Characters in Performance – 300 Wonderful Words To Describe Them

Here is an updated and improved list of over 300 words I have compiled that will assist students of drama and theatre to describe characters in performance. Each word is accompanied by several easy-to-understand synonyms to help define it. In the process, each of the synonyms can also be used to describe characters, making the total list over 1,500 different adjectives!

Often as part of their coursework, students see professional theatre performances and then come back to class to describe the characters in the play or musical. The list of adjectives in this post will assist in describing character traits and the type of person seen in the show. Was she bossy, affable, fearless, or loyal? Perhaps the character was honourable, energetic, industrious, or self-assured? Whatever the character presented, this list will help students of theatre describe them.

300 Adjectives That Describe Characters

Words	Meaning via Simple Synonyms
able	capable, skilled, competent, proficient, fitted
accepting	tolerant, patient, composed, unemotional
accountable	answerable, reasonable, definable, unsurprising
adaptable	versatile, flexible, changeable, amenable,
addictive	gripping, enthralling, fascinating, riveting
adventurous	bold, audacious, fearless, undaunted
affable	cordial, affable, sociable, pleasant, hospitable
affectionate	caring, loving, warm, tender, comforting
aggressive	antagonistic, hostile, argumentative, adversarial
agile	nimble, deft, sprightly, active, light-footed
agreeable	delightful, pleasant, enjoyable, palatable, nice
alert	vigilant, observant, wary, cautious, guarded
ambitious	aspiring, driven, determined, spirited, assertive
amiable	agreeable, affable, pleasant, friendly, kind
amicable	warm, sociable, cordial, genial
amusing	comical, humourous, witty, laughable, jocular
angelic	heavenly, divine, kind, innocent, beautiful
annoying	irritating, bothersome, irksome, agitating
antagonist	enemy, foe, adversary, nemesis, hostile
anti-hero	villain, antagonist, rival, archenemy, opponent
anxious	concerned, worried, nervous, uneasy, troubled
ardent	passionate, fierce, enthusiastic, spirited, vigorous
arrogant	smug, egotistical, boastful, prideful, brash
articulate	eloquent, persuasive, coherent, expressive, intelligible
artistic	inventive, original, inspired, cultivated, perceptive
assertive	bold, assured, decisive, determined, strong-willed
astute	sharp, quick, insightful, judicious, shrewd
athletic	muscly, strapping, brawny, burly, ripped, fit
attentive	watchful, observant, perceptive, mindful, acute
autonomous	independent, uncontrolled, self-reliant, liberated
available	accessible, unengaged, gettable, reachable
awkward	nervous, self-conscious, shy, introverted, nervy
babyish	childish, immature, infantile, juvenile, adolescent
bad-tempered	grumpy, grouchy, testy, crotchety, ill-tempered
benevolent	kind-hearted, warm-hearted, gracious, good-natured
big-headed	arrogant, cocky, boastful, egotistical, self-congratulatory
blunt	direct, forthright, candid, upfront, frank
boastful	pompous, conceited, arrogant, self-assured, swaggering
bold	brash, forward, audacious, cocky, shameless
boring	dull, tedious, mundane, dreary, humdrum, uninspiring
bossy	domineering, overbearing, dictatorial, dominating, controlling
brave	fearless, valiant, heroic, undaunted, unflinching
bright	clever, intelligent, sharp, smart, astute
busy	occupied, active, industrious, lively, engaged
calm	serene, tranquil, peaceful, relaxed, passive
candid	frank, forthright, blunt, open, honest
capable	competent, efficient, able, accomplished, skilled
careful	aware, vigilant, guarded, mindful, measured
careless	inattentive, negligent, reckless, remiss, sloppy
caring	kind-hearted, tender, compassionate, thoughtful, considerate
caustic	cutting, biting, corrosive, stinging, destructive
cautious	alert, aware, heedful, guarded, vigilant
charismatic	charming, magnetic, captivating, mesmerising, alluring
charming	delightful, pleasant, fetching, likeable, endearing
chatty	talkative, gossipy, conversational, motormouthed
cheerful	happy, merry, glad, bright, bubbly, sprightly
childlike	youthful, adolescent, naive, unaffected, green, innocent
civil	courteous, polite, affable, mannerly, cultivated
classy	dignified, noble, honourable, respectable, upright
clever	bright, smart, gifted, educated, intelligent
clingy	needy, dependent, insecure, reliant, possessive
clumsy	awkward, uncoordinated, gangling, ungraceful, gawky
cold	unfriendly, inhospitable, lukewarm, stony, remote
communicative	friendly, talkative, outgoing, approachable, affable
compassionate	empathetic, understanding, caring, sympathetic, tender-hearted
compelling	enthralling, captivating, engrossing riveting, alluring
complex	complicated, involved, elaborate, difficult
conceited	vain, narcissistic, arrogant, pompous, proud
condescending	patronising, snobbish, haughty, snooty, superior
confident	assured, assertive, collected, composed, unperturbed
conscientious	diligent, industrious, tireless, persevering, unflagging
conservative	traditional, conventional, orthodox, stable, moderate
considerate	thoughtful, concerned, mindful, unselfish, accommodating
content	satisfied, pleased, gratified, fulfilled, happy
convivial	friendly, affable, congenial, agreeable, outgoing, sociable
cool	calm, collected, composed, unruffled, poised
cooperative	helpful, collaborative, accommodating, willing, amenable
courageous	brave, fearless, valiant, daring, bold
courteous	polite, well-mannered, respectful, civil, cordial
cowardly	faint-hearted, lily-livered, spineless, gutless, wimpish
creative	imaginative, visionary, genius, artistic, original
creepy	scary, terrifying, chilling, eerie, macabre
curious	intrigued, interested, eager, inquisitive, inquiring
cynical	sceptical, doubting, mistrustful, suspicious, disbelieving
dainty	delicate, refined, pretty, delightful, exquisite
daring	brave, bold, courageous, fearless, audacious
dark	moody, sullen, brooding, glum, dour
dashing	refined, sophisticated, cultivated, suave, polished
decisive	purposeful, firm, dogged, determined, resolved
defiant	resistant, obstinate, rebellious, disobedient
demanding	difficult, testing, taxing, challenging, arduous
dependable	reliable, trustworthy, faithful, loyal, steadfast
determined	driven, single-minded, firm, unswerving, intent
devious	deceitful, underhanded, sly, cunning, wily
devout	pious, religious, righteous, virtuous, moral
diligent	industrious, conscientious, occupied, engaged, active
dim	dense, dumb, stupid, ignorant, brainless
diplomatic	tactful, prudent, sensitive, subtle, discreet
direct	straightforward, forthright, explicit, candid, sincere
disagreeable	objectionable, unpalatable, unpleasant, repugnant, reprehensible
discerning	perceptive, wise, judicious, cultured, enlightened
discreet	prudent, tactful, cautious, circumspect, wary
disgruntled	dissatisfied, discontented, aggrieved, vexed, aggravated
disorganised	chaotic, messy, cluttered, disorderly, muddled
disruptive	troublesome, unruly, bothersome, intrusive, disturbing
distant	remote, vague, hazy, unclear, obscure
dramatic	exaggerated, ostentatious, stagy, artificial, forced
dreamy	thoughtful, reflective, pensive, vague, absorbed
dreary	dry, dull, drab, uninteresting, tedious
dull	boring, flat, characterless, uninteresting, lifeless
dutiful	responsible, faithful, loyal, devoted, steadfast
dynamic	energetic, vigorous, spirited, lively, high-powered
eager	keen, enthusiastic, fervent, diligent, passionate
easy-going	even-tempered, relaxed, mellow, happy-go-lucky, carefree
effective	constructive, productive, fruitful, powerful, fruitful
efficient	methodical, systematic, structured, productive, economical
egotistical	conceited, smug, self-absorbed, narcissistic, vain
eloquent	articulate, expressive, fluent, persuasive, suggestive
embarrassed	mortified, apologetic, regretful, sheepish, blushing
emotional	hot-blooded, temperamental, melodramatic, tempestuous, loving
energetic	active lively, animated, zestful, spirited
enquiring	inquisitive, probing, curious, querying, scrutinising
enthusiastic	eager, keen, fervent, passionate, vigorous
ethical	honourable, virtuous, moral, right-minded, righteous
evasive	elusive, secretive, avoiding, escaping, circumventing
exceptional	extraordinary, outstanding, phenomenal, remarkable, unparalleled
excitable	volatile, emotional, agitated, jittery, fluttery
excited	enthusiastic, jovial, eager, energised, keen,
expert	specialist, authority, master, aficionado, virtuoso
extroverted	outgoing, gregarious, assertive, lively, exuberant
exuberant	animated, spirited, breezy, light-hearted, vivacious
fair-minded	equitable, unprejudiced, unbiased, impartial, non-discriminatory
faithful	loyal, reliable, steadfast, trustworthy, devoted
fancy	extravagant, expensive, lavish, exorbitant, upmarket
fastidious	meticulous, particular, fussy, perfectionist, picky
fearless	brazen, audacious, daring, bold, courageous
feisty	spirited, plucky, antagonistic, combative, hostile
fighter	survivor, trooper, stayer, champion, stalwart
flawed	inadequate, deficient, inferior, imperfect, broken
flexible	easygoing, adaptable, versatile, accommodating, amenable
focused	attentive, observant, concentrated, engrossed, enrapt
foil	conflicting, opposite, contrast
forceful	bold, determined, fierce, aggressive, assertive
forgiving	merciful, lenient, compassionate, gracious, pitying
frank	direct, candid, forthright, honest, open
free	safe, immune, relieved, exempt, unencumbered
friendly	amiable, genial, cordiala, sociable, convivial
frustrated	agitated, perturbed, flustered, bothered, annoyed
fun-loving	joyful, playful, boisterous, frivolous, outgoing
funny	comical, amusing, humourous, laughable, hysterical
fussy	particular, fastidious, detailed, picky, choosy
generous	gracious, unselfish, liberal, courteous, mannerly
gentle	delicate, kind, tender, humane, good-natured
giving	generous, charitable, unselfish, bighearted, thoughtful
gorgeous	attractive, good-looking, charming, charismatic, enchanting
gracious	kindly, courteous, mannerly, considerate, genteel
grateful	appreciative, indebted, thankful, pleased, obliged
gregarious	sociable, outgoing, friendly, affable, cordial
grouchy	grumpy, cross, irritable, moody, churlish
grumpy	ill-tempered, crabby, crotchety, cranky, cross
gutsy	bold, fearless, courageous, heroic, audacious
happy	contented, cheery, joyful, merry, satisfied
hardworking	diligent, conscientious, industrious, tireless, painstaking
harsh	cruel, barbaric, ruthless, severe, unsympathetic
heavy	weighty, bulky, rotund, stocky, plump
helpful	practical, useful, accommodating, obliging, generous
heroic	brave, courageous, gallant, bold, daring
honest	genuine, upright, honourable, upright, moral
honourable	respectable upstanding, worthy, decent, ethical
hopeful	optimistic, positive, encouraging, promising, reassuring
hospitable	welcoming, congenial, friendly, cordial, amendable
humble	unassuming, unpretentious, meek, modest, demure
humourous	comical, witty, amusing, entertaining, jocular
imaginative	creative, inventive, innovative, inspired, visionary
impartial	neutral, unbiased, non-partisan, uninvolved
impulsive	spontaneous, hasty, impetuous, rash, whimsical
independent	autonomous, self-reliant, self-made, self-sufficient, unaided
industrious	diligent, dynamic, engaged, active, energetic
insightful	intuitive, perceptive, judicious, wise, incisive
intellectual	scholarly, learned, studious, cultivated, enlightened
intolerant	impatient, unforgiving, narrow-minded, rigid
irritating	annoying, infuriating, exasperating, maddening, aggravating
jealous	envious, covetous, malicious, spiteful, resentful
jocular	humourous, funny, witty, comical, entertaining
joyful	cheerful, happy, jolly, light-hearted, effervescent
judgemental	critical, disapproving, deprecating, negative, self-righteous
laid-back	relaxed, informal, friendly, easy-going
larger-than-life	flamboyant, confident, over-the-top, flashy, excessive
lazy	slothful, idle, plodding, inactive, lethargic
lethargic	sluggish, slow, lifeless, languid, sleepy
light-hearted	cheerful, breezy, merry, cheery, gleeful
likeable	affable. agreeable, amicable, pleasant, friendly
loveable	adorable, charming, delightful, captivating
loving	devoted, doting, caring, tender, warm-hearted
loyal	faithful, dedicated, dutiful, honourable, reliable
lucky	fortunate, blessed, fortuitous
manipulative	scheming, crafty, calculating, canny, conniving
mean	nasty, unkind, spiteful, unpleasant, vicious
meek	gentle, quiet, shy, retiring, unassuming
melancholy	sorrowful, mournful, sad, depressed, down
mellow	easy-going, tolerant, amiable, good-natured, agreeable
meticulous	exact, detailed, particular, thorough, fastidious
mischievous	naughty, devilish, rascally, roguish, deviant
modest	humble, unassuming, unpretentious, demure, reserved
motivated	inspired, stimulated, encouraged, aroused
naive	inexperienced, gullible, innocent, dewy-eyed, wide-eyed
needy	clingy, insecure, desperate, dependent, reliant
nervous	jumpy, skittish, tense, uneasy, edgy
neurotic	unstable, obsessive, unbalanced
noble	dignified, virtuous, upright, worthy, upstanding
obnoxious	detestable, contemptible, deplorable, disagreeable, unpleasant
opinionated	dogmatic, assertive, cocksure, inflexible, pontifical
passionate	intense, fiery, fervent, ardent, spirited
persistent	persevering, incessant, determined, resolute, single-minded
personable	agreeable, charming, nice, amiable, affable
persuasive	compelling, convincing, influential
philosophical	analytical, rational, thoughtful, learned, scholarly
placid	quiet, calm, tranquil, peaceful, serene
plain	ordinary, simple, basic, unadorned, modest
pleasant	enjoyable, agreeable, delightful, charming, attractive
polite	courteous, well-mannered, respectful, mannerly
powerful	influential, strong, important, dominant, potent
practical	pragmatic, functional, workable, useful, helpful
protagonist	lead, principal, main
proud	conceited, vain, arrogant, self-important, boastful
prudent	wise, judicious, wary, diplomatic, cautious
quick-witted	astute, quick-thinking, sharp, she’d, penetrating
quiet	silent, speechless, hushed, serene, tranquil
rational	sensible, reasoned, lucid, coherent, sane
realistic	believable, lifelike, naturalistic, authentic, representational
rebellious	defiant, disobedient, unruly, wayward, resistant
reclusive	solitary, hermit-like, secluded, withdrawn, retiring
relaxed	chilled, easygoing, collected,
reliable	dependable, trustworthy, dutiful, unfailing
reserved	quiet, private, self-restrained, withdrawn, guarded
resourceful	inventive, imaginative, creative, capable, talented
reverent	respectful, admiring, devoted, devout
romantic	devoted, passionate, affectionate, caring adoring
rude	impolite, disrespectful, impolite, discourteous, tactless
sassy	spirited, lively, vivacious, feisty, animated
self-assured	confident, composed, assertive, together, unruffled
selfish	self-centred, thoughtless, unthinking, uncaring, miserly
sensible	practical, pragmatic, responsible, balanced, level-headed
sensitive	sympathetic, compassionate, understanding, intuitive, receptive
serious	earnest, firm, profound, absorbing, considered
shrewd	canny, savvy, crafty, calculating, wily
shy	bashful, sheepish, reserved, mousy, retiring
simple-minded	slow, backward, dense, moronic, half-witted
sincere	honest, candid, frank, truthful, genuine
sneering	scoffing, contemptuous, scornful, derogatory, arrogant
snivelling	blubbering, tearful, complaining, moaning, whining
sociable	friendly, affable, cordial, agreeable, amicable
soft	kind, gentle, mild, soothing, sensitive, affectionate
sombre	glum, down, solemn, serious, grave
spirited	lively, vivacious, energetic, animated, vibrant
sporty	athletic, fit, active, ripped, shredded
stable	balanced, sane, secure, rational, steadfast
static	fixed, dormant, changeless, inert
stock	standard, staple, customary, conventional, stereotyped, traditional
straightforward	candid, frank, honest, direct, forthright
strong	determined, self-assertive, tough, firm, formidable
stubborn	headstrong, uncompromising, adamant, obstinate, strong-willed
studious	intellectual, academic, scholarly, bookish, learned
stupid	idiotic, dopey, ignorant, foolish, brainless
successful	prosperous, thriving, flourishing, eminent, fruitful
sympathetic	compassionate, empathetic, understanding, pitying, caring
tactful	discreet, discerning, delicate, diplomatic, judicious
talkative	chatty, conversational, gossipy, babbling, blathering
tall	towering, colossal, gigantic, lofty, soaring
temperamental	volatile, emotional, fiery, hot-headed, erratic
territorial	possessive, jealous, defensive, protective
thick-skinned	unaffected, unruffled, heartless, unsympathetic, pitiless
thorough	rigorous, exhaustive, in-depth, meticulous, detailed
thoughtful	considerate, kind, contemplative, reflective, philosophical
thrifty	economical, frugal, sparing, prudent, scrimping
tidy	orderly, neat, smart, spruce, dapper
timid	frightened, apprehensive, faint-hearted, bashful, reserved
tired	fatigued, exhausted, weary, spent, drained
tolerant	forgiving, kind, patient, unprejudiced, open-minded
tough	resilient, strong, hardy, determined, resolute, dogged
tranquil	peaceful, quiet, serene, calm, placid, subdued
trustworthy	reliable, responsible, dependable, steadfast, upright
truthful	honest, sincere, genuine, trustworthy, frank
ugly	unattractive, plain, hideous, unappealing, ghastly
unassuming	meek, unpretentious, modest, humble, restrained
understanding	empathetic, sympathetic, kind, compassionate, considerate
unique	distinctive, uncommon, individual, special, distinguishing
unlucky	unfortunate, hapless, wretched, doomed, hopeless
unselfish	selfless, giving, generous, unsparing, charitable
unstable	erratic, unbalanced, disturbed, demented, troubled
untidy	disorganised, messy, cluttered, dishevelled, unkempt
upbeat	cheerful, positive, confident, optimistic, jovial
vain	arrogant, smug, conceited, narcissistic, self-absorbed
versatile	adaptable, flexible, handy, multifaceted, resourceful
virtuous	honourable, righteous, moral, upstanding, principled
warm	cordial, friendly, sociable, affable, affectionate
warmhearted	kind, compassionate, sympathetic, tenderhearted, thoughtful
wild	untamed, uncultivated, frantic, frenzied, beserk
willing	obliging, accommodating, helpful, enthusiastic, amenable
wise	knowledgeable, learned, enlightened, sage, clever
witless	dense, idiotic, dopey, foolish, stupid
witty	humourous, funny, comical, amusing, clever
wonderful	excellent, fabulous, extraordinary, awesome, marvellous
youthful	childish, sprightly, vigorous, boyish, girlish
zealous	fiery, passionate, devoted, enthusiastic, committed

Words appearing in this post will also assist students in trying to define their character when studying or preparing monologues for class or for auditions. This list will also prove handy when preparing for end-of-semester or end-of-year written examinations.