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Adjectives are perfect for adding layers of detail in your descriptions. Precise adjectives can help you minimize your word count since you can use one word to illustrate something instead of a phrase.
For fantasy writers, who often indulge in rich descriptions of fantastical worlds and creatures, adjectives are your best friend. Flex your creativity and use some adjectives that start with D to inspire your next setting or character within your story.
In this article, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of adjectives that start with D. We’ve also specified the different categories of adjectives so you can quickly find an example to use in your writing.
Funny Adjectives That Start With D
When you want to write a funny story, or the tone of your writing is lighthearted and humorous, try adding funny adjectives to improve your writing.
Funny adjectives can be funny sounding or describing funny features of the character you’re writing about. For example, the definition of the word “daffy” is silly or foolish. The word “droopy” sounds funny to say, but it’s used to describe something hanging down.
You can also use funny adjectives that start with D to create alliteration, which is when you consecutively use words that start with the same letter. For example, you could describe a “droopy, dozy dog” or a “dizzy, dollish dancer.”
Here’s a list of 20 funny adjectives that start with D:
Daffy
Daft
Dandy
Dapper
Debonair
Dingy
Dizzy
Doggish
Dollish
Dopey
Dotted
Dovish
Dowdy
Dozy
Dreamy
Droll
Droopy
Drowsy
Dusty
Dwindling
Kind Words That Start With D
You can use kind adjectives if you want to describe someone who considers other people’s feelings. For example, you can describe a kind person as “decent” or “delicate” in how they treat others.
If you’re writing a novel in first person and your narrator is a kind person, you can use these following words to describe them or how other characters would perceive them.
Here’s a list of 15 kind adjectives that start with D:
Darling
Daughterly
Dearest
Decent
Dedicated
Deliberate
Delicate
Delightful
Dependable
Desirable
Determined
Direct
Divine
Doting
Dynamic
Descriptive Words That Start With D
Adjectives are descriptive words that enrich your writing and help you achieve a better level of imagery. If you want your readers to imagine everything that’s happening in your scenes, try including more descriptive adjectives.
You can increase your vocabulary to include more adjective words by reading extensively. However, if you don’t have time, or you need to find an adjective that starts with D quickly, we’ve compiled a list of as many descriptive adjectives starting with D we can find.
Here’s our list of describing words beginning with D:
Daffy
Daft
Daily
Dainty
Damaged
Damaging
Damp
Danceable
Dandy
Dangerous
Danish
Dapper
Daring
Dark
Darkened
Darling
Dashing
Daughterly
Daunting
Dazed
Dazzling
Dead
Deadly
Deadpan
Deaf
Deafening
Dear
Dearest
Debatable
Debilitating
Debonair
Decadent
Decayed
Decaying
Deceitful
Deceivable
Deceiving
Decent
Decentralized
Deceptive
Decimal
Decimated
Decipherable
Decisive
Declining
Decorative
Decorous
Decreasing
Decrepit
Dedicated
Deep
Deep-pocketed
Deepening
Defeated
Defective
Defendable
Defenseless
Defensible
Defensive
Defiant
Deficient
Definable
Definite
Definitive
Deformed
Degenerative
Degraded
Dehydrated
Dejected
Delayed
Delectable
Deliberate
Deliberative
Delicate
Delicious
Delighted
Delightful
Delinquent
Delirious
Delish
Deliverable
Deluded
Demanding
Demented
Democratic
Demonic
Demonstrative
Demure
Deniable
Dense
Dental
Dependable
Dependent
Deplorable
Deploring
Depraved
Depressed
Depressing
Depressive
Deprived
Deranged
Derivative
Derogative
Derogatory
Descriptive
Deserted
Designer
Desirable
Desirous
Desolate
Despairing
Desperate
Despicable
Despised
Despondent
Destitute
Destroyed
Destructive
Detachable
Detached
Detailed
Detectable
Determined
Detestable
Detrimental
Devastated
Devastating
Developmental
Devious
Devoted
Devout
Dexterous
Diabolical
Diagonal
Didactic
Different
Difficult
Diffuse
Digestive
Digital
Dignified
Digressive
Dilapidated
Diligent
Dim
Diminishing
Diminutive
Dimpled
Dimwitted
Dingy
Diplomatic
Dire
Direct
Direful
Dirty
Disabled
Disadvantaged
Disadvantageous
Disaffected
Disagreeable
Disappearing
Disappointed
Disappointing
Disapproving
Disarming
Disastrous
Discarded
Discernible
Discerning
Disciplined
Disconnected
Discontented
Discordant
Discouraged
Discouraging
Discourteous
Discredited
Discreet
Discrete
Discriminating
Discriminatory
Discussable
Disdainful
Diseased
Disenchanted
Disfigured
Disgraceful
Disgruntled
Disguised
Disgusted
Disgusting
Disheartened
Disheartening
Dishonest
Dishonorable
Disillusioned
Disinclined
Disingenuous
Disinterested
Disjointed
Dislikeable
Disliked
Disloyal
Dismal
Dismissive
Disobedient
Disorderly
Disorganized
Disparaging
Disparate
Dispassionate
Dispensable
Displaced
Displeased
Displeasing
Disposable
Disproportionate
Disproved
Disputable
Disputatious
Disputed
Disreputable
Disrespected
Disrespectful
Disruptive
Dissatisfied
Dissimilar
Dissolvable
Dissolving
Dissonant
Dissuasive
Distant
Distasteful
Distinct
Distinctive
Distinguished
Distorted
Distracted
Distracting
Distraught
Distressed
Distressing
Distrustful
Disturbed
Disturbing
Divergent
Diverging
Diverse
Diversified
Divided
Divine
Divisive
Dizzy
Dizzying
Doable
Documentary
Dogged
Doggish
Dogmatic
Doleful
Dollish
Domed
Domestic
Dominant
Domineering
Dopey
Dorsal
Doted-on
Doting
Dotted
Double
Doubtful
Doubting
Dovish
Dowdy
Down
Down-and-out
Downhearted
Downloadable
Downright
Downtown
Downward
Dozy
Drab
Drafty
Drained
Dramatic
Drastic
Dreaded
Dreadful
Dreaming
Dreamy
Dreary
Drenched
Dress
Dressy
Dried
Dripping
Drivable
Driven
Droll
Drooping
Droopy
Drowsy
Drunk
Dry
Dual
Dubious
Due
Dulcet
Dull
Duplicitous
Durable
Dusty
Dutch
Dutiful
Dwindling
Dynamic
Dysfunctional
Compliments Starting With D
Compliments are a great way to show your appreciation of someone. You might simply like the way they look, or you’re thankful for the way they helped you with something. Using D adjectives in your compliment will make it sound more sincere.
A genuine compliment is specific and gives the receiver a good feeling about themselves. For example, if you want to compliment someone on their cooking, but you don’t want to simply say, “the finger food was good,” you could say, “the dainty canapés were delicious.”
People often use the word “delicious” to compliment food. If you want an alternative word, you could use delicious synonyms such as “divine,” “delectable,” or “delightful.”
Here’s a list of 46 adjectives that start with D, which you can use in compliments:
Dainty
Dandy
Dapper
Daring
Darling
Dashing
Daughterly
Dazzling
Dearest
Debonair
Decadent
Decent
Decisive
Dedicated
Deep
Delectable
Delicate
Delicious
Delightful
Demure
Dependable
Designer
Desirable
Detailed
Determined
Devoted
Devout
Dignified
Diligent
Diplomatic
Direct
Disarming
Disciplined
Discreet
Distinct
Distinguished
Diverse
Divine
Dominant
Doting
Dreamy
Dressy
Driven
Durable
Dutiful
Dynamic
Positive Words Starting With D
Positive adjectives can describe something pleasant or someone who is feeling positive. For example, the word “dandy” describes something as excellent, and the word “delighted” describes someone who is feeling overly happy.
You can use positive words to create a positive tone, which may improve your reader’s mood. Focusing on adjectives that have positive connotations is good for selling products, as it can give your reader the impression that your products are going to make them happy.
Here’s a list of 40 positive adjectives that start with D:
Dandy
Dapper
Dashing
Dazzling
Debonair
Decadent
Decent
Decorative
Dedicated
Definite
Definitive
Delectable
Deliberate
Deliberative
Delicate
Delicious
Delighted
Delightful
Deliverable
Dependable
Descriptive
Designer
Desirable
Detailed
Determined
Developmental
Devoted
Dignified
Diligent
Diplomatic
Direct
Distinct
Diverse
Diversified
Divine
Dreamy
Dressy
Durable
Dutiful
Dynamic
Negative Words Starting With D
Negative words can describe something unpleasant and give the impression it isn’t something your reader should desire. For example, to describe a run-down old house, you could call it “decrepit” or “dilapidated.”
You can also use negative adjectives if you have to write a complaint or negative review of something to make your thoughts appear more authentic. Strengthen your comments about the company’s product or service by providing specific descriptions of things you didn’t like.
Here’s a list of 100+ negative adjectives starting with D:
Damaged
Damaging
Dangerous
Daunting
Deadly
Deafening
Debilitating
Decayed
Decaying
Deceitful
Deceiving
Decimated
Declining
Decreasing
Decrepit
Defeated
Defective
Defenseless
Defensive
Defiant
Deficient
Deformed
Degenerative
Degraded
Dehydrated
Dejected
Delayed
Delinquent
Delirious
Deluded
Demented
Demonic
Deniable
Deplorable
Depraved
Depressing
Deprived
Deranged
Derogatory
Desolate
Despairing
Despicable
Despised
Despondent
Destitute
Destroyed
Destructive
Detached
Detestable
Detrimental
Devastating
Diabolical
Dilapidated
Diminishing
Diminutive
Dimwitted
Dingy
Dire
Dirty
Disadvantageous
Disagreeable
Disappointing
Disapproving
Disastrous
Discarded
Discouraged
Discourteous
Discredited
Discriminatory
Disdainful
Disfigured
Disgruntled
Disgusted
Disgusting
Disheartening
Dishonest
Dishonorable
Dislikeable
Dismal
Dismissive
Disorderly
Disorganized
Displeasing
Disputable
Disreputable
Disrespected
Disrespectful
Dissatisfied
Distracting
Distressing
Distrustful
Disturbing
Domineering
Doubtful
Doubting
Downhearted
Downward
Drab
Dreaded
Dreadful
Dreary
Dysfunctional
There you go—the ultimate list of adjectives that start with D. We hope this helps you with your writing, whether it’s creative, academic, or business.
When you want to check your writing for places lacking in detail, you can use ProWritingAid. The three reports to focus on when adding adjectives to your writing are the Thesaurus report, the Sensory report, and the Clichés report.
The Thesaurus report shows the number of adjectives you have in your document on the sidebar. It also highlights each instance of adjectives within your document by underlining them. Try adding some adjectives starting with D and run the report again to see the stats change.
If your writing lacks vivid sensory details, you can use the Sensory report to see if there are paragraphs where you’re lacking descriptions. There are many sensory D adjectives within this article that can help you improve your sensory score.
Writers should also use the Clichés report, as it plays a vital part of their editing process if they want to avoid overused or vague descriptions. If you’re using common adjectives, you might also use cliché descriptions. Good writers aim to use unique combinations of adjectives because it’s more engaging for the reader’s imagination.
We’ve got several more articles on the ProWritingAid blog to help you find adjectives to include in your writing. Don’t forget to bookmark any articles you find useful for your writing.