Some of the adjectives that we can use are – affable, amicable, caring, thoughtful, beautiful, classy, precious, impressive, irreplaceable, trustworthy, understanding, sweet, etc. These are just a few examples.
Which word is best to describe person?
Let’s now have a look at these adjectives to describe people and their characters with positive vibes:
- Perseverant.
- Enthusiastic.
- Affectionate.
- Thoughtful.
- Modest.
- Hygienic.
- Considerate.
- Courteous.
How do you describe someone you like in one word?
Beloved: This is a romantic word to describe someone you love very much. Besotted: This is the perfect word for a Valentine’s Day card. Better half: An excellent word for a special someone who truly feels like part of you. Bewitching: A word for the one you love who enchants you romantically.
What are 5 positive words?
From simple words like “smile” to more complex terms like “unwavering,” these positive words will have you feeling good in no time!
- absolutely. accepted. acclaimed. …
- beaming. beautiful. believe. …
- calm. celebrated. certain. …
- dazzling. delight. delightful. …
- earnest. easy. ecstatic. …
- fabulous. fair. familiar. …
- generous. genius. …
- handsome. happy.
What are the 12 powerful words?
What are the twelve powerful words? Trace, Analyze, Infer, Evaluate, Formulate, Describe, Support, Explain, Summarize, Compare, Contrast, Predict. Why use the twelve powerful words? These are the words that always give students more trouble than others on standardized tests.
28 related questions found
How do you describe a unique person?
Some common synonyms of unique are eccentric, erratic, odd, outlandish, peculiar, quaint, singular, and strange. While all these words mean «departing from what is ordinary, usual, or to be expected,» unique implies singularity and the fact of being without a known parallel. a career unique in the annals of science.
What is love in one word?
1 tenderness, fondness, predilection, warmth, passion, adoration. 2 liking, inclination, regard, friendliness.
How do you describe a lovely person?
Some common synonyms of lovely are beautiful, comely, fair, handsome, and pretty. While all these words mean «exciting sensuous or aesthetic pleasure,» lovely is close to beautiful but applies to a narrower range of emotional excitation in suggesting the graceful, delicate, or exquisite.
How do you describe a kind person?
Synonyms that imply that a person is generally kind include the related words kindly and kindhearted (and the similar words goodhearted, bighearted, warmhearted, and tenderhearted). The term good-natured is sometimes used in this way. Being kind is often thought of as more than simply being polite or nice.
What are 20 describing words?
20 describing words and example sentences;
- Describing For PEOPLE Vocabulary.
- beautiful. Samara has beautiful long hair.
- brilliant. He is one of the most brilliant people I know.
- careless. It was careless of you to leave the key in the house.
- dirty. My kitchen sink was full of dirty dishes.
- emotional. …
- funny. …
- gloomy.
What makes one special?
To be a unique person means that you are one of a kind and no other person is exactly like you. This uniqueness partly comes from within, shown through our actions and behaviors. According to the Oxford Dictionary, the meaning of unique is “being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else.
What is a better word than nice?
pleasant. a pleasant surprise. delightful. The most delightful garden I had ever seen. agreeable.
How do you describe someone with a kind heart?
If you describe someone as kind-hearted, you mean that they are kind, caring, and generous. He was a warm, generous and kind-hearted man.
What is another word for very special?
Some common synonyms of special are especial, individual, particular, and specific. While all these words mean «of or relating to one thing or class,» special stresses having a quality, character, identity, or use of its own.
What’s another word for extremely attractive?
On this page you’ll find 128 synonyms, antonyms, and words related to attractive, such as: alluring, beautiful, charming, engaging, enticing, and fair.
What can I say instead of I love you?
Nine Ways To Say I Love You
- I adore you. Happy anniversary, Cheryl. I adore you.
- You complete me. I’m so happy with you. You complete me.
- You fill my heart with love. Happy Valentine’s Day! You fill my heart with love.
- You’re everything to me. The past few months have been wonderful. …
- I’m crazy about you.
What’s stronger than I love you?
«I am committed to you.»
Love can be fleeting, so making a commitment shows your love is something stronger than an emotion. Commitment is choosing to stick with someone in spite of feelings or circumstances, so it transcends mere love.
What is love in two words?
(2) : attraction based on sexual desire : affection and tenderness felt by lovers.
What are some rare words?
10 unusual words to add to your English vocabulary
- Anachronism. An anachronism is something (or someone) that is out of place in terms of time or chronology. …
- Accismus. A form of irony in which someone feigns indifference to something he or she desires. …
- Cacophony. …
- Draconian. …
- Limerence. …
- Pareidolia. …
- Riposte. …
- Sanctimony.
What are some badass adjectives?
badass
- agitator.
- rebel.
- demagogue.
- dissident.
- fighter.
- frondeur.
- renegade.
- sparkplug.
How can I describe my friend?
Other examples are: My friend is very tall, and she has a beautiful figure. My best friend is of average height, but he is very muscular as he plays a lot of sport every day. My friend is a little short, but he has an athletic body because he is always running.
What is one word to describe someone with a big heart?
OTHER WORDS FOR big-hearted
unstinting, openhanded, benevolent, bountiful.
What is another word for very kind?
1 mild, benign, benignant, gentle, tender, compassionate.
What do you call a sweet person?
synonyms for sweet-natured
amiable. appealing. attractive. charismatic. charming.
What are British words for nice?
Reem – is English slang for something being nice, good or cool and originates from Essex.
Table of Contents
- What is a another word for describe?
- What is a stronger word for describe?
- How do you describe the same?
- How do you say same in different ways?
- What is the word for everything being the same?
- What does howbeit mean?
- What is a word for a little bit of everything?
- What is another word for similar but different?
- What do you call someone who is similar to you?
- What is another word for similarities and differences?
- Is same and similar the same?
- What are areas that share similarities called?
- Does comparing include differences?
- What is an example of a comparison?
- What is an example of compare?
- What makes a good comparison?
- How do you write a comparison between two things?
- How do you start a comparison?
- How do you compare two essays?
- How do you write similarities and differences in an essay?
- How do you start a comparison essay example?
- What are comparative essays?
- What are two good things to compare and contrast?
- How do you end a comparative essay?
- What are elements of a body paragraph in a comparative essay?
- What elements are used in a body paragraph?
- What are the 4 elements of a body paragraph?
Here is a list of English words that are often used to describe someone’s personality.
What is a another word for describe?
Synonyms & Antonyms of describe
- delineate,
- depict,
- draw,
- image,
- limn,
- paint,
- picture,
- portray,
What is a stronger word for describe?
delineate (noun) describe (noun) other relevant words (noun) account (verb) characterize (verb)
- brave – someone who isn’t afraid of danger.
- chatty – someone who talks a lot.
- clever – good at learning things.
- cowardly – (mildly negative) someone who is afraid of things. (
- easy-going – someone who is easy to get along with.
How do you describe the same?
Some common synonyms of same are equal, equivalent, identical, selfsame, and very. While all these words mean “not different or not differing from one another,” same may imply and selfsame always implies that the things under consideration are one thing and not two or more things.
How do you say same in different ways?
same as
- commensurate.
- identical.
- alike.
- duplicate.
- equal.
- equivalent.
- indistinguishable.
- like.
What is the word for everything being the same?
uniformity. noun. the state of being the same as each other or as everything else.
What does howbeit mean?
Howbeit. be it as it may; nevertheless; notwithstanding; although; albeit; yet; but; however.
What is a word for a little bit of everything?
olio
What is another word for similar but different?
The synonyms analogous and similar are sometimes interchangeable, but analogous applies to things belonging in essentially different categories but nevertheless having many similarities.
What do you call someone who is similar to you?
doppelganger Add to list Share. Someone who looks spookily like you, but isn’t a twin, is a doppelganger. The word doppelganger is German and literally means double walker — as in a ghost or shadow of yourself. An easy way to remember it is that doppelganger sounds like double, as in “That movie star is my double.
What is another word for similarities and differences?
Some common synonyms of similarity are analogy, likeness, resemblance, and similitude.
Is same and similar the same?
Same means that two (or more) things are identical. For instance, a person might have two identical plastic cups or three pairs of ankle-cut socks by the same company and in the same color. Similar means that two (or more) things are nearly identical but not quite.
region. a large area in which places share similar features.
Does comparing include differences?
Any exploration of the similarities or differences of two or more units is a comparison. If two things are too different to compare in a useful way, an attempt to compare them is colloquially referred to in English as “comparing apples and oranges.” Comparison is widely used in society, in science and in the arts.
What is an example of a comparison?
The definition of a comparison is the act of finding out the differences and similarities between two or more people or things. An example of comparison is tasting different years of pinot noir wine back to back and discussing their differences. There is no comparison between the two singers.
What is an example of compare?
An example of compare is noticing how much two sisters look alike. To consider or describe as similar, equal, or analogous; liken. Is it right to compare the human brain to a computer? To examine in order to note the similarities or differences of.
What makes a good comparison?
The key to a good compare-and-contrast essay is to choose two or more subjects that connect in a meaningful way. The purpose of conducting the comparison or contrast is not to state the obvious but rather to illuminate subtle differences or unexpected similarities.
How do you write a comparison between two things?
Begin by saying everything you have to say about the first subject you are discussing, then move on and make all the points you want to make about the second subject (and after that, the third, and so on, if you’re comparing/contrasting more than two things).
How do you start a comparison?
Start with a general point that establishes the similarity between the two subjects, then move to the specific focus of the essay. At the end of the introduction, write a thesis statement that first announces which aspects of each subject you plan to compare and then states what conclusion you’ve drawn from them.
How do you compare two essays?
Writing a comparative essay
- Read the topic carefully. Make sure that you understand exactly what the topic is asking you to do.
- Give roughly equal weight to each text.
- Choose your preferred structure.
- Focus on differences as well as similarities.
- Use linking words and phrases.
- Explore a range of elements.
How do you write similarities and differences in an essay?
How to Write a Compare and Contrast Essay
- Begin by Brainstorming With a Venn Diagram.
- Develop a Thesis Statement.
- Create an Outline.
- Write the Introduction.
- Write the First Body Paragraph.
- Repeat the Process for the Next Paragraphs.
- Write the Conclusion.
- Proofread.
How do you start a comparison essay example?
Introduction
- Grab the reader’s attention.
- Start from a short background.
- State the thesis.
- State the point.
- Provide supporting details.
- Use appropriate transitions.
- Summarize the similarities and / or difference of the subjects.
- Emphasize the thesis and say why this topic is important.
What are comparative essays?
What is a comparative essay? A comparative essay asks that you compare at least two (possibly more) items. These items will differ depending on the assignment. You might be asked to compare. positions on an issue (e.g., responses to midwifery in Canada and the United States)
What are two good things to compare and contrast?
These 10 compare and contrast essay topics for middle school are simple.
- Night time vs daytime.
- Sleeping vs being active.
- Running & walking.
- Summer & winter.
- Comic books and TV shows.
- Buffy, the Vampire Slayer vs Charmed.
- Pokemon & Sailor Moon.
- Pizza or sushi.
How do you end a comparative essay?
A conclusion for a compare and contrast essay should successfully paraphrase the main points in the essay and offer a closing thought or opinion.
What are elements of a body paragraph in a comparative essay?
Answer: Details, examples, a summary and evidence.
What elements are used in a body paragraph?
A body paragraph has three major components: (1) topic sentence, (2) explanation, (3) supporting details. Without any of them, the body paragraph seems to be missing something, and will not add anything to the theme and central idea of the essay.
What are the 4 elements of a body paragraph?
A good paragraph should contain at least the following four elements: Transition, Topic sentence, specific Evidence and analysis, and a Brief wrap-up sentence (also known as a warrant) –TTEB!
Each of us is a complex human being. We have our strengths and weaknesses, our past, dream,s our friends and role models. Each of us is unique, and it may take more than 1,000 words to give at least a somehow accurate description of any person in the world. Still, it would be only somehow accurate.
What to do, however, when hiring managers ask you to describe yourself with the help of one word only? That’s really a tricky situation. They typically expect to hear your greatest strength, or something that is really characteristic for you, something that makes you stand out from the other job applicants in the hiring process. But it’s a silly question indeed, because one word does never tell the entire story…
Silly or not, you may get this question in your interview. And you should not remain silent, or think for five minutes before you pick the one word that describes you better than anything else. I put together a list of 100 words, each of them telling something about a person, and divided it to ten groups. Let’s see if you can find your winner in my selection.
100 sample answers to “Describe yourself in one word” interview question
- Ambitious, bold, creative, positive, passionate, empathic, transparent, honest, resilient, humble.
- Leader, follower, manager, coach, technician, engineer, teacher, winner, entertainer, entrepreneur.
- Indescribable, unique, me, nobody, complicated, complex, human, mother, father, loner.
- Athlete, artist, musician, painter, player, gamer, builder, destroyer, gunner, victim.
- Dreamer, idealist, philosopher, realist, optimist, pessimist, poet, soul, brain, heart.
- Tall, young, old, experienced, inexperienced, learner, pupil, short, healthy, fit.
- Crazy, unpredictable, superhero, lunatic, demon, God, devil, archangel, joker, ace.
- Responsible, detail-oriented, skilled, flexible, elaborate, adaptable, sociable, listener, talker, alive.
- Nervous, confident, brilliant, forgiving, unprepared, prepared, strong, excited, happy, undecided.
- Lost, unemployed, thriving, struggling, hoping, praying, trying, dreaming, screaming, nothing.
What you pick means a lot to you–either in good or bad way
Be careful about your choice. It indicates (at least in the eyes of the interviewers) what matters the most to you. Let me give you a few examples. If you pick a role, or a name of a profession you have or field you studies (manager, engineer, teacher, programmer, etc), it shows that work is really important to you, that it is what you think about the most, and perhaps even live for. Not a bad choice for most hiring managers.
If you pick a character ability–some strength (empathic, responsible, honest, etc), it suggest that you built your identity around this ability, and consider it the greatest asset you can offer to your next employer. This can work work, especially if you pick something fitting to the job description, or for the the company culture.
Is it okay to pick a weakness?
Maybe you feel like a victim, or really unlucky in your life. Or you are just a dreamer, still waiting for your opportunity to realize your ambitions. Or you feel lonely, deserted, or almost a nobody.
I have complete understanding for your feelings. Who says that he never experienced something similar is lying. All of us have some bad days. However, you should focus on something positive in a job interview. Nobody wants to hire an employee who will walk around the office with their head bent, pitting themselves, or even seeding negativity in their colleagues.
Referring to your emotion or condition when it comes to interviewing is another interesting idea
Why not saying that you are excited, or enthusiastic? It is always good if the hiring managers get an impression that the interview is important to you, that you are happy to be where you are. You can describe these feelings when they ask you to describe yourself in one word.
After all, our emotions change, so do our roles in life. Hence it is fine to pick something fleeting, something that describes who you are, or how you feel, in the exact moment when they ask the question. If the interview isn’t going well, or you flopped some questions, you can even pick unprepared, or nervous for your answer.
Experiment with unconventional answers when you have nothing to lose
Interview is a sales talk, and you should try to tell them something that makes a good impression, that show you in the best possible light. However, if the “sales talk” hasn’t been going well up to this point, if you feel that your chances are getting slimmer with each next question, you can try your luck with something unconventional, or even bizarre.
When you find yourself in a situation when you have nothing to lose, why not characterize yourself as crazy, alive, or as an ace, an idealist, or even as a soul? Such a choice allows for a lot of options when they ask you to elaborate on your answer.
And even if they do not ask you to elaborate on your strange choice, it is definitely something they will remember long time after the end of your interview. It’s better when they remember you in any association, than when they forget you five minutes after the end of your interview, perhaps because you told them the same things everyone else did…
If they give you a chance, you should elaborate on your answer
One word is not really enough, but initially that’s what you should say. Because it’s also a test of your ability to follow instructions and orders, so one word is one word, and if you say three or opt for an entire sentence, you are losing points in this interview.
However, if there’s a moment of silence once you tell your word, you may ask whether they do not want you to elaborate on your characteristic, on the one word you picked. And that’s the opportunity you’ve been waiting for, a chance to explain how the characteristic will help you in your new job, or why the one is so important, so special to you, that you picked it from the huge selection of words that characterize your character, life, and attitude…
Ready to answer this one? I hope so! Check also sample answers to other tricky interview questions:
- Does your academic record accurately reflect your capabilities?
- What would you do if you saw a co-worker stealing a small item or giving food to someone without paying?
- If you were an animal, what would you be?
- Author
- Recent Posts
Matthew has been working in international recruitment since 2008. He helps job seekers from all walks of life to pursue their career goals, and to prepare for their interviews. He is the founder of InterviewPenguin.com website.
Latest posts by Matthew Chulaw (see all)
How do you describe yourself in one word?
Good Words to Describe Yourself (+ Example Answers)
- Diligent / Loyal / Reliable. I am always the first person my friends call because they know I am always there for them.
- Creative / Innovative / Visionary.
- Motivated / Ambitious / Leader.
- Honest / Ethical / Conscientious.
- Friendly / Personable / Extrovert.
How would you describe yourself?
To help you decide how to describe yourself in an interview, consider these examples:
- I am passionate about my work.
- I am ambitious and driven.
- I am highly organised.
- I’m a people person.
- I’m a natural leader.
- I am results oriented.
- I am an excellent communicator.
What 5 words would you use to describe yourself?
Describe yourself on 5 words
- Good communication skills.
- Hard working.
- Cool nature and Positive attitude.
- Honest and Punctuality.
- Easily cope up with others.
What to say when someone asks you to describe them in one word?
84 Best Example Answers (SHOULD use) To “Describe Yourself In One Word”
- Dedicated.
- Versatile.
- Valuable.
- Flexible.
- Analytical.
- Inventive.
- Exciting.
- Thoughtful.
Can you describe me in one word answers?
To describe myself in one word, I’m a very ambitious person. I take up all learning opportunities that enhance my skills and know-how to cope up with failures. I like challenging myself to find creative solutions as quickly as possible and resolve any issues at hand.
How can I describe a girl in one word?
Affable – She has many friends and is a pleasure to be around. Ambitious – She has a personality that revolves around her goals and improving her situation. Captivating – She is a delightful person; you can’t take your eyes off her. Confident – She trusts her own abilities and knows that she has value.
How do you describe a girl in 5 words?
- accepting.
- active.
- adorable.
- adventurous.
- affectionate.
- agreeable.
- all-American.
- alluring.
How do you describe a girl?
If you want, you can say a few words about how you, personally, feel about her appearance. For example, you might say that she is “pretty,” “striking,” “ordinary,” or “cute.” You could also say things like “She looks stylish and put-together,” or “She’s kind of edgy-looking.”
How do you tell a girl why u like her?
How to tell a girl you like her: 5 ways to tell her that you want to be more than just friends
- Spend time with her to test the waters.
- Prepare what you are going to say.
- Take her to a decent place and look presentable when you decide to tell her that you like her.
- Tell her to think about it before giving an answer.
How should I describe a girl to impress her?
The most important tip when you want to impress girls with words is to convey a sense of dominance while being romantic.
- Vocabulary to impress your girlfriend or date.
- Enticing. Enticing means attractive.
- Wondrous.
- Stunning.
- Elegant.
- Breath-taking.
- Ravishing.
- Striking.
How do you physically describe someone?
When describing the physical characteristics of an individual, one of the first things that will strike you is the overall build or body type….Some common adjectives that you may use to describe the build of a person may include the following:
- Plump.
- Stocky.
- Overweight.
- Fat.
- Pudgy.
- Medium build.
- Athletic.
- Slender.
How do you describe a beautiful person?
Synonyms
- beautiful. adjective. a beautiful person is extremely attractive.
- glorious. adjective. very beautiful in a way that makes you feel happy.
- stunning. adjective. very impressive or beautiful.
- breathtaking. adjective. extremely impressive or beautiful.
- gorgeous. adjective.
- splendid. adjective.
- exquisite. adjective.
- elegant. adjective.
What is a slang word for beautiful?
bbw conor oberst sharina gorgeous jolynn gorgouse btfl shabba fine bella bootiful fabs ayanna profane ville valo dime piece heina beautimous deanna ashley krizia diana stunner.
How do you say someone is beautiful?
Ways to Say You Are Beautiful
- You look gorgeous!
- You look as pretty as always!
- You look drop dead gorgeous!
- I think you are very attractive!
- Wow, you are gorgeous!
- I think you are stunning!
- I think you are super cute!
- You look absolutely fantastic!
What is the real beauty of a woman?
1. “Beautiful is a woman who has a distinctive personality; one who can laugh at anything, including themselves, and one who is especially kind and caring to others. She is a woman who can inexplicably make you feel really good just by being around her, and yet brings such great sadness when she is gone..
What makes a woman attractive?
Men prefer women with a big and beautiful smile, wide waist-hip ratio, unique dressing style, healthy-looking hair, great sense of humor, smart conversations, and appealing high-pitched voices, among the most attractive things guys find in girls.
Is it OK to tell a woman she is beautiful?
Telling a woman she’s beautiful will usually be well-received, but it can be such a generic compliment that it occasionally comes across as a bit disingenuous. Complimenting a woman on her skin, hair or nails, especially if they are particularly clear, glossy and strong respectively, can be a good move, too. …
Who is most beautiful woman?
According to Science, Bella Hadid is the Most Beautiful Woman in the World
- Bella Hadid (94.35%) Beyonce (92.44%) Amber Heard (91.85%)
- Ariana Grande (91.81%) Taylor Swift (91.64%) Kate Moss (91.05%)
- Scarlett Johansson (90.91%) Natalie Portman (90.51%) Katy Perry (90.08%)
Who is the world Beautiful Girl 2020?
Yael Shelbia, 19, has landed atop the annual “Most Beautiful Girl in the World” list for 2020.
Who is the most beautiful woman who ever lived?
The Top Ten Most Beautiful Women Of ALL Time
- Kate Moss.
- Jean Shrimpton.
- Brigitte Bardot.
- Beyonce.
- Sophia Loren.
- Grace Kelly.
- Marilyn Monroe.
- Audrey Hepburn. Accepting the gold crown however, and swooping into first place, it’s classic Hollywood icon and word renown beauty Audrey Hepburn.
What country has most beautiful woman?
Women of These Countries are the Most Beautiful in the World
- Turkey. Meryem Uzerli, Actress.
- Brazil. Alinne Moraes, Actress.
- France. Louise Bourgoin, TV Actor Model.
- Russia. Maria Sharapova, Tennis Player.
- Italy. Monica Bellucci, Model.
- India. Priyanka Chopra, Actor & Model.
- Ukraine.
- Venezuela.
Which nationality is best in bed?
According to a new survey, women have ranked men they have had sexual relations with based on their nationality. Men in Australia, South Africa, and the United States scored the highest in a recent poll.
Which nationality is most attractive?
The world’s 50 most attractive nationalities have been revealed
- Ukrainian. Taking out the top spot were the Ukrainians.
- Danish. 4 of 51Attribution: iStock.
- Filipino. 5 of 51Attribution: iStock.
- Brazilian. 6 of 51Attribution: iStock.
- Australian. 7 of 51Attribution: iStock.
- South African. 8 of 51Attribution: iStock.
- Italian.
- Armenian.
Which country have most handsome man?
Top 18 Countries With The Sexiest Men In The World
- Australia.
- Argentina.
- Japan.
- Norway.
- Germany.
- Sweden.
- Philippines. Distinct features and beautiful tans make women fall for Filipinos.
- Brazil. Intense looks and athletic frames make Brazilian men extremely desirable.
Who is World No 1 handsome?
1. Robert Pattinson – Most handsome man in the world.
Who is the hottest guy in the world 2020?
The Top 25 Sexiest Men
- No 1 – Jamie Dornan. At the top spot for us at Heart it has to be the original Mr Grey.
- No 2 – Idris Elba. Idris Elba smoulders on the cover of Maxim magazine.
- No 3 – Henry Cavill.
- No 4 – David Beckham.
- No 5 – Ryan Gosling.
- No 6 – Ryan Reynolds.
- No 7 – Bradley Cooper.
- No 8 – Jake Gyllenhaal.
Which country is No 1 in world?
“The 2021 Best Countries analysis combines data and storytelling to explore how countries compare on a host of global issues.” For the first time, Canada is the No. 1 overall country. Japan and Germany finish Nos. 2 and 3, respectively, while Switzerland, the previous No. 1 overall country, falls to No. 4.
By
Last updated:
June 4, 2022
How would you describe yourself?
If that seems like a difficult question to answer, it’s okay!
Even native speakers sometimes find it hard to talk about themselves in English.
Whether you’re describing yourself or someone else, knowing what some of these different ways are can be a big help.
Contents
- Why Describe Someone?
- What Are the Different Ways to Describe People?
- Being Polite
- How to Describe People in English: 4 Ways
-
- 1. Describing someone’s appearance
- 2. Describing someone’s mannerisms
- 3. Describing someone’s character
- 4. Describing someone’s feelings
Download:
This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you
can take anywhere.
Click here to get a copy. (Download)
Why Describe Someone?
We describe people all the time. For example, you might tell your friends what your boss is like. You might tell your sister what that cute guy you saw looks like.
Even outside of everyday conversations, it’s very useful to know how to describe people. Descriptions are used a lot in books, in articles and in other kinds of communication in English. Reading or hearing a description of someone can give you a better idea of what they look like or act like.
Descriptions are also useful in the business world, often crucial to conversations and presentations at work.
What Are the Different Ways to Describe People?
Let’s say you want to describe a friend, a family member or a boss. You will probably use a few kinds of information.
Appearance is what someone looks like on the outside.
Mannerisms are the ways that someone acts or behaves.
Character traits are the little things that make someone who they are. In other words, they make up someone’s personality.
Emotions are what someone feels at a certain time.
In this post, we’ll go over useful vocabulary for describing all of these.
You will see this vocabulary used a lot in conversations and online.
But first…
Being Polite
Some ways of describing people are polite and respectful.
Take the compliments in this video, for example. A native English speaker drives around town saying nice things to people about the way that they look!
If you don’t understand any descriptors or other words in that video, don’t worry—it’s available on FluentU.
Each video comes with clickable subtitles, vocabulary lists, flashcards and fun quizzes. Sign up for a free FluentU trial to watch that video (and thousands of other authentic English videos) with all the learning features.
Of course, other ways to describe people can be considered rude.
For example, saying someone is full-bodied or curvy is nicer than saying that they are fat. However, if you have to think of a nicer way to say something, maybe it’s better not to say it at all.
Use judgment and common sense. Think about how you would feel if you heard someone using the same words to describe you.
How to Describe People in English: 4 Ways
1. Describing someone’s appearance
To describe someone’s appearance, you will often use adjectives. An adjective is a kind of word that describes a noun (a person, place or thing).
Here are some words and phrases you can use to describe a person’s appearance.
Some of them are synonyms, or words that mean almost or exactly the same thing. Knowing more than one way of saying something is very helpful when describing people.
- To describe someone’s height, you can say they are tall or short. Tall people are higher than short people. Someone who is thin and tall can be called lanky. To say someone is short and also small, you can say they are petite. If you’re talking about a child, they might be pint-sized.
- Someone who weighs more than average can be curvy, well-built, full-bodied or heavy. (Curvy is usually only used to describe women.) You might also say someone has some meat on their bones. This is a casual way of saying they are overweight, and it might seem rude to someone sensitive. The opposite of overweight can be thin, slim or skinny.
- Light, yellowish hair can be described as blonde. But you can also call a person who has that kind of hair a blonde. (This means blonde can be used as a noun or an adjective.) A person with dark hair can be called a brunette. Someone with red hair can be called a redhead.
- Besides what color someone’s hair is, you also can say they are short-haired or long-haired. You can say they have curly, straight or wavy hair. Sometimes hair can also be frizzy, which is when it looks puffy with small, tight curls. If someone has no hair at all on their head, they are bald.
- Men sometimes have hair on their faces. Hair that covers the chin and cheeks is called a beard. When there’s hair only above the lips it’s a moustache. A beard that’s only on the chin can be called a goatee. None of these are adjectives. They are all nouns. To describe someone with a beard, you would say, “He has a beard.”
- How does a person look overall? If you think a woman is attractive, you can say she is beautiful, pretty or maybe even gorgeous (very beautiful). You can call an attractive man handsome. Both men and women can be good-looking. If you’re speaking very casually, good-looking men or women can be hot. To say someone is not very good-looking, you can say they are not much to look at. This is not a nice way to describe someone, but it’s better than ugly.
- If someone dresses well, they are smartly dressed or they look smart. You can also just say they are well-dressed. If someone dresses fashionably, they are stylish or trendy. If someone has bad taste in clothes, you can say they’re unfashionable. A less nice way to say this is frumpy.
2. Describing someone’s mannerisms
Someone’s mannerisms are the way they act or speak. When you speak, do you move your arms a lot? Do you touch your hair or bite your lip? All these things are mannerisms.
Since mannerisms are usually actions, they are often described by phrases with verbs (action words).
Here are some common mannerisms you might use to describe people:
- Many people have mannerisms that appear when they’re feeling negative (bad) emotions. If someone feels nervous or impatient, for example, they might tap their fingers, crack their knuckles, bite their fingernails or chew the tips of their pencils.
- Sometimes people don’t even notice that they twirl their hair around their finger. Other times mannerisms are deliberate (on purpose). For example, someone might roll their eyes to show that they’re being sarcastic (not serious).
- When a person thinks hard about something, they sometimes tilt their head to the side or even stick out their tongue.
- You can sometimes tell someone is annoyed if they rub the back of their neck, sigh a lot or clench their hands.
3. Describing someone’s character
A person’s character is their personality, who they are on the inside. When you talk about someone, you might mention what they are like as a person.
Here are some ways to do that:
- We all know people who are nice and kind. They are a pleasure to be with and always seem to be smiling. These people are usually also friendly and generous. People who are generous like to help others by giving them things. Someone who is the opposite of nice is mean. Mean people can be unpleasant, nasty or vicious. Hopefully you don’t know anyone like this!
- Some people always show respect to others, which makes them polite and well-mannered. Someone who doesn’t care about other’s feelings or rules is rude and impolite. If they use bad language, you can say they are vulgar or obscene.
- Someone smart is intelligent or clever. If they are smart because of age or experience, they can be called wise. Someone who is not very intelligent could be dumb or slow, but a slightly nicer way to say that is that they’re not too bright.
- How does the person you’re describing deal with difficult situations? Some people get angry easily. They are hot-headed. Others are calm and sensible and look at everything in a relaxed way. Others go right from being calm to being mad. They are moody.
- To describe a person who does not like to go out or be with people much, you can use the word introvert. If that person doesn’t talk a lot and doesn’t seem comfortable around others, they might be shy. People who love company and parties are extroverts. They are often easy-going, meaning not much bothers them.
- Someone who tries hard to do big things is ambitious. They might also be resourceful. Resourceful people use everything they can to help them reach a goal. Someone who is happy with what they have can be called content or fulfilled. None of these are bad things to be.
- If a person is good at making people laugh, they are funny. If they’re funny in a clever (smart) way, they’re witty. Some people don’t like to laugh a lot, and are very serious instead. Sometimes serious people can seem boring.
- Arrogant, conceited people are not fun to be around because they act like they are better than you. They can be show-offs, meaning they try to make you see how great they are. Modest people don’t show off how great they are, even if they’re awesome!
4. Describing someone’s feelings
People’s feelings are always changing. You can be happy one moment, and then hear some bad news and become sad.
You always know how you feel, but it isn’t always easy to tell how someone else is feeling. You can look at how someone is speaking or even how they’re sitting to understand how they feel. When you’re not sure how someone feels, you can say they might be feeling something. You can also say someone looks like they’re feeling a certain way. These phrases show that you might be wrong.
For example, you can say, “I’m mad” when you’re talking about yourself. But you might say “He looks mad,” when you’re talking about another person. This makes sense if this person is yelling into his phone with his face red and his fists clenched (all signs that someone is mad!).
You can use these words to talk about how someone is feeling, how they were feeling before or how they might feel in the future.
- There are so many ways to say that someone is happy! They can be elated, exuberant, cheerful, delighted or even ecstatic (very, very happy). Someone sad might be described as melancholy, miserable (very sad) or out of sorts.
- When something makes a person mad, they become angry or fed up. Someone very angry is furious or livid. Stay away from those people!
- We all feel like we have too much to deal with sometimes. This can make us stressed and anxious. New or scary things can make us nervous. Once that stress is gone, you can feel tranquil or serene, which are other ways of saying relaxed.
- Did the person you’re describing get enough sleep last night? If not, they might look tired or worn out. If they look extremely tired, they might be exhausted. Sleeping well makes a person look well-rested.
- If someone looks like they’re not interested in what’s going on around them, they might seem bored. If they’re very interested, you might say they’re enthusiastic.
If you’re ever stuck trying to think of a different way to say a word, look it up in a thesaurus like this one!
A thesaurus lists both synonyms and antonyms (words that have an opposite meaning). It’s a great way to discover new words and more ways of describing people. Another especially good thesaurus resource is Visual Thesaurus, which is like a thesaurus that’s also a map. It shows you the connections between related words. This is great for helping you choose the very best adjective to describe someone.
So, how would you describe yourself?
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