Common words for appearance are usually neutral and direct. Use tall, short, thin, heavy, young, and older to describe what a person looks like without making the description harsh. In everyday speech, good-looking and attractive describe someone who is pleasing to look at, while plain is more reserved and can sound unkind if used carelessly. When describing a person to help someone recognize them, focus on clear facts such as a woman with short hair or a man in a blue jacket. Respectful language matters because appearance words can sound rude if they judge a body instead of describe it.

shortbroad shoulderedmedium buildaverage heightwell builttallslimthinmuscularstocky

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Having wide shouldersHaving a strong and balanced body shapeHaving well developed musclesHaving little flesh on the bodyHaving less height than most peopleShort and solidly builtHaving a greater height than most peopleNeither especially tall nor especially shortHaving a body size between thin and largeThin in a healthy and attractive way

Height and build words for appearance

Word	Definition
tall	Having a greater height than most people.
short	Having less height than most people.
average height	Neither especially tall nor especially short.
slim	Thin in a healthy and attractive way.
thin	Having little flesh on the body.
medium build	Having a body size between thin and large.
stocky	Short and solidly built.
muscular	Having well developed muscles.
broad shouldered	Having wide shoulders.
well built	Having a strong and balanced body shape.

Scramble

Tall and short describe height. A person who is neither especially tall nor especially short is average height. Build describes the size and shape of the body. Slim and thin describe a narrow body, but slim is often more positive and thin is more neutral. Medium-build describes someone with an average body size. Stocky describes a short, solid body with a broad frame. Muscular describes a body with strong muscles. Broad-shouldered describes someone whose shoulders are wide, and it often gives the impression of strength.

roundedheavysetfitpetitecurvybroadleanslendercompactathletic

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Thin and strong with little extra fatWide across the bodyGracefully thin and elegantBuilt for sport and physical activitySmall but strongly builtHealthy and in good physical shapeHaving soft curved linesLarge and solid in body shapeHaving rounded body linesSmall and slim in a graceful way

Body shape words in everyday description

Word	Definition
petite	Small and slim in a graceful way.
curvy	Having rounded body lines.
lean	Thin and strong with little extra fat.
heavyset	Large and solid in body shape.
athletic	Built for sport and physical activity.
slender	Gracefully thin and elegant.
compact	Small but strongly built.
broad	Wide across the body.
rounded	Having soft curved lines.
fit	Healthy and in good physical shape.

Scramble

Some words describe the overall shape of the body more specifically than basic build words. Petite is used for a woman who is small and delicate in size. Curvy describes a body with noticeable curves, especially at the waist, hips, and chest. Lean describes a body with little extra fat and a narrow, firm shape. Heavyset describes someone with a large, solid body. Athletic describes a body shaped by exercise and sports, often strong and fit. These words describe shape and impression, so they are chosen differently from simple size words like tall or short.

wavystraightlayeredthick hairshoulder lengthlong hairfrizzyfine hairshort haircurly

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Hair that reaches well below the headHair that ends around the shouldersCut in different lengths to add shapeHair with thin strands and little volumeNot curved or wavyHair that does not go far below the headForming curls or tight bendsLoose and hard to control, often with dry hairHair with a lot of volume and many strandsHaving soft curves or waves

Hair length and texture words

Word	Definition
short hair	Hair that does not go far below the head.
long hair	Hair that reaches well below the head.
shoulder length	Hair that ends around the shoulders.
straight	Not curved or wavy.
wavy	Having soft curves or waves.
curly	Forming curls or tight bends.
frizzy	Loose and hard to control, often with dry hair.
thick hair	Hair with a lot of volume and many strands.
fine hair	Hair with thin strands and little volume.
layered	Cut in different lengths to add shape.

Scramble

Hair length is often the first detail people notice. Short hair ends above the shoulders, while long hair falls well below them. Shoulder-length hair reaches the shoulders and stops there. Hair texture describes the way the hair lies. Straight hair hangs in a smooth line. Wavy hair has soft bends and curves. Curly hair forms curls or ringlets. A person can have more than one of these features at the same time, such as long, curly hair or short, straight hair.

salt and pepper hairblack hairred hairdyed hairblond hairbrown hairdark hairgray hairlight hairhighlighted hair

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Hair that is orange or copper in colorHair that is very dark in colorHair that is deep in colorHair with both dark and gray strandsHair that is light yellow or goldenHair colored on purpose with dyeHair with lighter strands added for effectHair that has turned silver or white with ageHair that is dark but not blackHair that is pale in color

Common hair color words and expressions

Word	Definition
black hair	Hair that is very dark in color.
brown hair	Hair that is dark but not black.
blond hair	Hair that is light yellow or golden.
red hair	Hair that is orange or copper in color.
gray hair	Hair that has turned silver or white with age.
dyed hair	Hair colored on purpose with dye.
highlighted hair	Hair with lighter strands added for effect.
dark hair	Hair that is deep in color.
light hair	Hair that is pale in color.
salt and pepper hair	Hair with both dark and gray strands.

Scramble

The most common hair-color words are black, brown, blond, red, and gray. Blond is often used for light hair, especially when the hair is pale yellow or golden. Gray hair is common with age, but people can also have gray hair earlier in life. Hair can also be described as dyed when the color has been changed with dye. Highlights are lighter pieces of hair mixed through the natural color, so brown hair with blond highlights describes a common salon style. Hair color is often used together with length and style, as in a woman with shoulder-length brown hair.

dimpleschineyesface shapeeyebrowsjawlinenosecheeksforeheadlips

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The general outline of a faceThe line that shapes the lower faceThe sides of the face below the eyesThe lower part of the face below the mouthThe part of the face used for breathing and smellingThe lines of hair above the eyesSmall indents that appear in the cheeks when smilingThe soft parts around the mouthThe parts of the face used for seeingThe part of the face above the eyebrows

Facial feature words for appearance

Word	Definition
eyes	The parts of the face used for seeing.
eyebrows	The lines of hair above the eyes.
nose	The part of the face used for breathing and smelling.
lips	The soft parts around the mouth.
cheeks	The sides of the face below the eyes.
jawline	The line that shapes the lower face.
chin	The lower part of the face below the mouth.
forehead	The part of the face above the eyebrows.
face shape	The general outline of a face.
dimples	Small indents that appear in the cheeks when smiling.

Scramble

Face words help describe a person in a clear way. Eyes can be blue, brown, green, or hazel, and they may be described as large, small, or bright. Eyebrows can be thick, thin, dark, or arched. A nose may be small, long, or straight. Lips can be full or thin. Cheeks may look round or sunken. Face shape is also useful: a round face is soft and curved, while an oval face is longer and gently shaped. These words are often combined to create a precise description, such as a man with thick eyebrows and a straight nose.

palelight skinfreckledtanelderlymiddle agedyoungclear complexiondark skinyouthful

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Old in age, especially with respectSkin that is deep in colorSkin that is pale in colorVery light in color, especially because of little sunCovered with small brown spotsLooking younger than the actual ageLight brown from sun exposureIn the early part of lifeSkin that looks clean and healthyBetween young and old in age

Skin tone and age description words

Word	Definition
light skin	Skin that is pale in color.
dark skin	Skin that is deep in color.
pale	Very light in color, especially because of little sun.
tan	Light brown from sun exposure.
freckled	Covered with small brown spots.
clear complexion	Skin that looks clean and healthy.
young	In the early part of life.
middle aged	Between young and old in age.
elderly	Old in age, especially with respect.
youthful	Looking younger than the actual age.

Scramble

Skin descriptions often refer to color, texture, and condition. Light and dark describe skin tone in a neutral way. Pale describes skin with little color, often from health, cold, or lack of sun. Tan describes skin that has become darker from sun exposure. Freckled describes skin with small brown spots, usually on the face or arms. Clear complexion describes skin that looks smooth and even. Age words often appear with appearance words, such as young, middle-aged, and elderly. These words describe general age ranges and are common in everyday English when identifying someone or describing a person’s look.

Polite ways to mention distinctive features

Usage	Explanation
Neutral identification	Use this to mention a visible feature in a calm and factual way with no judgment.
Careful mention of facial hair	Use this to describe a beard or mustache when the detail is relevant and respectful.
Noticeable body art	Use this to refer to tattoos when you want to describe a person without sounding negative.
Small body adornments	Use this to mention piercings in a simple descriptive way.
Visible skin mark	Use this to describe a scar when the mark is easy to see and important to mention.
Respectful appearance talk	Use this to focus on facts and avoid rude comments about a person’s looks.
Positive observation	Use this to describe a feature in a friendly and kind tone.
Discreet detail	Use this when a feature is noticeable but should be mentioned gently.
Appearance in a profile	Use this to list a detail clearly in a written description or form.
Simple physical marker	Use this to name a feature without adding opinion or emotion.

Some appearance words describe details that make one person easy to recognize. Glasses are worn over the eyes. A beard covers the chin and cheeks with hair, and a mustache is hair above the upper lip. A scar is a mark left by an injury. A tattoo is a permanent design on the skin. A piercing is a small hole made for jewelry in the ear, nose, lip, or another part of the body. These features are usually described in a simple, factual way, such as a man with glasses and a beard or a woman with a tattoo on her arm. The tone should stay polite and neutral, especially when the feature is unusual or very noticeable.