When it comes to expanding your vocabulary, words that start with x offer a surprising mix of everyday descriptors, uplifting positives, and unique gems you may have never heard before. Are you looking for adjectives that start with w to describe a person? Or looking for positive adjectives to describe your book characters?
Below, you’ll discover over 60 adjectives starting with x, organized into helpful categories like positive traits, emotions, appearance, and more.
Positive Adjectives That Start With X
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 adjectives starting with x to describe a person positively.
Xenial (hospitable, friendly to strangers)
Xenodochial (friendly to guests)
X-factor (special, outstanding quality)
Xenophilic (welcoming to different cultures)
Xylographic (artistic, woodcut-style)
Xylophonic (melodious, musical)
Xenocratic (open-minded leadership)
Xerophytic (adaptable, resilient in harsh conditions)
Xenodochal (kind to strangers)
Xenotropic (embracing diversity)
Xtraordinary (extraordinary, impressive)
Xpressive (expressive)
Xtensive (extensive, thorough in a positive way)
Xhilarating (exhilarating)
Xemplary (exemplary)
Xciting (exciting)
Xquisite (exquisite)
Xuberant (exuberant, joyful)
Xperienced (experienced, skilled)
Xtatic (ecstatic)
Negative Adjectives Starting with X
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. Below is a list of negative adjectives starting with x.
Xanthous (yellowish, sickly tone)
Xeric (dry, barren)
Xerophagous (living on dry food, unpleasant sense)
Xenophobic (fearful or hateful of strangers)
Xenophobic-minded
Xenophobic-spirited
Xenophobic-looking
Xanthic (harsh yellow, off-putting)
Xanthochroid (pale, sallow)
Xanthous-faced
Xerothermic (parched, overheated)
Xenogenetic (foreign, unnatural)
Xenolithic (strange, alien)
Xerarch (harsh, barren ecosystem sense)
Xerotic (abnormally dry)
Xenophobic-hearted
Xanthous-haired (sallow negative sense)
Xenogeny-related (alien/foreign negative tone)
Xerotic-looking
Xenophobic-prone
Neutral / Everyday Descriptive Adjectives Starting with X
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 x are versatile and practical in writing and conversation.
X-axis (directional)
X-chromosomal
X-linked
X-ray
X-rated (descriptive, not moral)
Xenial (formal descriptive sense)
Xenolithic (geological)
Xenon-filled
Xeric (ecological, neutral sense)
Xerographic (printing process)
Xiphioid (sword-shaped)
Xylographic (woodcut-related)
Xyloid (wood-like)
Xylophonic (relating to the xylophone)
Xylose-rich
Xerothermic (climate-descriptive)
Xerophytic (plant-descriptive)
Xiphoid (anatomical)
Xylophagous (wood-eating, biological)
Xanthic (yellow-colored, neutral tone)
Your Publishing Journey Awaits – Start Now60+ Adjectives Starting with X
General / Descriptive
Xanthic (yellowish)
Xanthous (yellow, especially hair or skin)
Xeric (very dry)
Xerographic (related to dry photocopying)
Xeromorphic (adapted to dry conditions)
Xerophilous (thriving in dry climates)
Xerophytic (plant adapted to arid environments)
Xerothermic (hot and dry climate)
Xyloid (wood-like, woody)
Xylographic (wood-engraved, woodcut style)
Xylophonic (relating to the xylophone, musical)
Biological / Medical
Xanthochroic (having yellowish skin/hair)
Xanthomatous (relating to yellowish skin growths, xanthomas)
Xanthophyllic (containing yellow pigment)
Xanthous-haired (yellow/blonde hair)
Xiphoid (sword-shaped; anatomical, e.g., xiphoid process)
Xiphioid (sword-shaped, variant of xiphoid)
Xenogenetic (arising from an outside source; foreign origin)
Xenogenous (caused by something external)
Xenolithic (containing foreign rock fragments)
Xenoplastic (transplanted from a foreign species)
Xenotropic (acting on a foreign host, esp. viruses)
Xerotic (abnormally dry, especially skin or mucous membranes)
Xylogenic (forming wood)
Xylophagous (wood-eating, describing insects/organisms)
Linguistic / Technical
Xanthous-derived (linguistic description of color)
Xenocratic (government by foreigners)
Xenodochial (friendly to strangers)
Xenic (requiring a living host or culture)
Xenolithic (containing fragments of foreign rock)
Xylographic (made from woodcuts)
Xylotomous (able to cut wood, e.g., insects)
Xylotypic (wood-type in taxonomy)
