I created this list of ways to describe people
because physical description, when done well, helps the readers see characters in their minds. But sometimes when you’re in the middle of writing, it can be hard to think of physical adjectives and distinguishing features for characters. I find that describing facial features can be especially tricky!
This long list of physical characteristics is kind of like a character description generator, and it’ll help you when you’re trying to think of how to describe a character’s appearance.
Eyes – General
For all the words about describing facial features, I’m focusing more on physical descriptions rather than emotional expressions, though there’s a little crossover! You can also check out my long list of facial expressions.
large
small
narrow
sharp
squinty
round
wide-set
close-set
deep-set
sunken
bulging
protruding
wide
hooded
heavy-lidded
bedroom
bright
sparkling
glittering
flecked
dull
bleary
rheumy
cloudy
red-rimmed
beady
birdlike
cat-like
jewel-like
steely
hard
fringed with long lashes
with sweeping eyelashes
with thick eyelashes
By the way, this post on how to describe (and not describe) the eyes of an Asian character is really great. Check it out.
Eyes – Color
Brown is the most common eye color by far. Green is quite rare.
chestnut
chocolate brown
cocoa brown
coffee brown
mocha
mahogany
sepia
sienna brown
mink brown
copper
amber
cognac
whiskey
brandy
honey
tawny
topaz
hazel
obsidian
onyx
coal
raven
midnight
sky blue
sunny blue
cornflower blue
steel blue
ice blue
Arctic blue
glacial blue
crystal blue
cerulean
electric blue
azure
lake blue
aquamarine
turquoise
denim blue
slate blue / slate gray
storm blue / storm gray
silver / silver gray
chrome
platinum
pewter
smoky gray
ash gray
concrete gray
dove gray
shark gray
fog gray
gunmetal gray
olive
emerald
leaf green
moss green
Eyebrows
arched
straight
plucked
sparse
trim
dark
faint
thin
thick
unruly
bushy
heavy
Skin – Color
Josh Roby made a great chart of skin tones and descriptor words, and I got a lot of these words from him. You can get that here.
The quote from N.K. Jemisin interested me: “I get really tired of seeing African-descended characters described in terms of the goods that drove, and still drive, the slave trade—coffee, chocolate, brown sugar. There’s some weird psychosocial baggage attached to that.”
amber
bronze
cinnamon
copper
dark brown
deep brown
ebony
honey
golden
pale
pallid
pasty
fair
light
cream / creamy
alabaster
ivory
bisque
milk
porcelain
chalky
sallow
olive
peach
rose / rosy
ruddy
florid
russet
tawny
fawn
Skin – General
Some of these are better for the face, and some are better for other parts of the body.
lined
wrinkled
seamed
leathery
sagging
drooping
loose
clear
smooth
silken
satiny
dry
flaky
scaly
delicate
thin
translucent
luminescent
baby-soft
flawless
poreless
with large pores
glowing
dewy
dull
velvety
fuzzy
rough
uneven
mottled
dimpled
doughy
firm
freckled
pimply
pockmarked
blemished
pitted
scarred
bruised
veined
scratched
sunburned
weather-beaten
raw
tattooed
Face – Structure
square
round
oblong
oval
elongated
narrow
heart-shaped
catlike
wolfish
high forehead
broad forehead
prominent brow ridge
protruding brow bone
sharp cheekbones
high cheekbones
angular cheekbones
hollow cheeks
square jaw
chiseled
sculpted
craggy
soft
jowly
jutting chin
pointed chin
weak chin
receding chin
double chin
cleft chin
dimple in chin
visible Adam’s apple
Nose
People don’t write much about noses, but they can be distinguishing features for characters!
snub
dainty
button
turned-up
long
broad
thin
straight
pointed
crooked
aquiline
Roman
bulbous
flared
hawk
strong
Mouth/Lips
thin
narrow
full
lush
Cupid’s bow
rosebud
dry
cracked
chapped
moist
glossy
straight teeth
gap between teeth
gleaming white teeth
overbite
underbite
Facial Hair (or lack thereof)
clean-shaven
smooth-shaven
beard
neckbeard
goatee
moustache
sideburns
mutton-chop sideburns
stubble
a few days’ growth of beard
five o’ clock shadow
Hair – General
I threw a few hairstyles in here, though not many.
long
short
shoulder-length
loose
limp
dull
shiny
glossy
sleek
smooth
luminous
lustrous
spiky
stringy
shaggy
tangled
messy
tousled
windblown
unkempt
bedhead
straggly
neatly combed
parted
slicked down / slicked back
cropped
clipped
buzzed / buzz cut
crewcut
bob
mullet
curly
bushy
frizzy
wavy
straight
lanky
dry
oily
greasy
layers
corkscrews
spirals
ringlets
braids
widow’s peak
bald
shaved
comb-over
afro
thick
luxuriant
voluminous
full
wild
untamed
bouncy
wispy
fine
thinning
Hair – Color
There are some repeats here from the eye color section!
black
blue-black
jet black
raven
ebony
inky black
midnight
sable
salt and pepper
silver / silver gray
charcoal gray
steel gray
white
snow-white
brown
brunette
chocolate brown
coffee brown
ash brown
brown sugar
nut brown
caramel
tawny brown
toffee brown
red
ginger
auburn
Titian-haired
copper
strawberry blonde
butterscotch
honey
wheat
blonde
golden
sandy blond
flaxen
fair-haired
bleached
platinum
Body Type – General
tall
average height
short
petite
tiny
compact
big
large
burly
beefy
bulky
brawny
barrel-chested
heavy / heavy-set
fat
overweight
obese
flabby
chunky
chubby
pudgy
pot-bellied
portly
thick
stout
lush
plush
full-figured
ample
rounded
generous
voluptuous
curvy
hourglass
plump
leggy / long-legged
gangling
lanky
coltish
lissome
willowy
lithe
lean
slim
slender
trim
thin
skinny
emaciated
gaunt
bony
spare
solid
stocky
wiry
rangy
sinewy
stringy
ropy
sturdy
strapping
powerful
hulking
fit
athletic
toned
built
muscular
chiseled
taut
ripped
Herculean
broad-shouldered
sloping shoulders
bowlegged
Hands
delicate
small
large
square
sturdy
strong
smooth
rough
calloused
elegant
plump
manicured
stubby fingers
long fingers
ragged nails
grimy fingernails
ink-stained
~
This list and many more are in my book Master Lists for Writers: Thesauruses, Plot Ideas, Character Traits, Names, and More. Check it out if you’re interested!
And if you don’t want to miss future writing posts, follow the blog, if you aren’t already — there’s a place to sign up on the lefthand side of the blog. Thanks for stopping by, and happy writing!
Thanks, Bryn! This list has sparked a spark in my brain. I haven’t seen one of those for a while. I was getting worried I’d lost my flint!
I’m so glad you like it!
I love this, do you mind if we share on our blog WritersLife.org ?
Thanks for the positive feedback! You can’t reproduce it on your blog, but you can share an excerpt of 200 words or less plus a link to my site.
As a new novel writer all I can say is thank very much for sharing with us this wonderful list.
Ah you’re welcome! Thanks for visiting!
This is amazing! Thank you very much!
Thanks for the kind words–glad it seems helpful!
Reblogged this on looselyjournalying.
Reblogged this on Of Fancy & Creativity.
Aw thank you for this it helped so much! I’m 15 and I’m trying to write a novel and this was sooooo helpful so thank you a billion 🙂 Best wishes.
Ah you’re welcome! Thanks for stopping by. Good for you for working on a novel, and good luck–I bet it will go great!
Hi, Bryn
Thank you for doing these lists. They helped me a lot. Can you make a list on how to describe emotions like sadness or anger.
It’s funny you should ask 🙂 There’s a list like that in my book MASTER LISTS FOR WRITERS coming out this fall! I haven’t officially announced it yet, but hey 🙂
You can get a free copy when it comes out if you agree to give it an honest review. SIgn up for my newsletter if you’re interested!
Reblogged this on Kalynn Bayron and commented:
Yes! This is great!
Was just looking for this type of lists.Great work.
This is so helpful.
I love your blog, btw. Your posts are informative and/or inspirational.
Are you on any social medial where I can follow you?
Oh, thank you so much! I just checked out your blog — I love the dream casting post! http://sbhadleywilson.com/blog/pull-ideal-cast-2/
I’m @BrynDonovan on Twitter, just followed you!
VERY helpful. I need to get basic descriptions of people done and out of the way to move on with plot. This quickens any details that might have taken me a long time to think through, or strain a sentence. Yuck. I know my females characters would pay attention to lots of physical details. not so with the males. Thanks!
Oh, so glad it’s helpful! That’s always what I’m trying to do with my lists — speed things up. I hate getting stuck on a detail and losing my momentum 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
godsent list! Bryn, I wish you more brains.
Reblogged this on Jessica Louis and commented:
This list is beyond helpful. Who knew there were so many eye colors!?
Thanks Bryn your list was amazing. I’m an aspiring writer and it really helped me a lot. When I can I’m going to get a copy of your book. I think it would help me become a better writer. My genre of choice is erotic, but it is so hard to get out there, but I’m hopeful one day I will. It’s what I love to do and I’m going to keep trying.
Hi Beth! Thank you so much for the kind words. If you do get the book, I hope you like it! And good luck on writing erotica — I’m doing a “WIP Wednesday” this Wednesday where you can share a bit of your work in progress, if you like 🙂
That would be great. I have some short stories publish on a site called Literotica. I have some editing issues that I’m trying to work out, nothing a few classes wouldn’t help. How do I share my work.
I am so sorry! I missed this comment before. The next WIP Wednesday on the blog is Dec. 2… if you’re following the blog you’ll see the post! (The follow button is on the righthand side of this page.) Hope your writing’s going well 🙂
Reblogged this on PRINCE CHARMING ISN'T HERE and commented:
what an amazing list! I always have a hard time describing features! words sometimes fail me!
i loved this list! thank you so much for making it! 🙂
So glad it was helpful!
Thank you! This is so helpful to have for reference. Occasionally I’ll have a particular word in mind and can’t think of it, and I can usually pop over here and find it right away!
I absolutely love your master lists. They have helped me so much in diversifying the words I use when I’m writing. 🙂
Ohhh thank you! That is so great to hear. 🙂 Hope your writing projects are going great!
Thank you, and they are. I’m just about to publish a works I’ve been working on for the past couple of months, which is so exciting. XD
Hope all your writing projects are going great as well. 🙂
What a wonderful and thorough list Bryn. Thanks for sharing it! I will at some point ‘link back’ to this fabulous article (I’ll let you know when I do.) I’m new to your site, but will certainly be back for more! I’m fascinated to learn that you’re also a home-grown KC girl. =0) Although, I remarried and moved to California 9 years ago, KC still tugs my heart-strings.
Hey, so glad you like it! Yeah, Kansas City is a special place. Come visit anytime 🙂 And thanks for visiting my blog! — I LOVE your username, by the way. Made me smile.
thanks for following my blog!
Reblogged this on A Bundle of Cute.
Reblogged this on A Blissful Garden and commented:
I find this very important!
Reblogged this on Insideamoronsbrain and commented:
Wow!!
Thanks for sharing this list! It is amazing and so helpful !
I’m going to save this as a favorite. You always provide great information Bryn. Continue with your success.
Oh, thank you so much, Christopher! I really appreciate the kind words. So glad you like this!
This list is so complete! I haven’t worked on fiction in a long while, but lately I’ve been wanting to get back into it. I know this is going to be a great help when i sit down to create my characters!
This is absolutely perfect for aspiring writers so that we don’t have to use Microsoft Word synonyms that tend to nit have what we’re searching for.
Your introductory paragraph about readers falling in love with characters’ personalities and not theit physical attributes was spot on.
Thank you thank you, thank you!
Chunny! Thank you so very much for the kind words. I’m so glad you found it helpful!!
This is amazing! Thank you! I hope it’s alright if I use this as a reference in a blog post for character development.
Hi Jacquelyn! So glad you like it. That’s fine, just please link to the post!
I read this over and over, thank you for creating this! Can I just ask, when thinking of clothing and how to describe it, what are some things you would put? (I’m making a book draft and have never needed clothing described to me as much as now)
Thank you! It’s so important that we don’t reuse the same words too often, so this will help a lot with that problem.
Thanks for helping me. It really made a big difference of helping me come up with something.
Hi Joseph! Sorry for the delayed reply! I’m so glad you liked it. Thanks for the kind words!
Your book “Master Lists for Writers” has helped me incredibly. I’ve always wanted to be a romance writer but didn’t have the nerve until now. I am currently working on a short story about a college girl who is assaulted by a classmate. It was based on a dream I had a few nights ago. I haven’t developed how she gets her revenge on him. I know the story line seems dark but the dream stuck with me so much, I felt the urge to turn it into a story. Thank you again for your awesome book. What a great resource
Rhonda! Thank you so much for the kind words. I am so happy that the book is helpful, and even gladder that you’re going for it and writing! Sending you best wishes on your story!
Great advice in this post, Bryn! Thank you.
Used this for school! It was really helpful!
Oh yay! So glad it was helpful!
This is a great list! So comprehensive, and just what I was looking for. I struggle with physical descriptions of people and have a tendency to write the same kins of attributes. So this list is fab!
This is great!
keep up the good work
Hey thanks 🙂
This is so helpful!!!!!
Tiptoeing out there to publish my first book (I’ve been writing a long time). This post helped so much. Thanks!
oh my gosh, thank you! You have put a lot of effort in this list. I def appreciate it 🙂
Thank you I´m always using this when I´m creating new characters.
Incredibly helpful! Thanks a lot :3
Thank you for sharing this!
More extensive than my general list. My wizened goatee and elder Fu Manchu thank you for sharing your time and devotion to the craft.
Great thnx
Very useful for ready reference. Thank you very much.
Thanks, Mohan! So glad you liked it!
I’ve been writing for a while, mostly for fun, but this was the one thing I could never get down, but this list is great! all around solid, and incredibly useful, I see myself using it every time I need to make a new character, good job!
You’re a legend! This is fantastic, thank you!
Hahaha, thanks for the kind words! 🙂 Glad it’s helpful!
I am following your prompts and valuable advice for writing a fantasy teen fiction novel. I think you are amazing. You might not know it but I was able to clear hundreds of my doubts through your help. Please keep up the good work and providing your valuable support to all of us upcoming writers.
Hey, thank you so much for the kind words—you made my day! It’s wonderful to hear that you’re working on YA fantasy. I’m so glad I could help, and I wish you every success!
I honestly would not recommend this as good writing advice. The focus is too much on describing someone’s physical features using analogies for food. That is not a good thing, it becomes trite and overdone. If used sparsely it’s okay but almost every word in this list is food related.
Hi, Larissa! Thanks for taking your valuable time to share your opinion.
You have done a great job preparing this Master List. Those who think such precise words for describing someone hurt their sensibilities, move on to another URL. I appreciate every bit of your effort.
Hi, Pradeep! I am so glad you like the list. Thanks so much for commenting!
Bryn, I love your master list book and use it all the time!
Ohh, thank you so much! I’m so glad it’s helpful!
This is a godsend. I owe you my soul.
I work 20 hours per day, (regular business and writing the memoir). Just ordered the Master List–seems like having my own research assistant. I may be able to get 5 hours sleep now.
Thanks
No jaw descriptions? ;(
You saved my day with your wonderful, descriptive words! Now I’ve found the perfect features for my handsome male character. Thank you!
That is a lot of hours for books but I guess if you keep pushing it will happen.
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Hi Bryn, thanks so much for this information! I always appreciate your lists because I like comprehensive material all in one location as a reference (then if I decide to break the rules, at least I know what the rules are “supposed to be” first!). Have you considered making comprehensive lists of creative writing genre conventions (tropes, archetypes, settings, devices, etc.)?
Hello, and thank you for the valuable and useful information. I agree with Eleanore regarding the list of genre conventions. I’m more than pleased I found you website.
Thank u so much ❤️ that was so helpful