If you’re looking for an adjective that starts with A, we’ve compiled the ultimate list for you. You’ll find a huge range of choices separated into helpful categories.

Find the word you’ve been desperately trying to remember, or simply browse to find a wide range of words you can use to improve your descriptions.

What Are Adjectives?

Adjectives are describing words used to modify nouns. They can add extra detail or clarify something. You’ll spot adjectives directly before a noun (creating a noun phrase) or separated from the noun within the same sentence.

You can add more than one adjective in a sentence, but don’t use too many as it detracts from your meaning and makes writing hard to read.

Using ProWritingAid to Find Adjectives

It’s tough to think of adjectives. You might find you rely on the same few ones. Creating variety with your word choices makes your writing more interesting for your reader.

Find better adjectives easily using these ProWritingAid checks:

• All Repeats: This will highlight the adjectives you over-rely on.

• Word Explorer: This super-charged thesaurus offers a range of potential adjectives to choose from.

• Grammar and Style: Use this report as an overview of your writing. It will suggest better adjective choices to improve readability.

With ProWritingAid, you can feel confident you’re using the most powerful adjectives in the best way. It will help you reduce overused words and helpfully suggest choices you might not have thought of on your own.

Do I Need "A," "An," or "The" Before an Adjective?

A, an, and the are called articles. They are a type of determiner that goes before a noun. When you add an adjective to make a noun phrase, it can change the article you need to use.

If the adjective begins with a consonant, use a:

• It was a big mountain.

If the adjective begins with a vowel, use an:

• It was an enormous mountain.

However, if you are writing about a specific noun, choose the instead, regardless of whether your adjective starts with a vowel or consonant:

• It was the tallest mountain, and the enormous task of climbing it lay ahead.

The Ultimate List of Adjectives Starting With A

We’ve added a simple definition and examples for the most popular choices of adjectives beginning with A, so you can be sure you’re using them correctly in your writing. There are also plenty of additional adjective suggestions if you’re searching for something new.

Positive Adjectives Starting With A

• Abundant: Plenty of something, particularly used with plants. e.g. The abundant crops would keep them fed over winter.
• Absolute: Total or complete, can be used as negative. e.g. He was an absolute hero.
• Accessible: Easy to get to. e.g. The exit was accessible despite the number of chairs.
• Adaptable: Makes changes to suit the need. e.g. The adaptable workstation could be used in different ways.
• Admirable: Something to be admired. e.g. The finished statue was admirable.
• Advanced: Recently developed or far ahead. e.g. The advanced technology would give them an advantage.
• Appetizing: Appealing, particularly for food. e.g. The snacks were appetizing.
• Authoritative: Trusted, reliable. e.g. This authoritative guide explores current industry issues.
• Awesome: Impressive, inspiring a feeling of awe. e.g. Everyone agreed it was an awesome party.

Looking for more ideas? Try these additional positive adjective choices:

A-OK Abiding Ablaze Able Abloom Above-board Absolute Accordant Accountable Accustomed Acquainted Admissible Adulatory Advance Advantageous Adventuresome Advisable Affecting Affective Affiliated	Affined Affirmative Affluential Aglow Agreeable Airy Alacritous Alight All All-important All-knowing Allegiant Allied Alternate Ambidextrous Amenable Ample Appreciated Appropriate Approving	Apropos Aquiver Aristocratic Aromatic Arresting Ascendant Ascending Aspirant Aspiring Assiduous Assistive Assuasive Assurgent Audacious Aureate Auspicious Awaited Awe-inspiring

Positive Adjectives to Describe a Person Starting With A

• Accommodating: Fits in with someone’s needs. e.g. She was an accommodating host.
• Adaptable: Can cope with changes. e.g. As an adaptable employee, he wasn’t fazed by the request.
• Affable: Friendly and good-natured. e.g. She seemed affable enough to him.
• Affectionate: Showing fondness. e.g. The affectionate boy snuggled up close to him.
• Affluent: Having lots of money . e.g. As he was an affluent customer, she doubled the cost.
• Agreeable: Wanting to say yes to things. e.g. She was usually agreeable, but not today.
• Altruistic: Unselfish, generous. e.g. She was an entirely altruistic manager.
• Amazing: Impressive or causing surprise. e.g. She was amazing at her job.
• Ambitious: Having great plans, striving for success. e.g. Her ambitious nature made her perfect for the role.
• Amiable: Nice and friendly. e.g. He would make an amiable companion.
• Amusing: Makes people laugh and entertaining. e.g. The girl was amusing to watch.
• Angelic: Like an angel. e.g. His angelic face hid his true nature.
• Animated: Alive and moving. e.g. His face was animated as he told the story.
• Appealing: Attractive or interesting. e.g. Her appealing face made him cross the room.
• Appreciative: Thankful and grateful . e.g. He was appreciative of her support.
• Approachable: Friendly and easy to talk to. e.g. The approachable manager was kind to everyone.
• Astounding: Impressive or notable. e.g. She was astounding.
• Attentive: Paying close attention. e.g. She was attentive to his needs.
• Audacious: Willing to take risks. e.g. The killer was audacious and never got caught.
• Authentic: Genuine. e.g. His interest was authentic.
• Avid: Showing a keen interest. e.g. She was an avid football fan.

Not Found What You Need? Try These Additional Positive Adjective Choices:

À la mode Acclaimed Accomplished Admirable Admired Affective Affectionate	Alacritous Ambrosial Ameliorative Amenable Angelic Apollonian Ardent	Arresting Artful Assiduous Assuasive Assured Assuring Attention-getting

Negative Adjectives Starting With A

• Abnormal: Different from normal. e.g. His abnormal color showed the nurse something was wrong.
• Abominable: Terrible or revolting. e.g. The abominable weather ruined the holiday.
• Absurd: Ridiculous. e.g. The suggested donation amount was absurd.
• Absolute: Total or complete, can be used as positive. e.g. It was an absolute disaster.
• Abysmal: Terrible. e.g. The journey home was abysmal.
• Aggravating: Irritating. e.g. The biggest aggravating factor was how much it would cost.
• Agonizing: Painful. e.g. His broken leg was agonizing.
• Alienated: Isolated or estranged. e.g. The alienated lands had to be returned to their ancestral owners.
• Anarchistic: Going against the rules. e.g. The anarchistic mob were driven to destruction.
• Annoying: Irritating. e.g. The annoying wasp wouldn’t go away.
• Apathetic: Uncaring and uninterested. e.g. As a company, they were apathetic about the damage to the environment.
• Appalling: Awful. e.g. The appalling injuries meant she’d never walk again.
• Arbitrary: Random choice or, in the power of a ruling body, unrestrained. e.g. No one was happy with the arbitrary decision.
• Asinine: Stupid or foolish. e.g. Cliff-jumping is an asinine activity.
• Atrocious: Terrible, wicked, or of awful quality. e.g. We can’t stand by and watch these atrocious cruelties.
• Austere: Strict, plain, and without luxury. e.g. It was an austere house, but it suited him.
• Awful: Dreadful. e.g. The awful truth was shocking.
• Awkward: Ungainly or difficult to deal with. e.g. She’d had her fair share of awkward customers.

Not Found the Perfect Negative Adjective? Try These Additional Choices:

Abandoned	Airless
Abject	Acrid

Negative Adjectives to Describe a Person Starting With A

• Aberrant: Different to the norm. e.g. His aberrant height made him noticeable in a crowd.
• Abnormal: Not normal. e.g. His laugh was abnormally loud.
• Abrasive: For materials this means a rough surface, but used to describe a person it means someone who shows little concern for others’ feelings. e.g. His abrasive attitude meant people avoided him.
• Aggravating: Causes annoyance. e.g. She was aggravating to everyone.
• Alarming: Causing alarm or concern. e.g. He was alarming.
• Aloof: Holding themselves apart and disinterested in others. e.g. What an aloof character, she thought to herself.
• Annoying: Causing irritation. e.g. My annoying brother is coming to visit.
• Antagonistic: Provoking arguments. e.g. If he could stop being antagonistic, they would listen to what he offered.
• Argumentative: Often argues. e.g. My argumentative colleague won’t let anything go.
• Artificial: Not genuine. e.g. Her smile was artificial.
• Autocratic: Domineering or has absolute power. e.g. She was an autocratic boss.
• Awful: Dreadful, horrible. e.g. He was an awful man.

Neutral Adjectives to Describe a Person Staring With A

• Average: Ordinary. e.g. He was of average height.
• Artless: Without deception, naïve, used as both positive and negative. e.g. She was an artless, innocent girl.

Adjectives to Describe Negative Emotions Starting With A

• Afraid: Scared. e.g. As the night grew darker, he felt afraid.
• Agitated: Troubled or nervous. e.g. She felt agitated in his presence.
• Alarmed: Causing fear. e.g. He was alarmed by her silence.
• Anxious: Worried. e.g. This was an anxious child.
• Apprehensive: Nervously anticipating. e.g. She’d always been an apprehensive person.
• Ashamed: Embarrassed or guilty feeling. e.g. You should be ashamed of yourself.

Academic/Educational Adjectives Starting With A:

• Absorbed: Totally involved in something. e.g. He was absorbed by the book.
• Academic: Relating to education. e.g. The book was a little too academic for his liking.
• Acclaimed: Praised, celebrated. e.g. The acclaimed book immediately became a bestseller.
• Accomplished: Proficient. e.g. She was an accomplished musician.
• Accredited: Officially recognised. e.g. The accredited course takes five hours to complete.
• Accurate: Factually correct. e.g. The calendar was accurate.
• Adept: Very skilled. e.g. He was an adept swimmer.
• Adroit: Clever and skilful. e.g. She was adroit at changing the subject.
• Analytical: Using logic and reasoning. e.g. The document was highly analytical.
• Articulate: Able to speak fluently and clearly. e.g. He was articulate and persuasive.
• Artistic: Having a creative talent. e.g. The building featured artistic touches.
• Astute: Accurately assessing a situation to your advantage. e.g. She was an astute manager.
• August: Respected, impressive. e.g. It was an august company.

Additional Ideas for Academic Adjectives:

Accomplished	Acute	Authoritative
Accurate	Advanced	Authorized
Acknowledged	Aspirant
Acuminous	Aspiring

Romantic Adjectives Starting With A

• Adorable: Inspiring affection. e.g. The girl was adorable.
• Alluring: Seductive. e.g. Her dress was alluring.
• Amorous: Feeling of sexual desire. e.g. The amorous couple lingered in the hallway.
• Appealing: Attractive, interesting. e.g. The cut of her dress was very appealing.
• Attractive: Appealing, pleasing. e.g. They made an attractive couple.

Further Ideas for Romantic Adjectives:

Adonic	Affectionate	Appetent
Adored	Aphrodisiac	Ardent

Sporty/Adventurous Adjectives Starting With A

• Active: Ready to move physically. e.g. He was an active child.
• Adventurous: Take risks, explore unfamiliar places. e.g. She had booked an adventurous holiday.
• Agile: Able to move flexibly and easily. e.g. The agile dancer twisted into a new move.
• Alert: Aware. e.g. The alert police officer noticed a problem.
• Athletic: Enjoying sporting activities. e.g. He chose the sports training because he was athletic.

Adjectives to Describe Age Starting With A

• Adolescent: Teenage, juvenile. e.g. His adolescent humour annoyed her.
• Aged: Old. e.g. The aged manuscript crumbled away.
• Ageless: Not appearing to grow old, timeless. e.g. The perfume had an ageless appeal.
• Ailing: Becoming old or ill. e.g. His ailing health became a problem.
• Ancestral: Belonging to or traced back to an ancestor. e.g. They visited her ancestral home.
• Ancient: Very old. e.g. The ancient civilisation left little trace of their existence.
• Antique: An old collectible item of high value. e.g. The antique chair sold for thousands.

Adjectives to Describe Colors Starting With A

• Acid green: Bright green/neon
• Alabaster: White
• Almond: Neutral, off-white
• Amaranth: Purple
• Amber: Warm orange/brown
• Amethyst: Violet/purple
• Antique white: Neutral, off-white
• Apple green: Mid-color green
• Apricot: Soft orange/yellow
• Aqua: Blue/green
• Aquamarine: Light blue/green
• Army green: Khaki
• Ash gray: Mid-color gray
• Auburn: Hair color, red/brown
• Azure: Bright blue

Final Thoughts

When you use two (or more) adjectives that are roughly of the same importance and modify the same noun, they are called coordinate adjectives. Separate them with a comma.

While you don’t need adjectives in sentences, using them makes your descriptions realistic and interesting for the reader. But, choose your adjectives wisely! One powerful adjective can easily replace a list of weaker ones, making your writing more interesting and easier to read.

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