If you’re looking for a list of adjectives that start with W, you’ve come to the right place! Here you’ll find a comprehensive list of words to describe someone or something, ranging from the more commonly used terms to some more unusual options. Whether you need an adjective to describe a person’s physical appearance or their personality, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for on this list.
So, without further ado, here are some adjectives that start with W:
Wacky, wonderful, wicked, wily, wimpy, wiry, wise, witless, wobbly, womanly, wonderful, wooden.
Adjectives That Start With The Letter W
When it comes to describing people or things, there are few letter of the alphabet that are as useful as “W.” This is thanks to the many great adjectives that start with “W.”
Whether you need a word to describe someone who is wicked or someone who is wacky, you’ll likely find what you’re looking for on this list of “W” adjectives.
- Wacky: If someone is wacky, they’re unusual or eccentric in a playful way.
- Wan: If someone looks wan, they look pale and unhealthy.
- Warlike: If someone is warlike, they’re aggressive and enjoy fighting.
- Wary: If someone is wary, they’re cautious or suspicious.
- Waspish: If someone is waspish, they’re irritable or easily annoyed.
- Watery: If something is watery, it contains too much water.
- Weak: If someone is weak, they’re not physically strong.
- Wealthy: If someone is wealthy, they have a lot of money.
- Wicked: If someone is wicked, they’re evil or morally bad.
- Wild: If someone or something is wild, they’re uncontrolled or chaotic.
- Wily: If someone is wily, they’re cunning or deceitful.
- Wiry: If someone is wiry, they’re thin and sinewy.
- Wishful: If someone is wishful, they’re hopeful or longing for something.
- Withdrawn: If someone is withdrawn, they’re shy or introverted.
- Witty: If someone is witty, they’re funny and clever.
- Woebegone: If someone looks woebegone, they look sad or despairing.
- Worldly: If someone is worldly, they’re experienced or sophisticated.
140 Adjectives That Start With WA
wackier | Funny or amusing in a slightly odd or peculiar way. |
wackiest | Funny or amusing in a slightly odd or peculiar way. |
wacky | Funny or amusing in a slightly odd or peculiar way. |
wafer-thin | Very thin. |
waggish | Humorous in a playful, mischievous, or facetious manner. |
waggly | Moving with quick short movements from side to side or up and down. |
wailful | Sorrowful. |
wailing | Crying with pain, grief, or anger. |
wainscoted | An area of wooden paneling on the lower part of the walls of a room. Line (a room or wall) with wooden paneling. |
waiting | The action of staying where one is or delaying action until a particular time or until something else happens. Official attendance at court. |
wakeful | (of a person) unable or not needing to sleep. |
waking | The state of being awake. |
Waldenses | A Christian sect that was founded in southern France c. 1170 by Peter Valdes (d. 1205), a merchant of Lyons, and adopted Calvinist doctrines during the Reformation, now existing chiefly in Italy and America. |
wale | A ridge on a textured woven fabric such as corduroy. Nautical A horizontal band around a woven basket. |
walk-in | (especially of a storage area) large enough to walk into. (of a service) available for customers or clients without the need for an appointment. A walk-in customer or a walk-in storage area. |
walking | no object, usually with adverbialGuide, accompany, or escort (someone) on foot. North American Baseball (of a ghost) be present and visible. archaic An act of traveling or an excursion on foot. A route recommended or marked out for recreational walking. in singularBritish Baseball |
walk-on | Denoting or having a small nonspeaking part in a play or film. A person who plays a small nonspeaking part in a play or film, or the part itself. |
walk-up | (of a building) allowing access to the upper floors by stairs only; having no elevator. A building allowing access to the upper floors by stairs only. |
Wallachian | Relating to or characteristic of the former European principality of Wallachia or its inhabitants. A native or inhabitant of the former European principality of Wallachia. |
walled | (of an area) enclosed within walls, especially for protection or privacy. |
Walloon | A member of a people who speak a French dialect and live in southern and eastern Belgium and neighboring parts of France. The French dialect spoken by the Walloons. Relating to the Walloons or their language. |
walloping | A beating. Large and powerful. |
wally | A uniformed police officer. |
walnut | The large wrinkled edible seed of a deciduous tree, consisting of two halves contained within a hard shell which is enclosed in a green fruit. |
wan | (of a person’s complexion or appearance) pale and giving the impression of illness or exhaustion. Wide area network. |
waning | (of the moon) have a progressively smaller part of its visible surface illuminated, so that it appears to decrease in size. The amount by which a plank or log is beveled or falls short of a squared shape. |
wanner | (of a person’s complexion or appearance) pale and giving the impression of illness or exhaustion. Wide area network. |
wannest | (of a person’s complexion or appearance) pale and giving the impression of illness or exhaustion. Wide area network. |
wanted | with object informal literary A lack or deficiency of something. A desire for something. |
wanting | Lacking in a certain required or necessary quality. |
wanton | (of a cruel or violent action) deliberate and unprovoked. dated archaic A sexually unrestrained woman. Play; frolic. Behave in a sexually unrestrained way. |
war | A state of armed conflict between different nations or states or different groups within a nation or state. Engage in a war. |
warded | A separate room in a hospital, typically one allocated to a particular type of patient. An administrative division of a city or borough that typically elects and is represented by a councilor or councilors. A person, usually a minor, under the care and control of a guardian appointed by their parents or a court. usually wards archaic historical Fencing archaic mainly South East Asian |
ware | Pottery, typically that of a specified type. Aware. Beware (used as a warning cry, typically in a hunting context) |
warier | Feeling or showing caution about possible dangers or problems. |
wariest | Feeling or showing caution about possible dangers or problems. |
warlike | Disposed toward or threatening war; hostile. |
warm | Of or at a fairly or comfortably high temperature. Having, showing, or expressive of enthusiasm, affection, or kindness. (of a color) containing red, yellow, or orange tones. (of a scent or trail) fresh; strong. Make or become warm. |
warmed | Of or at a fairly or comfortably high temperature. Having, showing, or expressive of enthusiasm, affection, or kindness. (of a color) containing red, yellow, or orange tones. (of a scent or trail) fresh; strong. Make or become warm. |
warmed-over | (of food or drink) reheated. (of an idea or product) secondhand; stale. |
warming | Of or at a fairly or comfortably high temperature. Having, showing, or expressive of enthusiasm, affection, or kindness. (of a color) containing red, yellow, or orange tones. (of a scent or trail) fresh; strong. Make or become warm. |
warning | A statement or event that indicates a possible or impending danger, problem, or other unpleasant situation. |
warped | Bent or twisted out of shape, typically as a result of the effects of heat or damp. |
warrantable | (of an action or statement) able to be authorized or sanctioned; justifiable. |
warranted | A document issued by a legal or government official authorizing the police or some other body to make an arrest, search premises, or carry out some other action relating to the administration of justice. usually with negativeAn official certificate of appointment issued to an officer of lower rank than a commissioned officer. Justify or necessitate (a certain course of action) |
warring | (of two or more people or groups) in conflict with each other. |
war-torn | (of a place) racked or devastated by war. |
wary | Feeling or showing caution about possible dangers or problems. |
washable | (especially of fabric or clothes) able to be washed without shrinkage or other damage. |
washed | with objectwith object and adverbial of directionwith object informal usually in singularin singularA medicinal or cleansing solution. A layer of paint or metal spread thinly on a surface. Silt or gravel carried by a stream or river and deposited as sediment. Kitchen slops and other food waste fed to pigs. Malt fermenting in preparation for distillation. North American |
washed-up | Deposited by the tide on a shore. informal |
washier | archaic (of a color) having a faded look. |
washiest | archaic (of a color) having a faded look. |
washy | archaic (of a color) having a faded look. |
waspier | Characteristic of or relating to upper- or middle-class American white Protestants. |
waspiest | Characteristic of or relating to upper- or middle-class American white Protestants. |
waspish | Readily expressing anger or irritation. |
waspy | Characteristic of or relating to upper- or middle-class American white Protestants. |
waste | with objectno object literary literary (of a material, substance, or byproduct) eliminated or discarded as no longer useful or required after the completion of a process. (of an area of land, typically in a city or town) not used, cultivated, or built on. An act or instance of using or expending something carelessly, extravagantly, or to no purpose. Material that is not wanted; the unusable remains or byproducts of something. usually wastesLaw |
wasted | Used or expended carelessly, extravagantly, or to no purpose. (of a person or a part of the body) weak or emaciated. informal |
wasteful | (of a person, action, or process) using or expending something of value carelessly, extravagantly, or to no purpose. |
wasting | Causing a person or a part of the body to become progressively weaker and more emaciated. |
watchful | Watching or observing someone or something closely; alert and vigilant. |
watercress | A cress that grows in running water and whose pungent leaves are used in salad. |
watered | A colorless, transparent, odorless liquid that forms the seas, lakes, rivers, and rain and is the basis of the fluids of living organisms. the waterUrine. watersThe quality of transparency and brilliance shown by a diamond or other gem. Finance with objectno objectwith objectFinance |
water-gas | A fuel gas consisting mainly of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, made by passing steam over incandescent coke. |
waterish | rare Of light, luminous bodies, etc. |
waterlogged | Saturated with or full of water. |
waterproof | Impervious to water. A garment, especially a coat, that keeps out water. Make impervious to water. |
watertight | Closely sealed, fastened, or fitted so that no water enters or passes through. |
watery | Consisting of, containing, or resembling water. |
wattle | A material for making fences, walls, etc. , consisting of rods or stakes interlaced with twigs or branches. mainly Australian Make, enclose, or fill up with wattle. A colored fleshy lobe hanging from the head or neck of domestic chickens, turkeys, and some other birds. |
waur | To defeat in a contest or competition; to surpass, excel. Worse. Worse. Worse”worse”. In early use frequently in “to get (also have) the waur” |
waved | no objectMove to and fro with a swaying or undulating motion while remaining fixed to one point. with objectA long body of water curling into an arched form and breaking on the shore. A sudden occurrence of or increase in a specified phenomenon, feeling, or emotion. A gesture or signal made by moving one’s hand to and fro. A slightly curling lock of hair. Physics |
wavier | Having a form or edge that smoothly curves in and out. |
waviest | Having a form or edge that smoothly curves in and out. |
waving | Moving one’s hand to and fro in greeting or as a signal. Moving to and fro with a swaying motion while remaining fixed to one point. (of hair) growing with a slight curl. |
wavy | Having a form or edge that smoothly curves in and out. |
waxed | A sticky yellowish moldable substance secreted by honeybees as the material of honeycomb; beeswax. Cover or treat (something) with wax or a similar substance, typically to polish or protect it. informal (of the moon between new and full) have a progressively larger part of its visible surface illuminated, increasing its apparent size. A fit of anger. |
waxen | Having a smooth, pale, translucent surface or appearance like that of wax. |
waxier | Resembling wax in consistency or appearance. Angry; bad-tempered. |
waxiest | Resembling wax in consistency or appearance. Angry; bad-tempered. |
waxing | The process of removing unwanted hair from a part of the body by applying wax and peeling off the wax and hairs together. informal |
waxy | Resembling wax in consistency or appearance. Angry; bad-tempered. |
wayfaring | (of a person) traveling on foot. The action of traveling by foot. |
wayless | Having no roads, track, or paths for travelling along. Having no direction or path to follow; especially lacking direction or purpose; directionless, drifting. |
way-out | Regarded as extremely unconventional, unusual, or avant-garde. |
wayward | Difficult to control or predict because of unusual or perverse behavior. |
wayworn | Weary with traveling. |
Wafd | wafery | wage-earning |
wageless | waist-deep | waisted |
wakeless | wakerife | Walachian |
Waldensian | wall-less | wall-to-wall |
Waltonian | wambly | wanchancy |
wandering | wandle | wanier |
waniest | wanning | wannish |
warm-blooded | warm-hearted | warmish |
warragal | warrigal | wartier |
wartiest | wartless | wartlike |
war-worn | wash-and-wear | washed-out |
wasp-waisted | wastable | water-cooled |
watered-down | waterless | waterlog |
waterproofed | water-repellent | water-resistant |
water-soluble | water-supply | waugh |
waveless | wavelike | wavering |
wayfarer |
175 Adjectives Starting With WE
weak | Lacking the power to perform physically demanding tasks; lacking physical strength and energy, Liable to break or give way under pressure; easily damaged, Lacking intensity or brightness, Grammar Physics |
weakened | Make or become weaker in power, resolve, or physical strength, |
weakening | Make or become weaker in power, resolve, or physical strength, |
weak-kneed | Weak and shaky as a result of fear or excitement, |
weakly | In a way that lacks strength or force, Sickly; not robust, |
weak-minded | Lacking determination, emotional strength, or intellectual capacity, |
weak-willed | Lacking the ability to resist influence or to restrain one’s own impulses; irresolute, |
wealthier | Having a great deal of money, resources, or assets; rich, |
wealthiest | Having a great deal of money, resources, or assets; rich, |
wealthy | Having a great deal of money, resources, or assets; rich, |
weaned | Accustom (an infant or other young mammal) to food other than its mother’s milk, A young child, |
wearable | (especially of clothing) easy to wear; suitable for wearing, usually wearables |
wearied | Feeling or showing tiredness, especially as a result of excessive exertion or lack of sleep, Cause to become tired, |
wearier | Feeling or showing tiredness, especially as a result of excessive exertion or lack of sleep, Cause to become tired, |
weariest | Feeling or showing tiredness, especially as a result of excessive exertion or lack of sleep, Cause to become tired, |
wearing | Mentally or physically tiring, |
wearisome | Causing one to feel tired or bored, |
weary | Feeling or showing tiredness, especially as a result of excessive exertion or lack of sleep, Cause to become tired, |
wearying | Causing tiredness; tiring, |
weather | The state of the atmosphere at a place and time as regards heat, dryness, sunshine, wind, rain, etc, Wear away or change the appearance or texture of (something) by long exposure to the air, Come safely through (a storm)Make (boards or tiles) overlap downward to keep out rain, Falconry |
weathered | Worn by long exposure to the atmosphere; weather-beaten, |
weatherly | (of a boat) able to sail close to the wind without drifting much to leeward, |
weaving | The craft or action of forming fabric by interlacing threads, |
webbed | (of the feet of a swimming bird or other aquatic animal) having the toes connected by a membrane, (of a band or strip of tough material) made from webbing or similar fabric, |
webby | An award given to a website for achievement in each of a number of categories, e, g, web-based film, advertising, publishing, etc, Frequently in “Webby award”, Also in plural |
web-footed | (of a swimming bird or other aquatic animal) having webbed feet, |
web-toed | Having webs between the toes; web-footed, |
wed | literary, archaic Combine (two factors or qualities, especially desirable ones) |
wedded | Relating to marriage, |
wedged | A piece of wood, metal, or some other material having one thick end and tapering to a thin edge, that is driven between two objects or parts of an object to secure or separate them, with objectwith object and adverbialPrepare (pottery clay) for use by cutting, kneading, and throwing down to homogenize it and remove air pockets, |
Wedgwood | Trademark |
wedgy | resembling a wedge in shape |
wee | Little, Urine, Urinate, |
weeded | A wild plant growing where it is not wanted and in competition with cultivated plants, British informal Remove unwanted plants from (an area of ground) |
weedier | Containing or covered with many weeds, British |
weediest | Containing or covered with many weeds, British |
weedy | Containing or covered with many weeds, British |
weekday | A day of the week other than Saturday or Sunday, |
weekly | Done, produced, or occurring once a week, Once a week, A newspaper or periodical issued every week, |
weeny | Tiny, |
weepier | Tearful; inclined to weep, A sentimental or emotional film, novel, or song, |
weepiest | Tearful; inclined to weep, A sentimental or emotional film, novel, or song, |
weeping | Shedding tears, Used in names of tree and shrub varieties with drooping branches, e, g, weeping cherry, |
weepy | Tearful; inclined to weep, A sentimental or emotional film, novel, or song, |
weer | Little, Urine, Urinate, |
weest | Little, Urine, Urinate, |
weighted | A body’s relative mass or the quantity of matter contained by it, giving rise to a downward force; the heaviness of a person or thing, A piece of metal known to weigh a definite amount and used on scales to determine how heavy an object or quantity of a substance is, The ability of someone or something to influence decisions or actions, The surface density of cloth, used as a measure of its quality, Hold (something) down by placing a heavy object on top of it, Attach importance or value to, Assign a handicap weight to (a horse), Treat (a fabric) with a substance to make it seem thicker and heavier, |
weightier | Weighing a great deal; heavy, |
weightiest | Weighing a great deal; heavy, |
weighty | Weighing a great deal; heavy, |
weird | Suggesting something supernatural; uncanny, A person’s destiny, weird someone out |
welcome | An instance or manner of greeting someone, Used to greet someone in a glad or friendly way, Greet (someone arriving) in a glad, polite, or friendly way, (of a guest or new arrival) gladly received, |
welcomed | An instance or manner of greeting someone, Used to greet someone in a glad or friendly way, Greet (someone arriving) in a glad, polite, or friendly way, (of a guest or new arrival) gladly received, |
welcoming | Behaving in a polite or friendly way to a guest or new arrival, |
welfare | The health, happiness, and fortunes of a person or group, |
well | In a good or satisfactory way, In a thorough manner, with modalIn good health; free or recovered from illness, Sensible; advisable, Used to express a range of emotions including surprise, anger, resignation, or relief, A shaft sunk into the ground to obtain water, oil, or gas, A plentiful source or supply, An enclosed space in the middle of a building, giving room for stairs or an elevator, or to allow light or ventilation, US Physics (of a liquid) rise to the surface and spill or be about to spill, |
well-advised | Sensible; wise, |
well-aimed | Accurately directed at a target, |
well-appointed | (of a building or room) having a high standard of equipment or furnishing, |
well-beloved | Dearly loved, greatly beloved, Chiefly in or with reference to royal letters, decrees, etc, , prefixed to the name or designation of a lord |
well-bred | Having or showing good breeding or manners, |
well-chosen | Carefully selected, especially for a particular effect, |
well-earned | Fully merited or deserved, |
well-fed | Having good meals regularly, |
well-formed | Correctly or attractively proportioned or shaped, |
well-found | (chiefly of a boat) well equipped and maintained, |
well-gotten | Especially of wealth, treasure, or the like |
well-heeled | Wealthy, |
well-hung | informal (of meat or game) hung until sufficiently dry, tender, or high before cooking, |
well-kept | (especially of property) kept clean, tidy, and in good condition, |
well-knit | (of a person) strongly and compactly built, |
well-made | Strongly or skillfully constructed, |
well-meant | Well intentioned, |
well-off | Wealthy, |
well-oiled | (especially of an organization) operating smoothly, informal |
well-paid | Earning or providing good pay, |
well-placed | Cleverly or judiciously positioned or deployed, |
well-read | (of a person) knowledgeable and informed as a result of extensive reading, |
well-set | (of a construction) firmly established; solidly fixed or arranged, |
well-spent | (of money or time) usefully or profitably expended, |
well-spoken | (of a person) speaking in an educated and refined manner, |
well-to-do | Wealthy; prosperous, |
well-turned | (of a compliment, phrase, or verse) elegantly expressed, (especially of an ankle or leg) having an elegant and attractive shape, |
well-won | Gained by hard work or honourable effort; well-earned, |
well-worn | Showing the signs of extensive use or wear, |
welsh | Relating to Wales, its people, or their language, The Celtic language of Wales, spoken by about 500,000 people (mainly bilingual in English), Descended from the Brythonic language spoken in most of Roman Britain, it has been strongly revived after a long decline, the Welshwelsh on |
Wesleyan | Relating to or denoting the teachings of John Wesley or the main branch of the Methodist Church which he founded, A follower of Wesley or adherent of the main Methodist tradition, |
west | The direction toward the point of the horizon where the sun sets at the equinoxes, on the left-hand side of a person facing north, or the part of the horizon lying in this direction, The western part of the world or of a specified country, region, or town, attributiveOf or denoting the western part of a specified area, city, or country or its inhabitants, To or toward the west, |
westbound | Leading or traveling toward the west, |
westering | (especially of the sun) nearing the west, |
westerly | Lying or moving in a westward position or direction, In or toward a westward position or direction, A wind blowing from the west, An industrial and resort town in southwestern Rhode Island, on the Connecticut border; population 23,377 (est, 2008), |
western | attributiveA film, television drama, or novel about cowboys in western North America, set especially in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, |
westernmost | Situated furthest to the west, |
westmost | Most westerly; westernmost, |
Westphalian | Relating to or characteristic of the former German province of Westphalia or its inhabitants, A native or inhabitant of the former German province of Westphalia, |
westward | Toward the west, In a westerly direction, A direction or region toward the west, |
wet | Covered or saturated with water or another liquid, British informal Cover or touch with liquid; moisten, Liquid that makes something damp, British US |
wetter | Covered or saturated with water or another liquid, British informal Cover or touch with liquid; moisten, Liquid that makes something damp, British US |
wetting | The action of making something wet, |
weaponed | weaponless | weariful |
weariless | wearish | weather-beaten |
weather-bound | weather-wise | webbier |
webbiest | wedge-shaped | weedless |
weighable | weightless | weightlessness |
weldable | weldless | welfarist |
well-acquainted | well-affected | well-balanced |
well-becoming | well-built | well-conditioned |
well-conducted | well-connected | well-coupled |
well-covered | well-defined | well-derived |
well-deserved | well-developed | well-directed |
well-disposed | well-educated | well-entered |
well-established | well-favoured | well-founded |
well-groomed | well-grounded | well-informed |
well-intentioned | well-judged | well-known |
well-lined | well-mannered | well-marked |
well-meaning | well-ordered | well-prepared |
well-preserved | well-proportioned | well-regulated |
well-respected | well-rounded | well-stacked |
well-tempered | well-thought-of | well-thought-out |
well-timed | well-tried | well-trodden |
well-upholstered | well-warranted | well-wishing |
Wendish | Wernerian | wersh |
Wertherian | westwardly | wettish |
63 Words That Start With WH Adjectives
whacked | informal |
whackier | Funny or amusing in a slightly odd or peculiar way. |
whackiest | Funny or amusing in a slightly odd or peculiar way. |
whacking | Very large. |
whacky | Funny or amusing in a slightly odd or peculiar way. |
whapping | Hit hard. A heavy blow, or the sound of such a blow. |
whate’er | Whatever. |
whatever | Used to emphasize a lack of restriction in referring to any thing or amount, no matter what. Used for emphasis instead of “what” in questions, typically expressing surprise or confusion. with negative informal Said as a response indicating a reluctance to discuss something, implying indifference, skepticism, or exasperation. |
whatsoe’er | Whatsoever. |
whatsoever | At all (used for emphasis)Whatever. |
wheaten | (especially of bread) made of wheat. |
wheeled | (of a vehicle or other object) having wheels to enable it to move over the ground. |
wheeling | A historic industrial city in northern West Virginia, on the Ohio River; population 28,913 (est. 2008). |
wheezier | Making the sound of a person wheezing. |
wheeziest | Making the sound of a person wheezing. |
wheezing | Breathing with a whistling or rattling sound in the chest. |
wheezy | Making the sound of a person wheezing. |
whelked | formed like a whelk shell |
whelped | A puppy. (of a female dog) give birth to (a puppy) |
wheyey | The watery part of milk that remains after the formation of curds. |
Whiggish | characteristic of Whigs or Whiggery |
whilom | Formerly; in the past. Former; erstwhile. |
whimsical | Playfully quaint or fanciful, especially in an appealing and amusing way. Acting or behaving in a capricious manner. |
whinier | Having a drawn-out, high-pitched, unpleasant sound. |
whiniest | Having a drawn-out, high-pitched, unpleasant sound. |
whining | The making of a long, high-pitched cry or sound. Making or characterized by a long, high-pitched cry or sound. |
whinny | A gentle, high-pitched neigh. (of a horse) make a gentle, high-pitched neigh. |
whiny | Having a drawn-out, high-pitched, unpleasant sound. |
whiplike | to take, pull, snatch, jerk, or otherwise move very quickly and forcefully |
whipping | A thrashing or beating with a whip or similar implement. Cord or twine used to bind or cover a rope. |
whippy | Flexible; springy. |
whip-tailed | having a tail like a whiplash |
whirling | Characterized by rapid movement round and round. |
whirring | (especially of a machine or a bird’s wings) make a low, continuous, regular sound. A low, continuous, regular sound. |
whiskered | a hair of the beard |
whiskery | a hair of the beard |
whispered | Speak very softly using one’s breath without one’s vocal cords, especially for the sake of privacy. A soft or confidential tone of voice; a whispered word or phrase. |
whispering | Speak very softly using one’s breath without one’s vocal cords, especially for the sake of privacy. A soft or confidential tone of voice; a whispered word or phrase. |
whist | A card game, usually for two pairs of players, in which points are scored according to the number of tricks won. |
whistleable | a small wind instrument in which sound is produced by the forcible passage of breath through a slit in a short tube |
white | Of the color of milk or fresh snow, due to the reflection of most wavelengths of visible light; the opposite of black. historical White color or pigment. The visible pale part of the eyeball around the iris. The outer part (white when cooked) which surrounds the yolk of an egg; the albumen. with modifierPaint or turn (something) white. |
white-collar | Relating to the work done or those who work in an office or other professional environment. |
whited | Of the color of milk or fresh snow, due to the reflection of most wavelengths of visible light; the opposite of black. historical White color or pigment. The visible pale part of the eyeball around the iris. The outer part (white when cooked) which surrounds the yolk of an egg; the albumen. with modifierPaint or turn (something) white. |
white-faced | Pale from fear, ill health, or tiredness. |
white-haired | Having hair of a white color, especially from age. |
white-hot | At white heat. |
white-livered | Cowardly, feeble-spirited, pusillanimous. Compare “liver”, “lily-livered”. |
whitened | Make or become white. |
whitewashed | (of a wall, building, or room) painted with whitewash. Concealing unpleasant facts about someone or something. |
whitish | having the color of new snow or milk |
Whitsun | The weekend or week including Whitsunday. |
whittling | Carve (wood) into an object by repeatedly cutting small slices from it. |
whity | A contemptuous term used by black people to refer to a white person or to white people collectively. |
whole | attributiveIn an unbroken or undamaged state; in one piece. A thing that is complete in itself. the wholeUsed to emphasize the novelty or distinctness of something. |
wholesale | The selling of goods in large quantities to be retailed by others. Being sold in large quantities to be retailed by others. Done on a large scale; extensive. Sell (goods) in large quantities at low prices to be retailed by others. |
wholesome | Conducive to or suggestive of good health and physical well-being. |
whole-souled | moved by ardent enthusiasm or single-minded devotion |
whole-wheat | Whole grains of wheat including the husk or outer layer. Denoting or made from wholewheat. |
wholistic | holistic |
whopping | Very large. |
whoreson | An unpleasant or greatly disliked person. |
whorish | (typically with reference to a woman) sexually promiscuous or provocative. |
whorled | having or arranged in whorls |
117 Adjectives Beginning With WI
wick | A strip of porous material up which liquid fuel is drawn by capillary action to the flame in a candle, lamp, or lighter. Absorb or draw off (liquid) by capillary action. (in place names) a town, hamlet, or district. British Quick, lively, or active. |
wicked | Evil or morally wrong. |
wicker | Pliable twigs, typically of willow, plaited or woven to make items such as furniture and baskets. |
widest | Of great or more than average width. Including a great variety of people or things. At a considerable or specified distance from a point or mark. Phonetics To the full extent. Far from a particular point or mark. A ball that is judged to be too wide of the stumps for the batter to play, for which an extra is awarded to the batting side. |
widowed | Having lost one’s spouse by death and not married again. |
wieldy | Easily controlled or handled. |
wifely | Characteristic of or relating to the role of a wife. |
wilful | US |
wilier | Skilled at gaining an advantage, especially deceitfully. |
willable | capable of being willed |
willed | in combinationBequeathed in a will. |
willful | US |
willing | Ready, eager, or prepared to do something. |
willowy | Bordered, shaded, or covered by willows. (of a person) tall, slim, and lithe. |
wilted | (of a plant, leaf, or flower) become limp through heat, loss of water, or disease; droop. Any of a number of fungal or bacterial diseases of plants characterized by wilting of the foliage. |
wily | Skilled at gaining an advantage, especially deceitfully. |
wimpish | Weak and cowardly or unadventurous. |
wimpy | Weak and cowardly or feeble. |
wind-borne | carried by the wind |
windburned | irritation of the skin caused by wind |
winded | The perceptible natural movement of the air, especially in the form of a current of air blowing from a particular direction. Breath as needed in physical exertion or in speech. British also windsCause (someone) to have difficulty breathing because of exertion or a blow to the stomach. Detect the presence of (a person or animal) by scent. literary no object, with adverbial of directionwith object and adverbialwith objectA twist or turn in a course. A single turn made when winding. |
windy | (of weather, a period of time, or a place) marked by or exposed to strong winds. British informal (of a road or river) following a curving or twisting course. |
winey | having the taste or qualities of wine |
winged | Having wings for flight. Having one or more lateral parts, appendages, or projections. |
winking | Close and open one eye quickly, typically to indicate that something is a joke or a secret or as a signal of affection or greeting. An act of closing and opening one eye quickly, typically as a signal. |
winnable | to get possession of by effort or fortune |
winter | The coldest season of the year, in the northern hemisphere from December to February and in the southern hemisphere from June to August. (of fruit and vegetables) ripening late in the growing season and suitable for storage over the winter. (especially of a bird) spend the winter in a particular place. |
wired | Making use of computers to transfer or receive information, especially by means of the internet. informal |
wiring | A system of wires providing electric circuits for a device or building. |
wiry | Resembling wire in form and texture. |
wise | Having or showing experience, knowledge, and good judgment. The manner or extent of something. |
wiser | Having or showing experience, knowledge, and good judgment. The manner or extent of something. |
wisest | Having or showing experience, knowledge, and good judgment. The manner or extent of something. |
wising | Having or showing experience, knowledge, and good judgment. The manner or extent of something. |
wispy | (of hair, threads, smoke, etc. ) fine; feathery. |
witchy | Relating to, resembling, or characteristic of a witch. |
withering | acting or serving to cut down or destroy |
withy | A tough, flexible branch of an osier or other willow, used for tying, binding, or basketry. |
wittier | Showing or characterized by quick and inventive verbal humor. |
witty | Showing or characterized by quick and inventive verbal humor. |
wizard | A man who has magical powers, especially in legends and fairy tales. Computing Wonderful; excellent. |
wide | wide-angle | wide-awake |
wide-eyed | wide-open | wider |
wide-ranging | wide-screen | widespread |
widish | wieldable | wieldier |
wieldiest | wifeless | wigged |
wigglier | wiggliest | wiggling |
wiggly | wight | wigless |
wiglike | wild | wild-eyed |
wiliest | will-less | willyard |
willy-nilly | wind-broken | windier |
windiest | windless | windowless |
windproof | wind-shaken | windswept |
windward | wing-footed | wingless |
winglike | winier | winiest |
winsome | winterier | winteriest |
winterweight | wintery | wintrier |
wintriest | winy | wire-haired |
wireless | wiretap | wised |
wishful | wishy-washy | wispier |
wispiest | wistful | witch-hunt |
witching | witchlike | withdrawing |
withdrawn | withered | witless |
witnessed | witted | wittiest |
witting | wizardly | wizen |
wizened |
95 Adjectives That Start With WO
woaded | Of cloth or wool |
wobbling | Move unsteadily from side to side. An unsteady movement from side to side. |
wobbly | Tending to move unsteadily from side to side. |
woebegone | Sad or miserable in appearance. |
woeful | Characterized by, expressive of, or causing sorrow or misery. |
woesome | Full of, characterized by, or evoking woe; woeful; terrible, dreadful; (in weakened use) sad, miserable. |
wolfish | Resembling or likened to a wolf, especially in being rapacious, voracious, or lascivious. |
womanish | derogatory |
womanless | an adult female person |
womanly | Having or denoting qualities and characteristics traditionally associated with or expected of women. |
wombed | Having a womb (†or belly), especially of a specified kind. |
won | The basic monetary unit of North and South Korea, equal to 100 jun in North Korea and 100 jeon in South Korea. |
wonderful | Inspiring delight, pleasure, or admiration; extremely good; marvelous. |
wondering | Characterized by or expressive of a desire to know something; curious. |
wonder-stricken | (of a person) experiencing a sudden feeling of awed delight or wonder. |
wonder-struck | (of a person) experiencing a sudden feeling of awed delight or wonder. |
wondrous | Inspiring a feeling of wonder or delight; marvelous. Marvelously; wonderfully. |
wonky | informal North American |
wonted | Habitual; usual. |
wood | The hard fibrous material that forms the main substance of the trunk or branches of a tree or shrub, used for fuel or timber. |
wooded | (of an area of land) covered with woods or many trees. |
wooden | Made of wood. Like or characteristic of wood. |
wooden-headed | Stupid. |
woodier | (of an area of land) covered with trees. North American US |
woodiest | (of an area of land) covered with trees. North American US |
woodless | having no wood |
woods | The hard fibrous material that forms the main substance of the trunk or branches of a tree or shrub, used for fuel or timber. |
woodsy | Relating to or characteristic of wood or woodlands. |
woodwind | Wind instruments other than brass instruments forming a section of an orchestra, including flutes, oboes, clarinets, and bassoons. |
woodworking | The activity or skill of making things from wood. |
woody | (of an area of land) covered with trees. North American US |
woolen | Made wholly or partly of wool. An article of clothing made of wool. |
woollen | Made wholly or partly of wool. An article of clothing made of wool. |
woolly | Made of wool. Vague or confused in expression or character. usually woolliesAustralian, New Zealand |
wool-stapler | A person who buys wool from a producer, grades it, and sells it to a manufacturer. |
woozier | Unsteady, dizzy, or dazed. |
wooziest | Unsteady, dizzy, or dazed. |
woozy | Unsteady, dizzy, or dazed. |
word-blind | Affected with word blindness. |
word-for-word | In exactly the same or, when translated, exactly equivalent words. |
wordier | Using or expressed in too many words. |
wordiest | Using or expressed in too many words. |
wordless | Not speaking or involving speech. (of a play, book, or other work) without words or speech. |
word-of-mouth | Spoken language; informal or unofficial discourse. |
word-perfect | correct in every detail |
wordy | Using or expressed in too many words. |
workable | Able to be worked, fashioned, or manipulated. Capable of producing the desired effect or result; practicable; feasible. |
workaday | Not special, unusual, or interesting in any way; ordinary. |
worked | Activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result. A task or tasks to be undertaken; something a person or thing has to do. Something done or made. worksworksusually worksPhysics the worksBe engaged in physical or mental activity in order to achieve a result; do work. (of a machine or system) operate or function, especially properly or effectively. (of a plan or method) have the desired result or effect. with object and adverbial or complementwith adverbial or complementBring into a specified state, especially an emotional state. |
working | Having paid employment. Functioning or able to function. (of a theory, definition, or title) used as the basis for work or argument and likely to be developed, adapted, or improved later. The action of doing work. workingsusually workings |
working-class | The socioeconomic group consisting of people who are employed in manual or industrial work. Relating to people belonging to the working class. |
workless | Having no paid work; unemployed. |
workmanlike | Showing efficient competence. |
work-shy | (of a person) lazy and disinclined to work. |
world | usually the worldA region or group of countries. Human and social interaction. |
world-beater | A person or thing that is better than all others in its field. |
worldly | (of a person) experienced and sophisticated. Of or concerned with material values or ordinary life rather than a spiritual existence. |
worldly-minded | Intent on worldly things. |
worldly-wise | Prepared by experience for life’s difficulties; not easily shocked or deceived. |
world-shaking | (in hyperbolic use) of supreme importance or having a momentous effect. |
world-weary | Feeling or indicating feelings of weariness, boredom, or cynicism as a result of long experience of life. |
worldwide | Extending or reaching throughout the world. Throughout the world. |
worm-eaten | (of organic tissue) eaten into by worms. |
worm-wheel | The wheel of a worm gear. |
wormy | (of organic tissue) infested with or eaten into by worms. informal |
worn | Damaged and shabby as a result of much use. |
worn-out | (of a person or animal) extremely tired; exhausted. Damaged or shabby to the point of being no longer usable. |
worried | Anxious or troubled about actual or potential problems. |
worrisome | Causing anxiety or concern. |
worrying | Causing anxiety about actual or potential problems; alarming. |
worse | Of poorer quality or lower standard; less good or desirable. predicative or as complementLess well or skilfully. A more serious or unpleasant event or situation. |
worsened | Make or become worse. |
worsening | Becoming worse; deteriorating. The process of becoming worse. |
worser | More harmful, painful, offensive, unpleasant, or severe. Less good, not so good, inferior; of lower quality or value; less favourable, advantageous, or attractive; more unskilful or inefficient. Less well; more ill, distressed, or upset. A person who or animal which is worse; one who is more wicked or inferior in qualities or performance. In plural. With possessive |
worshipful | Feeling or showing reverence and adoration. |
worshipless | Not engaging in or involving religious worship. literary |
worshipped | The feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity. Show reverence and adoration for (a deity); honor with religious rites. |
worshipping | The feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity. Show reverence and adoration for (a deity); honor with religious rites. |
worst | Most severely or seriously. The most serious or unpleasant thing that could happen. Get the better of; defeat. |
worth | Equivalent in value to the sum or item specified. The value equivalent to that of someone or something under consideration; the level at which someone or something deserves to be valued or rated. |
worthful | Having worth or value; valuable; precious. |
worthless | Having no real value or use. |
worthwhile | Worth the time, money, or effort spent; of value or importance. |
worthy | Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in a specified way. A person notable or important in a particular sphere. |
would-be | Desiring or aspiring to be a specified type of person. |
wound | An injury to living tissue caused by a cut, blow, or other impact, typically one in which the skin is cut or broken. Inflict an injury on (someone) |
wounded | Inflicted with a wound; injured. |
wounding | Causing physical injury. |
woundless | free from wounds |
wound-up | the act of bringing to an end |
woven | a woven fabric |
wobegone | woolly-headed | world-shattering |
38 Adjectives Starting With WR, WU, WY
wraparound | Curving or extending around at the edges or sides. A wraparound garment. Computing |
wrapped | to cover especially by winding or folding |
wrath | Extreme anger (chiefly used for humorous or rhetorical effect) |
wrathful | Full of or characterized by intense anger. |
wreathed | Cover, surround, or encircle (something)Form (flowers, leaves, or stems) into a wreath. |
wreathless | having no wreath |
wrecked | Having been wrecked. informal British |
wreckful | causing wreck |
wrenching | A sudden violent twist or pull. A feeling of sadness or distress caused by one’s own or another’s departure. A tool used for gripping and turning nuts, bolts, pipes, etc. Mechanics Pull or twist (someone or something) suddenly and violently. |
wretched | deeply afflicted, dejected, or distressed in body or mind |
wrier | Using or expressing dry, especially mocking, humor. (of a person’s face or features) twisted into an expression of disgust, disappointment, or annoyance. archaic |
wriest | Using or expressing dry, especially mocking, humor. (of a person’s face or features) twisted into an expression of disgust, disappointment, or annoyance. archaic |
wriggling | Twist and turn with quick writhing movements. wriggle out ofA wriggling movement. |
wriggly | to move the body or a bodily part to and fro with short writhing motions like a worm |
wrinklier | Having many lines or folds. |
wrinkliest | Having many lines or folds. |
wrinkly | Having many lines or folds. |
write-in | US |
writhed | Make continual twisting, squirming movements or contortions of the body. |
writhen | being twisted or contorted |
writhing | Making twisting, squirming movements or contortions of the body. |
written | Mark (letters, words, or other symbols) on a surface, typically paper, with a pen, pencil, or similar implement. Compose, write, and send (a letter) to someone. Compose (a text or work) for written or printed reproduction or publication; put into literary form and set down in writing. Computing Underwrite (an insurance policy). |
wrong | Not correct or true; incorrect. Unjust, dishonest, or immoral. In an unsuitable or undesirable manner or direction. An unjust, dishonest, or immoral action. Act unjustly or dishonestly toward. |
wronged | being injured unjustly |
wrongful | (of an act) not fair, just, or legal. |
wroth | Angry. |
wrought | (of metals) beaten out or shaped by hammering. |
wrought-iron | A tough malleable form of iron suitable for forging or rolling rather than casting, obtained by puddling pig iron while molten. It is nearly pure but contains some slag in the form of filaments. |
wrought-up | Upset and anxious. |
wry | Using or expressing dry, especially mocking, humor. (of a person’s face or features) twisted into an expression of disgust, disappointment, or annoyance. archaic |
wud | insane, mad |
wuthering | (of weather) characterized by strong winds. |
wrapround | wrathless | wrinkled |
wry-necked |
Conclusion
There are a lot of great adjectives that start with the letter W. Some of these words describe physical characteristics, like “wrinkled” or “wan.” Others refer to personality traits, like “wicked” or “wheedling.” And still others are just fun to say, like “woolly” or “waggish.” No matter what you’re looking for, there’s sure to be a W adjective that’s perfect for the job.