Here's a breakdown of what makes a word descriptive:
* Appeals to the senses: Words that describe sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures are highly descriptive. For example, instead of saying "He saw a flower," you could say "He saw a vibrant crimson rose with velvety petals."
* Conveys emotions and feelings: Words can evoke emotions like joy, sadness, anger, or fear. "He felt happy" is less impactful than "He felt a surge of pure joy."
* Provides specific details: Descriptive words avoid vague language and use precise details to paint a vivid picture. Instead of "The house was big," say "The house was a sprawling Victorian with a wraparound porch."
* Creates a sense of place: Descriptive words help establish the setting and atmosphere. "The city was noisy" is less evocative than "The city buzzed with the cacophony of traffic and street vendors."
Examples of descriptive words:
* Adjectives: brilliant, majestic, tiny, fragrant, smooth
* Adverbs: slowly, softly, eagerly, angrily, beautifully
* Nouns: cascade, symphony, aroma, thunderstorm
* Verbs: glimmer, whisper, roar, explode
Ultimately, a descriptive word is any word that paints a picture in the mind of the reader or listener, enriching their understanding and experience.