Looking for ways to make your writing more exciting? Why not add some describing words? By incorporating a few into your writing, you can turn a few dull words into vivid, elaborate images.
So, are you interested in finding out how? Keep reading!
What Are Describing Words?
Describing, or descriptive, words are what we use to provide readers with a colorful, detailed image in their heads. It helps readers get a better understanding of what would otherwise be just random words on a piece of paper.
After hearing this, many people tend to come to the conclusion that descriptive words are only adjectives, myself included. However, they can also be other words that help illustrate a particular topic.
These words can range from physical features to size and shape. In addition, they can describe how someone is feeling, thinking, or acting.
List of Some Common Describing Words
Here are some common descriptive words. I put them into groups for easier reference.
Colors
- Red
- Dark
- Light
- Bright
- Dim
Numbers
- Ten
- A dozen
- A lot
- A few
- A million
Shapes
- Round
- Fat
- Thin
- Plump
- Narrow
Sizes
- Huge
- Gigantic
- Grand
- Small
- Tiny
Sensory
- Texture: bumpy, smooth, hard, soft, fluffy, slimy
- Taste: sweet, sour, bitter, tangy, delicious
- Sound: quiet, loud, roaring, buzzing, faint
- Smell: aromatic, flowery, stinky, pleasant, moldy
- Weather: cold, hot, windy, sunny, rainy
Common Examples of Describing Words
Now that we know what describing words are and what they do, let’s put them into groups. When you categorize them, it becomes easier to pick out the ones that work best for you.
The great thing is that there are so many to choose from. You can literally never run out of descriptive words!
Adjectives
As I mentioned earlier, the most common describing words are those used to define things we can see, touch, or taste. Others are used to describe emotions and thoughts, such as:
- Fearful
- Loving
- Excited
- Hopeful
Adverbs
Adverbs are words that describe a specific action. For example, instead of just saying, ‘Karen walked up the stairs,’ I can say, ‘Karen briskly walked up the stairs.’
The second sentence gives you a sense of urgency. You get a better picture of how Karen feels as she’s going up those stairs.
Many, but not all, adverbs usually end in ‘-ly:’
- Quickly
- Smoothly
- Hopefully
- Slowly
Nouns
Describing words can also be nouns that provide a more explicit meaning. For example, ‘teenager’ tells exactly what age group we’re talking about, rather than just saying ‘kid’ or ‘child.’
Another example is ‘professor’ and ‘teacher.’ With the former, I get an image of someone who works in a university or college. It’s more specific than simply saying ‘teacher.’
Verbs
What comes to mind when you read the word ‘yell?’ How about ‘shout,’ ‘scream,’ or ‘cry out?’
They all basically say the same thing. Yet, each one carries an entirely different meaning that illustrates what’s happening.
Wrap Up
So, what do you think of my guide on describing words? Can you think of more examples of descriptive words that you can use in your writing?
The best part is knowing when and where to use them. With the help of some finely crafted words, you can create an image that helps your readers clearly visualize the whole setting.
