Adjectives That Start With I | List & Examples
There are many adjectives (words that describe a noun) that start with I. A few of the most common adjectives that start with I are:
- Ideal
- Important
- Intelligent
- Ignorant
- Illogical
- Inappropriate
- Identical
- Illustrated
- Immediate
- Indoor
This article includes lists of many adjectives that start with an I, divided into positive, negative, and neutral.
Positive adjectives that start with I
This is a list of adjectives that start with I with a positive connotation:
- Ideal: Perfect; most suited
- Idealistic: Driven by ideals; optimistic
- Illustrious: Highly regarded; successful
- Imaginative: Inventive; creative; new
- Immense: Extremely large; huge; vast
- Impartial: Unbiased; fair; even-handed
- Important: Significant; vital; salient
- Impressive: Admirable; imposing; noteworthy
- Improved: Better; upgraded; increased
- Incredible: Unbelievable; amazing
- Independent: Self-reliant; unattached
- Industrious: Busy and productive; hard-working
- Influential: Having influence; significant
- Ingenious: Clever; innovative
- Innovative: New and unusual; ingenious
- Insightful: Perceptive
- Inspirational: Motivating; creative
- Inspired: Brilliantly creative
- Instantaneous: Immediate
- Intellectual: Mental; cerebral
- Intelligent: Clever; smart
- Interesting: Absorbing; fascinating
- Invigorating: Energizing; refreshing
- Irresistible: Unstoppable
The new improved model was incredible, with independent suspension and intelligent cruise control being just some of the innovative ideas included.
Although Sean was sometimes dismissed as idealistic, some of his policies were inspired, and it was no surprise that he turned out to be one of the most influential politicians of his generation.
Negative adjectives that start with I
Here’s a list of adjectives that start with an I with a negative connotation. If these were applied to a person, they would almost always be considered insults.
- Icky: Unpleasant; gooey; nauseating
- Ignoble: Dishonorable; base; unworthy
- Ignorant: Lacking knowledge; unthinking
- Ill: Unwell; bad
- Ill-fated: Doomed; unlucky
- Ill-mannered: Rude; lacking manners
- Ill-tempered: Angry; volatile
- Illegitimate: Lacking legal claims; born outside of marriage
- Illogical: Lacking logic; making no sense
- Imbalanced: Not balanced; out of kilter
- Immaculate: Perfect; without fault; sinless
- Immobile: Unable to move; stationary; immutable
- Immodest: Brazen; unrestrained; overtly sexual; boastful
- Immoral: Having perverse morals; wrong
- Impatient: Lacking patience; in a rush
- Imperfect: Flawed; incomplete
- Impersonal: Coldly unsympathetic; detached
- Impolite: Rude; lacking manners
- Impossible: Unachievable; unattainable
- Impractical: Difficult in practice; not sensible
- Imprecise: Inaccurate; rough; approximate
- Imprisoned: Interned; detained; captured
- Improbable: Unlikely; against the odds
- Improper: Unethical; incorrect; unacceptable
- Impulsive: Quick and not thought-out; reckless
- Inadequate: Lacking; not up to the task
- Inappropriate: Unsuitable; unacceptable
- Incapable: Unable; incompetent
- Incoherent: Inarticulate; incomprehensible
- Incompetent: Not competent; inept; useless
- Incomplete: Lacking something; not complete; unfinished
- Inconsiderate: Thoughtless; lacking empathy
- Inconsistent: Uneven; patchy
- Inconvenient: Awkward; difficult
- Incorrect: Wrong; inaccurate
- Indecent: Obscene; dirty; rude
- Indifferent: Uninterested; uncommitted
- Ineffective: Useless; not fit for purpose
- Ineffectual: Not achieving the desired outcome
- Inefficient: Delivering a poor reward-to-effort ratio
- Inept: Incompetent; useless
- Inescapable: Unavoidable; can’t be dodged
- Inferior: Worse; poorer quality; lower status
- Infuriating: Extremely aggravating; Very annoying
- Inhospitable: Unwelcoming; unfriendly
- Inhumane: Lacking essential human kindness; cruel
- Insane: Mentally unstable; crazy
- Insecure: Not adequately fixed; doubtful; lacking confidence
- Insensitive: Lacking empathy; numb; thoughtless
- Insignificant: Minor; unimportant; negligible
- Insipid: Bland; tasteless; weak
- Insistent: Demanding; not giving up; relentless
- Intimidating: Frightening; threatening; bullying
- Irascible: Irritable; quick-tempered
- Irrational: Unreasonable
- Irritable: Easily annoyed
The fear of seeming to be inept was inescapable, and Laura worked hard at pushing aside the insistent, intimidating sense of being an imposter.
Incoherent criminal justice policies for decades have led to an improbable number of imprisoned citizens—an outcome that is ineffectual, inhumane, and inefficient in reducing crime.
Neutral adjectives that start with I
The following adjectives that start with H have neither a positive nor negative connotation.
- Identical: Exactly the same; (of twins) monozygotic
- Idle: Not busy; lazy; unused
- Ill-defined: Unclear; blurred; lacking clarity
- Illegible: Unreadable
- Illicit: Illegal; contraband
- Illustrated: With drawings or photos
- Immediate: At once; without delay
- Immigrant: Relating to migrants
- Imminent: About to happen
- Immutable: Unchangeable; unmovable
- Impassive: Calm; unmoved; unemotional
- Implicit: Not stated openly; understood
- Imposing: Impressive; large; dominant
- Inborn: Natural; not learned
- Incidental: Minor; not central
- Inclined: Sloped; minded
- Inclusive: Welcoming; included
- Inconclusive: Not leading to a conclusion; uncertain
- Increasing: Getting bigger
- Indecisive: Unable to decide; hesitant
- Indefinite: Open-ended; uncertain
- Indicative: A sign of; symptomatic; typical
- Indirect: Not direct; circuitous; evasive
- Individual: Single; unique
- Indoor: Inside (a building)
- Indulgent: Obliging; permissive
- Inevitable: Foreseeable; predictable
- Infantile: Childish; babyish; immature
- Infinite: Without end; timeless
- Informal: Casual; relaxed; unofficial
- Inherent: Built-in; intrinsic; innate
- Initial: First
- Innate: In-built; natural
- Innocent: Not guilty; untainted; naive
- Inquisitive: Curious; very interested
- Instant: Immediate; with no delay
- Intact: Complete, unbroken
- Integral: Part of; built-in
- Intense: Strong; concentrated
- Internal: Inside
- Intolerant: Closed-minded; prejudiced; impatient
- Intricate: Detailed; ornate; complicated
- Introverted: Shy; people-shy
- Inviting: Tempting; enticing
- Involved: Engaged; complicated
- Ironic: Showing irony
- Isolated: Separate; aloof; alone
The inquisitive, innocent behavior of babies and toddlers is indicative of the increasing, intense internal learning processes taking place in their developing brains.
The informal atmosphere of the hotel was intrinsic to its inviting charm and popularity.
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 F | Adjectives with L | Adjectives with Q | Adjectives with V |
| Adjectives with B | Adjectives with G | Adjectives with M | Adjectives with R | Adjectives with W |
| Adjectives with C | Adjectives with H | Adjectives with N | Adjectives with S | Adjectives with X |
| Adjectives with D | Adjectives with J | Adjectives with O | Adjectives with T | Adjectives with Y |
| Adjectives with E | Adjectives with K | Adjectives with P | Adjectives with U | Adjectives with Z |
Frequently asked questions about adjectives with I
- What are some adjectives starting with I to describe a person?
-
Some adjectives that start with I to describe a person include:
- Idealistic
- Impartial
- Industrious
- Intellectual
- Ignorant
- Illogical
- Impolite
- Inept
- Idle
- Indecisive
- Indulgent
- Infantile
