When it comes to expanding your vocabulary, adjectives starting with the letter S offer a surprising mix of everyday descriptors, uplifting positives, and unique gems you may have never heard before. Are you looking for adjectives to describe a person? Or looking for positive adjectives to describe your book characters?
Below, you’ll discover over 500 adjectives that start with S, organized into helpful categories like positive traits, emotions, appearance, and more.
Positive Adjectives Starting with S
Positive adjectives are a great way to describe people, actions, and ideas in an uplifting and inspiring way. They help highlight strengths, admirable qualities, and encouraging traits. Here are some of the most positive adjectives starting with S to add to your vocabulary.
Sincere – genuine, honest, and heartfelt.
Supportive – encouraging and helpful to others.
Smart – intelligent, clever, or stylish.
Successful – achieving goals or desired results.
Skillful – showing expertise or talent.
Strong – physically or emotionally powerful.
Spectacular – impressive, striking, outstanding.
Special – unique, important, or cherished.
Spirited – full of energy and enthusiasm.
Selfless – putting others before oneself.
Sophisticated – cultured, refined, elegant.
Savvy – shrewd, knowledgeable, well-informed.
Steadfast – firm, loyal, and dependable.
Stellar – excellent, outstanding.
Skillful – demonstrating great ability or dexterity.
Secure – safe, stable, and confident.
Sociable – friendly, outgoing, enjoying company.
Serene – calm, peaceful, tranquil.
Sympathetic – compassionate, understanding others’ feelings.
Sunlit – bright, warm, filled with light.
Negative Adjectives Starting with S
Not every description is flattering. Negative adjectives are just as important because they allow you to describe flaws, weaknesses, or unfavorable traits in people, situations, and things. They bring balance and realism to storytelling, character development, and everyday communication.
Selfish – putting one’s own needs above others.
Shallow – lacking depth, superficial.
Shameless – without a sense of guilt or decency.
Sluggish – slow-moving, lacking energy.
Sly – cunning, deceitful.
Snobbish – arrogant, looking down on others.
Sneaky – acting in a secretive, dishonest way.
Spiteful – malicious, wanting to hurt others.
Stubborn – unwilling to change opinions or actions.
Stingy – unwilling to spend or share; miserly.
Sinister – giving the impression of evil or harm.
Smug – irritatingly self-satisfied.
Sloppy – careless, messy, or untidy.
Snide – mocking in an indirect, unkind way.
Savage – brutal, cruel, or vicious.
Scornful – showing contempt or disdain.
Sullen – bad-tempered, gloomy, sulky.
Superficial – shallow, only concerned with surface appearance.
Suspicious – distrustful, believing the worst of others.
Severe – harsh, strict, or extreme.
Neutral / Everyday Descriptive Adjectives Starting with S
Not all adjectives carry a strong positive or negative tone. Many fall in between, serving as simple descriptors for appearance, quantity, or everyday qualities. These neutral adjectives starting with S are versatile and practical in writing and conversation.
Small – little in size or amount.
Simple – easy, not complicated.
Straight – not curved or bent.
Short – having little length or duration.
Square – shaped with four equal sides and angles.
Soft – smooth or easy to press.
Solid – firm, strong, not hollow.
Single – only one, not multiple.
Standard – usual, typical, or common.
Steep – sharply angled.
Shiny – reflecting light, glossy.
Slender – thin, gracefully narrow.
Smooth – even, without roughness.
Sparse – thinly spread or scattered.
Seasonal – relating to a specific season.
Second – coming after the first in order.
Silent – without sound.
Similar – alike, having resemblance.
Static – not moving, fixed in place.
Spherical – shaped like a sphere.
Your Publishing Journey Awaits – Start Now550+ Adjectives Starting with S
Saccharine – overly sweet, sentimental.
Sacred – holy, revered.
Sacrificial – relating to giving up something of value.
Sad – unhappy, sorrowful.
Saddened – made unhappy.
Safe – protected from harm.
Sagacious – wise, shrewd.
Saggy – drooping, loose.
Saintly – virtuous, holy.
Salient – prominent, noticeable.
Saline – salty.
Salivary – relating to saliva.
Sallow – yellowish, unhealthy in complexion.
Salutary – producing good effects, beneficial.
Salvageable – able to be saved or recovered.
Sanative – healing, restorative.
Sanctified – made holy.
Sanctimonious – hypocritically pious or moralizing.
Sane – mentally sound, rational.
Sanguine – optimistic, hopeful.
Sanitary – clean, hygienic.
Sappy – overly sentimental.
Sarcastic – mocking, using irony.
Sardonic – grimly mocking, cynical.
Satiny – smooth and glossy like satin.
Satisfactory – acceptable, good enough.
Satisfied – content, pleased.
Satisfying – giving pleasure or fulfillment.
Savage – fierce, violent, uncontrolled.
Savory – tasty, flavorful.
Scaly – covered with scales.
Scandalous – shocking, improper.
Scant – barely sufficient, meager.
Scanty – small in amount, insufficient.
Scapegoated – unfairly blamed.
Scarce – rare, hard to find.
Scared – frightened, afraid.
Scary – causing fear.
Scathing – harshly critical.
Scenic – visually beautiful, picturesque.
Scented – having a pleasant smell.
Scholarly – academic, learned.
Scientific – based on science.
Scintillating – sparkling, brilliantly clever.
Scorching – extremely hot.
Scornful – showing contempt.
Scottish – relating to Scotland.
Scraggly – messy, ragged.
Scrappy – determined, aggressive, feisty.
Scratchy – rough, irritating.
Seaborne – carried or transported by sea.
Seafaring – traveling or working on the sea.
Sealed – closed tightly.
Seamless – smooth, without interruptions.
Searchable – capable of being searched.
Seasonal – related to or dependent on a season.
Seated – provided with a seat.
Second – coming after the first in order.
Secondary – less important, subordinate.
Secret – hidden, not revealed.
Secretive – inclined to keep secrets.
Sectarian – relating to a particular sect.
Secular – nonreligious, worldly.
Secure – safe, protected.
Sedate – calm, dignified, unhurried.
Sedentary – sitting much, inactive.
Sedimentary – relating to sediments or sedimentary rocks.
Seedy – shabby, unkempt.
Seemly – proper, appropriate.
Seething – boiling with anger.
Select – carefully chosen, special.
Selectable – capable of being selected.
Self-assured – confident.
Self-centered – selfish, egotistical.
Self-conscious – overly aware of oneself.
Selfless – putting others first.
Self-reliant – independent.
Self-sufficient – able to support oneself.
Sellable – capable of being sold.
Semiconscious – partly awake.
Semiannual – happening twice a year.
Semicircular – shaped like a half-circle.
Semiconscious – half awake or aware.
Seminal – strongly influential, pioneering.
Sensational – causing great interest, exciting.
Sensitive – easily affected or responsive.
Sensory – relating to the senses.
Sensual – relating to pleasure of the senses.
Sensuous – appealing to the senses, especially aesthetically.
Sentimental – overly emotional or nostalgic.
Separable – capable of being separated.
Separate – distinct, apart.
September – relating to the month of September.
Sequential – arranged in order.
Serene – calm, peaceful.
Serial – arranged in a series.
Serious – solemn, important.
Servile – overly submissive.
Set – fixed, determined.
Settled – established, resolved.
Severe – harsh, strict.
Sexual – relating to sex.
Shabby – worn out, ragged.
Shadowed – darkened by a shadow.
Shadowy – indistinct, mysterious.
Shady – providing shade, or suspicious.
Shaggy – covered with long, rough hair.
Shaky – trembling, unsteady.
Shallow – not deep, superficial.
Shameless – without guilt or embarrassment.
Shapeless – without a clear form.
Sharp – having a point or edge; clever.
Sharpened – made sharp or keen.
Shattered – broken into pieces, devastated.
Sheepish – embarrassed, timid.
Sheer – very steep; absolute.
Sheltered – protected, safe.
Shifting – changing, moving.
Shimmery – shining with a soft light.
Shiny – glossy, reflecting light.
Sibilant – hissing in sound.
Sick – ill, unwell.
Sickening – causing disgust.
Side – relating to the side.
Sideways – toward the side.
Sightless – blind, without sight.
Sightly – pleasing to look at.
Significant – important, meaningful.
Silent – without sound.
Silken – smooth and soft like silk.
Silky – smooth, glossy.
Silver – made of or resembling silver.
Silvery – shiny like silver.
Similar – alike, resembling.
\Simple – easy, not complicated.
Simplistic – overly simple.
Simultaneous – happening at the same time.
Sincere – genuine, honest.
Sinful – wicked, immoral.
Single – only one, unmarried.
Singular – unique, extraordinary.
Sinister – threatening, evil.
Skeletal – very thin, resembling a skeleton.
Skilled – showing ability.
Skillful – talented, proficient.
Skimpy – scanty, revealing.
Skin-deep – superficial.
Skinny – very thin.
Skittish – easily frightened or unpredictable.
Sky-blue – blue like the sky.
Sky-high – very tall or high.
Slack – loose, careless.
Slanderous – false and damaging to reputation.
Slanted – sloping, biased.
Slapdash – careless, hasty.
Slashing – cutting, forceful.
Slated – scheduled, planned.
Slatternly – slovenly, untidy.
Slavish – excessively submissive.
Sleazy – shabby, dishonest, immoral.
Sleek – smooth, polished.
Sleep-deprived – lacking sleep.
Sleepless – unable to sleep.
Sleepy – drowsy, tired.
Sleeved – having sleeves.
Slick – smooth, efficient.
Slight – small, minor.
Slim – slender, thin.
Slimy – slippery, disgusting.
Slippery – hard to hold, tricky.
Sloping – slanting, inclined.
Sloppy – messy, careless.
Slothful – lazy, sluggish.
Slow – not fast, unhurried.
Sluggish – slow, lacking energy.
Small – little in size.
Smaller – of less size.
Smallest – least in size.
Smart – intelligent, stylish.
Smarter – more intelligent.
Smartest – most intelligent.
Smashing – excellent, wonderful.
Smelly – having a bad odor.
Smiling – showing a smile.
Smoggy – full of smog.
Smooth – even, without roughness.
Smothering – overwhelming, suffocating.
Smudged – blurred or dirty.
Smug – self-satisfied.
Snappy – quick, lively, stylish.
Snarling – growling angrily.
Snazzy – stylish, showy.
Sneaky – secretive, dishonest.
Snide – mocking, unkind.
Snobbish – arrogant, condescending.
Snooty – stuck-up, disdainful.
Snotty – rude, arrogant; full of mucus.
Snowbound – trapped by snow.
Snowcapped – covered with snow at the top.
Snow-clad – fully covered with snow.
Snowy – full of snow, white like snow.
Snub – blunt, curt, short.
Snuggly – cozy, comfortable.
Soaked – very wet.
Soapy – full of soap, lathery.
Soaring – flying high, lofty.
Sober – serious, not drunk.
Sociable – friendly, outgoing.
Social – relating to society or interaction.
Socialist – relating to socialism.
Sociological – relating to the study of society.
Sockless – without socks.
Sodden – soaked, saturated.
Soffit-like – resembling a ceiling underside (architecture).
Soft – smooth, easy to press.
Softer – less hard.
Softest – least hard.
Softhearted – kind, compassionate.
Software-related – pertaining to software.
Soigné – elegantly dressed, polished (French origin).
Soiled – dirty, stained.
Solaced – comforted, consoled.\
Solar – relating to the sun.
Soldierly – disciplined, brave, military-like.
Sole – single, only.
Solemn – serious, dignified.
Solicitous – showing concern or care.
Solid – firm, stable, strong.
Solidary – united, sharing common interests.
Solitary – alone, isolated.
Solo – single, by oneself.
Soluble – able to be dissolved.
Somatic – relating to the body.
Somber – dark, gloomy.
Some – unspecified in amount.
Sometime – occasional, former.
Sonic – relating to sound.
Sonorous – deep, resonant in sound
Spacious – large, roomy.
Spangled – decorated with small bright objects.
Spanish – relating to Spain.
Spare – extra, thin, lean.
Sparing – economical, restrained.
Sparkling – shining, full of life.
Sparse – thinly scattered.
Spasmodic – irregular, sudden.
Special – unique, important.
Specialized – focused on a particular area.
Specific – precise, exact.
Specious – seemingly true but false.
Spectacular – impressive, dramatic.
Spectral – ghostly, shadowy.
Speculative – based on guesswork.
Speechless – unable to speak.
Speedy – fast, quick.
Spellbinding – captivating, fascinating.
Spendid – magnificent, excellent.
Spent – exhausted, used up.
Spherical – shaped like a sphere.
Spicy – flavored with spices.
Spidery – thin, delicate like a spider’s web.
Spiffy – stylish, attractive.
Spiky – covered with spikes.
Spiraled – wound in a spiral.
Spiritual – relating to the soul.
Spirited – lively, energetic.
Spiteful – full of malice.
Splendid – magnificent, wonderful.
Splintered – broken into small pieces.
Splintery – full of splinters, sharp.
Spoiled – damaged, overindulged.
Spongy – soft, porous.
Spontaneous – unplanned, impulsive.
Spooky – eerie, scary.
Sportive – playful, lively.
Sporty – athletic, stylish.
Spotless – completely clean.
Spotted – marked with spots.
Spotty – uneven, patchy.
Spousal – relating to marriage.
Sprawling – spread out, extensive.
Sprightly – lively, eneretic.
Springlike – resembling springtime.
Springy – elastic, bouncy.
Sprouted – beginning to grow.
Spruce – neat, tidy.
Spunky – brave, spirited.
Spurious – false, not genuine.
Squalid – filthy, degraded.
Squamous – scaly (biology).
Squarish – somewhat square.
Squashy – soft, crushable.
Squat – short and thick.
Squeaky – high-pitched in sound.
Squeamish – easily nauseated or offended.
Squiggly – curvy, wavy.
Squirrelly – restless, unpredictable (informal).
Stable – steady, not likely to change.
Stably – in a stable or steady way.
Stacked – arranged in a pile; slang for well-built.
Staggered – unsteady, shocked.
Staggering – astonishing, overwhelming.
Stagnant – not flowing, inactive.
Stained – marked or discolored.
Stainless – without stains; spotless.
Stale – old, not fresh.
Stalwart – loyal, dependable, strong.
Stammering – speaking with pauses or repetition.
Stanch – firm, steadfast.
Standard – usual, typical.
Standing – upright, remaining in place.
Standoffish – aloof, unfriendly.
Starchy – stiff, formal; containing starch.
Stark – bare, harsh, complete.
Starless – without stars.
Starlit – illuminated by starlight.
Starry – full of stars, dreamy.
Startled – surprised, alarmed.
Startling – shocking, surprising.
Starved – very hungry.
Stately – majestic, dignified.
Static – unchanging, fixed.
Statistical – relating to statistics.
Statuesque – tall, graceful, elegant.
Statutory – required by law.
Steadfast – loyal, firm, unwavering.
Steady – stable, not shaky.
Stealthy – secretive, sneaky.
Steamy – hot and humid; erotic.
Steel-like – strong, hard as steel.
Steely – hard, determined.
Steep – rising sharply.
Sterile – free from germs; barren.
Stern – strict, severe.
Sticky – adhesive, humid.
Stiff – rigid, firm.
Stifled – smothered, repressed.
Stifling – oppressively hot or suffocating.
Stinging – sharp, painful.
Stinking – foul-smelling.
Stinky – smelly, unpleasant.
Stirring – inspiring, exciting
Stocky – short and strong in build.
Stoic – enduring pain without showing feelings.
Stony – made of stone; unfeeling.
Stormy – violent weather; turbulent emotions.
Straggly – untidy, irregular.
Straight – not curved, direct.
Strained – tense, stretched.
Strange – unusual, unfamiliar.
Strategic – planned, tactical.
Straw-colored – pale yellow.
Strawberry-like – resembling strawberries.
Streamlined – smooth, efficient.
Strenuous – requiring effort.
Stressful – causing stress.
Stretchy – elastic, extendable.
Strict – demanding, precise.
Strident – loud, harsh.
Striking – impressive, noticeable.
Striped – marked with stripes.
Strong – powerful, robust.
Structural – relating to structure.
Stubborn – refusing to change.
Studious – hardworking, scholarly.
Stuffy – lacking fresh air, stuffy.
Stunning – extremely impressive or beautiful.
Stunted – underdeveloped, limited.
Stupendous – astonishingly great.
Stupid – lacking intelligence.
Sturdy – strong, solid.
Stylish – fashionable, elegant.
Suave – charming, smooth.
Subjective – based on personal feelings.
Sublime – awe-inspiring, exalted.
Subliminal – below the level of conscious awareness.
Submissive – obedient, yielding.
Subordinate – lower in rank.
Subsequent – following in time.
Substantial – significant, solid.
Subtle – delicate, not obvious.
Successful – achieving success.
Succinct – brief, clear.
Succulent – juicy, tender.
Sudden – happening quickly.
Suffering – experiencing pain.
Sugarcoated – made to seem more pleasant.
Suggestive – implying or hinting.
Suitable – appropriate, fitting.
Sulky – moody, bad-tempered.
Sultry – hot and humid; sensual.
Summary – brief, concise.
Sumptuous – luxurious, lavish.
Sunny – bright with sunlight; cheerful.
Super – excellent, very good.
Superb – outstanding, excellent.
Supercilious – arrogant, haughty.
Superficial – shallow, surface-level.
Superhuman – beyond normal human ability.
Superior – better than others.
Superlative – of the highest quality.
Supportive – providing encouragement.
Supple – flexible, bending easily.
Supreme – highest in rank or quality.
Sure – certain, confident.
Surly – rude, bad-tempered.
Surprising – unexpected, astonishing.
Surreal – dreamlike, unreal.
Surgical – relating to surgery.
Surly – ill-tempered, unfriendly.
Survivable – able to survive.
Suspicious – doubtful, distrustful.
Sustainable – able to be maintained.
Swanky – stylishly luxurious.
Sweaty – covered in sweat.
Sweet – sugary, pleasant.
Sweltering – oppressively hot.
Swift – quick, fast.
Swinging – lively, fashionable.
Swirling – moving in circles.
Sympathetic – compassionate.
Symphonic – harmonious, relating to symphonies.
Symmetrical – balanced, proportionate.
Systematic – methodical, organized.
Swanky – stylish, luxurious, fashionable.
Swaying – moving back and forth.
Sweeping – wide-ranging, comprehensive.
Sweet-tempered – kind, gentle.
Sweetened – made sweet.
Swelling – enlarged, bulging.
Sweltering – oppressively hot.
Swift-footed – fast-moving.
Swinging – lively, fashionable.
Swiss – relating to Switzerland.
Swollen – enlarged due to fluid or pressure.
Symbiotic – mutually beneficial.
Symbolic – serving as a symbol.
Symmetrical – balanced, proportionate.
Sympathetic – compassionate, understanding.
Symphonic – harmonious, orchestral.
Synchronous – happening at the same time.
Synclinal – inclined downward in geology.
Synergetic – cooperative, mutually reinforcing.
Synthetic – man-made, artificial.
Systematic – methodical, organized.
Systemic – relating to an entire system.
Sabbatarian – relating to the Sabbath.
Sacerdotal – relating to priests.
Sagittal – relating to the midline (anatomy).
Saintlike – virtuous, holy.
Salacious – obscene, lustful.
Saline – salty.
Salutary – beneficial, promoting health.
Sanctioned – officially approved.
Sanctified – made holy.
Sanctimonious – hypocritically pious.
Sanguinary – bloodthirsty.
Sanguineous – relating to blood.
Saponaceous – soapy.
Saprogenic – causing decay.
Saponifiable – able to turn into soap.
Sarcophagous – flesh-eating.
Sarcophagic – devouring flesh (archaic).
Sartorial – relating to clothing or tailoring.
Satirical – mocking through satire.
Saturnine – gloomy, slow, morose.
Saurian – lizard-like.
Savanna-like – resembling a savanna.
Scabrous – rough, scaly, obscene.
Scapular – relating to the shoulder blade.
Scatological – relating to excrement, obscene.
Scelerate – wicked, criminal (archaic).
Schismatic – causing division, especially in religion.
Scholastic – academic, school-related.
Scintillant – sparkling, twinkling.
Scintillous – glittering, flashing.
Sclerotic – hardened, rigid (medical).
Scorbutic – relating to scurvy.
Scotopic – relating to vision in dim light.
Scriptural – based on scripture.
Scurrilous – abusive, slanderous.
Scutellate – shield-shaped (biology).
Scyphate – cup-shaped (botany).
Seafloor-spreading – relating to tectonics.
Seigneurial – relating to feudal lords.
Selachian – relating to sharks.
Selective – choosing carefully.
Seminal – groundbreaking, highly influential.
Senescent – aging, growing old.
Sensate – capable of feeling.
Sensationalistic – exaggerated, intended to shock.
Sensuous – pleasing to the senses.
Septentrional – northern, archaic.
Sepulchral – relating to a tomb, gloomy.
Sequined – decorated with sequins.
Seraphic – angelic, pure.
Serrated – jagged, saw-toothed.
Sesquipedalian – given to long words.
Settler-like – resembling settlers.
Sexagenarian – in one’s sixties.
Sexological – relating to the study of sex.
Shakespearean – relating to Shakespeare.
Sheeplike – docile, submissive.
Shellacked – glossy, coated.
Shimmering – softly shining.
Shipshape – neat, orderly.
Shockable – easily shocked.
Short-lived – lasting a short time.
Shouldered – having shoulders of a certain shape.
Showy – flashy, attracting attention.
Shrewd – clever, astute.
Shrill – high-pitched, piercing.
Shrunken – reduced in size.
Shuddering – trembling with fear or cold.
Shunted – pushed aside, diverted.
Shuttered – closed, covered with shutters.
Shy – timid, reserved.
Sibilous – hissing.
Sickly – often ill, weak.
Sidereal – relating to the stars.
Signless – without a sign.
Silvicultural – relating to forest management.
