If you’re preparing for an English exam or a job interview, you may need to describe a person in English.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to describe a person in English step by step, using the right vocabulary for physical appearance and personality.
You’ll also find practical examples you can use in real conversations.
Describing a person in English: basic vocabulary
In general, a complete description should include:
- Physical appearance
- Personality characteristics
- Special details or traits to add a personal touch
When you understand these three parts, describing someone becomes much easier.
Now let’s look at the essential vocabulary you need to describe a person in English clearly and confidently.
Practice describing people in real English conversations
At Papora, you can practice how to describe a person in English in unlimited live classes with expert native-level teachers. You also get access to 500+ interactive lessons and levels from A1 to C1, so you can improve step by step.
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Physical characteristics in English: vocabulary
Let's start with the description of a person's hair, one of the typical features when explaining what they look like.
Hair colors
| Word in English | Meaning |
| Blonde | Light yellow hair |
| Brunette | Brown hair |
| Red hair | Hair that is orange or reddish |
| Black hair | Very dark hair |
Hair shapes, lengths, and hairstyles
| Word in English | Meaning |
| Long hair | Hair that goes past the shoulders |
| Short hair | Hair cut above the shoulders |
| Bald | Having no hair |
| Curly hair | Hair with natural curls |
| Medium length | Hair between short and long |
| Straight hair | Hair without waves or curls |
| Wavy hair | Hair with soft waves |
In English, adjectives usually come before the noun.
When describing someone’s hair, the order of adjectives is not random. We normally mention the hair type first and then the color.
For example: Ana has curly, blond hair.
Eye color
Eye color is another important detail when you describe a person in English.
In most cases, you simply use a color + “eyes.” For example: blue eyes, green eyes, or brown eyes.
When someone has very dark eyes, we usually say dark eyes, not “black eyes.” In American English, “a black eye” means a bruise around the eye.
| Word in English | Meaning |
| Green eyes | Eyes with a green color |
| Blue eyes | Eyes with a blue color |
| Brown eyes | Eyes with a brown color |
| Dark eyes | Very dark brown eyes |
Turn vocabulary into real conversation
Learning words like dark eyes or curly hair is just the first step. At Papora, you practice using this vocabulary in real conversations, so you don’t just memorize words - you actually use them.
Practice with live classes
Skin, another key aspect for descriptions in English.
Is this a white person, a dark-skinned person, or an Asian person? In English, they use the words "complexion" or "skin" to refer to skin tone.
| Word in English | Meaning |
| Asian complexion | Skin tone commonly associated with East or Southeast Asian features |
| Black complexion | Very dark skin tone |
| Fair complexion | Light skin tone |
| Tanned complexion | Skin darkened by sun exposure |
| Pale complexion | Very light skin with little color |
More vocabulary for physical descriptions
There are many other common words you can use to describe a person in English. These include terms related to age, height, and general appearance.
You can also add simple adverbs to give more detail about how someone looks or moves.
Below, you’ll find useful words to make your descriptions clearer and more natural.
| Word in English | Meaning |
| Teenager | A person between 13 and 19 years old |
| Baby | A very young child |
| Toddler | A young child who is learning to walk |
| Boy/girl | A male or female child |
| Child | A young person, not an adult |
| Elderly/old | An older person |
| Appearance | The way someone looks |
| Gentleman | A polite or formal word for a man |
| Lady | A polite or formal word for a woman |
| Good looking | Attractive in appearance |
| Beautiful | Very attractive |
| Wrinkle | A small line on the skin, usually from age |
| Hair | The strands that grow on your head |
| Freckles | Small brown spots on the skin |
| Short person | Not tall |
| Tall | Having a greater than average height |
| Fat | Heavier than average |
| Thin | Not heavy; having little body fat |
| Person | A human being |
| People | More than one person |
Personality traits for an English description
When you describe a person in English, you should also talk about their personality.
It’s common to start with physical appearance and then move on to personality traits in a separate paragraph.
Below, you’ll find common adjectives you can use to describe someone’s character.
| Word in English | Meaning |
| Character | A person’s personality or nature |
| Calm | Relaxed and not easily upset |
| Funny | Making people laugh |
| Gentle | Kind and soft in behavior |
| Kind | Caring and helpful to others |
| Nice | Pleasant and friendly |
| Optimist | A person who expects positive results |
| Enthusiastic | Showing excitement and interest |
| Charming | Pleasant and attractive in personality |
| Cheerful | Happy and positive |
| Amusing | Entertaining or funny |
| Bad-tempered | Easily annoyed or angry |
| Mean | Unkind or not generous |
| Generous | Willing to give or share |
| Sensitive | Easily affected by emotions |
| Sensible | Practical and reasonable |
| Naughty | Slightly bad in a playful way |
Some English words may look similar to words in other languages but have different meanings.
For example, sensitive describes someone who is easily affected by emotions.
Sensible, on the other hand, means practical and reasonable.
Understanding these differences will help you describe a person in English more accurately.
If you want to improve your use of adjectives, you can also explore our guide on possessive adjectives in English.
Final tip: Master descriptions with native-level teachers in Papora
If you feel that practicing on your own isn't enough, try speaking English from scratch with unlimited live classes. When you dare to pronounce words while receiving immediate feedback, the results are even faster.
At Papora you get access to:
✅ Level-specific certificates from A1 to C1
✅ Personalized lessons available 24/7
✅ Unlimited semi-personalized classes with native-level instructors
✅ Constant practice, without pressure.
With the right vocabulary and regular practice, describing a person in English becomes natural and confident.
Now it’s time to start using what you’ve learned.
Start speaking English with confidence
You’ve learned how to describe a person in English. Now it’s time to use it in real conversations. With unlimited live classes, 500+ interactive lessons, and levels from A1 to C1, Papora helps you turn vocabulary into confident communication.
Start learning today
Frequently asked questions about describing people in English
Use simple adjectives for height, age, and build, and then add details about hair, eyes, and skin. The usual structure is: “She is…” or “He has…”.
At Papora, you practice building full descriptions in live classes so they sound natural and confident.
Common adjectives include friendly, shy, hardworking, funny, and reliable. You can use patterns like “He is…” or “She seems…”.
Papora helps you use this vocabulary in real conversations, not just memorize it.
