Why Use Exciting Words?
Using interesting words makes your stories come alive! When you choose words that are fun, powerful, or unusual, your reader will want to keep reading. Don’t worry if you don’t know all these words yet—try using one or two in your next story!
Tip: If you find a word you like, write it down in your own special word list!
Powerful Words
Action Words
Powerful words to make your writing more exciting
Sprinted
To run very fast
"He sprinted across the field."
Whispered
To speak very quietly
"She whispered the secret."
Shattered
To break into many pieces
"The glass shattered loudly."
Glimmered
To shine faintly
"The stars glimmered in the night sky."
Trembled
To shake with fear or cold
"Her hands trembled with excitement."
Leaped
To jump high
"The cat leaped onto the wall."
Slithered
To move like a snake
"The snake slithered through the grass."
Soared
To fly high
"The eagle soared above the mountains."
Descriptive Words
Powerful words to make your writing more exciting
Enormous
Very large
"The enormous castle towered above us."
Tiny
Very small
"A tiny mouse scurried across the floor."
Brilliant
Very bright or clever
"The brilliant sun warmed our faces."
Mysterious
Difficult to understand
"The mysterious door creaked open."
Magnificent
Very impressive
"The magnificent waterfall roared below."
Ancient
Very old
"The ancient tree had seen centuries pass."
Majestic
Grand and impressive
"The majestic lion surveyed his kingdom."
Delicate
Fragile and beautiful
"The delicate butterfly landed on the flower."
Emotion Words
Powerful words to make your writing more exciting
Thrilled
Very excited
"I was thrilled to see my friend."
Terrified
Very frightened
"She was terrified of the dark."
Delighted
Very happy
"The children were delighted with the surprise."
Furious
Very angry
"He was furious about the broken toy."
Relieved
No longer worried
"I was relieved when the test was over."
Amazed
Very surprised
"I was amazed by the magic trick."
Confused
Not understanding
"The puzzle left me confused."
Proud
Feeling good about achievement
"She was proud of her artwork."
Sound Words
Powerful words to make your writing more exciting
Roared
Loud, deep sound
"The lion roared in the jungle."
Whispered
Very quiet speaking
"She whispered the secret."
Crashed
Loud breaking sound
"The waves crashed against the rocks."
Tinkled
Light, musical sound
"The wind chimes tinkled softly."
Buzzed
Continuous humming sound
"The bees buzzed around the flowers."
Squeaked
High-pitched sound
"The door squeaked when I opened it."
Rumbled
Deep, continuous sound
"Thunder rumbled in the distance."
Splashed
Sound of water hitting
"The stone splashed into the pond."
Movement Words
Powerful words to make your writing more exciting
Danced
Moved rhythmically
"The leaves danced in the wind."
Floated
Moved gently in air/water
"The balloon floated up to the ceiling."
Swirled
Moved in circles
"The water swirled down the drain."
Bounced
Jumped up and down
"The ball bounced across the floor."
Glided
Moved smoothly
"The swan glided across the lake."
Wobbled
Moved unsteadily
"The table wobbled on uneven legs."
Spun
Turned around quickly
"The dancer spun on her toes."
Crept
Moved slowly and quietly
"The cat crept toward the mouse."
Weather Words
Powerful words to make your writing more exciting
Blustery
Windy and stormy
"The blustery day made walking difficult."
Drizzly
Light rain
"The drizzly weather kept us indoors."
Scorching
Very hot
"The scorching sun burned our skin."
Frosty
Very cold with ice
"The frosty morning made our breath visible."
Muggy
Warm and humid
"The muggy air made us feel sticky."
Crisp
Fresh and cool
"The crisp autumn air was refreshing."
Gusty
Strong, sudden wind
"The gusty wind blew our hats off."
Misty
Light fog or haze
"The misty morning hid the mountains."
Word Families
Learn groups of words that mean similar things. This helps you avoid repeating the same word!
Happy
Words that mean similar things
Joyful
Cheerful
Delighted
Pleased
Content
Excited
Thrilled
Grateful
"The joyful children played in the garden."
Sad
Words that mean similar things
Miserable
Gloomy
Depressed
Sorrowful
Melancholy
Heartbroken
Despondent
Forlorn
"The gloomy weather matched his mood."
Big
Words that mean similar things
Enormous
Massive
Gigantic
Huge
Colossal
Immense
Vast
Tremendous
"The enormous elephant towered over the trees."
Small
Words that mean similar things
Tiny
Minute
Petite
Miniature
Microscopic
Compact
Little
Diminutive
"The tiny mouse hid in the corner."
Fast
Words that mean similar things
Rapid
Swift
Quick
Speedy
Hasty
Fleet
Brisk
Agile
"The swift cheetah chased its prey."
Slow
Words that mean similar things
Sluggish
Lethargic
Gradual
Leisurely
Plodding
Slothful
Tardy
Deliberate
"The sluggish turtle moved across the road."
Similes and Metaphors
Use comparisons to make your writing more vivid and interesting!
Similes (using 'like' or 'as')
Make your writing more colorful
As brave as a lion
Very courageous
Like a fish out of water
Uncomfortable in a situation
As light as a feather
Very light
Like a bull in a china shop
Clumsy and destructive
As cold as ice
Very cold
Like a ray of sunshine
Cheerful and bright
Metaphors (direct comparison)
Make your writing more colorful
Life is a journey
Life has ups and downs like traveling
Time is money
Time is valuable
The world is a stage
Everyone plays different roles in life
Her voice is music
Her voice is beautiful to hear
The classroom was a zoo
The classroom was very noisy and chaotic
His heart is stone
He is cold and unfeeling
Onomatopoeia (Sound Words)
Words that sound like what they mean. These make your writing come alive!
Animal Sounds
Words that sound like their meaning
Meow
Cat sound
"The cat meowed for food."
Woof
Dog sound
"The dog woofed at the mailman."
Moo
Cow sound
"The cow mooed in the field."
Baa
Sheep sound
"The sheep baaed softly."
Oink
Pig sound
"The pig oinked happily."
Nature Sounds
Words that sound like their meaning
Drip
Water falling
"Water dripped from the tap."
Splash
Water hitting surface
"The stone splashed into the pond."
Crack
Breaking sound
"The branch cracked under his weight."
Rustle
Leaves moving
"Leaves rustled in the breeze."
Thunder
Loud storm sound
"Thunder boomed overhead."
Machine Sounds
Words that sound like their meaning
Buzz
Electrical hum
"The fridge buzzed quietly."
Beep
Electronic sound
"The microwave beeped."
Click
Small mechanical sound
"The camera clicked."
Whir
Spinning sound
"The fan whirred softly."
Clank
Metal hitting metal
"The chains clanked together."