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.
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| 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.
List of words now alphabetical by column, repeated words deleted, optimised for mobile view.