This list includes 100 Adjectives that start with D, from “dainty” to “distressing”. These are single-word base adjectives, from common to uncommon, useful for writing, editing, and language study.
Adjectives that start with D are descriptive words beginning with the letter D. They include familiar terms like “delightful” and literary words such as “doleful” that appear in classic texts.
Below you’ll find the table with Word, Definition, Example, and Register.
Word: The adjective entry in base form, so you can quickly spot and copy the exact word you need.
Definition: A concise one-line meaning to help you grasp common usage and subtle differences between similar adjectives.
Example: A short, natural sentence showing how the adjective appears in context, so you can use it correctly.
Register: Notes on formality or tone, like colloquial or formal, helping you choose words appropriate for your audience.
Adjectives that start with D
| Word | Register | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| dark | neutral | Having little or no light; not bright. | The room was dark after sunset. |
| dank | neutral | Unpleasantly damp, musty, and cold. | The basement smelled dank and moldy. |
| dapper | informal | Neatly dressed and stylish in appearance. | He looked dapper in a tailored suit. |
| daring | neutral | Able to take bold risks; adventurous. | She made a daring mountain climb last summer. |
| dangerous | neutral | Able or likely to cause harm or injury. | That cliff is dangerous in high winds. |
| dainty | neutral | Small, delicate, and attractive. | She served dainty finger sandwiches at tea. |
| damp | neutral | Slightly wet or moist. | The towel was still damp after washing. |
| dandy | informal | Excellent or first-rate; also stylishly dressed. | That was a dandy solution to the problem. |
| dead | neutral | No longer alive; lacking movement or sensation. | The plant looked dead after the frost. |
| deadly | neutral | Causing or able to cause death; extremely effective. | The toxin proved deadly to pests. |
| deaf | neutral | Unable to hear, wholly or partly. | He was born deaf but learned sign language. |
| deafening | neutral | Extremely loud; overwhelming to the ear. | The explosion produced a deafening roar. |
| dear | neutral | Beloved or expensive; valued highly. | She kept a dear photograph of her family. |
| debonair | formal | Confident, stylish, and charming (often of men). | The debonair actor charmed the audience. |
| decent | neutral | Conforming to acceptable standards; respectable. | He did a decent job on the essay. |
| decisive | neutral | Able to make firm decisions quickly. | She took decisive action to fix the issue. |
| decimal | neutral | Relating to or based on the number ten. | Use decimal notation for tenths and hundredths. |
| deceptive | neutral | Tending to mislead or trick. | The advertisement used deceptive claims about savings. |
| decorous | formal | In keeping with good taste and propriety. | They behaved in a decorous, polite manner. |
| decorative | neutral | Serving an ornament or embellishment; attractive. | She chose decorative pillows for the sofa. |
| dedicated | neutral | Devoted to a task, purpose, or person. | He is a dedicated teacher at the school. |
| deep | neutral | Extending far down from the top or surface. | The lake is deep near the cliff. |
| defeated | neutral | Having been beaten or overcome. | The defeated team left the field quietly. |
| defiant | neutral | Openly resisting authority or opposition. | She gave a defiant response to the criticism. |
| definitive | neutral | Conclusive and authoritative; final. | They published the definitive guide to the topic. |
| definite | neutral | Clearly defined or determined; certain. | We need a definite date for the meeting. |
| deft | neutral | Quick and skillful in movement or action. | His deft fingers fixed the watch easily. |
| degraded | neutral | Lowered in quality, dignity, or character. | The soil became degraded after heavy use. |
| degrading | neutral | Causing loss of dignity or respect. | The task felt degrading to her professional pride. |
| delectable | neutral | Highly pleasing to taste or smell; delicious. | They enjoyed a delectable chocolate dessert. |
| deliberate | neutral | Done intentionally and with careful thought. | His choice was a deliberate, well-planned move. |
| delicate | neutral | Easily damaged or requiring careful handling. | Handle the delicate vase with both hands. |
| delightful | neutral | Highly pleasing or charming. | We had a delightful afternoon at the park. |
| delighted | neutral | Feeling or showing great pleasure. | She was delighted with the surprise party. |
| delirious | neutral | In a disturbed state of mind from excitement or fever. | After the news he was delirious with joy. |
| demanding | neutral | Requiring much effort, skill, or attention. | This task is demanding but rewarding. |
| democratic | neutral | Related to democracy or equality in decision-making. | They held a democratic vote among members. |
| demure | neutral | Reserved, modest, and shy (often of women). | She gave a demure smile and looked away. |
| dense | neutral | Closely packed or thick; hard to understand. | The fog was dense this morning. |
| dental | neutral | Relating to teeth or dentistry. | She visited the dental clinic for a checkup. |
| dependable | neutral | Able to be relied on; trustworthy. | He’s a dependable colleague who meets deadlines. |
| dependent | neutral | Relying on someone or something else. | The project is dependent on outside funding. |
| depressed | neutral | Feeling low in spirits; reduced in activity. | He felt depressed after losing the job. |
| depressing | neutral | Causing sadness or gloom. | The movie’s ending was profoundly depressing. |
| deranged | neutral | Mentally disturbed; insane. | The villain had a deranged expression. |
| derisive | neutral | Expressing contempt or ridicule. | She gave a derisive laugh at the suggestion. |
| descriptive | neutral | Serving to describe; providing details or characteristics. | Use descriptive language to paint the scene. |
| deserted | neutral | Empty of people; abandoned. | The village was deserted at midday. |
| desirable | neutral | Worth having or wanting; attractive. | A stable job is desirable to many applicants. |
| desirous | formal | Having a strong wish or desire for something. | She was desirous of a quieter life. |
| desperate | neutral | Showing extreme need or urgency; hopeless. | They made a desperate attempt to save it. |
| despicable | neutral | Deserving contempt or strong dislike. | His cruel actions were despicable to everyone. |
| detailed | neutral | Including many small parts or particulars. | I need a detailed report by Friday. |
| detectable | neutral | Able to be noticed or discovered. | The leak was barely detectable at first. |
| determined | neutral | Having a firm decision; resolute. | She remained determined to finish the project. |
| deterrent | neutral | Serving to discourage or prevent an action. | A strong penalty can be an effective deterrent. |
| devoted | neutral | Very loving or loyal to a person or cause. | He is devoted to his elderly parents. |
| devilish | neutral | Characteristic of the devil; wicked or mischievous. | He had a devilish grin after the prank. |
| devious | neutral | Showing a skillful use of underhand tactics. | Her devious plan surprised the team. |
| dexterous | formal | Skillful and quick with hands or mind. | The pianist’s dexterous fingers flew over keys. |
| diaphanous | formal | Light, delicate, and translucent. | She wore a diaphanous silk scarf. |
| didactic | formal | Intended to teach, often in a moralizing way. | The novel became overly didactic at times. |
| different | neutral | Not the same; distinct from another. | His opinion was different from mine. |
| difficult | neutral | Needing much effort or skill to accomplish. | This math problem looks difficult. |
| diffuse | neutral | Spread out or scattered; not concentrated. | The room had a diffuse, soft light. |
| digital | neutral | Relating to electronic technology or fingers. | Digital cameras replaced film for many photographers. |
| dignified | neutral | Marked by dignity, seriousness, or formality. | She gave a calm, dignified response. |
| diligent | neutral | Having or showing careful, persistent effort. | A diligent student studies every night. |
| dim | neutral | Not bright; not clear or intelligent. | The lamp gave a dim, cozy glow. |
| diminished | neutral | Made smaller or less; reduced. | The resources had greatly diminished over time. |
| dimwitted | informal | Slow to understand; foolish. | Don’t be dimwitted about basic safety rules. |
| diplomatic | neutral | Skilled in dealing with sensitive matters. | She gave a diplomatic reply to avoid offense. |
| direct | neutral | Straightforward; without intermediary or delay. | I prefer direct answers to unclear ones. |
| dirty | neutral | Covered with or marked by unclean matter. | The children came home with dirty clothes. |
| disabled | neutral | Having a long-term physical or mental impairment. | The building added ramps for disabled visitors. |
| disagreeable | neutral | Unpleasant; not enjoyable; unfriendly. | He found the taste disagreeable and refused more. |
| disappointed | neutral | Sad or displeased because expectations weren’t met. | She was disappointed by the canceled event. |
| disappointing | neutral | Causing disappointment; not meeting expectations. | The finale was unexpectedly disappointing to fans. |
| disarming | neutral | Allaying hostility or suspicion; charming. | His disarming smile eased the tension. |
| disciplined | neutral | Showing controlled behavior or training. | The team was well disciplined and performed smoothly. |
| discolored | neutral | Having an altered, often faded or stained, color. | The paper was discolored with age. |
| discrete | neutral | Individually separate and distinct. | The project has several discrete phases. |
| discriminating | neutral | Having refined tastes or good judgment. | A discriminating reader prefers quality writing. |
| discriminatory | neutral | Showing unjust differential treatment or bias. | The policy was ruled discriminatory by the court. |
| disgusted | neutral | Feeling revulsion or strong disapproval. | She was disgusted by the spoiled food. |
| disgusting | neutral | Arousing revulsion or profound dislike. | The rotten smell was absolutely disgusting. |
| disheveled | informal | Untidy or disordered in appearance. | He arrived late, hair disheveled and shirt rumpled. |
| dishonest | neutral | Untruthful or deceitful. | The report contained dishonest statements. |
| dismal | neutral | Causing gloom or depression; bleak. | The weather was dismal and cold all week. |
| disorganized | neutral | Lacking structure or order. | The disorganized files caused delays. |
| disoriented | neutral | Confused about time, place, or direction. | After waking, he felt disoriented and dizzy. |
| dissimilar | formal | Not alike; different in nature or appearance. | Their approaches were dissimilar, yet both worked. |
| distant | neutral | Far away in space or time; emotionally reserved. | We felt distant after the long argument. |
| distinct | neutral | Clearly different or noticeably individual. | The two flavors were distinct and easy to tell apart. |
| distinctive | neutral | Having a quality that makes something noticeably different. | Her voice had a distinctive husky tone. |
| distinguished | formal | Successful, authoritative, and respected. | A distinguished professor spoke at the ceremony. |
| distracted | neutral | Unable to concentrate; having attention diverted. | He seemed distracted during the meeting. |
| distraught | neutral | Deeply upset or agitated. | She was distraught after hearing the news. |
| distressed | neutral | Suffering from anxiety, sorrow, or pain. | They sent aid to the distressed families. |
| distressing | neutral | Causing worry, sorrow, or pain. | The news of the accident was distressing. |
Descriptions
dark
Adjective, neutral; common antonyms: bright, light; use for lighting, mood, tone.
dank
Adjective, neutral/informal; describes damp, chilly places; synonyms: damp, moist.
dapper
Adjective, informal; describes neat, stylish dress; synonyms: smart, spruce.
daring
Adjective, neutral; use for bold actions; synonyms: bold, adventurous.
dangerous
Adjective, neutral; common use for risk or hazard; synonyms: risky, hazardous.
dainty
Adjective, neutral; often for food or small objects; synonyms: delicate, petite.
damp
Adjective, neutral; describes slight wetness; synonyms: moist, humid.
dandy
Adjective, informal; British/old-fashioned flavor; synonyms: excellent, fine.
dead
Adjective, neutral; wide usage in literal and figurative senses.
deadly
Adjective, neutral; also means extremely intense; synonyms: lethal.
deaf
Adjective, neutral; medical/identity term; use respectfully.
deafening
Adjective, neutral; common for very loud noises.
dear
Adjective, neutral; context determines meaning: beloved or costly.
debonair
Adjective, formal; often literary; synonyms: suave, charming.
decent
Adjective, neutral; general positive quality; synonyms: respectable, adequate.
decisive
Adjective, neutral; implies resoluteness; synonyms: resolute, conclusive.
decimal
Adjective, neutral; mathematical term; synonyms: base-ten.
deceptive
Adjective, neutral; warns of dishonesty; synonyms: misleading, false.
decorous
Adjective, formal; use for proper, polite behavior.
decorative
Adjective, neutral; relates to ornamentation.
dedicated
Adjective, neutral; synonyms: committed, devoted.
deep
Adjective, neutral; also metaphorical for emotions or thought.
defeated
Adjective, neutral; past participle used adjectivally; synonyms: vanquished.
defiant
Adjective, neutral; implies bold resistance.
definitive
Adjective, neutral; implies finality and authority.
definite
Adjective, neutral; synonyms: clear, specific.
deft
Adjective, neutral; synonyms: skillful, nimble.
degraded
Adjective, neutral; often used environmentally or socially.
degrading
Adjective, neutral; note negative moral connotation.
delectable
Adjective, neutral; often for food; synonyms: delicious.
deliberate
Adjective, neutral; also means slow and careful.
delicate
Adjective, neutral; synonyms: fragile, fine.
delightful
Adjective, neutral; positive, pleasant.
delighted
Adjective, neutral; past participle commonly used adjectivally.
delirious
Adjective, neutral; often temporary, medical or figurative.
demanding
Adjective, neutral; implies high requirements.
democratic
Adjective, neutral; political or organizational contexts.
demure
Adjective, neutral; slightly formal; synonyms: modest, reserved.
dense
Adjective, neutral; used physically or intellectually.
dental
Adjective, neutral; medical/technical term.
dependable
Adjective, neutral; synonyms: reliable, trustworthy.
dependent
Adjective, neutral; denotes reliance.
depressed
Adjective, neutral; can be clinical—use sensitively.
depressing
Adjective, neutral; describes mood-inducing qualities.
deranged
Adjective, neutral; strong negative connotation.
derisive
Adjective, neutral; synonyms: mocking, scornful.
descriptive
Adjective, neutral; relates to description.
deserted
Adjective, neutral; synonyms: abandoned, empty.
desirable
Adjective, neutral; synonyms: attractive, coveted.
desirous
Adjective, formal; literary; synonyms: eager, wanting.
desperate
Adjective, neutral; intense emotional state.
despicable
Adjective, neutral; strong moral judgment.
detailed
Adjective, neutral; implies thoroughness.
detectable
Adjective, neutral; synonyms: noticeable, discernible.
determined
Adjective, neutral; shows resolve.
deterrent
Adjective, neutral; often in policy or security contexts.
devoted
Adjective, neutral; synonyms: loyal, committed.
devilish
Adjective, neutral; playful or negative depending on context.
devious
Adjective, neutral; synonyms: sly, deceitful.
dexterous
Adjective, formal; synonyms: skillful, agile.
diaphanous
Adjective, formal; often poetic for thin fabrics.
didactic
Adjective, formal; caution: can imply preachy tone.
different
Adjective, neutral; extremely common and versatile.
difficult
Adjective, neutral; common usage for challenge.
diffuse
Adjective, neutral; also means wordy or unfocused.
digital
Adjective, neutral; tech or bodily contexts.
dignified
Adjective, neutral; positive, formal tone.
diligent
Adjective, neutral; synonyms: industrious, hardworking.
dim
Adjective, neutral; also used for slow understanding.
diminished
Adjective, neutral; past participle used adjectivally.
dimwitted
Adjective, informal; mildly insulting; synonyms: stupid.
diplomatic
Adjective, neutral; political or interpersonal tact.
direct
Adjective, neutral; also means straight or explicit.
dirty
Adjective, neutral; literal and figurative uses.
disabled
Adjective, neutral; respectful usage recommended.
disagreeable
Adjective, neutral; synonyms: unpleasant, unpleasant.
disappointed
Adjective, neutral; common emotional descriptor.
disappointing
Adjective, neutral; use to critique outcomes.
disarming
Adjective, neutral; can mean charming or calming.
disciplined
Adjective, neutral; implies training and order.
discolored
Adjective, neutral; often physical/material contexts.
discrete
Adjective, neutral; synonyms: separate, distinct.
discriminating
Adjective, neutral; positive meaning discerning.
discriminatory
Adjective, neutral; legal and ethical contexts; negative.
disgusted
Adjective, neutral; emotional reaction.
disgusting
Adjective, neutral; strong negative descriptor.
disheveled
Adjective, informal; synonyms: messy, unkempt.
dishonest
Adjective, neutral; moral judgment; antonym: honest.
dismal
Adjective, neutral; synonyms: gloomy, bleak.
disorganized
Adjective, neutral; antonym: organized.
disoriented
Adjective, neutral; often medical or situational.
dissimilar
Adjective, formal; synonym: different.
distant
Adjective, neutral; physical or emotional distance.
distinct
Adjective, neutral; synonyms: clear, definite.
distinctive
Adjective, neutral; marks uniqueness.
distinguished
Adjective, formal; positive, respect-implying.
distracted
Adjective, neutral; common psychological state.
distraught
Adjective, neutral; strong emotional distress.
distressed
Adjective, neutral; used for people or materials.
distressing
Adjective, neutral; describes saddening effects.