Here you’ll find 120 Adjectives that start with P, organized from “palatable” to “puzzling”. These single-word descriptors cover common and advanced uses, useful for writing, editing, and learning.
Adjectives that start with P are single-word modifiers that describe nouns and qualities. Many derive from Latin or French roots, reflecting historical language contact.
Below you’ll find the table with Word, Definition, Example sentence, and Register.
Word: The adjective itself in base form; you use it to find the exact word and spelling quickly.
Definition: A concise one-line meaning that helps you choose the right adjective for tone and context.
Example sentence: A short, natural sentence showing typical usage so you can see grammar and nuance.
Register: Labels like ‘formal’ or ‘colloquial’ that tell you when the adjective fits spoken or written styles.
Adjectives that start with P
| Adjective | Source | Register | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| pale | Oxford | neutral | She looked pale after the long flight. |
| palatable | Merriam-Webster | neutral | The meal was surprisingly palatable for a hotel. |
| paltry | Oxford | neutral | He received a paltry sum for his work. |
| parallel | WordNet | neutral | Their experiences were parallel in many ways. |
| paranoid | Merriam-Webster | informal | He grew paranoid about missing deadlines. |
| parental | Oxford | neutral | Parental guidance is recommended for this film. |
| partial | Merriam-Webster | neutral | I am only partial to chocolate cake. |
| particular | Oxford | neutral | She is particular about her coffee. |
| passable | Merriam-Webster | neutral | Her French is passable for casual conversation. |
| passionate | Oxford | neutral | He gave a passionate speech at the rally. |
| passive | Merriam-Webster | neutral | He remained passive during the discussion. |
| past | Oxford | neutral | We discussed past events in the meeting. |
| pathetic | Merriam-Webster | informal | The attempt was somewhat pathetic and sad. |
| patient | Oxford | neutral | Be patient while the soup cools. |
| peaceful | Merriam-Webster | neutral | They enjoyed a peaceful afternoon in the park. |
| peculiar | Oxford | neutral | There was a peculiar smell in the room. |
| penal | Merriam-Webster | formal | They discussed penal reform at the conference. |
| pendent | Oxford | formal | A pendent plant hung by the window. |
| pensive | Merriam-Webster | neutral | She looked pensive as she watched the sea. |
| perceptive | Oxford | neutral | He made a perceptive comment about the plot. |
| perennial | Merriam-Webster | formal | A perennial problem in urban planning persists. |
| perfect | Oxford | neutral | She aims for a perfect score on the test. |
| perfunctory | Merriam-Webster | formal | His apology sounded perfunctory and insincere. |
| periodic | Oxford | neutral | They perform periodic safety checks on the equipment. |
| peripheral | Merriam-Webster | formal | She mentioned a peripheral detail about the case. |
| perishable | Oxford | neutral | Perishable goods must be refrigerated immediately. |
| permanent | Merriam-Webster | neutral | They signed a permanent contract yesterday. |
| permissive | Oxford | neutral | The school adopted a more permissive policy. |
| pervasive | Merriam-Webster | formal | A pervasive smell filled the entire office. |
| perverse | Oxford | neutral | He took a perverse pleasure in arguing. |
| pessimistic | Merriam-Webster | neutral | She remained pessimistic about the outcome. |
| petite | Oxford | neutral | She wore a dress designed for petite figures. |
| petty | Merriam-Webster | informal | They argued over petty details for hours. |
| phenomenal | Oxford | informal | The athlete gave a phenomenal performance today. |
| philosophical | Merriam-Webster | formal | He took a philosophical approach to failure. |
| phony | Oxford | informal | Be careful those offers may be phony. |
| physical | Merriam-Webster | neutral | He prefers physical books to digital ones. |
| picturesque | Oxford | neutral | They walked through a picturesque village by the river. |
| piercing | Merriam-Webster | neutral | She gave him a piercing look across the room. |
| pious | Oxford | formal | They attended the pious ceremony without complaint. |
| piquant | Merriam-Webster | formal | The sauce had a pleasantly piquant flavor. |
| placid | Oxford | neutral | The lake was placid at dawn. |
| plain | Merriam-Webster | neutral | She preferred plain yogurt over flavored brands. |
| plaintive | Oxford | formal | A plaintive melody played in the background. |
| plastic | Merriam-Webster | neutral | They used plastic materials for the model. |
| plausible | Oxford | neutral | His explanation seemed plausible enough to consider. |
| playful | Merriam-Webster | neutral | The puppy was playful with the children. |
| pleasant | Oxford | neutral | We had a pleasant conversation over coffee. |
| pleasing | Merriam-Webster | neutral | The arrangement was visually pleasing and balanced. |
| pliable | Oxford | neutral | The material is pliable and easy to shape. |
| poetic | Merriam-Webster | neutral | Her description of the sunset was poetic. |
| pointless | Oxford | informal | That argument felt pointless and circular. |
| polished | Merriam-Webster | formal | He delivered a polished presentation to the board. |
| polite | Oxford | neutral | Be polite when meeting new colleagues. |
| political | Merriam-Webster | neutral | They discussed political reforms on the panel. |
| pompous | Oxford | formal | The manager’s tone was pompous and off-putting. |
| portable | Merriam-Webster | neutral | Carry the portable charger for the trip. |
| portentous | Oxford | formal | He made a portentous announcement about the future. |
| positive | Merriam-Webster | neutral | She had a positive attitude about recovery. |
| possible | Oxford | neutral | Is it possible to finish by Friday? |
| potent | Merriam-Webster | neutral | The medicine proved highly potent against infection. |
| powerful | Oxford | neutral | The engine produced a powerful surge of speed. |
| practical | Merriam-Webster | neutral | Find a practical solution to the problem. |
| pragmatic | Oxford | formal | She took a pragmatic view of the negotiations. |
| precise | Merriam-Webster | neutral | Give precise measurements for the experiment. |
| precious | Oxford | neutral | Those memories are precious to her. |
| precarious | Merriam-Webster | formal | They climbed down a precarious ledge. |
| precocious | Oxford | formal | The precocious child read at an advanced level. |
| predatory | Merriam-Webster | formal | Avoid predatory lending practices that exploit borrowers. |
| predictable | Oxford | neutral | The plot became predictable after the twist. |
| preferable | Merriam-Webster | formal | A quiet room is preferable for studying. |
| pregnant | Oxford | neutral | They announced that she was pregnant yesterday. |
| preliminary | Merriam-Webster | formal | We completed the preliminary tests before the trial. |
| premier | Oxford | formal | She is the premier expert in the field. |
| premium | Merriam-Webster | neutral | They paid for premium service and faster delivery. |
| present | Oxford | neutral | Be present at the meeting tomorrow morning. |
| prestigious | Merriam-Webster | formal | He won an award from a prestigious academy. |
| previous | Oxford | neutral | Refer to the previous chapter for context. |
| priceless | Merriam-Webster | informal | Her grandmother’s ring is priceless to the family. |
| pricey | Oxford | informal | The restaurant was good but a bit pricey. |
| primary | Merriam-Webster | neutral | The primary goal is to improve access. |
| prime | Oxford | neutral | This is the prime time to plant seeds. |
| primitive | Merriam-Webster | neutral | They studied primitive tools from ancient times. |
| principal | Oxford | formal | The principal reason for change is safety. |
| prior | Merriam-Webster | formal | You must obtain prior approval for travel. |
| pristine | Oxford | neutral | The beach remained pristine after the storm. |
| private | Merriam-Webster | neutral | She enjoys her private time at home. |
| privileged | Oxford | formal | He comes from a privileged background with many advantages. |
| probable | Merriam-Webster | neutral | It’s probable that it will rain this evening. |
| profound | Oxford | formal | Her research had a profound impact on policy. |
| profitable | Merriam-Webster | neutral | The venture turned out to be highly profitable. |
| prolific | Oxford | formal | She is a prolific author of short stories. |
| prominent | Merriam-Webster | neutral | A prominent landmark stood at the square. |
| promising | Oxford | neutral | The new candidate seems promising for the role. |
| prompt | Merriam-Webster | neutral | Please be prompt for the appointment. |
| proper | Oxford | neutral | Wear proper attire for the ceremony. |
| proportional | Merriam-Webster | formal | Make sure the payments are proportional to income. |
| prospective | Oxford | formal | They reviewed the profiles of prospective hires. |
| prosperous | Merriam-Webster | formal | The region became prosperous after the new industry. |
| protective | Oxford | neutral | Wear a helmet as a protective measure. |
| proud | Merriam-Webster | neutral | She felt proud after completing the marathon. |
| provisional | Oxford | formal | They set up provisional rules for the pilot. |
| provocative | Merriam-Webster | neutral | His remarks were intentionally provocative and controversial. |
| prudent | Oxford | formal | It was prudent to save for emergencies. |
| prurient | Merriam-Webster | formal | The book contained prurient details unsuitable for children. |
| psychological | Oxford | formal | They studied the psychological effects of stress. |
| public | Merriam-Webster | neutral | The announcement is now public information. |
| punctual | Oxford | formal | She is always punctual for meetings. |
| punitive | Merriam-Webster | formal | The fines served a punitive purpose. |
| pungent | Oxford | neutral | The cheese had a pungent aroma. |
| puny | Merriam-Webster | informal | The plant looked puny compared to the others. |
| pure | Oxford | neutral | They drank pure spring water. |
| puritanical | Merriam-Webster | formal | The community held puritanical views on leisure. |
| purple | Oxford | neutral | She wore a purple scarf to the event. |
| purposeful | Merriam-Webster | neutral | He walked with a purposeful stride. |
| puzzling | Oxford | neutral | The ending was puzzling to many viewers. |
| palpable | Merriam-Webster | formal | There was a palpable tension in the room. |
| panoramic | Oxford | neutral | They enjoyed a panoramic view from the hill. |
| parsimonious | Merriam-Webster | formal | He was parsimonious with his household budget. |
| partisan | Oxford | neutral | The debate became increasingly partisan and heated. |
Descriptions
pale
Light in color or weak in appearance often suggesting illness or faintness synonyms wan faint
palatable
Acceptable to the taste or acceptable in general use synonyms agreeable acceptable
paltry
Very small or meager often contemptibly inadequate synonyms trivial meager
parallel
Running the same direction or similar and comparable synonyms analogous similar
paranoid
Excessively worried or mistrustful often without good reason synonyms suspicious fearful
parental
Relating to a parent or parents synonyms maternal paternal
partial
Not complete or favoring one side; biased synonyms biased incomplete
particular
Specific or fussy about details synonyms specific exact
passable
Adequate but not outstanding acceptable or tolerable synonyms adequate fair
passionate
Showing strong emotion or enthusiasm synonyms fervent ardent
passive
Accepting or not actively participating inactive or submissive synonyms inactive submissive
past
Earlier in time or former synonyms former previous
pathetic
Eliciting pity or contemptibly inadequate synonyms pitiful lamentable
patient
Able to accept delay or problems without becoming annoyed calm tolerant
peaceful
Calm and free from disturbance tranquil serene
peculiar
Strange or unusual in a way that provokes interest synonyms odd unusual
penal
Relating to punishment or the legal system of punishment synonyms punitive disciplinary
pendent
Hanging down or suspended synonyms hanging drooping
pensive
Engaged in deep or serious thought reflective contemplative
perceptive
Having keen insight or understanding observant insightful
perennial
Lasting or recurring through many years enduring perpetual
perfect
Without flaws or as good as possible complete ideal
perfunctory
Done with minimal effort or interest superficial cursory
periodic
Occurring at regular intervals recurring occasional
peripheral
On the edge or less important marginal secondary
perishable
Likely to decay or spoil quickly especially food synonyms spoilable fragile
permanent
Lasting or intended to last indefinitely enduring lasting
permissive
Allowing freedom or leniency indulgent tolerant
pervasive
Spreading widely throughout an area or group widespread ubiquitous
perverse
Deviating from what is considered right stubbornly contrary or unreasonable
pessimistic
Expecting the worst or seeing the negative outlook cynical gloomy
petite
Small and dainty in build especially for women small compact
petty
Of little importance or spitefully small-minded trivial mean
phenomenal
Remarkable or extraordinary impressive outstanding
philosophical
Calmly rational or reflecting on fundamental questions contemplative reflective
phony
Not genuine or fraudulent fake insincere
physical
Relating to the body or material things tangible bodily
picturesque
Visually attractive especially in an old-fashioned way charming scenic
piercing
Sharp or intense often of sound or gaze penetrating acute
pious
Devoutly religious or sincere often to an excessive degree devout religious
piquant
Agreeably stimulating to the palate or interesting spicy tangy
placid
Calm and not easily upset tranquil serene
plain
Simple clear to the eye or unadorned obvious straightforward
plaintive
Expressing sorrow or melancholy mournful sad
plastic
Malleable or capable of being shaped also synthetic material adaptable flexible
plausible
Seeming reasonable or probable believable credible
playful
Full of fun and high spirits lighthearted frisky
pleasant
Giving a sense of happy satisfaction agreeable enjoyable
pleasing
Giving pleasure or satisfaction attractive agreeable
pliable
Easily bent or influenced flexible adaptable
poetic
Having qualities of poetry expressive lyrical
pointless
Having no useful purpose senseless futile
polished
Made smooth or refined showing high quality refined elegant
polite
Showing good manners considerate courteous
political
Relating to government or public affairs civic governmental
pompous
Affectedly grand or self-important arrogant pretentious
portable
Easily moved or carried transportable mobile
portentous
Ominously significant or pompously weighty momentous foreboding
positive
Confidently optimistic or definitely present certain affirmative
possible
Able to be done or achieved feasible doable
potent
Having great power, influence, or effect powerful strong
powerful
Having great strength or force influential effective
practical
Concerned with actual use or action sensible pragmatic
pragmatic
Dealing with things sensibly and realistically practical realistic
precise
Marked by exactness and accuracy specific exact
precious
Highly valued or cherished dear treasured
precarious
Not securely held likely to fall or dangerous uncertain risky
precocious
Showing unusually early development especially in talents advanced mature
predatory
Seeking to exploit or victimize others exploitative rapacious
predictable
Able to be foreseen predictable expected
preferable
More desirable or suitable preferred advisable
pregnant
Carrying a developing embryo or fetus expecting a child
preliminary
Coming before the main event initial preparatory
premier
First in importance or rank foremost leading
premium
Of higher quality or cost superior elite
present
Existing or occurring now or attending current available
prestigious
Having high status and respect esteemed renowned
previous
Existing or occurring before earlier prior former
priceless
So valuable that its worth cannot be measured invaluable irreplaceable
pricey
Expensive costing more than expected costly dear
primary
Most important or first in order principal chief
prime
Of highest quality or importance main top excellent
primitive
Relating to an early stage of development simple basic
principal
Most important or leading main chief
prior
Earlier in time or existing before previous earlier
pristine
In original condition unspoiled pure immaculate
private
Belonging to a particular person or not public personal confidential
privileged
Having special rights or advantages fortunate entitled
probable
Likely to be true or to happen expected likely
profound
Very great or intense having deep meaning or effect intense deep
profitable
Yielding financial gain or advantage lucrative beneficial
prolific
Producing many works or results highly productive fertile
prominent
Important widely known or noticeable conspicuous leading
promising
Showing signs of future success hopeful encouraging
prompt
On time or quick to act timely immediate
proper
Appropriate or suitable for the occasion fitting correct
proportional
Having a constant relation in degree or size corresponding balanced
prospective
Expected or likely to happen in the future potential future
prosperous
Successful and wealthy flourishing thriving
protective
Showing the desire to protect or guarding defensive shielding
proud
Feeling deep pleasure from achievements or qualities dignified satisfied
provisional
Temporary or conditional for the time being interim tentative
provocative
Causing thought or strong reaction stimulating challenging
prudent
Showing careful good judgment sensible cautious
prurient
Having excessive interest in sexual matters lustful salacious
psychological
Relating to the mind or mental processes mental emotional
public
Relating to people in general or the state communal civic
punctual
On time or arriving at the appointed time timely prompt
punitive
Intended as punishment disciplinary penal
pungent
Having a sharply strong taste or smell acrid biting
puny
Small weak or insignificant feeble undersized
pure
Free from contamination or mixed elements clean unmixed
puritanical
Strict in moral or religious matters overly strict austere
purple
Of the color between red and blue violet mauve
purposeful
Having determination or intent deliberate intentional
puzzling
Confusing or difficult to explain perplexing baffling
palpable
Able to be felt or easily perceived obvious tangible
panoramic
Showing an extensive overall view wide-ranging sweeping
parsimonious
Unwilling to spend money frugal to the point of stingy miserly
partisan
Strongly biased toward a particular cause or party biased one-sided