Usefulexpressions for describing people

Thefollowing word lists will help you improve your descriptive paragraphs as youthink of more concrete ways to describe a person’s appearance.

TIP: Students shouldn’t be expected include every descriptiveelement listed below. Rather, a few well-chosen details will go a long waytoward bringing your subject to life.

Age	young   in  his/her 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s   elderly  (70+)
Height	tall   average  height   short
Hair color	black   blond   brown   grey
Build	thin   slim   average  weight   heavy  set
Eye color	black   blue   green   brown
Hairstyle	long   short   straight   curly

 

FaceShape

Square

Oval

Round

Triangular

Heart-shaped

Thin

Wide

Chiseled

Skinand Complexion

Complexion is the natural appearance and color of the skin,especially of the face. For example, “Mary has a soft, creamy complexion.”

Wrinkled: covered with lines or loose folds of skin; often associated with age

Freckled: sprinkled or covered with light brown spots

Ruddy: skinthat has a reddish tint; may have the appearance of sunburn

Sallow: skin that has a yellowish tint; may be associated with illness

Tanned: skin with a warm, golden-brown tint

Rosy or fresh-faced: pink-cheeked, fair complexion that glows with ahint of pink

Otherskin-related adjectives: pale, fair, spotless, silky, smooth, creamy, dewy, baby-soft,peaches-and-cream, glowing, paper-thin or translucent (as with a very oldperson), sunburned, peeling, rough, callused, weathered, weather-beaten,craggy, leathery, mottled, dry, brown, dark

 

Eyes

TIP: Pay attention to the eyes, as they often reveal much about aperson.

Shape,size, and appearance:large, small, almond-shaped, round, squinty, crinkly, bulging, heavy-lidded,hooded, deep-set, close-set, hollow, tear-filled

Eye color: black, brown, hazel, green, blue, violet, gray, amber

Eyeexpressions:piercing, mesmerizing, sad, sorrowful, haunted, gentle, sympathetic, warm,compassionate, expressive, bright, twinkling, lively, dancing, laughing,shifty, sly, distrusting, sleepy

Other:brown-eyed boy, bright-eyed sister, wide-eyed child, gold-flecked eyes

 

Mouthand Lips

Lipshape and size:thin, full, pouting, rosebud (baby’s lips, often), pursed (puckered up, as whenconcentrating)

Mouth expressions: laugh, smile, beam, grin, frown, grimace, scowl, sneer, curl, pout

Adjectivesdescribing the mouth or mouth expressions: toothy, toothless, gap-toothed, kind, sweet,dimpled, relaxed, firm, serious, cruel, snarling

 

Hair

Haircolor: black,brunette, brown, chestnut-brown, blond, honey-blond, golden-blond, ash-blond,fair, cornsilk, auburn, red, strawberry-blond, gray, silver, white,salt-and-pepper

Textureor appearance:wispy, fuzzy, wavy, curly, kinky, frizzy, wild, untamed, unmanageable,straight, spiky, stiff, buzzed, shaved, trimmed, parted, neatly-combed, tamed,cascading, long, short, cropped, dull, shiny

Hairstyles: braids,ponytail, pigtails, bun, messy bun, twist, bob, ringlets, flip, cornrows,extensions, bangs, buzz, layered, feathered, chopped, gelled, spiked, slickeddown

Lots of hair: thick, full, lustrous, bushy, coarse, wiry, stiff

Littlehair: thin,scraggly, fine, baby-fine, downy, wispy, limp, flat, balding, bald, bald spot,receding (gradual loss of hair at the front of the head)

Treated hair: permed, dyed, bleached, highlighted, weaved, streaked, colored

 

FacialHair

Hair:beard, goatee, mustache, soul patch, sideburns

Beardgrowth: stubble,fuzz, peach fuzz, bristles, five o’clock shadow (describes new beard growththat’s shadowy in appearance. It’s usually more noticeable late in the day onthe jaw, chin, or cheek area, but some men purposely grow five o’clockshadows.)

Adjectives: bearded, bushy, stubbly, bristly, scratchy,unshaven, shaggy, whiskered, beardless, clean-shaven, smooth, trimmed,neatly-trimmed, pencil-thin

 

Body

TIP: Choose strong verbs and adjectives.

Build: small, slim, slight, thin, lean, willowy, skinny,angular, bony, fine-boned, chunky, chubby, large, portly, plump, round, stout,pudgy, full-figured, ample, broad-shouldered, burly, solid, and muscular

Posture: stand, sit, slouch, flop, lean, recline, rest,stretch, sprawl, curl up, roost, squirm, arch, slump, stoop, bend, hunch,scoot, walk, run, race, jog

 

Clothing

Fabric: denim, twill, wool, cashmere, cotton, linen,seersucker, gingham, lace, chiffon, tulle, velvet, velveteen, fleece, flannel,tweed, polyester, jersey, corduroy, spandex, leather

Bottoms: jeans, skinny jeans, cargo pants, yoga pants,pleated pants, slacks, trousers, overalls, sweatpants, crop pants, capris,skirt, shorts, board shorts, bermuda shorts

Tops: sport shirt, dress shirt, polo shirt, button-downshirt, chambray shirt, tank top, blouse, tunic, long-sleeve, short-sleeve,sleeveless, collared, T-shirt, V-neck, scoop-neck, boat-neck, turtleneck,sweatshirt, hoodie, pullover, sweater, cardigan, sweater set

Otherclothing:dress, gown, frock, pinafore, uniform, coveralls, costume, pajamas, bathrobe,robe, vest, jacket, blazer, coat, apron

Footwear: socks, stockings, shoes, slippers, sandals,flip-flops, mules, loafers, heels, pumps, boots, ankle boots, riding boots,slouch boots, athletic shoes, sneakers, tennis shoes, gym shoes, runners,trainers, Chucks

Accessories: mittens, gloves, hat, cap, head wrap, bandana,scarf, muffler, necklace, choker, bracelet, ring, earrings, cuffs, cufflinks,purse, clutch, bag, tote, sunglasses, eyeglasses, glasses

Adjectives(appearance):stylish, natty, smart, chic, classy, elegant, polished, draped, flowing, sheer,casual, relaxed, carefree, starched, crisp, sharp, dressy, lacy, shiny,shimmering, sparkling, glittery, sloppy, torn, ripped, tattered, disheveled,slovenly, tacky, unkempt, faded, scratchy, worn, frayed, nubby, rough, smooth,pliable, warm, soft, quilted, knit

Adjectives(patterns):argyle, striped, solid, plaid, checked, gingham, ikat, paisley, dotted,polka-dotted, floral, houndstooth, herringbone, chevron, geometric

 

Sentencewhich can be used to describe someone’s clothes, build (physical size), and attractiveness

Smartlydressed in (name of garment), the attorney …

Casuallyclothed in (name of garment), the young woman …

Wrestlingwildly, Tim and Ethan tore holes in their (name of garments) when they…

Elderlybut spry, my grandfather sported a (name of garment) and (name of garment) …

Wearinga (name of garment), the detective …

Quickas a flash, the acrobat whipped off his (name of garment) and began to …

 

She iskind of heavyset.

That person is obese.

He is a bit chubby.

He is extremely overweight.

She is quite slim/she is slender.

She is in great shape.

He is really muscular/he is pretty fit.

She is really tall.

He is on the short side.

She is quite petite, isn't she?

 

I can’t believe how cute he is.

I think he’s good-looking.

To me she’s really pretty.

Isn’t she gorgeous?

He’s not very attractive to me./In my opinion, he’snot really that cute.

He isn’t very handsome.