for example, the current obsession with dieting and slimming has led to an increasing number of eating disorders among teenagers, and it’s strongly believed it’s a direct result of the media-perpetuated images of skinny models and celebrities.

Transcends boundaries – surpasses, goes beyond certain limits. Love and compassion transcends any racial and religious boundaries – meaning that the concepts of love and compassion don’t choose people based on their origin and religious beliefs.

He’s adamant that… – he insists that… You can use this sophisticated English word when describing a 100% certainty of someone or yourself. “He’s adamant that the goods were sent out to the customer.”

Unsolicited advice – advice that hasn’t been asked for. If someone is telling you what to do without you having asked them for advice, you can say it’s unsolicited advice.

Amalgamate the data – you can use this expression when you’re putting some figures together. For example, when you’re doing a stock take of inventory and then all those figures have to be combined, you can say that you’re going to amalgamate the data so you won’t be able to attend to other work-related duties. Personally I love this English sophisticated word because it originates from the noun “amalgam” which means “ an alloy of mercury with another metal” and I think it’s got a unique vibe to it!

Irrevocably linked – you can say that something’s irrevocably linked when it can’t be undone, when it can’t be taken apart. This English sophisticated collocation is best used in figurative speech – for example: “The tobacco trade and government tax income are irrevocably linked and I simply don’t believe the State wants us to quit smoking for good.”

Subliminal aversion to – subconscious (you’re not even aware of it) disgust towards something.

Excruciating pain – very intense, strong pain.

Perseverance is the key to success – “perseverance” describes the quality of someone who’s being very persistent and hard-working.

Good luck with your future endeavors – good luck with your future attempts to achieve something, to achieve goals etc.

Paramount – very, very important, top-priority, of the utmost importance. “It’s paramount that you log out of the system first before shutting the PC down or else all the data will be lost!”

Don’t exert yourself too much – don’t put too much pressure on yourself, don’t work too hard. You can say this kind of thing to a friend of yours who’s just been sick and has just returned back to work, for example.

Reciprocal – something that goes both ways; mutual. If someone tells you “It was nice meeting you!”, you can say – “Reciprocal!” – which means the experience of you meeting them was also pleasant. Of course, it’s going to sound very smart, but it’s going to be correct nonetheless. Another use of this word – “ reciprocal links ” – it’s used among website owners and bloggers to describe links pointing to each other’s websites.

Fluctuations – this economy related English word describes a process that changes over time – especially price changes. Here’s an example: “Forex traders make money by trading on currency price fluctuations”. It can be also used in other contexts; I, for example, like to describe the changing English fluency (one day you can speak fluently, the next day it’s gone down followed by another day of good fluency) with this word – “ English fluency fluctuations “.

Adjacent  street – if you describe a street using the word “adjacent”, it simply means that the street in question meets another street you were talking about previously; basically when two streets meet at an angle, they’re called “adjacent streets”. A simpler way to explain the same thing would be by saying that the two streets meet – but you can use this fancy word just as well.

Common denominator – strictly speaking, this is a maths term and it’s used when operating with fractions. In everyday English speech though, this fancy expression containing the word “denominator” can be used when referring to common traits in people and common characteristics in pretty much anything. Here’s an example: “All rich and powerful people share the same common denominator – they know exactly what they want in life and they aren’t afraid of taking risks.”

Dispel a stereotype – sounds really smart, doesn’t it? Here’s how the same expression would sound using simpler English words – “bust a myth”. Now you start getting the idea, don’t you? Basically dispelling a stereotype means to prove that a certain belief is wrong, for example – the typical stereotype of blonde women being stupid, or foreign English speakers being bad at understanding English just because their speech isn’t fluent.

Elaborate on something – this sophisticated English word can be used to describe the process of providing more details on something. Let’s say, for argument’s sake, you’re sitting in a class and your teacher wants you to explain a particular concept. Here’s what he’d say: “Alright, but now could you elaborate on it, please?” Just please bear in mind that the word “elaborate” can be pronounced in two different ways – depending on whether it’s an adjective or a verb. In this case it’s a verb, so its pronunciation is as follows: [ɪˈlæbərəit] – pay a particular attention to the last syllable which is pronounced as in the word “ATE”.

Gravitate towards – does this word have anything to do with Earth’s gravitation? Well, yes and no! No, because it’s not about physics, and yes, because it does in fact entail a movement in a certain direction due to a certain level of attraction by something. Basically you can use it when talking about your future plans and explaining what you are most likely to do – in other words, what attracts you, what you are gravitating towards. And here comes an example: “Well, even though I graduated as an engineer, I’m gravitating towards more academic approach – something like a university lecturer.”

Predict all eventualities – “eventuality” is just a fancy word for “possibility”, so to predict all eventualities means to predict all possibilities, all possible outcomes of a certain event. Most likely you’d be using this expression to say that it’s not really possible to predict all eventualities and you’ll always end up with taking a certain amount of risk no matter what you do.

Now, this list is by no means an exhaustive list of all sophisticated English vocabulary that you may ever need.

It’s a good place to start, however, and you can rest assured that all these words are actually used in media and also in conversations by real English speaking people unlike some other obscure words that 99.9% of English speaking people have NEVER heard.

So basically this list has been created based upon my own years’ long experience communicating with English speaking people at work and various institutions as well as consuming plenty of written English material.

P.S. Are you serious about your spoken English improvement? Check out my English Harmony System HERE!

P.S. Are you serious about your spoken English improvement? Check out the English Harmony System HERE!

I know many of these words, but the challenge is to use these phrases in right context in practice. That’s why practicing these words are utmost important.

i was looking for fancy words but i somehow already knew what 80% of this meant, might be that i read too much and im dumb or im actually alot less dumber than i thought lol

searches a page about exquisite vocabulary, comments agains exquisite vocabulary

I mean, i wouldn’t think i would use it on a day to day basis, but for elaborating your writing and for your stories i think that’s interesting to know, because if not, it could get boring or maybe you would have a bunch of overused words.

Thank you for your sophisticated vocabulary list. It is quite instrumental for all non-native speakers including me to improve my English skills. And then, I admire your effort to learn English.

Agreed very good article.

what other word for sophisticated

I suggest NOT using that exquisite vocabulary, keep it simple. I’ve been there in multiple locations and native English speakers don’t have a clue what that bunch of words mean.

thanks, I do hope that with this, my vocabulary can gain momentum!

No. Adjacent would not be at all applicable to parallel whatsoever. Adjacent means to be connected at some point. His explanation is accurate.

May I suggest adding immaculate, it means perfect or without flaw. I use it in America often and in my opinion sounds sophisticated.

It is actually thank you, I guess you have to learn spellings too

Noone gives a damn, for natives like us its not surprising

My bad, I wasn’t able to view it since the last 2 weeks. Rest assured though, that I will consider it in my reading. THANKS SO MUCH!

Thank you for your appreciation. Have you checked also the resources available on English Harmony System as well ?

I respect your effort, although I request for definitions for the new words please. Thank you for the list!

very good but not wholely correct Illicit would be more immoral rather than illegal – an illicit affair would be something you shouldn’t really do – like have an affair, not necessarily illegal but immoral adjacent literally translates as next to so would refer to roads running parallel to each other not crossing or to a road running past a park. – the adjacent roads were either side of the park – the road were adjacent to the park.

how can I get this vocabulary list

Hi Robby, these are some of the best and most heard words/phrases now a days..keep up the good work man.. waiting for more from you

On further examination I knew all of these words.

This is a fairly simple list. Knew all but one or two.

These word are very helpful to my IELTS test. Thanks a lot.

You are welcome! Happy to hear that!

Happy to hear that! Good luck for the exams!

These are really helpful thankyou

That’s gonna be real helpful for my igcse exams

You’re welcome, I’m glad you like it! 😉

Thankiew for these remarkable bombastic vocabulary!

Thanks Diana for the feedback, much appreciated!

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50 Sophisticated Words You Should Start Using

It might be time for phasing out some of the played-out words in your vocabulary and replacing them with creative alternatives? Don’t feel bad; everyone you know has been guilty of letting a “fail” or an “LOL” slip at least once in a while. But those words are tired. They need a long rest. Here are 50 sophisticated utterances to deploy instead.

Cyber Substitutes

• Supreme : Epic doesn’t mean what you think it means. Use this instead, meaning classic or perfect.
• Blunder : For the love of grammar, “fail” is not a noun. On the other hand, “ blunder ” works as both a noun and a verb. How supreme.
• Triumph : Instead of “ FTW ,” you can say, “ For The Triumph! ” We bet you money you can’t say it without feeling like Maximus.
• Fidus Achates : More than some internet acquaintance, a fidus Achates (“ FEED-us uh-KAH-tays “) is a true friend. It’s like “ BFF ” in Latin.
• Fancy : It’s only a matter of time before you’ll be able to “ fancy ” a link or status update for which you wish to show appreciation.
• Cachinnate : Forget about laughing your a** off. Tell them you’re cachinnating (CACK-in-ate-ing) heartily.
• Woe is me : It sounds a bit like Yoda-ese, but instead of saying FML, go biblical with “ woe is me .”
• Piquant : If you simply must inform the world how scrumptious the food you are currently eating is, please refrain from saying “ nom nom nom .” Use this descriptor instead to convey appetizing flavor.
• Baffling : It’s too easy to just drop a “WTH” (or some variation) on some activity or news that perplexes you. Why not be baffled ?
• Indubitably : The “ Really ?” ship has sailed. To express ironic dismay, go with, “ Indubitably ?” Trust us, it’s a can’t-miss.
• Desultory : Don’t be a serial “ random “-dropper. If something is unexpected, call it “ desultory .”
• Ergo : Starting a status update with “ so ” is nonsensical because “ so ” means “ therefore .” But if you’re going to use “ so ” correctly, “ ergo ” works just as well and makes you sound twice as classy.

Better Buzzwords

• Donjon : Men, have you been relegated to a small segment of the house referred to as your “ man cave ?” You don’t have to take that. Call it your donjon , like the stronghold of a castle.
• Garrison : “ Occupy ” has been done to death. Use this if you’re moving in and taking over.
• Aspiration : Something that goes on your Bucket List (which hopefully you’re not still saying) is an aspiration .
• Pater familias : Bad: “ baby daddy .” Better: “ father .” Best: “ pater familias .”
• Minutiae-peddling : This phrase is our own creation. Since 40% of all tweets are pointless babble , instead of saying “ I’m tweeting ” you could say, “ I’m peddling minutiae. “

Underage Upgrades

• Alas : “ Oh, snap ” is so out. All the cool kids are saying “ alas! ” after their putdowns.
• Forsooth : All the kids (and some adults) simply adore saying, “ I know, right? ” Kick it old school Archaic with “ forsooth ,” meaning “ indeed .”
• Jocular : People’s eyes glaze over when they read “ LOL .” Send them scrambling for a dictionary when you reply, “ How jocular! “
• Gamin : It means “ street urchin ,” but we can change the meaning to be more neutral if we put our minds to it. After all, we did the same thing with “ dude .”
• Paraphernalia : Remember the nice officer who referred to your “ drug paraphernalia? ” That was a fancier way of saying drug stuff .
• Incogitable : To the kids, everything’s “ wack ” or “ crazy .” But the silver-tongued teenager of 2012 will be sharing his or her disbelief with this mouthful.

Professional Pick-me-ups

• Demiurgic : “ Innovative ” is the second-most overused resume filler word. Since you’re already tooting your own horn, compare yourself to a Gnostic creative deity with this word.
• Ambitious : “ Motivated ” is another résumé snooze-inducer. Go ahead and say you’re ambitious; it’ll add a little edge to it that will help you stand out from the pack.
• Assiduous : Don’t bother telling employers you are “ dynamic ;” everyone they’ve interviewed has been dynamic. But if you want an original way to tell them you are hardworking, use this.
• Henceforth : For some reason, “ going forward ” has caught on as a tack-on to the end of serious statements to make them sound more complete. We’re not sure how you can go any way but forward, but at least use “ henceforth ” instead.
• “_________” : That’s a blank to represent an alternative to saying, “ It is what it is . ” “ It is what it is ” is the equivalent of saying nothing, thus it has no alternative. Just keep quiet for once instead.
• Pandemic : Sure, a video can go viral by getting a few million clicks. But aim higher for your company; shoot for a billion clicks. People will be forced to admit your work has gone pandemic .
• Withal : You’re not still using “ irregardless “, are you? Make the point of “nevertheless” with withal , a great word that people will think you misspelled.
• Veritably : Love, Actually would have been so much more original if it had been called “ Love, Veritably .”
• Impetus : When you execs talk about giving your employees an impetus , you might be discussing raises or donuts in the break room or some other motivational tool.

Romantic Retools

• Cherish : Take a lesson from The Association and discover another way to say “ I love you. “
• Paragon : Tell your girlfriend she is a paragon of beauty and you’ll score major brownie points once she’s looked it up.
• Pulchritudinous : …Or you could call her “ pulchritudinous .” How fantastic is that word? Of course, you will have to quickly assure her it’s a compliment.
• Recherché : Your wife’s dress isn’t just elegant, it’s exquisite, refined, exotic… recherché .
• Despondent : Sad is what you are when you spill wine on your pants. When your baby leaves you high and dry in the cold, cruel world, you’re despondent .
• Loathe : People say “ hate ” is a strong word, but it’s got nothing on “ loathe. “
• Abjure : There’s no doubt saying you “ dumped ” someone is colorful, but if you want to say it in style and with authority, say you abjured that cheatin’ man.
• Yearn : Do justice to your desire to possess that special someone. You don’t want to date them, you yearn for them.

Dignified Descriptors

• Atrocious : You spilled your coffee, broke a shoelace, smeared the lipstick on your face. That’s not a bad day , it’s atrocious .
• Spanking : The only socially-acceptable way to incorporate “ spanking ” into a polite conversation is to use it instead of the word “ good .”
• Transcendent : If you say something is “ awesome ,” you’re saying it inspires fear or awe in you. So pizza cannot be awesome. What it can be is transcendent or excellent.
• Gobs : Make your old English teacher happy and stop using “ lots .” “ Gobs ” is so much more fun to say anyway.
• Opined : “ Said ” is perfectly functional and perfectly acceptable and perfectly boring. If someone is giving their opinion, say they “ opined .”
• Parry : Really, there’s no reason to use “ said ” unless you write for a newspaper. Parry back and forth with your debate partner using your newfound word gems.
• Asseverate : Last one: To asseverate is to declare earnestly or solemnly. So help you God.
• Altitudinous : Get creative when referring to your tall friend from high school. “ That guy was downright altitudinous! “
• Corpulent : If you’re going to call someone fat, at least find an unusual way to do it, like with this word.
• Lummox : So many great insult words, so little time. Take a line from Stewie and call that moron a “ bovine lummox .”

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2 responses to “50 sophisticated words you should start using”.

Zoe, I am an Indian. English is not my mother-tongue, but I am quite comfortable with the language. I love using correct, appropriate and beautiful words and expressions in my day-to-day life. I have to say that I have learnt quite a few words and usages here. This is great piece of work. Loved it! Keep it up.

Thank you for the great comment Nirmalya. I am glad you stopped by.

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50 Sophisticated Words in English (With Examples From Movies)

In this article, however, you’ll find some of the juiciest verbiage ever devised and get some movie entertainment as a bonus. Watching movies is probably one of the best ways to stay in touch with the living language , and as a movie addict, I couldn’t help but create this list. Each of these fancy words is followed by a definition, an example, and a movie scene in which it appeared. All of these examples are marvelous, as they include copious amounts of other advanced words and witty dialogues. Enjoy.

The 50 Sophisticated Words in English List:

1. obtuse – lacking quickness of perception or intellect..

Andy Dufresne: “Are you obtuse?”

2. Condescending – having or showing an attitude of patronizing superiority.

Example: The Social Network

Mark Zuckerberg: “Did I adequately answer your condescending question?”

3. Enhance – intensify, increase, or further improve the quality, value, or extent of.

Bronn: Oh… are we friends now?

Tyrion Lannister: Of course we are. Just because I pay you for your services doesn’t diminish our friendship.

Bronn: Enhances it, really.

Bronn: Been spending time with fancy folks.

4. Demented – behaving irrationally due to anger, distress, or excitement. (or suffering from dementia)

Example: The Network

5. Vicissitude (+ 100 other words in the movie): a change of circumstances or fortune, typically one that is unwelcome or unpleasant.

V.: But on this most auspicious of nights, permit me then, in lieu of the more commonplace soubriquet, to suggest the character of this dramatis persona. Voila! In view humble vaudevillian veteran, cast vicariously as both victim and villain by the vicissitudes of fate. This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is a vestige of the “vox populi” now vacant, vanished. However, this valorous visitation of a bygone vexation stands vivified, and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin, van guarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition.

6. Accretion – growth or increase by the gradual accumulation of additional layers or matter.

7. oblivious – not aware of or concerned about what is happening around one..

Example: The Matrix

Agent Smith: Have you ever stood and stared at it? Marveled at its beauty… its genius? Billions of people just living out their lives… oblivious.

8. Wanton – (of a cruel or violent action) deliberate and unprovoked.

Example: Hannibal (TV Series)

9. Avarice – extreme greed for wealth or material gain.

Hannibal: Because of his avarice, and his betrayal of the emperor’s trust, Pier della Vigna was disgraced, blinded, and imprisoned.

10. To dabble – take part in an activity in a casual or superficial way (or immerse one’s hands or feet partially in water and move them around gently).

Example: Annie Hall

11. Predatory – preying naturally on others.

Example: Inglorious Basterds

Hans Landa: Now, if one were to determine what attribute the German people share with a beast, it would be the cunning and the predatory instinct of a hawk.

12. Contender – a person who tries to win something in a contest; especially: a person who has a good chance of winning.

13. pestilential – relating to or tending to cause infectious diseases..

Example: Lincoln

14. Lethal – sufficient to cause death (very harmful or destructive.)

Example: Django Unchained

15. Fornication – sexual intercourse between people not married to each other.

Example: King’s Speech

King George VI: F… f… fornication?

Lionel Logue: Oh, Bertie.

16. Digression – a temporary departure from the main subject in speech or writing.

Maxwell Perkins: Don’t need the rhetorical.

Maxwell Perkins: It’s not a lightning bolt. It’s a digression.

Maxwell Perkins: Better.

17. Customary – according to the customs or usual practices associated with a particular society, place, or set of circumstances.

Example: Reversal of Fortune

Claus von Bülow: I let the dogs out as was customary.

18. Compound – a thing that is composed of two or more separate elements; a mixture.

Example: Breaking Bad

19. Monstrous – having the ugly or frightening appearance of a monster (or inhumanly or outrageously evil or wrong).

Tyrion Lannister: No, of that I’m innocent. I am guilty of a far more monstrous crime. I am guilty of being a dwarf.

20. Incompatible – (of two things) so different in nature as to be incapable of coexisting.

Example: Dangerous Liaisons

Marquise de Merteuil: Vanity and happiness are incompatible.

21. Regurgitate – repeat (information) without analyzing or comprehending it (or bring swallowed food up again to the mouth).

Will: That’s gonna last until next year — you’re gonna be in here regurgitating Gordon Wood, talkin’ about, you know, the Pre-revolutionary utopia and the capital-forming effects of military mobilization.

22. Fathom – understand (a difficult problem or an enigmatic person) after much thought.

Jessep: I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom.

23. Inter – place (a corpse) in a grave or tomb, typically with funeral rites.

Example: Julius Caesar

24. Exacerbate – make (a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling) worse.

Perry Smith: They only exacerbate the problem; they only heighten or intensify it.

Perry Smith: Okay… well…

25. Desolation – a state of complete emptiness or destruction (or great unhappiness or loneliness).

Example: The Lion in Winter

Eleanor of Aquitaine: What a desolation!

26. Canine – relating to or resembling a dog or dogs.

Example: The Last Action Hero

Benedict: I snap my fingers again and sometime tomorrow, you emerge from several canine rectors.

27. Yawp – a harsh or hoarse cry or yelp.

28. valediction – the action of saying farewell..

Example: LA Confidential

Dudley: Have you a valediction, boyo?

29. Loathe – feel intense dislike or disgust for.

Example: House of Cards

30. Nefarious – (typically of an action or activity) wicked or criminal.

Example: Sherlock Holmes

Lord Chief Justice: Be as skeptical as you like. But our secret system has steered the world for the greater good for centuries. The danger is they can also be used for more nefarious purposes.

31. Compromise – an agreement or settlement of a dispute that is reached by each side making concessions (but also – expediently accept standards that are lower than is desirable).

Mrs. Frances Ternan: I cannot risk Nelly’s reputation.

32. Racy – lively, entertaining, and typically sexually titillating.

Example: The Remains of the Day

33. Catalytic – relating to or involving the action of a catalyst (Catalyst – a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself undergoing any permanent chemical change).

Example: A Dangerous Method

34. Perjure – willfully tell an untruth or make a misrepresentation under oath; commit perjury.

Example: Pride and Prejudice

Georgiana Darcy: But he says you play so well.

Mr. Darcy: No I said, “played quite well.”

35. Hinder – make it difficult for (someone) to do something or for (something) to happen.

George Emerson: This tremendous thing has happened between us and it means… it means nothing must hinder us ever again.

36. Solemnity – the state or quality of being serious and dignified (or a formal, dignified rite or ceremony).

37. lineal – being in the direct line, as a descendant or ancestor, or in a direct line, as descent or succession..

Example: Macbeth

38. Mispersuade – to persuade wrongly.

Example: Mansfield Park

39. Ungentlemanly – not appropriate to or behaving like a gentleman.

Jack: […] you have no right whatsoever to read what is written inside. It is a very ungentlemanly thing to read a private cigarette case.

40. Ravishing – delightful; entrancing.

41. minnow – a small freshwater eurasian fish of the carp family, which typically forms large shoals (or a small or insignificant person or organization)., 42. abhor – regard with disgust and hatred..

Example: Much Ado About Nothing

43. Forfeit – lose or be deprived of (property or a right or privilege) as a penalty for wrongdoing.

44. futility – pointlessness or uselessness..

Example: The Dresser

45. Chasm – a deep fissure in the earth’s surface (or a profound difference between people, viewpoints, feelings, etc.)

46. self-perpetuating – perpetuating itself or oneself without external agency or intervention..

Andre: OK. Yes, we are bored. We’re all bored now. But has it ever occurred to you Wally that the process that creates this boredom that we see in the world now may very well be a self-perpetuating, unconscious form of brainwashing, created by a world totalitarian government based on money, and that all of this is much more dangerous than one thinks?

47. Predicated – something which is affirmed or denied concerning an argument of a proposition.

48. distinguished – very successful, authoritative, and commanding great respect., 49. bosom – a woman’s chest or breasts (or used to refer to the chest as the seat of emotions)..

Example: Richard III

50. Unfounded – having no foundation or basis in fact.

Learning to use these fancy words in practice is an excellent way to enrich your next college essay or book chapter. Remember that it’s not about using big words for the sake of it. Each word needs to serve a specific purpose. After adding these words to your collection, you might also be interested in checking my articles about the most beautiful words in the world .

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100 Words to Make You Sound Smart 

Learn words with flashcards and other activities, other learning activities, teaching tools, full list of words from this list:.

• accolade a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
• acrimony a rough and bitter manner
• angst an acute but unspecific feeling of anxiety
• anomaly deviation from the normal or common order, form, or rule
• avant-garde radically new or original
• baroque relating to an elaborately ornamented style of art and music
• bona fide not counterfeit or copied
• bonhomie a disposition to be friendly and approachable
• boondoggle work of little or no value done merely to look busy
• bourgeois being of the property-owning class
• bravado a swaggering show of courage
• brogue a thick and heavy shoe
• brusque rudely abrupt or blunt in speech or manner
• cacophony loud confusing disagreeable sounds
• camaraderie the quality of affording easy familiarity and sociability
• capricious determined by chance or impulse rather than by necessity
• carte blanche complete freedom or authority to act
• caustic capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action
• charisma personal attractiveness that enables you to influence others
• cloying overly sweet
• deja vu the experience of thinking a new situation already occurred
• dichotomy a classification into two opposed parts or subclasses
• dilettante an amateur engaging in an activity without serious intention
• disheveled in disarray; extremely disorderly
• elan enthusiastic and assured vigor and liveliness
• ennui the feeling of being bored by something tedious
• ephemeral lasting a very short time
• epitome a standard or typical example
• equanimity steadiness of mind under stress
• equivocate be deliberately ambiguous or unclear
• ersatz artificial and inferior
• esoteric understandable only by an enlightened inner circle
• euphemism an inoffensive expression substituted for an offensive one
• facetious cleverly amusing in tone
• fait accompli an irreversible accomplishment
• fastidious giving careful attention to detail
• faux pas a socially awkward or tactless act
• fiasco a complete failure or collapse
• finagle achieve something by means of trickery or devious methods
• glib artfully persuasive in speech
• gregarious temperamentally seeking and enjoying the company of others
• harbinger something indicating the approach of something or someone
• hedonist someone motivated by desires for sensual pleasures
• heresy a belief that rejects the orthodox tenets of a religion
• idiosyncratic peculiar to the individual
• idyllic charmingly simple and serene
• indelicate in violation of good taste even verging on the indecent
• infinitesimal immeasurably small
• insidious working or spreading in a hidden and usually injurious way
• junket dessert made of sweetened milk coagulated with rennet
• litany a prayer led by clergy with responses from the congregation
• lurid glaringly vivid and graphic; marked by sensationalism
• Machiavellian of or relating to amoral or conniving political principles
• malaise a feeling of mild sickness or depression
• malinger avoid responsibilities and duties, often by faking illness
• mantra a sacred utterance or poetic hymn in Vedism
• maudlin very sentimental or emotional
• mercenary a person hired to fight for another country than their own
• minimalist a conservative advocating only minor reforms in government
• misnomer an incorrect or unsuitable name
• narcissist someone who is excessively self-centered
• nirvana the beatitude that transcends the cycle of reincarnation
• non sequitur a reply that has no relevance to what preceded it
• oblivion the state of being disregarded or forgotten
• ogle stare or look at, especially with amorous intentions
• ostentatious intended to attract notice and impress others
• ostracize expel from a community or group
• panacea hypothetical remedy for all ills or diseases
• paradox a statement that contradicts itself
• peevish easily irritated or annoyed
• perfunctory hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough
• philistine a person who is uninterested in intellectual pursuits
• picayune small and of little importance
• precocious characterized by exceptionally early development
• propriety correct behavior
• quid pro quo something given in exchange for something else
• quintessential representing the perfect example of a class or quality
• red herring something intended to distract attention from the main issue
• revel take delight in
• rhetoric study of the technique for using language effectively
• scintillating having brief brilliant points or flashes of light
• spartan unsparing and uncompromising in discipline or judgment
• stigma a symbol of disgrace or infamy
• stoic seeming unaffected by pleasure or pain; impassive
• suave having a sophisticated charm
• supercilious having or showing arrogant superiority
• sycophant a person who tries to please someone to gain an advantage
• teetotaler someone who abstains from drinking alcoholic beverages
• tete-a-tete a private conversation between two people
• tirade a speech of violent denunciation
• tryst a secret rendezvous, especially a romantic one
• ubiquitous being present everywhere at once
• unrequited not returned in kind
• untenable incapable of being defended or justified
• verbose using or containing too many words
• vicarious experienced at secondhand
• vile morally reprehensible
• waft a long flag; often tapering
• zealous marked by active interest and enthusiasm
• Zeitgeist the spirit of the time

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Bank of ambitious vocabulary for creative writing

Subject: English

Age range: 11-14

Resource type: Worksheet/Activity

Last updated

8 August 2023

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Just a bank of ambitious vocabulary for creative writing.

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Will be really useful as a resource students can build on!

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Some terrific vocabulary here - going straight up on my ambitious vocab board, and being updated weekly with target vocab! Thanks!

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