DESCRIPTION

The basics of describing

1. Pick your subject. Always start with things youre actually interested in. If describing
the furniture in your living room sounds less than exciting, dont do it! Describe that
motorcyle or dream house youve always wanted.
2. Identify your verb. In English, the verb to be is always a good choice when it comes
to a verb that can be used to describe almost anything. If youre at an intermediate
level, try something more ambitious than to be. In any case, start with one verb,
particularly for languages other than English where you might have to do some
complicated conjugations.
3. Gather some adjectives. Make a list of your favorite English adjectives. Look them up
in the dictionary and then start brainstorming additional words you might need to
describe your subject.
4. Draw a chart. Make your life easier and create a chart where you can practice
describing things or people. If youre learning English, you would have subjects on the
left, your main verb in the middle and your list of adjectives on the right. Now all you
have to do is connect the dots!
5. Get to work. Start by writing down the descriptive sentences your chart gives you.
Next, see if you can come up with a few more ways to describe what your subjects look
like in English. Physical descriptions are more concrete and you should always start
there before going into abstract or figurative language.
(https://lingua.ly/blog/describing-things-in-english/)

How to Describe a Person

Its good to let your kids struggle with the initial writing process. As they wrestle with
ideas and words, it will remind them of the importance of thorough and effective
brainstorming. The following ideas will help them improve their descriptive paragraphs as
they think of more concrete ways to describe a persons appearance.
Face Shape

Square

kotak

Oval

oval

Round

bulat

Triangular :

segitiga

Heart-shaped

Thin

kurus

Wide

lebar

Chiseled :

seperti hati/jantung

berotot

Skin and Complexion

Complexion is the natural appearance and color of the skin, especially of the face. For
example, Mary has a soft, creamy complexion.

Wrinkled: covered with lines or loose folds of skin; often associated with age

Freckled: sprinkled or covered with light brown spots

Ruddy: skin that has a reddish tint; may have the appearance of sunburn

Sallow: skin that has a yellowish tint; may be associated with illness

Tanned: skin with a warm, golden-brown tint

Rosy or fresh-faced: pink-cheeked, fair complexion that glows with a hint of pink

Other skin-related adjectives: pale, fair, spotless, silky, smooth, creamy, dewy, babysoft, peaches-and-cream, glowing, paper-thin or translucent (as with a very old person),
sunburned, peeling, rough, callused, weathered, weather beaten, craggy, leathery,
mottled, dry, brown, dark

Eyes

Shape, size, and appearance: large, small, almond-shaped, round, squinty, crinkly,
bulging, heavy-lidded, hooded, deep-set, close-set, hollow, tear-filled

Eye color: black, brown, hazel, green, blue, violet, gray, amber

Eye expressions: piercing, mesmerizing, sad, sorrowful, haunted, gentle, sympathetic,

warm, compassionate, expressive, bright, twinkling, lively, dancing, laughing, shifty, sly,
distrusting, sleepy

Other: brown-eyed boy, bright-eyed sister, wide-eyed child, gold-flecked eyes

Mouth and Lips

Lip shape and size: thin, full, pouting, rosebud (babys lips, often), pursed (puckered
up, as when concentrating)

Mouth expressions: laugh, smile, beam, grin, frown, grimace, scowl, sneer, curl, pout

Adjectives describing the mouth or mouth expressions: toothy, toothless, gaptoothed, kind, sweet, dimpled, relaxed, firm, serious, cruel, snarling

Hair

Hair color: black, brunette, brown, chestnut-brown, blond, honey-blond, goldenblond, ash-blond, fair, corn silk, auburn, red, strawberry-blond, gray, silver, white, saltand-pepper

Texture or appearance: wispy, fuzzy, wavy, curly, kinky, frizzy, wild, untamed,
unmanageable, straight, spiky, stiff, buzzed, shaved, parted, neatly-combed, tamed,
cascading, long, short, cropped, dull, shiny

Hair styles: braids, ponytail, pigtails, bun, messy bun, twist, bob, ringlets, flip,
cornrows, extensions, bangs, buzz, layered, feathered, chopped, gelled, spiked, slicked
down

Lots of hair: thick, full, lustrous, bushy, coarse, wiry, stiff

Little hair: thin, scraggly, fine, baby-fine, downy, wispy, limp, flat, balding, bald, bald
spot, receding (gradual loss of hair at the front of the head)

Treated hair: permed, dyed, bleached, highlighted, weaved, streaked, colored

Facial Hair

Hair: beard (janggut/jenggot), goatee (janggut model kambing), mustache (kumis),

soul patch, sideburns

Beard growth: stubble, fuzz, peach fuzz, bristles, five oclock shadow (describes new
beard growth thats shadowy in appearance. Its usually more noticeable late in the day on
the jaw, chin, or cheek area, but some men purposely grow five oclock shadows.)

Adjectives: bearded, bushy, stubbly, bristly, scratchy, unshaven, shaggy, whiskered,

beardless, clean-shaven, smooth, trimmed, neatly-trimmed, pencil-thin

Body

Build: small, slim, slight, thin, lean, willowy, skinny, angular, bony, fine-boned,
chunky, chubby, large, portly, plump, round, stout, pudgy, full-figured, ample, broadshouldered, burly, solid, muscular

Posture: stand, sit, slouch, flop, lean, recline, rest, stretch, sprawl, curl up, roost,
squirm, arch, slump, stoop, bend, hunch, scoot, walk, run, race, jog

Clothing

Fabric: denim, twill, wool, cashmere, cotton, linen, seersucker, gingham, lace,
chiffon, tulle, velvet, velveteen, fleece, flannel, tweed, polyester, jersey, corduroy, spandex,
leather

Bottoms: jeans, skinny jeans, cargo pants, flat-front pants, pleated pants, slacks,
trousers, overalls, sweatpants, crop pants, capris, skirt, shorts, board shorts

Tops: sport shirt, dress shirt, polo shirt, button-down shirt, tank top, blouse, tunic,
long-sleeve, short-sleeve, sleeveless, collared, T-shirt, V-neck, scoop-neck, turtleneck,
sweatshirt, hoodie, pullover, sweater, cardigan, sweater set

Other clothing: dress, gown, frock, uniform, coveralls, costume, pajamas, bathrobe,
robe, vest, jacket, blazer, coat, apron

Footwear: socks, stockings, shoes, slippers, sandals, flip-flops, loafers, heels,

pumps, boots, ankle boots, riding boots, slouch boots, athletic shoes, sneakers, tennis
shoes, gym shoes, runners

Accessories: mittens, gloves, hat, cap, head wrap, bandana, scarf, muffler, necklace,
choker, bracelet, ring, earrings, cuffs, cufflinks, purse, clutch, bag, tote, sunglasses,
eyeglasses, glasses

Adjectives (appearance): stylish, natty, smart, chic, classy, elegant, polished, draped,
flowing, sheer, casual, relaxed, carefree, starched, crisp, sharp, dressy, lacy, shiny,
shimmering, sparkling, glittery, sloppy, torn, ripped, tattered, disheveled, slovenly, tacky,
unkempt, faded, scratchy, worn, frayed, nubby, rough, smooth, pliable, warm, soft, quilted,
knit

Adjectives (patterns): striped, solid, plaid, checked, floral print, geometric print

Sentence Starters Describing Clothes (Encourage your students to write more maturely by
using strong sentence openings.)

Smartly dressed in (name of garment), the woman

Casually attired in (name of garment), Chloe

Simply clad in (name of garment), Mark

Uncle Max sported a (name of garment)

Wearing a (name of garment), the detective

(http://writeshop.com/how-to-describe-a-person-descriptive-words/)

Describing People A Few Examples

Use with verb Be (am, is, are):
Height
Weight/Physique
I am short.
I am thin.
She is average height. or She is medium height.
She is average weight.
They are tall.
They are heavy.
He is muscular.
My daughter is three feet two inches.
My husband is six feet.

Personality
She is serious.
She is a serious person.
She is hard-working.
She is a hard-working person.
She is kind.
She is nice.
She is quiet.
She is friendly.
She is happy.
They are generous.
They are talkative.
They are helpful.
They are easy-going.

He is silly.
He is a silly person.
He is lazy.
He is a lazy person.
He is unkind.
He is mean.
He is loud.
He is shy.
He is unhappy.
We are stingy.
We are quiet.
We arent helpful.
We arent easy-going.

Use with verb Have (has, have) OR Be (am, is, are):

Eyes
I have green eyes.
or
My eyes are green.
He has brown eyes.
or
His eyes are brown.
She has blue eyes.
or
Her eyes are blue.
They have dark brown eyes.
or
Their eyes are dark brown.
Hair
I have short, black, straight hair.
He has medium-length, brown, wavy hair.

or
or

My hair is short, black, and straight.

His hair is medium-length, brown, and

She has long, blond, curly hair.

They have no hair.

or
or

wavy.
Her hair is long, blond, and curly.
They are bald.
(www2.estrellamountain.edu)

Task
1. Describe your friend
2. Describe your family