Adjectives That Start With D | List & Examples

There are many adjectives (words that qualify a noun) that start with D. Some of the more common adjectives that start with D are:

  • Daring
  • Darling
  • Dynamic
  • Dangerous
  • Defective
  • Dim
  • Disloyal
  • Daily
  • Damp
  • Dark
  • Dental
  • Direct
  • Dizzy
  • Double
  • Dry

This article contains lists of many more positive, negative, and neutral adjectives that start with a D.

Positive adjectives that start with D

Here’s a list of adjectives that start with D with a positive connotation.

  • Daring:  Brave; audacious
  • Darling: Beloved; precious
  • Dazzling: Impressively bright; blinding
  • Decent: Honorable; well-behaved; acceptable
  • Decisive: Not hesitant; crucial
  • Dedicated: Devoted; specialized
  • Delightful: Bringing great pleasure
  • Demure: Modest; reserved; shy
  • Dependable: Reliable
  • Deserving: Worthy
  • Devoted: Committed; loyal; trustworthy
  • Dignified: Having dignity; poised; regal
  • Diligent: Careful; persistent
  • Diplomatic: Tactful; regarding diplomacy
  • Discerning: Showing good taste; perceptive
  • Disciplined: Self-controlled; controlled
  • Distinguished: Worthy of note; honored; revered
  • Dominant: In charge; superior
  • Dreamy: Beautiful; idealized
  • Driven: Purposeful; self-motivated
  • Durable: Hard-wearing; tough
  • Dynamic: Full of energy; not static

You can also download this list of positive adjectives that start with D as a PDF.

Adjectives that start with “D” PDF

Positive adjectives that start with D examples
As the star player, Emma had a devoted following who loved her daring, sometimes dazzling displays of skill and her driven and disciplined approach to the game.

Marble can be difficult to carve, but it is extremely durable and deserving of its reputation given the dazzling works that can be produced from it.

Jan was the ideal leader—diplomatic, dignified, and most importantly, decent.

Negative adjectives that start with D

Here’s a list of adjectives that start with a D with a negative connotation. When applied to a person, these would almost always be considered insults.

  • Dangerous: Posing a threat; perilous
  • Dark-hearted: Evil; malign
  • Daunting: Intimidating; unnerving; formidable
  • Deafening: Extremely (dangerously) loud
  • Deceitful: Dishonest; untruthful; misleading
  • Deceptive: Giving false appearances; unreliable
  • Declining: Reducing; turning down
  • Defective: Faulty
  • Defenseless: Helpless; without protection
  • Defiant: Refusing to back down
  • Degrading: Demeaning; causing loss of face
  • Dejected: Feeling very low; downcast
  • Delirious: Wildly happy; fevered
  • Demanding: Difficult; requiring much effort
  • Demeaning: Below one’s status; degrading
  • Dense: lacking intelligence; obtuse; having a high mass-to-volume ratio
  • Dependent: Contingent; relying on something
  • Depressing: Causing low mood; dispiriting
  • Derogatory: Insulting
  • Desolate: Bleak; featureless
  • Desperate: Without hope; willing to try anything
  • Despicable: Worthy of contempt
  • Despondent: Downcast; miserable
  • Destructive: Causing great damage
  • Detached: Standing alone; unconnected; emotionless
  • Detrimental: Having a negative impact
  • Devious: Crafty; sly
  • Difficult: Hard; challenging
  • Dim: Poorly lit; lacking intelligence; faint
  • Disagreeable: Unlikeable
  • Disastrous: Very negative or damaging
  • Discontented: Unhappy; unfulfilled
  • Discouraging: Off-putting; disheartening
  • Disdainful: Scornful; dismissive
  • Diseased: Unhealthy; sick 
  • Disgraceful: Shameful; disreputable
  • Dishonest: Untruthful; deceitful
  • Disloyal: Traitorous
  • Dismal: Without positives; hopeless
  • Disoriented/disorientated: Confused; lost
  • Displeasing: Upsetting; disappointing
  • Disposable: Not designed to last; temporary; usable
  • Disreputable: With a bad reputation; untrustworthy
  • Disrespectful: Not respecting status; rude; insubordinate
  • Disruptive: Disturbing; non-compliant; intrusive
  • Distorted: Inaccurately represented; blurred
  • Distraught: Deeply upset; desperate
  • Distressed: Upset; with a rough surface
  • Disturbing: Unsettling; making uncomfortable
  • Doomed: Certain to fail
  • Dreary: Dull and uninteresting; boring
  • Dreadful: Terrible; fearful
  • Drained: Exhausted; emptied
  • Dubious: Of doubtful value or truthfulness
  • Dumb: Mute; lacking intelligence

Adjectives that start with “D” PDF

Negative adjectives that start with D examples
Trapped on the desolate mountainside, the climbers were desperate; the cold had left them drained, the attempt to move down the col had been disastrous, and the lack of oxygen was making them disoriented and increasingly distraught.

Klara took a dim view of the dubious deal offered to her by a disreputable sales executive, and wasted no time firing off a disdainful rejection to them.

The disturbing, dark-hearted villain in the film left many in the audience feeling distressed.

Neutral adjectives that start with D

The following adjectives usually have neither a positive nor negative connotation when describing something.

  • Daily: Occurring every day
  • Damp: Slightly wet; moist  
  • Dark: Without light; ominous
  • Dated: Old-fashioned; passé; assigned a date
  • Deep: A long way down; profound
  • Definite: Certain; unambiguous
  • Delicate: Fragile; intricately detailed
  • Dental: Concerning the teeth
  • Detailed: With lots of detail; not superficial
  • Determined: Not giving up; intent; committed
  • Developed: Expanded; built-upon
  • Different: Not the same; odd; unusual
  • Diffuse: Spread out; scattered
  • Digital: Electronic; using numbers; not analog
  • Direct: Straight; to the point; rude
  • Discreet: Tactful; circumspect
  • Discrete: Separate; distinct; detached
  • Disinterested: Impartial; unbiased
  • Distant: Far away; remote; unemotional
  • Distinct: Clear; outstanding
  • Distracting: Disruptive; disturbing; attention-grabbing
  • Dizzy: Giddy; head-spinning
  • Double: Two-times
  • Dramatic: Causing drama; striking
  • Drawn-out: Overly long; extended
  • Dry: Lacking moisture; dull; wry
  • Dual: Double; consisting of two

You can also download this list of neutral adjectives that start with D as a PDF.

Adjectives that start with “D” PDF

Neutral adjectives that start with D examples
Ellie loved the dark wood and delicate carving, not at all bothered that her friends found it dated and too detailed.

The dramatic lighting was distracting and left Fred dizzy and slightly confused.

Determined to be discreet, Alya held on to the distant hope that she might achieve a different result this time.

Adjectives with other letters

If you’re looking for adjectives that start with another letter, you can visit one of our other articles.

Adjectives with A Adjectives with G Adjectives with L Adjectives with Q Adjectives with V
Adjectives with B Adjectives with H Adjectives with M Adjectives with R Adjectives with W
Adjectives with C Adjectives with I Adjectives with N Adjectives with S Adjectives with X
Adjectives with E Adjectives with J Adjectives with O Adjectives with T Adjectives with Y
Adjectives with F Adjectives with K Adjectives with P Adjectives with U Adjectives with Z

Frequently asked questions about adjectives with D

What are some adjectives starting with D to describe a person?

Some adjectives beginning with D that can be used to describe a person include:

  • Disloyal
  • Daring
  • Delightful
  • Disciplined
  • Driven
  • Discreet
  • Defiant
  • Disagreeable
  • Disrespectful
  • Dreary
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Trevor Marshall, MSc

Trevor has a BA in English Literature & Language and an MSc in Applied Social Studies. He has been a teacher for 25 years, with 15 years experience teaching ESL alongside 1st language students.