Contents
You’re probably wondering why someone would need to use sensory words in their writing. I’ll tell you one reason – they paint a vivid picture for the reader and make them feel like they are right there with your characters. It helps readers engage when reading your writing because they start developing an idea or understanding of what it looks like, smells like, sounds like, etcetera around your characters.
Read on to find out more about sensory words.
Sensory Words
What are Sensory Words?
Sensory words describe what the characters are seeing, hearing, feeling, and tasting. They can be used in any aspect of your manuscript, including dialogue, setting descriptions, and action. There are various ways to use sensory words to enhance your writing, so read on to find out more.
Sight Words
- Abrasive
- Angular
- Ashen
- Azure
- Billowy
- Bizarre
- Black
- Bleary
- Bloated
- Blonde
- Blotched
- Blue
- Blurred
- Blushing
- Branching
- Brazen
- Bright
- Brilliant
- Broad
- Brown
- Brunette
- Bulbous
- Bulky
- Bushy
- Camouflaged
- Chubby
- Circular
- Clear
- Cluttered
- Colorful
- Colorless
- Colossal
- Congested
- Contoured
- Cosmic
- Craggy
- Crimson
- Crinkled
- Crooked
- Crowded
- Crystalline
- Curved
- Cushioned
- Dainty
- Dark
- Dazzle
- Dazzling
- Deep
- Dim
- Dingy
- Disheveled
- Dismal
- Distinct
- Distorted
- Drab
- Dreary
- Dull
- Dusty
- Elegant
- Enchanting
- Engaging
- Enormous
- Erect
- Exotic
- Faded
- Fancy
- Fat
- Fiery
- Filthy
- Flashy
- Flat
- Flickering
- Foamy
- Foggy
- Forked
- Freckled
- Frilled
- Fuzzy
- Gargantuan
- Gaudy
- Gigantic
- Ginormous
- Glamorous
- Gleaming
- Glimpse
- Glistening
- Glitter
- Glittering
- Glittery
- Globular
- Gloomy
- Glossy
- Glowing
- Gold
- Graceful
- Grainy
- Grand
- Gray
- Green
- Grotesque
- Gushy
- Hazy
- Hollow
- Homely
- Huge
- Illuminated
- Immense
- Indistinct
- Irregular
- Ivory
- Knotty
- Lacy
- Lanky
- Large
- Lavender
- Lavish
- Lean
- Leathery
- Lithe
- Little
- Lofty
- Long
- Low
- Lustrous
- Malnourished
- Maroon
- Massive
- Matted
- Metallic
- Miniature
- Misshapen
- Misty
- Motionless
- Mottled
- Mountainous
- Muddy
- Murky
- Muscular
- Narrow
- Neat
- Obtuse
- Olive
- Opaque
- Orange
- Ornate
- Oval
- Pale
- Peered
- Petite
- Pink
- Portly
- Pretty
- Pristine
- Prodigious
- Purple
- Quaint
- Radiant
- Radiating
- Rectangular
- Red
- Reddish
- Rippling
- Rotund
- Round
- Ruby
- Ruddy
- Rusty
- Sabotaged
- Sandy
- Shadowy
- Shallow
- Shapeless
- Sheer
- Shimmer
- Shimmering
- Shiny
- Short
- Showy
- Silver
- Skinny
- Sleek
- Sloppy
- Small
- Smudged
- Soaring
- Spacious
- Sparkling
- Sparkly
- Spherical
- Spiky
- Spongy
- Spotless
- Spotted
- Spotty
- Square
- Steep
- Stifled
- Stormy
- Straight
- Strange
- Striped
- Stubby
- Sunny
- Swollen
- Swooping
- Tall
- Tapering
- Tarnished
- Tawny
- Teeny-tiny
- Tiny
- Towering
- Translucent
- Transparent
- Triangular
- Tubular
- Turquoise
- Twinkling
- Twisted
- Ugly
- Unsightly
- Untidy
- Unusual
- Vibrant
- Vivid
- Wavy
- Weird
- White
- Wide
- Wiry
- Wispy
- Wizened
- Wrinkled
- Wrinkly
- Yellow
Taste Words
- Acidic
- Acrid
- Aged
- Alkaline
- Ambrosia
- Appetizing
- Bitter
- Bittersweet
- Bland
- Brackish
- Burnt
- Buttery
- Charred
- Cheesy
- Chewy
- Contaminated
- Creamy
- Crisp
- Crispy
- Delectable
- Delicious
- Delightful
- Divine
- Doughy
- Drooling
- Dulcet
- Earthy
- Exquisite
- Fatty
- Fermented
- Filling
- Fishy
- Fizzy
- Flakey
- Flat
- Flavorful
- Flavorless
- Flavorsome
- Floury
- Fresh
- Fruity
- Garlicky
- Gingery
- Gritty
- Hearty
- Juicy
- Lemony
- Limy
- Lingering
- Luscious
- Lush
- Malty
- Medicinal
- Mellow
- Melted
- Mild
- Minty
- Moldy
- Mouthwatering
- Nauseating
- Nectar
- Nutritious
- Nutty
- Overcooked
- Palatable
- Peppery
- Pickled
- Piquant
- Plain
- Pleasing
- Pulp
- Quench
- Raw
- Refreshing
- Rich
- Ripe
- Rotten
- Saccharine
- Salty
- Salty/Salted
- Savory
- Scrumptious
- Sear
- Seasoned
- Sour
- Spicy
- Spoiled
- Stale
- Sugary
- Sweet
- Syrupy
- Taint
- Tangy
- Tantalizing
- Tart
- Tasteless
- Tender
- Toothsome
- Unflavored
- Unripe
- Vinegary
- Watery
- Woody
- Yeasty
- Yummy
- Zesty
Smell Words
- Airy
- Ambrosial
- Antiseptic
- Aroma
- Aromatic
- Balmy
- Billowy
- Bitter
- Bland
- Body Odor
- Bouquet
- Briny
- Citrusy
- Clean
- Comforting
- Dank
- Decayed
- Decomposed
- Delicate
- Delicious
- Doggy
- Evocative
- Faint
- Fetid
- Floral
- Flowery
- Foul
- Foul-smelling
- Fragrant
- Fresh
- Funky
- Fusty
- Gamy
- Garlicky
- Gaseous
- Gassy
- Gooey
- Heady
- Heavenly
- Horrid
- Incense
- Inodorous
- Intoxicating
- Juicy
- Laden
- Lilac
- Loamy
- Malodorous
- Mephitic
- Musk
- Musky
- Musty
- Odiferous
- Odor
- Odorless
- Old
- Perfumed
- Pheromone
- Piney
- Piquant
- Polluted
- Pungent
- Putrid
- Rancid
- Rank
- Redolent
- Reek
- Reeking
- Repulsive
- Ripe
- Robust
- Rosey
- Rotten
- Scent
- Scented
- Sickly
- Skunky
- Smell
- Smoky
- Sniff
- Spicy
- Stagnant
- Stale
- Stench
- Stinky
- Stuffy
- Sweaty
- Sweet
- Tempting
- Vile
- Whiff
- Woodsy
- Yummy
Sound Words
- Babble
- Bang
- Bark
- Barking
- Bawled
- Bawling
- Bellow
- Blare
- Blaring
- Blast
- Bleat
- Boom
- Booming
- Brash
- Bray
- Buzz
- Buzzing
- Cackle
- Cackling
- Cacophony
- Chatter
- Chattering
- Chatty
- Cheer
- Chiming
- Chirp
- Chirping
- Chuckle
- Clamor
- Clang
- Clanging
- Clap
- Clapping
- Clicking
- Clink
- Clinking
- Commotion
- Cooing
- Coughing
- Crackle
- Crackling
- Crashing
- Creak
- Croak
- Croaking
- Crow
- Crunch
- Crunching
- Crunchy
- Cry
- Crying
- Deafening
- Discord
- Distorted
- Dripping
- Ear-piercing
- Earsplitting
- Echoing
- Explode
- Exploding
- Faint
- Fizzing
- Gagging
- Gasping
- Giggle
- Giggling
- Grate
- Grating
- Growl
- Grumble
- Grunt
- Grunting
- Guffaw
- Gurgle
- Gurgling
- Hanging
- Harmonic
- Hiss
- Hissing
- Hoarse
- Honking
- Howl
- Hubbub
- Hum
- Humming
- Hush
- Jabber
- Jangle
- Jangling
- Jingle
- Laughing
- Loud
- Lyrical
- Mellow
- Melodious
- Moan
- Moaning
- Monotone
- Monotonous
- Mooing
- Muffled
- Mumble
- Mumbling
- Murmur
- Mutter
- Muttering
- Noisy
- Peeping
- Pierce
- Piercing
- Ping
- Pinging
- Placid
- Plop
- Plopping
- Pop
- Purring
- Quacking
- Quiet
- Rant
- Rapping
- Rasping
- Raspy
- Raucous
- Rave
- Resonant
- Ringing
- Roar
- Roaring
- Rumble
- Rumbling
- Rustle
- Rustling
- Scratching
- Scream
- Screaming
- Screech
- Screeching
- Serene
- Shout
- Shouting
- Shrieking
- Shrill
- Sigh
- Silent
- Sing
- Singing
- Sizzle
- Sizzling
- Slam
- Slamming
- Snap
- Snappy
- Snarl
- Snore
- Snoring
- Snort
- Speechless
- Splash
- Splashing
- Squawking
- Squeak
- Squeaky
- Stammer
- Stomp
- Storm
- Stutter
- Stuttering
- Swish
- Tear
- Tearing
- Thud
- Thudding
- Thump
- Thumping
- Thunder
- Thundering
- Thwack
- Ticking
- Tingle
- Tingling
- Tinkling
- Tuneful
- Twittering
- Wail
- Wailing
- Warbling
- Wheezing
- Whimper
- Whimpering
- Whine
- Whining
- Whir
- Whisper
- Whispering
- Whistle
- Whooping
- Yell
- Yelp
Touch Words
- Abrasive
- Balmy
- Biting
- Boiling
- Breezy
- Bristly
- Bubbly
- Bubby
- Bumpy
- Burning
- Bushy
- Chilled
- Chilly
- Clammy
- Coarse
- Cold
- Cool
- Cottony
- Crawly
- Creepy
- Cuddly
- Cushioned
- Damp
- Dank
- Delicate
- Dense
- Dirty
- Downy
- Drenched
- Dry
- Dusty
- Elastic
- Feathery
- Feverish
- Fine
- Firm
- Fleshy
- Fluff
- Fluffy
- Foamy
- Fragile
- Freezing
- Frigid
- Furry
- Fuzzy
- Glassy
- Gluey
- Gooey
- Grainy
- Greasy
- Gritty
- Gushy
- Hairy
- Hard
- Heavy
- Hot
- Humid
- Ice-Cold
- Icy
- Itchy
- Jagged
- Knobbed
- Knotted
- Leathery
- Light
- Lightweight
- Limp
- Lukewarm
- Lumpy
- Matted
- Metallic
- Moist
- Mushy
- Narrow
- Numbing
- Oily
- Padded
- Plastic
- Pointed
- Powdery
- Pulpy
- Rocky
- Rough
- Rubbery
- Sandy
- Scalding
- Scorching
- Scratchy
- Scummy
- Serrated
- Shaggy
- Sharp
- Shivering
- Shivery
- Silky
- Slimy
- Slippery
- Sloppy
- Smooth
- Smothering
- Soapy
- Soft
- Solid
- Sopping
- Soupy
- Splintery
- Spongy
- Springy
- Sputter
- Squashy
- Squeal
- Squishy
- Steamy
- Steely
- Sticky
- Stifled
- Stifling
- Stinging
- Stony
- Stubby
- Tangled
- Tapered
- Tender
- Tepid
- Thick
- Thin
- Thorny
- Tickling
- Tough
- Unsanitary
- Varnished
- Velvety
- Warm
- Waxy
- Wet
- Woolen
- Woolly
List of Sensory Words
Billowy: billowy means to look or move in big waves.
Blushing: blushing means changing colour like a person does when they feel embarrassed or ashamed.
Bright: bright means to shine a lot of light.
Crystalline: crystalline means like something that shines a lot like a diamond.
Dazzling: dazzling is when someone’s appearance is so good it takes your breath away.
Elegant: elegant means something that is beautiful and graceful especially in an old fashioned way.
Enchanting: enchanting means to attract with a feeling of mystery and magic.
Glamorous: glamorous is when someone looks very attractive and fashionable in an unusual way.
Gleaming: gleaming means to shine a lot like something made out of metal does when it’s clean.
Glistening: glistening means to look wet like water does when it’s been raining.
Glittering: glittering is when something shines with bright light like a diamond would do if you turned it in the light at the right angle to see all the light catching on it, so everything would look sparkly around the diamond…
Glowing: glowing means something that is warm and looks like it’s about to burn up.
Gorgeous: gorgeous means something that looks very beautiful and appealing.
Illuminated: illuminated is when things are lit up because they are bright or lighted or fancy they look nice, like a candle or lantern would make things seem like they’re lit up when you see them on a dark night.
Lustrous: lustrous means shiny and smooth, looking nice and gentle with no grooves or edges to it at all like a piece of glass would look shiny if you put it under the light of a lamp or in sunlight.
Opaque: opaque is when something doesn’t shine it’s just dull and dark, like a dirty window or a piece of cloth that hasn’t been washed in a while.
Pristine: pristine means to look new and unused or clean, like something someone has just bought.
Radiant: radiant is when something shines like the sun does during the day when it’s really bright outside so you have to wear shades to be able to look at it otherwise your eyes would hurt looking at it because the light would hurt them too much, kind of like a fluorescent light shining on white paper in a brightly lit room.
Resplendent: resplendent means looking decorated and bright like something you would see in a fancy room.
Sparkling: sparkling is when something looks shiny and clear like a glass of wine does when the sun reflects on it.
Shiny: shiny means to be smooth and bright and clean, like a toy car that’s plastic so it doesn’t get dirty easily…
Conclusion
Sensory words can help your manuscript pop with descriptive phrases that show the reader what your characters are seeing, hearing, feeling and tasting.
These sensory words can also be used in dialogue to make it sound more realistic. People don’t always say things in a way that makes sense since we all have our own ideas about how we would react to things and stuff, but when you write dialogue you could use sensory terms such as this to make the reader believe the character’s actions and words will sound like they said them.
Sensory Words | Image
- 10 Rare Words for Expanding Your English Vocabulary - June 5, 2024
- What Does the Term “Hypocritical” Mean? - January 27, 2024
- SWAG Meaning: What Does it Mean? - January 25, 2024