Learn 40 advanced English adjectives for fluency. This lesson is perfect for intermediate to advanced English learners. You will learn 40 advanced adjectives that will improve your English speaking and writing from good to great.
Whether you’re aiming to impress in academic settings, stand out in business English, or simply communicate more effectively in daily conversations, these adjectives help you improve your language skills.
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List of advanced English adjectives
40 Advanced English Adjectives for Fluency
Harry
So, in this particular advanced English lesson, we’re looking at advanced adjectives. So, these are adjectives that you can use in everyday speech; you can use them in conversational English, you can use them in business English, and they help you to replace the more normal or boring everyday adjectives that you find yourself using repeatedly.
I have 40 in total. I’ll give you a basic adjective, and then I’ll give you two advanced alternatives. I will also give you plenty of examples.
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❌ Good
The food at the restaurant was good.
excellent
Meaning: extremely good or outstanding
Example:
The concert was excellent, with the musicians delivering a flawless performance.
superb
Meaning: of the highest quality; excellent
Example:
The chef’s cooking was superb, with each dish perfectly seasoned and beautifully presented.
❌ Bad
The weather today is bad.
terrible
Meaning: extremely bad or unpleasant.
Example:
The food at the restaurant was terrible, and the service was even worse.
atrocious
Meaning: shockingly bad or cruel
Example:
The conditions in the prison were atrocious, with inmates living in inhumane conditions.
❌ Happy
I’m happy to see you.
joyful
Meaning: feeling great happiness or delight
Example:
The children were joyful as they opened their Christmas presents.
ecstatic
Meaning: feeling or expressing overwhelming happiness or joyful excitement
Example:
Winning the championship for the team left them feeling ecstatic with joy.
40 Advanced English Adjectives for Fluency
❌ Sad
She felt sad after the breakup.
melancholy
Meaning: a feeling of sadness or pensive thoughtfulness.
Example:
The melancholy song brought back memories of a lost love and left her feeling blue.
sorrowful
Meaning: feeling or showing sadness or distress
Example:
She looked at the old family photos with a sorrowful expression, missing the days when they were all together.
❌ Big
That’s a big house.
enormous
Meaning: extremely large or huge
Example:
The elephant was enormous, towering over the other animals in the zoo.
colossal
Meaning: extremely large or massive.
Example:
The colossal statue was a testament to the skill of the sculptor.
❌ Small
The puppy is small.
tiny
Meaning: very small in size or amount.
Example:
The tiny kitten fits in the palm of his hand.
minuscule
Meaning: extremely small
Example:
The minuscule font on the label made it difficult to read.
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❌ Fast
He’s a fast runner.
rapid
Meaning: happening or moving quickly or at a fast pace
Example:
The train moved at a rapid speed, rushing through the countryside.
swift
Meaning: moving or happening quickly or promptly
Example:
The swift actions of the paramedics saved his life.
❌ Slow
The traffic is slow.
sluggish
Meaning: lacking energy or slow to respond or make progress
Example:
The students were sluggish after lunch, struggling to stay awake during the lecture.
lethargic
Meaning: feeling sluggish or lacking energy.
Example:
The heat made her feel lethargic, and she couldn’t focus on her work.
❌ Hot
It’s hot outside.
scorching
Meaning: extremely hot or burning
Example:
The scorching sun beat down on the desert, making it unbearable to walk.
sweltering
Meaning: uncomfortably hot and humid
Example:
The sweltering heat of the summer made it difficult to sleep at night.
❌ Cold
The weather is cold.
frigid
Meaning: extremely cold
Example:
The frigid weather forced people to stay indoors and bundle up.
icy
Meaning: covered with or consisting of ice or frozen water
Example:
The car skidded on the icy road and crashed into a wall.
❌ Beautiful
The view from the mountaintop was beautiful.
exquisite
Meaning: extremely beautiful or delicate
Example:
The artist’s work was exquisite, with intricate details and stunning colours.
stunning
Meaning: extremely impressive or attractive
Example:
The sunset over the ocean was stunning, with vibrant shades of orange and pink.
❌ Ugly
That’s an ugly sweater.
unappealing
Meaning: lacking attraction or charm, not pleasing to the senses
Example:
The dull, unappealing colour of the dress made it difficult for her to stand out at the party.
unsightly
Meaning: unpleasant to look at or unattractive
Example:
The graffiti on the wall was unsightly and ruined the appearance of the neighbourhood.
❌ Easy
That was an easy task.
effortless
Meaning: done with ease or without exertion.
Example:
She made the difficult task seem effortless with her natural talent.
untroublesome
Meaning: not causing difficulty or problems, easy to manage or deal with
Example:
The new software was untroublesome and didn’t require any technical knowledge to install.
40 Advanced English Adjectives for Fluency
❌ Difficult
That was a difficult exam.
arduous
Meaning: involving great effort or difficulty
Example:
Climbing to the top of the mountain was an arduous task, but the view from the summit was worth it.
challenging
Meaning: testing one’s abilities or skills.
Example:
The math problems on the test were challenging, but the student was determined to solve them.
❌ Old
That’s an old car.
ancient
Meaning: belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence.
Example:
The ancient civilisation of the Mayans left behind many impressive ruins.
antiquated
Meaning: outdated or old-fashioned.
Example:
The antiquated machinery in the factory was no longer efficient.
❌ New
That’s a new gadget.
novel
Meaning: new, original or unusual
Example:
Her novel approach to problem-solving was greatly appreciated by the team.
innovative
Meaning: introducing or using new and creative ideas or methods.
Example:
The company is known for its innovative products that revolutionise the industry.
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40 Advanced English Adjectives for Fluency
❌ Clean
The house is clean.
pristine
Meaning: in perfect condition or clean, untouched and unspoiled
Example:
The car when it was cleaned and polished was in pristine condition.
The beach was pristine, with clear blue water and white sand.
immaculate
Meaning: perfectly clean and tidy or free from flaws or mistakes
Example:
The house is pristine and in immaculate condition. Anybody would be delighted to live in it.
❌ Dirty
That’s a dirty shirt.
filthy
Meaning: extremely dirty, covered with filth, or in a state of being unclean and unsanitary
Example:
The kitchen was filthy after the party last night.
grimy
Meaning: dirty or covered with grime or dirt, and it can refer to a surface, object or place that is unclean and in need of cleaning
Example:
After working in the garage all day, his clothes were grimy and covered in grease.
❌ Bright
The sun is bright today.
radiant
Meaning: shining brightly, or giving off a bright and glowing light or heat
Example:
The sun was radiant as it rose over the horizon, filling the sky with a brilliant orange glow.
She looked radiant stepping out for dinner, turning heads in the crowded restaurant.
gleaming
Meaning: shining brightly and reflecting light or radiance, often in a polished or clean state
Example:
I want this car to be gleaming when I come back; I’m planning to sell it.
❌ Dark
The room was dark because the lights were off.
gloomy
Meaning: dark, dim, or depressing. It can refer to a place, atmosphere, or mood that feels dark or sad
Example:
The peeling wallpaper and broken windows gave the house a gloomy appearance, making her feel uneasy.
sombre
Meaning: dark or dull in colour, or having a serious or sad tone
Example:
The sombre sky indicated that a storm was coming.
So here are advanced English adjectives for fluent speaking.
Pick a few of them, one for each example I gave. Write sentences with them, and think of different places you can use them, not just the ones I mentioned. Try using these words to talk about your room, car, office, or a restaurant you like.
Don’t just use simple words like ‘good’ or ‘bad,’ but try the new ones. If it’s hard, you can look up words in a dictionary or ask me for help at englishlessonviaskype.com
This is Harry, thanks for watching and listening. See you next lesson!
more information
For more information on English grammar rules, English collocations and English idioms, check out the links below:
Advanced Adjectives to Describe Travel
English Expressions with Speak and Speech
You can always study English advanced level at Learning English with the BBC and British Council Learn English.
