Positive Words

Uplifting words for praise, encouragement and writing about good things, each with a precise meaning.

A

ardent adjective
Characterized by intense enthusiasm, passion, or devotion toward a person, cause, or belief. “She was an ardent supporter of environmental reform throughout her career.”

B

benevolent adjective
Well-meaning and kindly disposed toward others, often expressed through charitable or generous acts. “The benevolent founder donated millions to build libraries in underserved communities.”
blissful adjective
Experiencing or characterized by complete happiness and joy. “The couple spent a blissful week on a quiet island, completely unplugged from the world.”
blossom noun / verb
A flower or mass of flowers on a tree or plant; to produce flowers or to develop and flourish. “The cherry trees were in full blossom, showering pink petals across the courtyard.”
buoyant adjective
Able to float or rise in liquid or air; cheerfully resilient in mood. “The child's buoyant laughter filled the room even on the gloomiest afternoon.”

C

cherish verb
To hold something or someone dear and protect them with affection and care. “She cherished the handwritten letters her grandmother had sent over the decades.”
compassion noun
A deep awareness of another's suffering combined with the desire to relieve it. “The nurse showed great compassion toward patients who had no family to visit them.”
courageous adjective
Not deterred by danger or pain; showing bravery and willingness to face difficult or frightening situations. “The courageous firefighter rushed into the burning building without a moment's hesitation.”

D

delight noun
A strong feeling of pleasure, joy, or satisfaction. “The children squealed with delight when they spotted the rainbow after the storm.”

E

effervescent adjective
Giving off bubbles; or, describing a person who is vivacious, enthusiastic, and full of lively energy. “The effervescent lemonade tickled her nose as she took the first sip.”
elated adjective
Ecstatically happy and proud, often as a result of success or good news. “She was elated to discover that her novel had won the regional fiction prize.”

F

felicity noun
Intense happiness or a state of great joy and contentment. “The couple's wedding day was marked by a felicity that touched every guest present.”

G

generous adjective
Freely and willingly giving more of something, such as time, money, or kindness, than is strictly necessary. “He was always generous with his time, staying late to help colleagues with their projects.”
gleaming adjective
Shining brightly with a soft, steady light, often suggesting cleanliness or newness. “She polished the silver until it was gleaming under the dining room chandelier.”
gracious adjective
Courteous, kind, and pleasant, especially in a way that shows good taste or generosity. “She was gracious enough to thank every volunteer by name at the end of the evening.”
gratitude noun
A warm feeling of thankfulness toward someone who has helped or benefited you. “She expressed her gratitude by writing a heartfelt letter to her mentor.”

H

harmony noun
A pleasing combination or agreement of parts, elements, or people, whether in music, relationships, or ideas. “The choir sang in perfect harmony, their voices blending beautifully.”

I

inspire verb
To fill someone with the urge or ability to feel, create, or do something; to motivate or stimulate. “The coach's halftime speech inspired the team to come back and win the game.”

J

jubilant adjective
Feeling or expressing great happiness and triumph. “The jubilant crowd poured into the streets after the championship victory.”

K

kind adjective / noun
Gentle, caring, and considerate toward others. “It was kind of him to offer his seat to the elderly woman on the train.”

L

luminous adjective
Emitting or reflecting a bright, steady light; vividly bright and radiant. “The artist was known for the luminous quality of her watercolors, which seemed to glow from within.”

N

nurture verb / noun
To care for and encourage the growth or development of someone or something. “She worked hard to nurture her students' curiosity and love of learning.”

R

resplendent adjective
Impressively bright, colorful, or splendid in appearance; dazzlingly beautiful. “The bride looked resplendent in her embroidered gown as she walked down the aisle.”

S

serene adjective
Calm, peaceful, and untroubled; tranquil. “The lake was perfectly serene at dawn, its surface reflecting the pale pink sky.”
soar verb
To fly or rise high into the air, or to increase rapidly to a great level. “The eagle soared effortlessly on the warm updrafts above the canyon.”
splendid adjective
Magnificent, impressively beautiful, or excellent in quality. “The fireworks display was absolutely splendid, lighting up the entire sky.”

T

thrive verb
To grow, develop, or prosper vigorously and successfully. “The small business began to thrive once the owner discovered her target market.”

V

vivid adjective
Producing powerful, clear, and detailed mental images; intensely bright or strong. “She had such a vivid imagination that she could describe the scene as if she had been there.”

W

warmth noun
The quality of being warm in temperature, or the feeling of kindness, affection, and friendliness. “The warmth of the fireplace made the cold winter evening feel cozy and inviting.”
wholesome adjective
Conducive to good health or moral well-being; promoting physical or mental soundness. “The family enjoyed wholesome meals prepared from ingredients grown in their own garden.”

Test yourself on these words

Questions people ask

What are positive words?

Words that describe good feelings, qualities or outcomes: joy, kindness, success, energy. Choosing the precise one (buoyant rather than happy, gracious rather than nice) makes praise and writing more specific and more believable.

What are some positive words to describe a person?

Try gracious, resilient, diligent, magnanimous, candid or exuberant. Each describes a different strength, so pick the one that matches what the person actually does.

How can positive words help in writing?

Specific positive words make feedback, references and cover letters more convincing than generic praise. Use one well-chosen word and back it with an example.