This list includes 72 Adjectives that start with V, from “vagrant” to “vulpine”. They cover common, literary, and rare descriptors, useful for writing, editing, and ESL learning.
Adjectives that start with V are single-word modifiers beginning with the letter V that describe qualities, states, or relations. Many come from Latin or Old French roots, and examples like “vivid” often appear in both everyday and literary language.
Below you’ll find the table with Word, Definition, Example, and Register.
Word: The adjective in its base form; use it to find and compare entries quickly when you search the list.
Definition: A concise one-line meaning that explains how the adjective modifies a noun, helping you pick the right word.
Example: A short natural sentence showing typical usage so you see how the adjective sounds in context.
Register: Notes on style or formality—such as colloquial, formal, or archaic—so you match tone to your audience.
Adjectives that start with V
| Word | Part of speech | Register | Definition | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| vagrant | adjective | neutral | Wandering or homeless, without fixed home. | A vagrant dog slept under the bench; means homeless or wandering (synonym: homeless); neutral, often about people or animals. |
| vague | adjective | neutral | Not clearly expressed or defined. | His reply was vague and unhelpful; means unclear or imprecise (synonyms: indistinct, ambiguous); common in everyday and academic use. |
| vain | adjective | neutral | Excessively proud of one’s appearance or achievements. | She made a vain effort to impress; means proud or futile (synonyms: conceited; useless), informal when meaning pointless. |
| vainglorious | adjective | formal | Excessively boastful or proud. | The vainglorious leader loved praise; means boastful (synonym: boastful); formal or literary tone. |
| valedictory | adjective | formal | Relating to a farewell or farewell speech. | She gave a valedictory address at graduation; means farewell-related (synonym: farewell), formal. |
| valiant | adjective | neutral | Showing courage or determination. | The valiant firefighter saved the child; means brave (synonym: courageous); common in narrative. |
| valid | adjective | neutral | Logically or legally sound; acceptable. | Her argument is valid and well supported; means sound or legally acceptable (synonym: sound); common in law and logic. |
| valuable | adjective | neutral | Having high worth or usefulness. | This is a valuable resource for students; means useful or precious (synonyms: precious, useful); neutral. |
| valued | adjective | neutral | Regarded as important or esteemed. | He was a valued team member; means appreciated (synonym: appreciated); common workplace usage. |
| valueless | adjective | neutral | Having no worth or usefulness. | The broken tool was valueless to him; means worthless (synonym: worthless); neutral. |
| vapid | adjective | neutral | Lacking liveliness, interest, or flavor. | The conversation felt vapid and dull; means dull or insipid (synonym: insipid); often critical. |
| variable | adjective | neutral | Liable to change; not consistent. | Weather here is highly variable; means changeable (synonym: changeable); common in science and daily talk. |
| varied | adjective | neutral | Showing diversity or many different types. | The menu offers a varied selection of dishes; means diverse (synonym: diverse); neutral. |
| variegated | adjective | formal | Marked with different colors or variety. | The variegated leaves brightened the garden; means multicolored or diverse (synonym: multicolored); often botanical. |
| various | adjective | neutral | Several different kinds or types. | She tried various approaches to the problem; means several different (synonym: diverse); common. |
| vassal? | adjective | archaic | Subordinate or dependent (rare adjectival use). | He served as a vassal ruler; means subordinate (synonym: subordinate); archaic or historical usage. |
| vast | adjective | neutral | Extremely large in area or degree. | The desert seemed vast and empty; means immense (synonym: immense); very common. |
| vaulted | adjective | neutral | Having a curved or arched structure. | The church had a vaulted ceiling; means arched (synonym: arched); architectural usage. |
| vaunted | adjective | neutral | Highly praised or boasted about, often exaggerated. | The much-vaunted plan disappointed investors; means highly praised (synonym: celebrated); often critical. |
| venerable | adjective | formal | Worthy of respect because of age or status. | The venerable scholar received many honors; means respected (synonym: respected); formal. |
| venal | adjective | formal | Willing to accept bribes; corrupt. | The official was accused of venal practices; means corrupt (synonym: corrupt); formal/critical. |
| venial | adjective | neutral | Forgivable, pardonable (a minor offense). | It was a venial mistake, easily forgiven; means forgivable (synonym: excusable); often used about sins or faults. |
| venomous | adjective | neutral | Producing venom; spiteful or malicious. | The snake is venomous and dangerous; means poisonous (synonym: poisonous); also figurative for spiteful tone. |
| venous | adjective | technical | Relating to or carried in veins. | A venous blood clot can be serious; means relating to veins (synonym: relating to veins); medical/technical. |
| veracious | adjective | formal | Habitually speaking the truth. | She has a veracious record as a reporter; means truthful (synonym: truthful); formal. |
| verbal | adjective | neutral | Relating to words or speech. | The agreement was only verbal, not written; means spoken (synonym: oral); common. |
| verbose | adjective | neutral | Using or containing too many words. | His report is accurate but verbose; means wordy (synonym: wordy); often critical. |
| verdant | adjective | literary | Green with vegetation; inexperienced. | The verdant valley felt alive in spring; means lushly green (synonym: green); literary or descriptive. |
| verifiable | adjective | neutral | Able to be checked or proven true. | Claims must be verifiable with data; means provable (synonym: provable); common in science and journalism. |
| verified | adjective | neutral | Confirmed as true or correct. | The experiment produced verified results; means confirmed (synonym: confirmed); common. |
| veritable | adjective | formal | Used for emphasis as true or genuine. | The room was a veritable museum of books; means genuine or actual (synonym: real); formal. |
| vernacular | adjective | neutral | Relating to everyday language of a region. | He wrote in the vernacular to reach readers; means everyday language (synonym: colloquial); neutral. |
| vernal | adjective | formal | Relating to spring. | The vernal blooms signaled the season’s start; means springlike (synonym: springtime); literary or botanical. |
| versatile | adjective | neutral | Able to do many different things or adapt. | A versatile actor plays diverse roles; means adaptable (synonym: adaptable); common. |
| versed | adjective | neutral | Knowledgeable or skilled in a subject. | She’s well versed in constitutional law; means experienced (synonym: knowledgeable); formal. |
| vertical | adjective | neutral | Upright; at right angle to the horizon. | The cliff has almost vertical sides; means upright (synonym: upright); common. |
| vested | adjective | neutral | Having an established right or interest. | He has vested pension rights after five years; means guaranteed or secured (synonym: secured); legal usage. |
| vestigial | adjective | technical | Remaining as a small trace of something once larger. | The frog’s vestigial tail shows its ancestry; means residual (synonym: residual); biological/technical. |
| vexed | adjective | neutral | Annoyed or troubled; problematic. | The issue left her feeling vexed and uncertain; means annoyed (synonym: irritated); common. |
| vibrant | adjective | neutral | Full of energy or vivid color. | The city has a vibrant arts scene; means lively or vivid (synonyms: lively, vivid); common. |
| vicarious | adjective | formal | Experienced through another person; indirect. | She took vicarious pleasure in the team’s success; means indirect (synonym: indirect); formal. |
| vicious | adjective | neutral | Deliberately cruel or violent; severe. | The attack was unusually vicious; means cruel or brutal (synonym: brutal); strong negative tone. |
| victorious | adjective | neutral | Having achieved victory. | The team returned home victorious; means triumphant (synonym: triumphant); common in sports. |
| vigilant | adjective | neutral | Watchful for possible danger or difficulties. | Be vigilant when driving in bad weather; means watchful (synonym: watchful); common safety advice. |
| vigilante | adjective | neutral | Acting outside the law to punish crime. | The group took vigilante action against thieves; means extrajudicial (synonym: extrajudicial); often critical. |
| vigorous | adjective | neutral | Strong, energetic, forceful. | She maintains a vigorous exercise routine; means energetic (synonym: energetic); common. |
| villainous | adjective | literary | Wicked or evil in nature. | The villainous plot was revealed at last; means evil (synonym: evil); literary or dramatic. |
| vindictive | adjective | neutral | Seeking revenge; spiteful. | His vindictive comments hurt many people; means revengeful (synonym: vengeful); negative. |
| vintage | adjective | neutral | Typical of the best period; high quality from past. | They sell vintage furniture from the 1950s; means classic or old but valued (synonym: classic); common. |
| vinous | adjective | literary | Relating to wine; wine-like. | The sauce had a vinous aroma from the red wine; means wine-related (synonym: winey); culinary or literary. |
| violent | adjective | neutral | Using or involving physical force; intense. | The storm produced violent winds and flooding; means forceful or intense (synonym: fierce); common. |
| violet | adjective | neutral | Of a purple-blue color. | She wore a violet dress to the wedding; means purple-blue (synonym: purple); color adjective. |
| vital | adjective | neutral | Absolutely necessary or essential. | Sleep is vital for good health; means essential (synonym: essential); very common. |
| vitreous | adjective | technical | Glass-like in appearance or composition. | The eye’s vitreous humor is gel-like; means glassy (synonym: glassy); medical/technical. |
| vitriolic | adjective | formal | Filled with bitter criticism or malice. | Her speech contained vitriolic attacks on rivals; means scathing (synonym: scathing); formal/critical. |
| vitalistic? | adjective | technical | Relating to vitalism (historical biological theory). | The theory adopted vitalistic explanations for life; means life-force related (synonym: life-based); technical, historical. |
| vituperative | adjective | formal | Marked by harsh, abusive language. | The debate turned vituperative and personal; means abusive (synonym: abusive); formal. |
| vivacious | adjective | neutral | Attractively lively and animated. | She is known for her vivacious personality; means lively (synonym: lively); common for people. |
| vivid | adjective | neutral | Producing strong, clear images or colors. | He gave a vivid description of the city; means clear and striking (synonym: striking); common. |
| vocal | adjective | neutral | Expressing opinions openly and strongly. | She was vocal about education reform; means outspoken (synonym: outspoken); common. |
| vociferous | adjective | formal | Loudly and forcefully expressing opinions. | The crowd became vociferous in protest; means noisy and outspoken (synonym: outspoken); formal. |
| void | adjective | legal | Invalid or lacking legal force; empty. | The contract was declared void by the court; means null or empty (synonym: null); legal register. |
| volatile | adjective | neutral | Likely to change suddenly or violently. | The market remains volatile this year; means unstable (synonym: unstable); finance/science contexts. |
| volcanic | adjective | neutral | Relating to volcanoes; explosive in nature. | The region has volcanic activity and lava flows; means eruptive or explosive (synonym: eruptive); geological. |
| voluble | adjective | formal | Talking fluently and incessantly. | He is voluble in meetings, rarely silent; means talkative (synonym: talkative); formal. |
| voluminous | adjective | neutral | Very large in amount or size. | She kept voluminous notes for research; means large or extensive (synonym: capacious); common. |
| voluntary | adjective | neutral | Done by free choice; not compulsory. | Participation in the study was voluntary; means optional (synonym: optional); common. |
| voracious | adjective | neutral | Having a very eager appetite for food or activity. | He is a voracious reader of history books; means insatiable (synonym: insatiable); figurative and literal. |
| votive | adjective | formal | Offered or dedicated in fulfillment of a vow. | They placed votive candles at the shrine; means devoted or ceremonial (synonym: dedicatory); religious/formal. |
| vulnerable | adjective | neutral | Susceptible to harm or attack. | New businesses are vulnerable in a recession; means at risk (synonym: at risk); common. |
| vulpine | adjective | literary | Fox-like in appearance or behavior. | Her vulpine grin hinted at mischief; means foxlike (synonym: foxy); literary. |
| vulgar | adjective | neutral | Lacking sophistication; crude or offensive. | The joke was considered vulgar by many; means coarse or crude (synonym: coarse); critical tone. |
Descriptions
vagrant
vague
vain
vainglorious
valedictory
valiant
valid
valuable
valued
valueless
vapid
variable
varied
variegated
various
vassal?
vast
vaulted
vaunted
venerable
venal
venial
venomous
venous
veracious
verbal
verbose
verdant
verifiable
verified
veritable
vernacular
vernal
versatile
versed
vertical
vested
vestigial
vexed
vibrant
vicarious
vicious
victorious
vigilant
vigilante
vigorous
villainous
vindictive
vintage
vinous
violent
violet
vital
vitreous
vitriolic
vitalistic?
vituperative
vivacious
vivid
vocal
vociferous
void
volatile
volcanic
voluble
voluminous
voluntary
voracious
votive
vulnerable
vulpine
vulgar