This list includes 46 Adjectives that start with K, from “Koranic” to “kyphotic”. These words range from common everyday adjectives to rarer, technical, and literary terms. You can use this list for writing, editing, vocabulary study, and ESL practice.

Adjectives that start with K are single-word modifiers that begin with the letter K and describe qualities or states. Many come from varied origins, including loanwords and classical roots, which gives the set an interesting mix.

Below you’ll find the table with Adjective, Definition, Example sentence, and Register.

Adjective: You can scan this column to find each base-form adjective that begins with the letter K.

Definition: This column gives a concise one-line meaning to help you choose the right word quickly.

Example sentence: See a short, natural sentence showing the adjective’s typical use and context.

Register: You can check this note to see if the adjective is formal, colloquial, archaic, or specialized.

Adjectives that start with K

AdjectiveRegisterDefinitionExample
keencommonVery eager or highly perceptive.She was keen to learn French.
kindcommonConsiderate, generous, or benevolent.He is a very kind neighbor.
kindheartedcommonHaving a sympathetic and generous nature.The kindhearted teacher helped everyone.
kindlycommonBenevolent; showing goodwill (also adverb).She gave him a kindly smile.
kindredformalRelated by origin, nature, or character.They felt a kindred connection instantly.
keycommonEssential or of crucial importance.This is a key point in the argument.
knowledgeablecommonWell informed; having much knowledge.She’s very knowledgeable about plants.
knowingcommonShowing awareness or deliberate intent.He gave a knowing look.
knowncommonRecognized or established as familiar or proven.The known facts support the claim.
kineticformalRelating to motion or movement.The sculpture has kinetic energy in sunlight.
kinematictechnicalRelating to motion without regard to forces.The study examined kinematic motion patterns.
kinestheticformalRelating to body movement perception.Athletes develop strong kinesthetic awareness.
kinglyformalResembling or appropriate to a king.He behaved with kingly dignity.
kinglikeformalHaving qualities of a king.She accepted the role with kinglike grace.
kiltedregionalWearing a kilt.The kilted men marched in the parade.
kinkycolloquialUnconventional, twisted, or sexually nonstandard.The novel explores kinky relationships.
kitschyinformalTastelessly gaudy but appealingly sentimental.The shop sold kitschy souvenirs.
knobbyinformalHaving rounded protuberances or knobs.The path was knobby and uneven.
knobblyregionalCovered with knobs; bumpy.The branch was knobbly to the touch.
knottycommonFull of knots; extremely difficult or complex.They faced a knotty legal problem.
knurledtechnicalHaving small ridges or roughened pattern.The knurled knob gave a good grip.
knavisharchaicDishonest or untrustworthy.His knavish tricks were soon exposed.
knockoutinformalExtremely attractive or striking.She wore a knockout red dress.
knockdowninformalDecisive or overwhelming (often price or effect).They advertised a knockdown sale today.
knockaboutinformalRough-and-tumble; boisterous or comedic.The film is a knockabout comedy.
kookyinformalQuirky, eccentric, or odd.His kooky ideas surprised everyone.
klutzycolloquialAwkward or clumsy.She’s a bit klutzy with glassware.
koshercommon/colloquialLegitimate, acceptable; conforming to Jewish law.That’s not a kosher business practice.
kaleidoscopicformalContinuously changing in pattern or color.The city offered a kaleidoscopic view.
karmicinformalRelating to karma or moral cause and effect.He felt a karmic debt for that mistake.
kamikazeinformalRecklessly self-destructive or suicidal.His kamikaze tactics shocked the team.
kleptomaniacalformal/clinicalDisplaying uncontrollable stealing impulses.She received treatment for kleptomaniacal urges.
kemptformalNeat and well-groomed in appearance.His hair looked tidy and kempt.
kiddyinformalChildish or suitable for children.They sold a range of kiddy toys.
kittenishinformalPlayfully flirtatious or coy.She gave him a kittenish grin.
karyotypictechnicalRelating to a cell’s chromosome appearance.The karyotypic analysis showed abnormalities.
ketogenictechnicalRelating to a diet producing ketone bodies.He follows a strict ketogenic meal plan.
kilometricformalMeasured in or relating to kilometers.They drove a kilometric distance that day.
keratinoustechnicalMade of or resembling keratin (protein).The bird’s beak is a keratinous structure.
keratoticmedicalPertaining to excess keratin or horny tissue.The dermatologist treated several keratotic lesions.
kyphoticmedicalRelating to or exhibiting kyphosis (spinal curvature).The patient had a kyphotic posture.
knittedcommonMade by knitting or closely united.She wore a knitted wool sweater.
knightlyarchaic/formalCharacteristic of knights; chivalrous.He performed a knightly act of bravery.
KoranicformalRelating to the Quran (Koran).The sermon referenced several Koranic verses.
karstictechnicalRelating to karst landscapes and limestone features.The area contains karstic caves and sinkholes.
kinglessliteraryWithout a king; lacking monarchical rule.The country lay kingless after the war.

Descriptions

keen
Old Germanic origin; very common in speech and writing.
kind
One of the most frequent English adjectives.
kindhearted
Compound adjective often written as one word in modern usage.
kindly
Often used in formal or older registers as adjective.
kindred
Used for family or similar qualities; somewhat formal.
key
Commonly used in both everyday and technical contexts.
knowledgeable
Polite, widely used adjective in formal and informal texts.
knowing
Can mean well-informed or subtly suggestive.
known
Past participle used adjectivally; common in collocations.
kinetic
Used in physics and figurative language.
kinematic
Technical term in mechanics and engineering.
kinesthetic
Used in psychology, education, and movement contexts.
kingly
Poetic or formal register; suggests grandeur.
kinglike
Synonymous with kingly, slightly less common.
kilted
Regional (Scotland) descriptive adjective.
kinky
Informal; can be sexual or mean twisted/curled.
kitschy
From German “Kitsch”; popular in art/culture talk.
knobby
Common US variant; tactile/descriptive adjective.
knobbly
British variant equivalent to knobby.
knotty
Used literally for wood/rope and figuratively for problems.
knurled
Used in manufacturing and hardware descriptions.
knavish
Marked archaic—found in older literature.
knockout
Also means decisive victory; informal praise.
knockdown
Used in commerce and descriptive contexts.
knockabout
British informal; used for performance or behavior.
kooky
Lightly pejorative or affectionate, informal.
klutzy
Colloquial US spelling of clumsy; informal register.
kosher
Also literal religious sense; commonly used figuratively.
kaleidoscopic
Figurative adjective implying variety and rapid change.
karmic
Informal/spiritual contexts; from Sanskrit “karma”.
kamikaze
Originally WWII noun; used adjectivally for reckless acts.
kleptomaniacal
Clinical adjective from “kleptomania”; formal register.
kempt
Older, somewhat formal adjective opposite of unkempt.
kiddy
Informal; common in marketing and casual speech.
kittenish
Light, playful adjective; often implies youthfulness.
karyotypic
Specialized genetics term; used in scientific contexts.
ketogenic
Used in nutrition and medical contexts.
kilometric
More common in British English; technical measurement sense.
keratinous
Specialized biological term; used in anatomy.
keratotic
Clinical term in dermatology.
kyphotic
Technical medical adjective.
knitted
Also used figuratively (knitted community); past participle adjective.
knightly
Evokes medieval or romantic tone; formal or poetic.
Koranic
Proper-noun-derived adjective; formal and religious contexts.
karstic
Geological adjective; used in earth sciences.
kingless
Less common, literary or historical register.
If you think there is a missing term, let us know using the contact form.