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.
Advertisements
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.