Examples of Adjectives and How to Use Them

By
, Staff Writer
Updated July 28, 2021
adjectives definition chart
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    adjectives definition chart
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Where would we be without adjectives? How would we describe a pretty flower or enjoy an enchanting evening? Simply put, adjectives add further description to nouns. More specifically, they provide flourish to the English language and added a dose of color. When you spend some time examining examples of adjectives, you can electrify your writing with the appropriate injection of adjectival beauty. Ready to have some fun? Dive into a list of adjective examples and how to use them in sentences.

Adjectives describe, identify or further define nouns and pronouns. There are thousands of these descriptive words at your disposal. For ease, they've been broken up into lists of adjectives according to various functions, such as their ability to describe touch, color, shape, and emotion.

Even though these adjective lists are quite extensive, they're merely scratching the surface of the descriptive capabilities of the English language. That's why reading is such a gift. The more you read, the more you add to your vocabulary. In the meantime, explore a large selection to whet your adjectival appetite.

Adjectives To Describe Taste

Did you have a bland bagel? How about a delicious entrée at a restaurant? Well, adjectives are what allow you to describe those wonderful tastes.

bitterblanddelicious
fruitygingerylemon-flavored
mintypickledsalty
sourspicysweet
tangytastyyummy

Adjectives To Describe Touch

When it comes to touching something, you can use all kinds of adjectives to describe it. See a list of adjectives to feel your way through this world.

boilingbreezybumpy
chillycoldcool
cuddlydampdirty
drydustyencrusted
filthyflakyfluffy
freezingfuzzygreasy
hardhoticy
loosemeltedpainful
pricklyroughshaggy
shakysharpsilky
slickslimyslippery
smoothsoftsolid
stickytendertight
unevenwarmwet
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Adjectives To Describe Sound

Sounds have different volumes. Something can be a whisper or blaring and anything in between.

blaringdeafeningfaint
hoarsehigh-pitchedhissing
hushedhuskyloud
melodicmoaningmuffled
mutenoisypurring
quietraspyresonant
screechingshrillsilent
softsquealingsqueaking
thunderingvoicelesswhispering

Adjectives To Describe Color

The world is full of a rainbow of color. But if you didn't have adjectives, you wouldn't be able to describe them. Explore several descriptive color adjectives you might use every day to color your world.

azurebrightcrimson
drabdullgold
indigomulticoloredmustard
pinkishrosyscarlet
silverturquoiseviolet

Adjectives To Describe Size

Was that spider gigantic or large? It honestly doesn't matter because you can use whatever adjective you need to describe it best.

abundantbig-bonedchubby
fatgiantgigantic
greathugeimmense
jumbolargelittle
longmajesticmammoth
massiveminiaturepetite
punyscrawnyshort
smalltallteeny
thintinyvast
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Adjectives To Describe Shape

You can find a blob on your table or a distorted toy. Adjectives for shapes can come in handy.

blobbybroadchubby
circularcrookedcurved
cylindricaldeepdistorted
flatfluffyglobular
hollowlownarrow
ovalrotundround
skinnysquaresteep
straighttriangularwide

Adjectives To Describe Time

How do you describe the passing of time or looking into the past? There are lots of different ways you can talk about time passing due to adjectives.

annualbriefdaily
earlyeternalfast
firstfleetfuture
futuristichistoricalirregular
latelongmodern
oldold-fashionedquick
rapidregularshort
slowspeedspeedy
swiftwaitingyoung

Adjectives To Describe an Amount

Whether it's an ample or minute amount, you need adjectives to describe it. Spice up your written word through these fun and descriptive adjectives.

allampleastronomical
bountifulconsiderablecopious
countlesseachenough
everyfewfull
heavyhundredslarge
lightlimitedlittle
manymeaslymere
multiplemyriadnumerous
onepaltryplentiful
profuseseveralsizable
somesparsesubstantial
teemingtenvery
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Adjectives To Describe an Emotion

The emotions of people are vast. From abrasive to grumpy to lazy, you can a lot of different words that describe how a person feels.

abrasivebewilderedcombative
elatedglibindignant
manicquirkyrundown
tediousterribleupset
wickedzanyzealous

Adjectives To Describe a Person or Personality

Everyone has that famous friend or a restless family member. Imagine how you would describe those around you without adjectives. Thankfully you don't have to. Just to make your life easier, check out this list of descriptive words for personalities or people.

ambidextrousbreathlessdiligent
erraticexuberantfunctional
gabbyinquisitivejaunty
ritzytawdryverdant
vivaciouswanderingweird
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Adjectives To Describe Appearance

A novel or letter wouldn't even hold weight if you couldn't use words like quirky and dull to paint a verbal picture of your characters. Explore words that describe a person's appearance.

alluringcrackeddrab
debonairgleaminginterior
murkypoisedsparkling
unbecomingwaterywiry
woodenworriedzaftig

Adjectives To Describe Situations

Jazz up your discussion of situations with some descriptive adjectives. These words make a plot so much better!

accidentalachievableadvantageous
alcoholicanimatedaquatic
aromaticaspiringbad
bawdybiographicalbizarre
brokencarefulcredible
creepycumbersomedisastrous
dismissivedoubtfulelementary
finger-printedgroundlesshard
harmfulhighhonest
horribleillegalillegible
imperfectinternalinventive
jazzyjuvenilelegal
logicalmainminor
nastynutritiousobsolete
optimalorganicpremium
quizzicalrainyredundant
remarkablesimpletricky
wholesalewryx-rated
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Printable List of Adjectives

Since there are so many different adjectives, check out a printable list to inspire you.

printable adjective list a to z

List 228 Common Adjectives

Click to View & Download

How to Use Adjectives

Adjectives are used within sentences to modify nouns. So they might tell you what something looks like "beautiful hat" or the number of something "ten flowers." Adjectives are handy within sentences because they provide readers more information. Additionally, adjectives are found with the noun they are modifying. To understand how an adjective is used within a sentence, check out a few example sentences with adjectives.

  • We watched the scariest movie yesterday.
  • He had a blue bike in his yard.
  • He was carrying four flowers.
  • The mean dog growled at the mailman.
  • I have a messy desk.

Additionally, you can use adjectives to complement a linking verb called a predicate adjective. So the adjective might provide more about how something is feeling.

  • My brother is sad.
  • It looks messy in the living room.
  • Walking is slower than skating.
  • My dog is excited.
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Mind Your Love for Adjectives

Now that we've seen a nice sampling of adjectives, there's one thing left to note. It's best to use discretion with adjectives. You never want to overdo it. Generally, nouns and verbs should do most of the descriptive work in your writing. Don't simply tell your reader something is beautiful, exciting or interesting. Use your words to set a detailed scene and consider using a sprinkling of adjectives rather than a heavy dousing.

As you seek to strike that balance, expand your adjectival toolbox a little further with this list of positive adjectives. Having a wide variety of options at your disposal will allow you to choose the right adjective at the right time.