Learn important collocations to describe physical appearance in a more detailed way. This vocabulary is useful for real-life situations and can also help you if you’re getting ready for exams like IELTS, TOEFL, or CAE.
We’ll go beyond basic descriptions and focus on phrases that will make your English sound more natural and fluent, just like native speakers. You’ll learn how to describe facial features, hair, and body structure in a way that captures the details.
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List of vocabulary
Collocations To Describe Physical Appearance
Harry
These English collocations are really important for English proficiency exams where you want to describe a picture.
Indeed, if you’re walking down the street and witness an attempted robbery, when the police arrive and there’s no criminal around, they might want to ask you for a description. So, these are really important collocations that you can use to describe what the robber looked like.
Alternatively, you could simply sit on the train and see somebody you fancy. You might want to describe them to your friend later so you can ask for their opinion.
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cropped hair
Meaning: a hairstyle that is cut relatively short, typically with the hair closely trimmed to the scalp
Examples:
Emma Watson often rocks a chic cropped hair look, showcasing her bold and modern style.
I decided to get cropped hair for the summer, making it easy to manage in the hot weather.
Susan surprised everyone with a stylish cropped hair look during the family picnic.
dishevelled hair
Meaning: untidy, messy, or in a state of disorder
Examples:
After playing outside, Timmy’s hair became dishevelled, full of knots and tangles.
At the party, Matthew McConaughey had dishevelled hair, looking relaxed and cool on the red carpet.
coarse hair
Meaning: is thick and rough in texture, often feeling resistant to styling
Examples:
Bob Marley, the famous reggae musician, had coarse and thick hair, which became a symbol of his cultural identity.
Managing coarse hair can be challenging as it tends to be resistant to styling, requiring extra effort for a polished look.
People with coarse hair often seek moisturising products to tame the rough texture and achieve a smoother, more manageable appearance.
receding hairline
Meaning: a person’s hairline is moving backwards, away from the forehead, often resulting in less hair at the front of the head
Examples:
As he got older, John’s hairline started to recede, revealing more of his forehead.
The middle-aged man noticed his receding hair when he looked in the mirror, realising that his hairline had moved back over the years.
Collocations To Describe Physical Appearance
redhead/ginger-haired
Meaning: a person with red hair, often characterised by a reddish-brown or orange hue
Examples:
Lots of people in Ireland have red or ginger hair.
Many people with ginger hair have Celtic ancestry.
Jessica stood out in the crowd with her striking, ginger-haired beauty that caught everyone’s attention.
sallow complexion
Meaning: a skin tone that appears yellowish or sickly. It can be a sign of illness, fatigue, or lack of vitality
Examples:
Sarah didn’t feel well, and her face had a sallow complexion, looking a bit yellowish.
Due to the recent sleepless nights, Emily woke up with sallow skin, her face appearing pale and tired.
fair complexion
Meaning: a light and pale skin tone
Examples:
With her fair complexion, Lily looked radiant in the soft morning sunlight.
Nicole Kidman is known for her fair complexion, which complements her elegant and timeless beauty.
It’s essential to use sunscreen regularly to protect a fair complexion from the harmful effects of UV rays and maintain healthy skin.
haggard face
Meaning: worn out, tired, and often shows the effects of fatigue, stress, or illness
Examples:
After ten years of stress, Sarah’s face looked tired and old, showing signs of a haggard appearance.
Emily’s haggard face revealed the strain of her demanding schedule and constant stress.
pointed face
Meaning: a face with noticeable angular features or a distinct, narrow structure
Examples:
Reese Witherspoon is known for her graceful and distinctive features, including a pointed face that adds to her unique beauty.
The person with the pointed face had defined features that made them stand out in a crowd.
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pudgy/chubby face
Meaning: a face that appears round, full, and slightly plump, often due to excess facial fat
Examples:
Oh, he has chubby cheeks. He certainly likes eating his food.
Santa’s pudgy face beamed with warmth and happiness as he delivered presents to the excited children on Christmas Eve.
bushy eyebrows
Meaning: eyebrows that are thick, full, and often have a dense and prominent appearance
Example:
The old man had bushy eyebrows that added character to his face, framing his eyes with a wild and expressive charm.
hollow eyes
Meaning: the area around the eyes appears deeply indented, creating a shadowed and tired look
Example:
The skinny woman’s hollow eyes showed that she wasn’t eating enough and it was affecting her health.
sunken eyes
Meaning: eyes that seem deeply set into the eye sockets, often creating shadows
Example:
Sarah’s tired and sunken eyes reflected the impact of stress and insufficient sleep.
pointed nose
Meaning: a nose with a distinct and narrow tip, often creating a prominent and refined appearance
Example:
Her pointed nose made her face look more elegant and classy.
Collocations To Describe Physical Appearance
rosebud mouth/lips
Meaning: lips that are small, delicate, and often have a slightly pouting or rounded shape
Example:
She skillfully used lipstick to enhance her natural beauty, creating the illusion of rosebud lips.
broad shoulders
Meaning: noticeably wide shoulders, creating a strong and robust upper body appearance
Examples:
John’s weightlifting gave him broad shoulders, highlighting his strength and commitment to fitness.
Rugby players are often recognised for their broad shoulders.
spindly legs
Meaning: long, thin, and often lacking in muscular definition
Example:
The Daddy long legs spider is easily recognisable by its small body and incredibly spindly legs.
big brawny arms
Meaning: muscular, strong, and well-developed arms, reflecting physical strength and power
Example:
Construction workers often have big, brawny arms, as a result of their physically demanding job.
flabby arms
Meaning: with excess fat or loose skin, appearing soft and less toned
Examples:
Skipping regular exercise can lead to the development of flabby arms.
You can get rid of flabby arms by regularly exercising at the gym.
Okay, so there are 20 particular collocations to describe somebody’s physical appearance. And I said you could use these to create a picture for somebody, particularly if the policeman was asking you for a description of the person.
Don’t forget to practice. If you need more help, please contact me at englishlessonviaskype.com I’m always happy to help you.
This is Harry saying goodbye. Thanks for watching and listening. Join me again soon.
speak better English with Harry podcast- episode 461
more information
For more information on English grammar rules, English collocations and English idioms, check out the links below:
C1 English Collocations for Importance
You can always study English advanced level at Learning English with the BBC and British Council Learn English.
