There are actually very few adjectives that start with J, including jubilant, jaded, jovial, jumpy, jittery, jealous, judgmental, jocose, jolly, and jagged. It’s important to note that while these J adjectives may not be as common as those that start with other letters, they can still be useful in adding variety and nuance to your writing.
Adjectives that Start with J
What Are Adjectives that Start with J?
In English, the letter J did not appear until near the end of the Middle Ages. It was the last letter added to the alphabet, and began “life” as the letter I. It was initially used in Roman Numerals to show the last letter i. For example, you may have seen “xij” for the number 12.
In 1524, Gian Giorgio Trissino (an Italian poet and studier of language) identified a distinction between the sounds made by I and J. He is sometimes known as “the father of the letter J”). His contribution is important because he traced the word lineage for the word “Jesus.” In Greek, the word was spelled “lesus.” This was a translation of the Hebrew “Yeshua.”
Even still, the first English language book to include words with the letter J did not appear until 1634. The letter J has roughly 400 years of use, so while the letter Q is the most infrequently used letter, J runs a close second.
Descriptive Adjectives that Start with J
Below are 44 descriptive adjectives that start with J.
| Adjective | Examples |
|---|---|
| Jacketed | The jacketed book was well-preserved. |
| Jacobean | The Jacobean furniture was ornate and grand. |
| Jaded | The jaded traveler was unimpressed by the view. |
| Jadish | The jadish gemstone glimmered in the light. |
| Jaggy | The jaggy rocks made for a difficult climb. |
| Jamaican | Jamaican cuisine was spicy and flavorful. |
| Jammed | The jammed elevator was stuck between floors. |
| Jangling | The jangling keys were a distraction. |
| Jarring | The jarring color scheme clashed with the decor. |
| Jaunty | The jaunty music put everyone in a good mood. |
| Jawed | The alligator had a powerful jawed bite that could easily crush its prey. |
| Jealous | The jealous ex-boyfriend was always watching. |
| Jeering | The jeering crowd heckled the performer. |
| Jerky | The jerky car ride made her nauseous. |
| Jestful | The jestful banter between friends was amusing. |
| Jesting | The jesting comedian had the audience in stitches. |
| Jewish | The Jewish community celebrated Hanukkah. |
| Jiggish | The jiggish dance had everyone on their feet. |
| Jocular | The jocular host kept the party lively. |
| Jointed | The jointed toy robot could move its limbs. |
| Jolly | The jolly Santa Claus brought cheer to the kids. |
| Journalistic | The journalist wrote a compelling and journalistic article about the current political climate. |
| Jovial | The host of a party with a jovial demeanor. |
| Joyful | A child’s joyful expression on Christmas morning. |
| Joyless | His joyless attitude towards his job. |
| Jubilant | The jubilant celebration after winning a championship. |
| Judaic | The Judaic tradition emphasizes the importance of studying the Torah. |
| Judaistic | The Judaistic traditions were evident in the family’s Passover celebration. |
| Judge | The judge presiding over a court case. |
| Judgmental | A judgmental attitude towards people with tattoos. |
| Judicial | The judicial branch of government is responsible for interpreting and enforcing the law |
| Jugular | The doctor’s examination of the patient’s jugular vein. |
| Juiceless | The orange I just peeled was completely juiceless. |
| Junior | The junior team member was eager to learn and contribute to the project. |
| Jurassic | A Jurassic fossil discovered by a paleontologist. |
| Jurist | The jurist analyzed the case thoroughly before making a decision. |
| Just | A just decision made by a judge. |
| Justifiable | The punishment given to the criminal was justifiable based on the severity of the crime. |
| Justified | The criticism of the company’s decision to lay off employees was not justified, as it was necessary for the company’s survival. |
| Jutting | The jutting rock formation made it difficult for the hikers to pass through. |
| Juvenile | The juvenile delinquent was caught stealing from a convenience store. |
Positive Adjectives that Start with J
Below are 26 adjectives that start with J that indicate something positive.
| Adjective | Examples |
|---|---|
| Jaculable | The javelin is a jaculable weapon. |
| Jake | That’s a jake idea for the project. |
| Jaunty | She wore a jaunty hat to the party. |
| Jazzy | The band played a jazzy tune that got everyone dancing. |
| Jessant | The coat of arms had a lion depicted in a jessant position. |
| Jeweled | She wore a jeweled necklace to the ball. |
| Jiggish | The children were jiggish as they played in the park. |
| Jim-dandy | That’s a jim-dandy performance by the team. |
| Jocose | He was always jocose in the office, making everyone laugh. |
| Jocoserious | The keynote speech was jocoserious, blending humor and important information. |
| Jocular | The comedian’s jocular style had the audience in stitches. |
| Jocund | The jocund atmosphere at the party lifted everyone’s spirits. |
| Jokey | He had a jokey manner that put everyone at ease. |
| Jolif | The jolif music made the celebration even more festive. |
| Jolly | The jolly Santa Claus brought smiles to all the children’s faces. |
| Jovial | The jovial mood of the party was contagious. |
| Joyful | She was filled with a joyful sense of accomplishment. |
| Joyous | The joyous occasion brought together family and friends. |
| Joysome | The joysome news was a relief to all who heard it. |
| Jubilant | The jubilant fans cheered wildly as their team won the championship. |
| Judicious | His judicious decision saved the company from financial ruin. |
| Juicy | The juicy gossip about the celebrity spread quickly. |
| Junoesque | The model’s junoesque figure made her stand out on the runway. |
| Just | The judge made a just decision in the case. |
| Justifiable | His actions were justifiable given the circumstances. |
| Justified | Her anger was justified after she was treated unfairly. |
Negative Adjectives that Start with J
Below are 20 adjectives that start J that indicate something negative.
| Adjective | Definition |
|---|---|
| Jabber | Talk rapidly and incoherently |
| Jaded | Lacking enthusiasm or energy due to overexposure or overindulgence |
| Jagged | Having a rough or uneven edge or surface |
| Jam | A difficult or tight situation |
| Jammed | Squeezed tightly or stuck |
| Jarring | Incongruous in a striking or unpleasant way |
| Jaundiced | Having a biased or prejudiced view |
| Jealous | Feeling or showing envy or suspicion of someone’s achievements, advantages, or possessions |
| Jeering | Making rude and mocking remarks or gestures |
| Jeopardizing | Putting in danger or at risk |
| Jittering | Moving or shaking with quick, jerky movements |
| Jittery | Nervous or anxious |
| Job-killing | Having a negative effect on employment opportunities |
| Jobless | Without work or employment |
| Jolted | Given a sudden shock or surprise |
| Jumpy | Nervous and easily startled |
| Junky | Of poor quality or cheaply made |
Related: Negative Adjectives
Personality Adjectives that Start with J
Below are 27 adjectives that start with J that describe a personality.
| Adjective | Definition |
|---|---|
| Jaded | Tired, bored, or lacking enthusiasm due to overexposure or excessive indulgence |
| Jake | Relaxed and confident |
| Jaunty | Lively, cheerful, and self-confident in manner or appearance |
| Jazzy | Flashy, showy, or lively |
| Jealous | Fearful of losing something or someone to a rival, envious |
| Jestful | Fond of joking, playful, humorous |
| Jesting | Joking, humorous, or playful in nature |
| Jim-dandy | Excellent, first-rate, outstanding |
| Jimp | Slender, delicate, or trim |
| Jittery | Nervous, anxious, or uneasy |
| Jocose | Given to joking or jesting, playful, humorous |
| Jocoserious | Partly humorous and partly serious |
| Jocular | Characterized by joking or jesting |
| Joculatory | Of or relating to jokes or jests |
| Jocund | Cheerful and lighthearted |
| Jokey | Given to joking or making jokes |
| Jolly | Full of good humor and cheerfulness |
| Jovial | Full of happiness and joy |
| Joyful | Feeling or expressing great happiness |
| Joyless | Lacking joy or happiness |
| Joyous | Full of joy and happiness |
| Jubilant | Feeling or expressing great joy and triumph |
| Judgmental | Critical and fault-finding |
| Judicious | Having or showing good judgment |
| Juicy | Full of flavor, interesting, or scandalous |
| Jumpy | Nervous, easily startled, or jumpy |
| Junoesque | Having the physical qualities of a goddess, specifically Juno |
Adjectives that Start with J to Describe a Person (not Personality)
Below are 30 adjectives that start with J that describe a person.
| Adjective | Definition |
|---|---|
| Jabbering | Talking rapidly and incoherently |
| Jacketed | Wearing a jacket or having a jacket-like covering |
| Jamaican | Of or relating to Jamaica or its people |
| Jammed | Packed or crowded tightly together |
| Jangling | Making a harsh, discordant, metallic sound |
| Japanese | Of or relating to Japan or its people |
| Jaundiced | Having a yellowish or sickly appearance; also, cynical or pessimistic |
| Jawed | Having a particular type of jaw, or using one’s jaw in a certain way |
| Jazzed | Excited, enthusiastic, or stimulated |
| Jeering | Mocking or insulting in a contemptuous manner |
| Jerky | Characterized by abrupt stops and starts; also, nervous or jumpy |
| Jewish | Of or relating to Jews or their culture |
| Jinx | Bringing bad luck or misfortune |
| Jinxed | Unlucky or cursed |
| Jobless | Without a job or unemployed |
| Jogging | Running at a steady, gentle pace |
| Joined | Connected or attached to something else |
| Jointed | Having joints or sections that can move independently |
| Judas | Betraying someone’s trust, like the biblical figure |
| Judge | Making judgments or evaluating something |
| Judiciary | Relating to the judicial branch of government or the system of courts |
| Juicy | Full of flavor or interest |
| Jumbled | Mixed up or disordered |
| Jumbo | Very large or oversized |
| Jumping | Moving quickly and energetically by jumping or leaping |
| Junior | Of lower rank or status; also, a younger person or someone of a lower grade or level |
| Just | Fair or impartial |
| Justifiable | Able to be justified or defended |
| Justified | Having been shown to be right or reasonable |
| Juvenile | Immature or childish |
J Adjectives Image
List of 100+ Adjectives that Start with J
Adjectives that Start with Ja
- Jabber
- Jabbering
- Jacketed
- Jacksonian
- Jacobean
- Jacobinic
- Jacobinical
- Jaculable
- Jade
- Jaded
- Jadish
- Jagged
- Jaggy
- Jailed
- Jain
- Jainist
- Jake
- Jam
- Jamaican
- Jamesian
- Jammed
- Jam-packed
- Jangling
- Jangly
- Janus-faced
- Japanese
- Jarred
- Jarring
- Jaundiced
- Jaunty
- Javan
- Javanese
- Jaw-dropping
- Jawed
- Jawless
- Jazzed
- Jazzy
Adjectives that Start with Je
- Jealous
- Jeering
- Jeffersonian
- Jejune
- Jelled
- Jellied
- Jellylike
- Jeopardizing
- Jerking
- Jerkwater
- Jerky
- Jerry-built
- Jessant
- Jestful
- Jesting
- Jesuit
- Jesuitic
- Jesuitical
- Jet
- Jet-black
- Jetting
- Jeweled
- Jewelled
- Jewish
Adjectives that Start with Ji, Jo
- Jiggered
- Jiggish
- Jiggling
- Jihadi
- Jilted
- Jim-dandy
- Jimp
- Jingling
- Jingly
- Jingoistic
- Jinx
- Jinxed
- Jittering
- Jittery
- Job-killing
- Jobless
- Jocose
- Jocoserious
- Jocular
- Joculatory
- Jocund
- Jogging
- Joined
- Joint
- Jointed
- Joker
- Jokey
- Joking
- Jolif
- Jolly
- Jolted
- Jolting
- Jolty
- Jordanian
- Journalistic
- Jovial
- Jovian
- Jowly
- Joyful
- Joyless
- Joyous
- Joysome
Adjectives that Start with Ju
- Jubilant
- Judaic
- Judaical
- Judaistic
- Judas
- Judge
- Judgmental
- Judicable
- Judicial
- Judiciary
- Judicious
- Jugular
- Juiceless
- Juicy
- Julian
- Jumbled
- Jumbo
- Jumentous
- Jumping
- Jumpy
- Jungian
- Jungly
- Junior
- Junky
- Junoesque
- Jural
- Jurassic
- Juridic
- Juridical
- Jurisdictional
- Jurisprudential
- Jurist
- Juristic
- Jury-rigged
- Just
- Justifiable
- Justificative
- Justificatory
- Justified
- Jutting
- Juvenile
- Juxtaposed
Adjectives Starting with J | Images
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Last Updated on May 8, 2023