Words Used To Describe Characters In Performance
Here is a list of nearly 400 words I have compiled that will assist students of drama and theatre to describe characters in performance. Often as part of their coursework, students need to analyse the play making process of a piece of their own work or evaluate a performance by themselves or others. Questions about character traits and qualities can also appear in written examinations.
| able | extrovert | perfectionist |
| accepting | exuberant | perky |
| accountable | fair | persistent |
| adaptable | fair-minded | personable |
| addictive | faithful | persuasive |
| adventurous | fancy | philosophical |
| affable | fastidious | picky |
| affectionate | fat | pioneering |
| aggressive | fearless | pitiful |
| agile | feisty | placid |
| agreeable | fighter | plain |
| alert | flawed | playful |
| ambitious | flexible | pleasant |
| amiable | focused | pleasing |
| amicable | foil | plucky |
| amusing | forceful | polite |
| angelic | forgiving | poor |
| annoying | frank | popular |
| antagonist | free | powerful |
| anti-hero | friendly | practical |
| anxious | frustrated | prim |
| ardent | fun-loving | problem-solver |
| arrogant | funny | procedural |
| articulate | fussy | proper |
| artistic | generous | protagonist |
| assertive | gentle | proud |
| astute | giving | prudent |
| athletic | gorgeous | punctual |
| attentive | gracious | quick-witted |
| autonomous | grateful | quiet |
| available | gregarious | rational |
| awkward | grouchy | realistic |
| babyish | grumpy | rebellious |
| bad-tempered | gutsy | recluse |
| benevolent | handsome | reflective |
| big-headed | happy | relaxed |
| blunt | hardworking | reliable |
| boastful | harsh | reserved |
| bold | heavy | resourceful |
| boring | helpful | responsible |
| bossy | hero | reverent |
| brave | heroine | rich |
| bright | honest | rigid |
| busy | honourable | romantic |
| calm | hopeful | rotund |
| candid | hospitable | round |
| capable | humble | rude |
| careful | humorous | sad |
| careless | imaginative | sassy |
| caring | immature | self-assured |
| caustic | immodest | self-aware |
| cautious | impartial | self-confident |
| charismatic | imperfect | self-disciplined |
| charming | impulsive | selfish |
| chatty | independent | sensible |
| cheerful | industrious | sensitive |
| childlike | insightful | serious |
| civil | intellectual | sharp |
| classy | intelligent | short |
| clever | intimate | shrewd |
| clingy | intolerant | shy |
| clumsy | introverted | silly |
| cold | intuitive | simple |
| communicative | inventive | simple-minded |
| compassionate | inward | sincere |
| compelling | irritating | skinny |
| complex | jealous | smart |
| conceited | jocular | sneering |
| condescending | joyful | snivelling |
| confident | judgemental | sober |
| conscientious | keen | sociable |
| conservative | kind | soft |
| considerate | knowledgeable | sombre |
| content | laid-back | spirited |
| convivial | larger-than-life | sporty |
| cool | lazy | stable |
| cooperative | leader | static |
| courageous | lethargic | stock |
| courteous | light | stocky |
| coward | light-hearted | straightforward |
| creative | likeable | strong |
| creepy | likely | strong |
| curious | listener | stubborn |
| cynical | loud | studious |
| dainty | loveable | stupid |
| daring | loving | successful |
| dark | loyal | sympathetic |
| dashing | lucky | tactful |
| decisive | manipulative | talkative |
| defiant | materialistic | tall |
| demanding | mature | technological |
| dependable | mean | temperamental |
| determined | meek | territorial |
| devious | melancholy | thick-skinned |
| devout | mellow | thorough |
| diligent | merry | thoughtful |
| dim | messy | thrifty |
| diplomatic | meticulous | thrilling |
| direct | mighty | tidy |
| disagreeable | mischievous | tidy |
| discerning | modest | timid |
| discreet | moody | tired |
| disgruntled | motivated | tolerant |
| disorganised | naive | tough |
| disruptive | nasty | tranquil |
| distant | neat | trustworthy |
| distinct | needy | truthful |
| dramatic | nervous | ugly |
| dreamer | networker | unassuming |
| dreary | neurotic | understanding |
| dull | nice | unique |
| dutiful | noble | unlucky |
| dynamic | noisy | unselfish |
| eager | nurturing | unstable |
| easy-going | obedient | untidy |
| effective | obnoxious | upbeat |
| efficient | observant | vain |
| egotistical | opinionated | versatile |
| eloquent | optimistic | virtuous |
| embarrassed | orderly | warm |
| emotional | organised | warmhearted |
| energetic | ostentatious | wild |
| enquiring | outgoing | willing |
| enthusiastic | outward | wise |
| ethical | overweight | wise |
| evasive | passionate | witless |
| exceptional | passive | witty |
| excitable | patient | wonderful |
| excited | patriotic | youthful |
| expert | perfect | zealous |
Not sure of the meaning of a word on the list? Look it up in the dictionary.
Really appreciate your good words, it makes it less stressful to get the best expression for your character
List of words now alphabetical by column, repeated words deleted, optimised for mobile view.