lips description creative writing

30 of the Best Words to Describe Lips in Your Novel

By: Author Hiuyan Lam

Posted on Last updated: October 20, 2023

Categories Vocabulary Boosters

There is more than meets the eye when describing lips in your novel. It requires you to explain more details by using words to describe its physical attributes.

There are many words to pick from the examples of words to describe lips below to help talk more about your characters.

Words to describe lips of different shapes

  The following words are great at describing different characters based on shape of their lips, and they help your readers create an image of the written content:  

Positive words to describe lips of a woman

  Use the following positive words to describe lips of a woman:  

You May Also Like:

30 of the Best Words to Describe Smell in Your Writing

Words to describe lips of a man

  Use the below words to describe lips that are masculine in size and texture:  

Words about lips’ colors

  Use the following words to describe lips that jazz up your look:  

20 of the Best Words to Describe Someone’s Smile

About lips’ taste

  People have lips with unique tastes, distinguished by the tongue. Use the following words to describe them:  

  You often need to describe your characters in detail throughout your novel. You may use some of the words to describe lips from above to help make your readers more engaged.   There are many different options, giving you a chance to choose what suits your storyline best.  

How to Describe Lips: The Art of Expressing Lip Features

Describing lips can be a fascinating endeavor, as these prominent facial features play an important role in our expressions and overall appearance . whether you’re a writer looking to create vivid characters or someone interested in appreciating the subtle nuances of lip shapes, learning how to describe lips effectively is essential. in this blog post, we will explore various aspects of describing lips, offering insights and techniques to help you master the art of expressing lip features..

Why Are Lips Important?

Before diving into the art of describing lips, it’s crucial to understand their significance. Lips not only facilitate speech and the consumption of food but are also highly expressive in conveying emotions and non-verbal cues. From a beauty standpoint, well-defined and proportionate lips can enhance the attractiveness of a person’s face. Therefore, accurate and evocative descriptions of lips can add depth and realism to your writing and provide a greater understanding and appreciation of lip features.

Describing Lip Shape and Size

One of the fundamental aspects of describing lips is capturing their shape and size. Here are some useful phrases and strategies to help you describe lip features with precision:

• Thin Lips: Lips that appear slender, delicate , or narrow. They may lack fullness.
• Full Lips: Lips that are voluptuous, plump, or thick. They often have a prominent pout.
• Curved Lips: Lips that have a gentle, graceful curvature, creating an elegant and alluring look.
• Straight Lips: Lips with a direct, linear shape, giving a sense of strength and determination.
• Heart-shaped Lips: Lips that taper at the top, resembling the outline of a heart.
• Bow-shaped Lips: Lips marked by a prominent curve in the middle, resembling a bow.
• Uneven Lips: Lips that have an asymmetrical or imbalanced appearance, perhaps due to genetics or injury.

Describing Lip Color and Texture

Lips come in various colors and textures, each contributing to its unique appeal. Consider these phrases when describing lip color and texture:

• Soft Pink Lips: Lips with a delicate, pale pink hue, exuding a gentle and romantic feel.
• Deep Red Lips: Lips with a rich, vivid red color, evoking passion and sensuality.
• Natural Nude Lips: Lips with a subtle, flesh-toned appearance, conveying a natural and effortless beauty.
• Glossy Lips: Lips with a shiny or reflective surface, often achieved with the application of lip gloss.
• Matte Lips: Lips that have a non-reflective, velvety texture, typically achieved with matte lipstick.
• Chapped Lips: Lips that are dry, cracked, or rough, usually due to dehydration or harsh weather conditions.

Adding Emotion to Lip Descriptions

Lips are incredibly expressive and can convey a wide range of emotions. When describing lips, consider incorporating emotions to create a more vivid and engaging portrayal. Here are some examples:

• Smiling Lips: Lips curved upward at the corners, indicating happiness, joy, or friendliness.
• Frowning Lips: Lips turned downward, suggesting sadness, disappointment, or frustration.
• Quivering Lips: Lips that tremble or shake, often revealing fear, vulnerability, or suppressed emotions.
• Pressed Lips: Lips held tightly together, conveying anger, determination, or annoyance.
• Trembling Lips: Lips that shake or vibrate, indicating excitement, nervousness, or anticipation.

Mastering the art of describing lips can greatly enrich your writing or appreciation of physical beauty. By understanding lip shapes, sizes, colors, textures, and emotional portrayals, you can bring your descriptions to life and create captivating characters or convey the beauty of real-life individuals. So, go ahead and use these techniques to elevate your writing skills and indulge in the intricate art of expressing lip features!

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The Emotion Amplifier Thesaurus , a companion to The Emotion Thesaurus , releases May 13th.

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WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®

Helping writers become bestselling authors

Physical Attributes Entry: Lips

January 26, 2013 by ANGELA ACKERMAN

Physical description of a character can be difficult to convey—too much will slow the pace or feel ‘list-like’, while too little will not allow readers to form a clear mental image. If a reader cannot imagine what your character looks like, they may have trouble connecting with them on a personal level, or caring about their plight. 

One way to balance the showing and telling of physical description is to showcase a few details that really help ‘tell the story’ about who your character is and what they’ve been through up to this point. Think about what makes them different and interesting. Can a unique feature, clothing choice or way they carry themselves help to hint at their personality? Also, consider how they move their body. Using movement will naturally show a character’s physical characteristics, keep the pace flowing and help to convey their emotions.

Descriptors :  plump, full, pouty, sultry, thin, fat, dry, cracked, scabby, split, pierced, chapped, swollen, collagen-inflated… Things Lips Do  (and other words/phrases to describe those actions)

• Smile : grin, smirk, simper, sneer, twist, upturn, lift
• Frown : grimace, moue, scowl, pout
• Kiss : smooch, smack, peck, graze, caress, skim, tickle, flick, brush

Key Emotions and Related Lip Gestures:   People mess with their lips quite a bit. When nervous or uncertain, it’s common for people to bite or chew on the lips as well as rubbing a hand or fingers over them. The lips are often mashed together when someone is holding back their true feelings or opinions. When someone is feeling happy…

Clichés to Avoid : a sensual person with plump, full lips; the flirty girl with pouty lips

HINT:   When describing any part of the body, try to use cues that show the reader more than just a physical description. Make your descriptions do double duty.  Example:  I watch myself in the mirror across the room. Ugh. Two muddy-circle eyes under black-dash eyebrows, piggy-nose nostrils, and a chewed-up horror of a mouth. I can’t stop biting my lips. It looks like my mouth belongs to someone else, someone I don’t even know. I get out of bed and take down the mirror. I put it in the back of my closet, facing the wall.  (Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson)

BONUS TIP: The  Color, Texture, and Shape Thesaurus  might help you find a fresh take on some of the descriptors listed above! 

Describe your character’s features in a way that reveals more than just a physical description. Show what he looks like while also reinforcing his personality and emotional state, thereby doing more with less.

Need concrete examples of how to describe your character in a compelling, magnetic way? Good news!  This thesaurus has been integrated into our online library at  One Stop For Writers . There, you can find help with  metaphors and similes , as well as the best ways to  describe your character using movement.  The entire Physical Feature collection is cross-referenced and linked for easy navigation. If you’re interested in seeing a  free  sampling of the updated Physical Feature Thesaurus and our other descriptive collections, head on over and register at One Stop!

Angela is a writing coach, international speaker, and bestselling author who loves to travel, teach, empower writers, and pay-it-forward. She also is a founder of One Stop For Writers , a portal to powerful, innovative tools to help writers elevate their storytelling.

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Reader Interactions

January 27, 2013 at 7:21 am

Nice details!! Sometimes we can forget the smallest thing that can make a difference in bringing our character to life.

January 27, 2013 at 12:51 am

What a wonderfully informative post. I refer back to you blog often whenever I need inspiration for a revision

January 26, 2013 at 11:40 pm

Love that line about lips the size of California.

January 26, 2013 at 7:16 pm

I’m amazed you come up with so many great body part descriptions. And I certainly commented to hopefully win the awesome prize. Congratulations again on five years together. 🙂 Tracy

January 26, 2013 at 6:05 pm

Great ideas for creative description.

January 26, 2013 at 5:48 pm

Would “lip smacking good” be considered a cliche? I’ve heard it used when talking about how good some food dishes are.

January 26, 2013 at 2:24 pm

Loved this, it will really help me with my story.

January 26, 2013 at 2:23 pm

Lips are a great mood indicator and sprinkled throughout the text a strong character developer. Yet so easy to forget to use!

Thanks for the post.

Charlene, good catch! I should have put ‘licking the lips’ as a common sign of nervousness and unease. I don’t think it’s a cliché as much as it is a universal sign for those emotion. Obviously, it shouldn’t be overused, but using it here or that during a scene of high emotion can go a long way toward drawing the reader in, since they’ll recognize that cue.

January 26, 2013 at 2:07 pm

These tips are so helpful! Sometimes it’s difficult to find different words to describe lips, but you made the possibilities seem endless.

January 26, 2013 at 1:58 pm

Love this post and all the others in the series. It’s wonderfully useful to think about things while seeing them all consolidated like this!

Thanks so much for these!

Have a great weekend!

January 26, 2013 at 12:31 pm

As always, this helps me think beyond my own way of describing things. Very helpful, thanks=)

January 26, 2013 at 11:25 am

This is useful, thank you. I noticed licking your lips isn’t on there. Is that considered cliche even if it isn’t done in a sensual manner?

January 26, 2013 at 9:16 am

Thanks for the tips. That was a great example of a good description of lips by Laurie Halse Anderson. This is a hard one not to be cliche.

January 26, 2013 at 9:15 am

The simile/metaphor killed me. I’m going to be staring at people’s lips all day.

[…] Lips […]

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19,890 quotes, descriptions and writing prompts, 4,964 themes

lips - quotes and descriptions to inspire creative writing

Soft baby lips upon a soft baby face, I'd listen to her all day and think of it as a blessing.

Her lips were as good as her eyes in painting a picture of her emotions.

His lips in their casual silent way, told me it was going to be a great day.

There is something eternal about the lips as much as the eyes, for they too are a passing point of soulful communications.

Those lips brought a brightness on every day, both in their perky hue and the sun-golden words she shone.

I never quite figured out if the beauty of his lips was more their softness of their association with the words he spoke.

There was always an honest smile within those lips, always coming forth when words of love were spoken.

Though your lips are pretty, it is the feel of them that sends my mind into a sensual state of intoxication. That's why I reach toward your face and touch them lightly before the urge to kiss you takes over.

If the eyes are the gateway to the soul, the lips are the same thing for the body. They are softness, passion and the promise of the sweetness to come.

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Word lists, cheat sheets, and sometimes irreverent reviews of writing rules. kathy steinemann is the author of the writer's lexicon series..

600+ Words to Describe Smiles: A Word List for Writers

(Discover even more words in The Writer’s Body Lexicon .)

An unknown author once said that everyone smiles in the same language.

An encouraging smile might comfort a mourner or urge a child to take a first step. A scornful smile might raise the dander of a political opponent or irritate a romantic rival. A lecherous smile could alienate a prospective love interest.

This post presents ways to include meaningful smiles in prose and poetry.

Emotion Beats and Physical Manifestations

Smiles don’t always indicate joy, so there’s nothing wrong with describing a smile as joyous or happy. People sometimes shed tears when they’re happy and smile when they’re not. Many emotions can cause a smile, including the following.

A to W approval, arrogance, attentiveness, cheerfulness, contempt, contentment, derision, enthusiasm, euphoria, flirtatiousness, happiness, hostility, joy, optimism, playfulness, pride, scorn, shyness, sincerity, smugness, timidity, worry

The quickest and laziest way to tell readers about a character’s state of mind is to include a phrase such as derisive smile . However, you can just as quickly create point-of-view problems by doing so:

Alicia’s derisive smile filled me with anger.

How does the POV character know that Alicia is expressing derision? Maybe she’s trying to be nice, but her stiletto heels are blistering her feet. Context, including appropriate body language, should provide details that support the narrator’s interpretation of Alicia’s mental state.

The previously mentioned emotions could be expressed in many ways. Here are a few.

Approval high-five tilting one’s head to bare the neck mirroring another person’s body language

Arrogance assertive voice upturned nose puffed-out chest

Attentiveness maintaining eye contact placing a finger on one’s temple angling entire body, including toes , toward the object of attention

Cheerfulness head held high bouncy step whistling

Contempt pinched mouth wrinkled nose curled upper lip

Contentment shoulders held back head held high clapping another character on the back

Derision bullying flared nostrils sarcastic remarks

Enthusiasm boisterous voice pumping arms sparkling eyes

Euphoria glowing face puffed-out chest face turned toward sky, perhaps while standing with outstretched arms

Flirtatiousness fluttering eyelashes open mouth with tip of tongue showing head turned away or slightly downturned while character maintains eye contact

Happiness humming or singing both hands placed over chest arms swinging while walking

Hostility bulging eyes clenched jaw rigid cords in neck

Joy wide eyes happy tears pronounced dimples in cheeks

Optimism crossing one’s fingers enthusiastic chitchat standing akimbo, head held high

Playfulness gentle teasing making funny faces good-natured nudging with an elbow or shoulder

Pride in oneself elevating chin maintaining eye contact holding one’s head high or tilting it back

Pride in someone else moist eyes adoring gaze tears trickling down one’s face

Scorn exhaling with a pfft sound rigid face, orange-peel texture of chin cocking one eyebrow, and accompanying it with a smirk or sneer

Shyness biting nails minimal eye contact playing with one’s hair or mustache

Sincerity open gaze palms up or open placing one’s hand on one’s heart (sometimes done on purpose to fake sincerity)

Smugness arched eyebrows lifting the chin and exposing one’s neck sitting with one’s legs spread wide (usually male)

Timidity bowing one’s head biting one’s lip fidgeting with one’s clothing, jewelry, etc.

Worry pale face dark circles under the eyes massaging one’s eyebrows or forehead

If you need additional beats, consult a body language dictionary . (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.)

As explained in the previous section, some adjectives express opinions that muddle POV . Approach with caution.

A abrupt, acidulous, affected, affectionate, agreeable, airy, all-knowing, alluring, aloof, amazing, ambiguous, ambrosial, amiable, amused, angelic, angry , answering, antiseptic, anxious, apologetic, appreciative, approving, ardent, arrogant, artificial, attentive, awkward

B backward, baleful, bashful, beaming, beatific, beautiful , beguiling, bemused, benevolent, benign, benignant, best, big, bitter, bittersweet, bland, blank, bleak, blissful, blithe, bombastic, bone-chilling, boundless, boyish, brave, breezy, brief, bright, brilliant, brittle, broad, brutal, buoyant, businesslike

C calm, carefree, casual, cautious, cheerful, cheesy, cherubic, childlike, clear, clenched, cockeyed, cocky, cold, comfortable, complacent, conceited, conciliatory, condescending, confident, congenial, congratulatory, conscious, conspiratorial, contagious, contemptuous, contented, convenient, coquettish, cordial, corrugated, counterfeit, courageous, courteous, covert, coy, crafty, crazed, crooked, cryptic, cunning, curdled, curious, cynical

D and E daffy, dangerous, dark, deadly, debonair, deep, deferential, defiant, delightful, deprecating, derisive, devilish, diabolical, dim, disdainful, distant, distorted, doubtful, drowsy, drunken, dubious, eager, easy, ecstatic, egotistical, electric, elusive, empathetic, empty, encouraging, endless, enigmatic, enormous, enthusiastic, envious, euphoric, evil, excited , expectant, exultant

F facile, faded, faint, fake, false, faraway, fascinating, fat, fatherly, fatuous, fawning, feeble, feral, fierce, fitful, flashy, flattering, fleeting, flippant, flirtatious, fond, foolish, forced, formal, frank, frigid, furtive

G gargantuan, garish, gentle, genuine, ghastly, giddy, gigantic, girlish, glacial, glib, glowing, good-natured, goofy, gracious, grateful, gratuitous, grave, greasy, grim, grotesque, groveling, grudging, guilty, gummy

H habitual, half-hearted, handsome, happy , hasty, haughty, hearty, heavenly, hesitant, hideous, high-voltage, hollow, honest, hopeful, hospitable, hostile, huge, humorless, hungry, hypocritical

I icy, idiotic, immutable, impersonal, impish, imploring, impudent, inane, incandescent, incisive, incorrigible, incredulous, indifferent, indolent, indomitable, indulgent, infantile, infectious, inflexible, ingratiating, innocent, inscrutable, insincere, insipid, insolent, intolerable, inviting, involuntary, ironic, ironical, irrepressible, irresistible, irreverent

J to L jaunty, jeering, jejune, jovial, joyless, joyous, jubilant, kind, knowing, languid, languorous, lazy, lecherous, lethargic, lewd, lifeless, listless, little, little-boy, little-girl, lofty, long-suffering, loose, lopsided, loutish, lovely, loving, luminous, lurid

M magical, magnetic, majestic, malevolent, malicious, malignant, maternal, meaning, mechanical, meek, melancholy, mellow, meretricious, merry, metallic, mirthless, mischievous, mocking, modest, Mona Lisa, morose, motherly, mournful, murderous, mysterious

N and O naked, narrow, nasty, natural, naughty, nauseating, nervous, nonchalant, noncommittal, obligatory, oblivious, obnoxious, obsequious, ominous, open, optimistic

P pained, parting, passing, paternal, pathetic, patient, patronizing, peaceful, peculiar, peerless, pensive, perennial, perfunctory, permanent, pert, phony, pitiful, pitying, placid, plastic, playful, polished, polite, pompous, portentous, posed, practiced, predatory, preoccupied, prim, primal, professional, proper, proud, provocative

Q and R quaint, quick, quiet, quirky, quizzical, radiant, rapacious, rapid, rare, rascally, ravishing, ready, reassuring, refined, regal, regretful, religious, reluctant, resolute, respectful, responding, restless, restrained, rictus, ridiculous, rigid, roguish, rueful, rustic, ruthless

S sad, sadistic, sagacious, saintly, sarcastic, sardonic, satirical, saturnine, saucy, scornful, secretive, seductive, self-absorbed, self-righteous, sensuous, serene, severe, sexy, shadowy, shaky, shamefaced, sheepish, shifty, shy, sickly, sidelong, silly, simulated, sincere, sinister, skeptical, sleepy, slight, slimy, sloppy, slow , sly, small, smarmy, smug, soft, solicitous, somber, sour, sparkling, speculative, spicy, steady, sticky, stiff, stilted, suave, sublime, submissive, sudden, suggestive, sunny, supercilious, superficial, superior, surprised, sustained, sweet, sympathetic

T and U tentative, thankful, thin, tight, tight-lipped, timid, timorous, tired, tolerant, toothless, toothy, torpid, tortured, transcendent, tremulous, triumphant, truculent, trusting, twisted, unassuming, uncontrolled, unconvincing, unctuous, uneasy, uneven, unpleasant, unreadable, unsettling

V and W vacant, vague, valiant, vapid, varnished, vicious, victorious, vindictive, visible, vivacious, wan, wanton, warm, watery, weak, weary, welcoming, whimsical, wholesome, wicked, wide, wide-eyed , wild, winning, winsome, wintry, wise, wistful, wondering, wooden, worried, wrinkled, wry

Similes and Metaphors

Words from the animal kingdom often function well as adjectives or as seeds for similes and metaphors. The animals, which are familiar to most readers, evoke memorable images.

A to T apish, camel at a watering hole, cat who smells a mouse, Cheshire Cat [cliché], crocodile (false, phony), cud-chewing cow, dog licking its butt, froggy, hawkish, horsey, iguana, mulish, ostrich, reptilian, toady

More creativity starters:

as bright as dawn on a dazzling summer’s day

as sparkling as sunrays on powdered snow

as wrinkled as his slept-in shirt

cherubic — but deadly as a poisoned dart

like a groom’s grin on his wedding night

like a vampire who smells fresh blood

A villain might have a dark smile, whereas a cancer patient’s might be wan. The rictus grin of a person in death throes might look grey or blue. A tennis player might sport a sunburnt smile.

However, colors most often appear in descriptions of lips and mouths .

Verbs and Phrasal Verbs

While reviewing this list, remember that some verbs describe how smiles affect others:

Molly’s smile alarmed me. Molly’s smile offended the mail carrier.

Some verbs serve double duty:

Alexander’s smile hardened on his face. Alexander’s nonchalant smile hardened my heart.

A adorn, affect, aggravate, agitate, alarm, alleviate [anxiety, dark mood, worry], anger, annoy, appall, appear, assuage [concern, fear, unease], astonish, astound, attract

B and C bedazzle, befuddle, beguile, bewilder, bloom, blossom, bother, broaden, bug, burgeon, calm, captivate, charm, cheer, coax, coerce, comfort, confound, confuse, convince, cover [one’s face], crack [one’s face], creep onto [one’s face]

D daze, dazzle, defeat, delight, demoralize, develop, die, disappear, disappoint, disarm, discomfit, discompose, disconcert, disintegrate, displease, disquiet, dissipate, dissolve, distend, distort, distress, disturb, droop, dry up, dumbfound, dwindle

E and F electrify, emerge, enamor, enchant, encourage, endear, engage, engross, engulf [one’s face], enlarge, enrage, enrapture, enslave, ensnare, enthrall, entice, evaporate, exasperate, exhilarate, expand, explode, fade, falter, fascinate, fill [one’s face], flabbergast, flicker, flower, fluster, form, freeze, frighten

G and H germinate, gnaw at, goad, greet, grieve, grow, harden, haunt, hearten, horrify, hurt, hypnotize

I to M impress, imprison, incense, infect, inflame, infuriate, inspire, intimidate, intrigue, invite, irk, irritate, jolt, lure, madden, materialize, menace, mesmerize, mock, mollify, move [as in affect ], mushroom

N to R nonplus, offend, outrage, panic, paralyze, peeve, perplex, perturb, petrify, placate, plague, pop up, provoke, puzzle, rankle, reach the eyes [cliché], reappear, reassure, restore confidence, rile, rivet

S sadden, scare, settle on, shock, shrink, shrivel, soften, soothe, split [one’s face], spread (out), spring up, sprout, startle, stiffen, stretch, stun, stupefy, surface, surprise

T take root, take shape, take someone aback, tantalize, taunt, tease, tempt, terrify, terrorize, thrill, torment, torture, touch [as in affect ], transfix, trap, trouble, twist

U to W unfold, unfurl, unnerve, unsettle, uplift, upset, vanish, vex, wane, waste away, waver, welcome, widen, wilt, wither, worry, wound

Is smile the word you want? Consider the following. In each case, a single noun can replace the adjective + smile combo:

beam: a good-natured or radiant smile

fleer: an impudent or jeering smile

grin: a broad smile

simper: a coquettish, coy, or ingratiating smile

smirk: a smug, conceited, or silly smile

sneer: a contemptuous, mocking, or unpleasant smile

More nouns that can replace smile include:

A to S amused expression, amused look, arched lips, curl of the lip, dimpling of the face, leer, snigger

See 600+ Ways to Describe Lips and Mouths for dozens of props that would be suitable for smiles.

Clichés and Idioms

It’s unlikely that smile idioms and clichés will cause undue repetition in your WIP, because English doesn’t contain that many. However, check for the following and replace them if they don’t suit your narrator’s voice or characters’ dialogue.

all smiles: delighted, ecstatic, euphoric, thrilled

wearing nothing but a smile: naked, nude, undressed

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6 thoughts on “ 600+ Words to Describe Smiles: A Word List for Writers ”

Your work is an incredible resource for writers such as myself, Kathy. Thank you! -Sean

Thanks, Sean. May your muse nag you every day.

This is so helpful! I’m still learning English (it isn’t my first language) but this has helped me a lot so far 🙂

I’m glad it helped you, Hilde. Thanks for reading!

These words and tips are helpful for when you’re puzzling over that elusive description. Thanks Kathy.

Thank you, Kate. Have a great week!

Describing a Smile in Writing: A Guide with Creative Examples

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As an affiliate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. We get commissions for purchases made through links on this website from Amazon and other third parties.

Describing a smile in writing can be a challenging task for any writer. It requires a certain level of creativity and attention to detail to accurately convey the emotions and feelings behind a smile. Whether it’s a shy smile, a mischievous grin, or a warm and welcoming smile, each one tells a unique story.

To help writers master the art of describing a smile, this guide provides 700 creative examples that can be used as a reference. From the subtle nuances of a half-smile to the infectious joy of a full-blown laugh, this guide covers it all. It also includes tips and tricks for using descriptive language effectively to bring a smile to life on the page.

Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting, this guide is a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their writing skills. Describing a smile may seem like a small detail, but it can make a big impact on the overall tone and mood of a piece of writing. With this guide, writers can confidently capture the essence of a smile and bring their characters to life.

The Anatomy of a Smile

A smile is one of the most powerful and universal expressions of emotion. It can convey a range of emotions, from joy and happiness to amusement and contentment. Understanding the anatomy of a smile can help writers accurately describe this expression in their writing .

Facial Muscles and Expressions

A smile is created by the movement of several facial muscles, including the zygomaticus major, orbicularis oculi, and levator labii superioris. These muscles work together to pull the lips upward and outward, exposing the teeth and creating a pleasant expression.

In addition to the movement of the facial muscles, a smile is also characterized by the expression in the eyes. A genuine smile will cause the muscles around the eyes to contract, creating crow’s feet and a bright, warm expression.

Types of Smiles

There are many different types of smiles, each with its unique characteristics and meanings. Some common types of smiles include:

• The gentle smile: This is a soft, understated smile that conveys a sense of warmth and kindness. It is often accompanied by a slight upward tilt of the head.
• The broad smile: This is a wide, open smile that exposes the teeth and conveys a sense of happiness and joy. It is often accompanied by a boisterous laugh.
• The soft smile: This is a subtle, gentle smile that conveys a sense of contentment and peace. It is often accompanied by a relaxed posture and a soft, soothing voice.
• The radiant smile: This is a bright, glowing smile that conveys a sense of excitement and enthusiasm. It is often accompanied by a wide-eyed expression and animated gestures.

When describing a smile in writing , it is important to consider the type of smile being expressed and the emotions it conveys. By paying attention to the movement of the facial muscles and the expression in the eyes, writers can accurately capture the essence of a smile and bring their characters to life.

Emotions Behind Smiles

Smiling is a universal expression of joy, happiness, and contentment. However, a smile can also convey a range of other emotions that may not be immediately apparent. Understanding the emotions behind a smile can help you better interpret the feelings of the person you are interacting with.

Joy and Happiness

A smile that is accompanied by sparkling eyes, raised cheeks, and a relaxed mouth is a clear indication of joy and happiness. This type of smile is often seen in social situations where people are enjoying themselves or in response to good news. The emotions behind this type of smile are positive and uplifting, and they can be contagious.

Nervousness and Fear

A smile that is forced or strained can indicate nervousness or fear. In this type of smile, the mouth is closed or only slightly open, and the eyes may not be engaged. This type of smile is often seen in social situations where people are uncomfortable or in response to a stressful situation. The emotions behind this type of smile are negative and can be a sign of discomfort or unease.

Sorrow and Regret

A smile that is sad or regretful is often accompanied by downcast eyes and a downturned mouth. This type of smile can indicate feelings of sadness, regret, or disappointment. This type of smile is often seen in social situations where people are trying to mask their true feelings or in response to a negative situation. The emotions behind this type of smile are negative and can be a sign of sadness or regret.

Understanding the emotions behind a smile can help you better connect with the person you are interacting with. By paying attention to the subtle cues of a smile, you can gain insight into a person’s emotional state and respond accordingly.

Describing Smiles in Literature

When it comes to describing a smile in literature, writers have a plethora of options to choose from. Whether it’s a subtle smirk or a wide grin, the right words can paint a vivid picture in the reader’s mind. In this section, we’ll explore two techniques that can be used to describe a smile in writing : similes and metaphors, and creating context with descriptions.

Using Similes and Metaphors

Similes and metaphors are often used to describe a smile in literature. A simile is a comparison between two things using “like” or “as,” while a metaphor is a direct comparison between two things. Here are a few examples of similes and metaphors that can be used to describe a smile:

• Her smile was like a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day.
• His smile was as warm as a summer breeze.
• The smile on her face was a bright beacon in the darkness.
• His smile was a mask that hid his true emotions.

By using similes and metaphors, writers can create a powerful image in the reader’s mind, making the description of a smile more engaging and memorable.

Creating Context with Descriptions

Another way to describe a smile in literature is by creating context with descriptions. This involves using other descriptive words to paint a picture of the situation and the character’s emotions. Here are a few examples:

• She smiled nervously, her lips trembling slightly.
• He smiled confidently, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
• A small smile played at the corners of her mouth, betraying her true feelings.

By providing context with descriptions, writers can create a more nuanced and realistic portrayal of a smile, making it feel more authentic and relatable.

Overall, the key to describing a smile in literature is to choose the right words and techniques that fit the character and the situation. Whether it’s through similes and metaphors or creating context with descriptions, a well-written smile can add depth and emotion to any story.

The Impact of a Smile

A smile can have a profound impact on both the person smiling and those around them. It can convey a wide range of emotions, from happiness and joy to kindness and understanding. In this section, we will explore the psychological and social effects of a smile.

Psychological Effects

A smile can have a powerful effect on a person’s mental and emotional state. Research has shown that smiling can help reduce stress and anxiety, increase feelings of happiness and well-being, and even improve cognitive function. This is because when we smile, our brains release endorphins, which are natural feel-good chemicals that help reduce pain and promote a sense of calm and relaxation.

Furthermore, a smile can help improve one’s self-esteem and confidence. When we smile, we feel more positive about ourselves and our abilities, which can help us tackle challenges with greater ease and confidence.

Social Interactions

A smile is also an important tool for social interactions. It can help build rapport and trust between people, and make others feel more comfortable and at ease. A genuine, infectious smile can help break down barriers and create a sense of connection and belonging.

On the other hand, a forced or fake smile can have the opposite effect. It can come across as insincere or disingenuous, and may even make others feel uncomfortable or uneasy.

A beautiful smile, whether gentle or wide, can leave a lasting impression on those who see it. It can convey warmth, kindness, and sincerity, and can help build strong and meaningful relationships.

In conclusion, a smile is a powerful tool that can have a significant impact on both the person smiling and those around them. Whether it’s a genuine, infectious smile or a forced, fake one, the effects of a smile can be felt both psychologically and socially.

Crafting Authentic Characters

Creating authentic characters is one of the most important aspects of writing. Without realistic characters, a story can fall flat and fail to engage readers. One way to develop authentic characters is through their smiles. A character’s smile can reveal a lot about their personality, emotions, and motivations.

Character Development through Smiles

A smile can be a powerful tool for character development. By describing a character’s smile, writers can reveal their inner thoughts and feelings. For example, a shy character may have a small, hesitant smile, while a confident character may have a wide, toothy grin.

Describing a character’s smile can also help readers connect with them on a deeper level. By showing their vulnerabilities and insecurities through their smile, readers can relate to them and empathize with their struggles.

Nonverbal Communication Cues

Smiling is just one example of nonverbal communication cues that can help develop authentic characters. Writers can also use body language, facial expressions, eyes, head, hands, voice, and tone to reveal a character’s personality and emotions.

For example, a character who is nervous may fidget with their hands or avoid eye contact, while a character who is angry may clench their fists and have a harsh tone of voice. By using these nonverbal cues, writers can create realistic and relatable characters that readers can connect with.

In conclusion, crafting authentic characters is vital for creating a compelling story. By using a character’s smile and other nonverbal communication cues, writers can develop characters that feel real and relatable to readers.

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How to Describe Facial Expressions in Writing

When writing about facial expressions, most writers are content to keep it simple. Why put more effort into describing a character’s expression when “he frowned angrily” gets the point across? Well, since you made it to this article, you probably aren’t like other writers. You know that keeping things vague and simple or including overused adverbs to simplify descriptions can impact the flow of your story as a whole. You know that a little extra effort can go a long way. 

Every time you describe a character’s expression, you have an opportunity to reveal more about their personality, intentions, and complex emotions—so don’t take the easy way out! Expressions have so much potential to show a character’s true colors! However, it’s not always easy to know how to approach describing facial expressions. Understanding the characteristics of each expression is the first step towards knowing how to properly describe them in your own writing.

Describing Different Facial Expressions

Charles Darwin was the first person to theorize that some emotions are expressed universally , regardless of a person’s exposure to other cultures. The greater scientific community disagreed with this theory, including Dr. Paul Ekman. Ekman ran a social experiment in the late 20th century with the intention of proving Darwin wrong, but he accidentally ended up proving this theory to be correct. 

Now, we know that there are 7 universal emotions that every single culture in the world expresses in the same way. Emotions are expressed innately, and the faces people make when experiencing different emotions are based on natural instinct. 

The seven universal expressions are:

So what does this mean for you? When writing about emotions, it can be really tempting to simply say that the character is feeling angry or disgusted, because that’s easy to write. However, it feels so much more authentic to a reader if they can figure out how a character is feeling based on the descriptions you give about their facial features. Rather than being told how to feel, readers can pick up on the character’s emotions on their own. 

This is based on the technique “show, don’t tell.” If you want to learn more about that, check out Show, Don’t Tell: What it is and How to Write it .

Now let’s get into the specifics of each expression. 

Describing Anger

Describing an angry facial expression is fairly straightforward because it is such a strongly expressed emotion. Anger affects the entire face, so there are many options for writing about how the different features change. Here are some of the telltale signs of anger in a person’s expression:

• Their eyebrows would be lowered and pulled closer together
• Their eyelids would become squinted or raised (or their eyes may bulge if they are enraged)
• Their lips would tighten or curl inwards
• The corners of their mouth would point downwards
• Their Jaw would be tense and might jut forward slightly
• Vertical wrinkles may appear between their eyebrows
• Their nostrils may flare outwards

Anger is a powerful emotion, and it affects more than just the face. When someone gets angry, it usually triggers their body to produce adrenaline (the “fight-or-flight” hormone), which can come with a host of bodily side-effects that can give the anger away. These sides effects include things like:

• Increased heart rate
• Rapid breathing
• Flushed face
• Restless movements

There’s a lot more to anger than the expression. If you want more pointers for writing about anger, I have another article you might want to read: Writing a Character with Anger Issues . 

Describing Happiness

A smile is a great way of showing your readers more about the character, so don’t just leave it at “she smiled.” What does her smile look like? Is it warm, authentic, humorless, mocking, or cruel? Is the character amused, nervous, or happy? A smile can mean many things, and it can even foreshadow a character’s hidden traits. A cold smile can indicate a more sinister nature without you having to work very hard at making them seem that way. 

Here are some of the signs that a character is actually happy:

• Their eyes squint slightly
• Wrinkles appear at the corners of their eyes
• Their cheeks raise
• A defined wrinkle runs from the sides of their nose to the corners of their mouth, known as “smile lines”
• The corners of their mouth move up at a diagonal, widening their mouth
• Their mouth may part, exposing teeth 

Now, a character doesn’t have to have all of those elements in their expression if they are feeling good. For example: 

“His face relaxed, but I could still see the faint outline of wrinkles around his eyes—eyes which seemed to sparkle ever so slightly despite the dullness of the room. Even the corners of his mouth seemed to fight against his normally stoic expression, betraying how he really felt.” 

However, a smile is an expression that is commonly faked. If you want to show that a character is faking a smile, make sure their eyes don’t match the rest of the expression. True happiness is expressed with the eyes, so when a person smiles without showing it in their eyes, it comes across as cold and ingenuine. 

Describing Sadness 

Sadness is a difficult emotion to portray because it is often complex and confusing. Even the character experiencing the sadness might not understand exactly why they feel that way. With that said, there are a few universal signs of the expression, such as:

• Their eyebrows will lower and pulled closer together
• The inner corners of their eyebrows will be angled up
• The corners of their mouth will be drawn downwards
• Their lips may be either drawn in tightly or pouting outwards

Another familiar telltale sign of sadness is crying. There are so many ways to describe crying that I couldn’t possibly cover all of them here, but I’ll give you a few pieces of advice:

• Tears first pool in the eyes before they streak down a person’s cheeks.
• Tears distort vision, so if you’re writing in the first person, don’t forget that your character’s vision will be blurry. 
• Crying usually isn’t a pretty sight, so don’t be afraid to show that the character’s face is red or that their nose is running.

So, sadness is a complex emotion—but what does that really mean? Well, there are many different ways that sadness can be felt and expressed depending on the intensity of the emotion, and there many different things that can trigger a sad response in a character. When a character is truly heartbroken, their expression may change to be more numb: their mouth may hang open loosely, their eyes may remain closed, and the rest of their body may become limp and heavy. 

Complexity also means that sadness is often experienced in tandem with another emotion, such as anger, happiness, or disgust. I’ll get more into how to write complex expressions later though, so read on! 

Describing Fear

Fear is another difficult emotion, because there are many different degrees and types of fear a character can feel. In general, however, these are the guidelines you should follow for describing a fearful expression:

• Their eyebrows would be pulled up and together
• Their upper eyelids would be pulled up, and their lower eyelids would be tense and drawn up as well
• Their mouth would be stretched and drawn back, possibly exposing teeth

There are a few distinctions you need to remember: fear is not the same as nervousness or surprise. The expression for surprise looks different, and although nervousness is often a precursor to fear, they are not the same. If you want tips for writing about nervousness, check out my other article: How to Write a Nervous Character . 

You’ve probably noticed that the expressions for fear and anger share a lot of similarities, including the “fight-or-flight” response. However, the context of the situation is usually enough to tip the readers off to which emotion the character is feeling.

Another way to distinguish the two is with the character’s body language. If a character is angry, they are going to move deliberately and with confidence. They will take up space and command attention with the way they move. An angry person is usually on the offensive, while a fearful person is going to be defensive. A fearful person may try to make themself small to avoid drawing attention, or they may instinctively shrink away from whatever is frightening them. 

Describing Surprise

Surprise functions differently from the other universal emotions. Unlike all the others on the list, surprise is fleeting, and will typically be expressed in only a few seconds. That is most evident with jumpscares, like in haunted houses or video games (or if something suddenly traumatic happens in front of your character), but there are instances in which the expression can linger. Walking into a grand cathedral, being proposed to, or receiving horrible news are all situations in which a surprised expression may stay for longer than a few seconds. 

Here are the unmistakable characteristics of a surprised character:

• Their eyebrows would be raised
• Horizontal wrinkles would appear on their forehead
• Their jaw would go slack
• Their mouth would hang open loosely 
• Their eyes would widen

As with anger and fear, surprise triggers the “fight-or-flight” response. Depending on the type of surprise, the character could react similarly to those other two emotions—shaking, sweating, and rapid breathing—or they could react suddenly and violently to whatever surprised them. They could lash out to defend themself, run away from the perceived threat, or simply freeze in place. 

If you want to learn more about surprising your characters and your readers in your writing, check out my other article: Writing Surprised Characters .

Describing Disgust 

You’ve probably read “her nose wrinkled in disgust” a million times before, but you shouldn’t get comfortable with writing like everybody else. While it’s true that the wrinkled nose is a key characteristic of the expression, so much more goes into making it complete. A disgusted expression affects the entire face, like so:

• Their eyebrows would be pulled down
• Their nose would be wrinkled
• Their upper lip would be pulled up
• Their lips would be loose
• Their eyes would narrow
• Their teeth may be exposed
• Their cheeks may be raised

You’ve probably also read “she recoiled in disgust” before, since that’s another popular writing cliché. As with other emotions, body language plays a part in this, but don’t write it the same way as everyone else. Also, and this should go without saying by now, don’t tell the readers that the character is disgusted— show them . For example:

She stumbles back, her hands clutching the front of her delicate blouse. 

“What is that!?” she gasps, narrowing her eyes at the drooling monster in front of her. 

“It’s my pet.” I respond, making her wrinkle her nose. 

Describing Contempt

Contempt is an interesting emotion, but it is one that is often overlooked. A character that is feeling contempt could assume they are being lied to, that they are right and someone else is wrong, or that someone or something is not worth their time and attention. It is associated with a sense of superiority and apathy. The signs that a character is feeling contempt are:

• Their eyes would be unengaged
• One side of their mouth is pulled up and back
• One of their eyebrows may pull upwards
• Their head may tilt back slightly, making their gaze follow down their nose

This emotion is not a passionate one, meaning the expression is typically somewhat subtle. However, the degree to which the emotion is expressed is going to depend on the character and the context. 

Describing Complex Emotions

Now that you know the expressions for each of the 7 different universal emotions, it’s time to mix and match. Emotions are not always clearly divided; a person can feel several different emotions at the same time. They could be feeling happy and sad at the same time, or angry and disgusted. They could even be feeling anger, disgust, fear, and surprise all at the same time.

Emotions can conflict and overlap with each other, creating a unique expression as they are all experienced at once. Try to sort through the emotions your character is feeling in order to figure out how to describe their expression. There is usually a dominant emotion that will define the majority of the expression, but elements of other expressions would creep in. 

Let’s consider an example: a character has just caught their partner cheating. They are likely to be surprised, angry, and sad all at the same time, but the dominant emotion will depend on the character. One character may get angry, and express all the normal features of an angry expression, but have tears spilling down their cheeks. Another character may have surprise as their dominant emotion, but scowl in anger. Yet another type of character could feel contempt as their dominant emotion, yet grimace in disgust at the sight. 

When two or more emotions are fighting for dominance, and a character cannot decide how to feel, their expression can become confused . Although confusion is not recognized as a universal emotion, here are some options for showing that a character is feeling conflicted or confused:

• Their eyebrows may be drawn together
• A vertical wrinkle may appear between their eyebrows
• Their mouth may be pulled in tightly
• The corners of their mouth may point downward
• They may glance around in different directions
• They may let their mouth hang open loosely, or open and close their mouth several times (especially before speaking)
• They may swallow excessively
• They may fidget or touch their face

Writing About MicroExpressions

Sometimes, characters will try to conceal their emotions, but there will still be signs of how they really feel in their expression. Microexpressions are tiny glimpses of the true emotion that a person feels, quickly followed by a false expression to mask that emotion. Although these usually last a fraction of a second, you can use them to tip readers off to how the character is really feeling. Microexpressions can also be a good way of indicating that a character is lying. 

To write about microexpressions, all you need to do is show little hints of one or more different features of the full expression, but make sure to note that it is only on the character’s face for a brief moment in time. You can use just about any feature of the expression for the microexpression, as long as it is indicative of the emotion by itself. Here are some examples:

• A character trying to mask anger may draw their lips in tightly, then smile. 
• A character trying to mask happiness may squint their eyes, then adopt a stoic expression. 
• A character trying to mask sadness may bring the inside corners of their eyebrows up, then adopt a happy expression. 
• A character trying to mask fear may tense up and bare their teeth, then act angry to make it seem like they were never afraid. 
• A character trying to mask surprise may widen their eyes, and quickly adopt a contemptuous expression to brush off their surprise.
• A character trying to mask disgust may wrinkle their nose, then act surprised to hide their disgust. 
• A character trying to mask contempt may have one eyebrow twitch upwards slightly, then adopt a pleasant smile. 

Remember that the choices you make when describing a character’s expressions can also indicate personality traits, trustworthiness, and likeability. Once you understand the different elements of each universal expression, you can modify it to reveal more about the character in question. Microexpressions can help you reveal more depth to your characters, and make each individual seem more complex. 

Some Tips for Describing Facial Expressions

Although you know how to describe the expressions for the 7 universal emotions, you could still benefit by observing and analysing these expressions yourself. One of the best ways to do this is to study people’s expressions. Pay attention to the actors’ faces when you are watching a movie or show, and try to take note of the little changes in their expressions. You need to be able to put the theory of expressions in practice, and observing real people is the best way to understand how to apply it.

If you are having difficulty describing a character’s expression, try acting out the scene. Imagine the setting, and read the dialogue out loud. How do you feel? What would be going through your mind? Really try to embody the character, and take note of the expression that comes naturally to you. Recreate it in a mirror, or record yourself with your cell phone, and use that as a guide. 

Good luck, and keep writing!

Writers After Dark

—Life Through the Eyes of Storytellers—

Using Body Language in Your Novel, Part One—Facial Expressions

How ’bout you and I get physical today? *Kat blows a kiss*

Don’t worry; I’m not trying to be inappropriate with you (any inappropriateness happens naturally, there’s no try here, it’s all “do”—ask Yoda). I’m only trying to share some of my notes on getting physical. Or rather helping you add some layers to your characters with the use of body language.

In art, there’s a term called underpainting–it’s the building of layer upon layer upon layer. And that’s what we want to do with our characters so the reader can experience a deep subconscious connection to them. We’re going to layer them up with some good old-fashioned physical actions.

So let’s get into it.

Reading another person’s body language is tricky. But most of our body parts are quietly communicating how we feel and what we want, whether we realize it or not. This is helpful in fiction. Although words can be deceptive, the human body is a terrible liar. It provides a surprising amount of information on what other people are thinking or how they’re feeling.

Here are some body language “tells” to further enhance your characters’ emotions:

Part One: Facial Expressions

Chin, neck, and jaw:.

* Jutted chin. Described as extending your chin in front of you. Use it to indicate your character is being arrogant, inflexible, or stubborn. This can also be used to describe someone who feels superior to the other characters.

* Neck. The way you describe your character holding his neck can indicate anxiety or confidence. For example, if he’s looking at the floor or ceiling you know he’s nervous or unsure. But if he holds his head straight up, he’ll look calm and self-confident.

* Clenched jaw. A clenched jaw and tightened neck can be used to indicate stress, anxiety, or to portray that your character’s mind is elsewhere.

* Frowning. This can be used to indicate disapproval, lying, displeasure, or concentration in your character.

* Scowling and grimacing. Same as frowning—can be used to also indicate unhappiness, disagreement, or hurt.

Mouths can say a lot of things without words. These are some things your character can say with just their lips.

* Pursed lips. Described as lips pulled inward from all directions. Use it to indicate: tension, frustration, distaste, disapproval, lying/withholding the truth, or anger. For example, you can use it to showcase a character holding her mouth shut to prevent herself from saying something she shouldn’t.

* Turned up lips. Described as having the corners of the mouth turned upward. Use it to indicate a smile of pleasure, which will engage the whole face. Or use it in a grimace of disgust, in which case the teeth are unlikely to be shown, making it flat and tense.

* Turned down lips. Described as having the corners of the mouth turned down. Use it to indicate sadness or displeasure.

* Parted lips. This can be used to indicate your character is flirting. Especially if the lips are then licked . . . and to kick it up a notch, add intensity by having the character hold the other person’s gaze.

* Puckered lips. Described as having the lips in a kiss shape. Use it to indicate desire primarily. But it can also show your character may be experiencing uncertainty—showcase this more by having her touch her puckered lips with her fingers.

* Tight or flattened lips. Described as squeezed flat lips or an exaggerated closed mouth. Use it to indicate disapproval, frustration, or a repressed desire to speak. Or even to show your character is trying not to cry.

* Retracted lips. Described as pulled back with exposed teeth. Use it to indicate either a broad smile or a snarl of aggression. Don’t forget to pair it with the eyes (see below)—crinkles for a smile and for the snarl, your character can have narrowed eyes.

* Twitching lips. Described as quick, small movements of the mouth. Twitching lips can indicate the betrayal of inner thoughts, cynicism, and disbelief.

* Biting the lips. Usually, this is the bottom lip. Use it to indicate flirtation (paired with eye contact), anxiety, stress, lying, or as a suppressing action (like your character stopping himself from saying something).

Smile and laughter:

Focus on describing what’s happening around the eyes.

* Fake Smile. If you want your character to have a fake smile, point out the lack of crinkles around the eyes. Conversely, with a . . .

* Genuine smile , if your character is smiling joyfully, their eyes will crinkle. So be sure to add crow’s feet on the outside of your character’s eye.

* Shy smile. Described as head turned slightly down or away while holding a closed-lip smile. This can be used to help your character look more innocent, secretive, youthful, or playful.

* Smug smile. You know that self-satisfied smile! This can be used to indicate arrogance, feelings of superiority, or as an attempt to dismiss what another character is saying. On the other hand, it can also be used to show flirtation as a sign of humor and playfulness.

* Slight smile. This can be used to indicate an attempt at seduction, especially if it’s accompanied by direct eye contact. Or on the other hand, it can indicate your character is unsure, or worried about another person’s perception of them.

* Smirk. Otherwise known as a twisted or lopsided smile. Described as a smile where the mouth moves in opposite directions, with one side of the lips moving upward as the other side slants down. It can be used to indicate mixed emotions, anxiety, sadness, sarcasm, irony, or embarrassment.

* Laughing. If one character is receptive to another character’s humor, she’s probably into him. Laughter serves as a way to indicate a desire for a relationship—platonic or romantic.

* Excessive or exaggerated nodding. This could indicate anxiety about approval. It’s a good action if you want to showcase your character being worried about what a specific person may think of them.

* Hair. This may not be an actual body language, but it’s helpful for appearance’s sake. The way your character carries her hair can be used as “tell signs.” Give her perfectly groomed hair to showcase her need to be in control. And THEN give her frazzled locks in a scene where you need to really highlight the level of tension and angst she’s going through.

* Touching face. If your character repeatedly touches his face, he’s probably nervous, anxious, or stressed.

The key is to add a mismatch between what your character is saying and what his (usually tense) body language is revealing. Use these “tells” sparingly, and you’ll be adding a great layer of emotional description! 😉

Be sure to come back in the next few weeks for more body language tips for your novel.

Coming up next: eyes, posture, arms, shoulders, legs, and feet.

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Published by S. Katherine Anthony

S.K. Anthony (Shanny) is a writer, a reader, and make-stuff-up-er who lives in New York. She is an award-winning author and a podcaster. When she isn’t busy with her toddler twins, S.K. finds herself being transported into the world of imagination. Well, either that or running away from spiders . . . she is convinced they are out to get her! View all posts by S. Katherine Anthony

20 thoughts on “Using Body Language in Your Novel, Part One—Facial Expressions”

You know if you wrote a how-to book for indie authors I’d buy it, right? 😉

Like Liked by 1 person

I appreciate you saying that, Felicia!!! We do have several of those in the works, but want to make sure we offer truly helpful advice. I will be sure to reach out to you when we’re ready! I would love your input when it’s time! 😘

YASSSSS! So glad to hear this, S.K.! If your books mirror your blog posts, trust me – they will be helpful!

I save your blog posts as docs then import them into my Scrivener research folder. Would love to have a book-in-hand instead. Looking forward to the day! 😉

Reblogged this on Nesie's Place and commented: Fix your face! 😄 Using facial expressions in fiction.

Thanks for sharing! 💜💜💜

Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes . . .

You know I can’t help singing it. This is so thorough and helpful! I can’t wait for the next ones. And I agree with the above commenter. You could put this all together in book form and people would love it.

Well, there’s no one else who can take away the seriousness of our posts like you–with a kiddie song nonetheless lol

And, yes, as you already knew Miss Editor, those books are in the plans! 😊

No kiddie song can take away the quality of what you two post, that’s for sure. But I gotta be me!

[…] Facial Expressions (what they are and when to use them) […]

[…] See Part One—Facial Expressions here. […]

These are very helpful tips. I have read so much over the years, that I naturally just used these as part of my character building. I hadn’t really stopped to think of the breakdown in emotional connection. Lol Also, since you have young twin girls…when do you find is your BEST time to do your writing? I have 2 little ones as well.

What is writing? lol Honestly, I struggle to find the writing time . . . which is why my books take a few years each 😂 And, actually I have boy/girl twins, I try to write (both books and articles) at night when they sleep. What about you with your two little ones?

I like the ‘lippy oh’

Great tips SK, I have used a few of these but frequently forget to add them. Excellent first list.

JT!!! Hi 🙂 I frequently forget, too! I worked on this series in hopes it sticks this time lol

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Never struggle with Show-and-Tell again. Activate your free trial or subscribe to view the Physical Feature Thesaurus in its entirety, or visit the Table of Contents to explore unlocked entries.

HELPFUL TIP:

Descriptors and key elements:, common actions and alternative words to denote them:, emotions and related gestures:.

• People play with their lips quite a bit. When nervousness or uncertainty abound, it's common for people to bite or chew on the lips or rub at them with fingers or a hand. The lips are often pressed together when someone is holding back their true feelings or opinions.
• Happiness or contentment may be expressed by lips that whistle, hum, or smile.
• On the other hand, disgust is shown by wrinkling the lips or curling them away from the teeth.
• Frowning is a common sign of anger , sadness , disappointment , or confusion .

SIMILE AND METAPHOR EXAMPLES:

Clichés to avoid:, body description notes:.

BRYN DONOVAN

tell your stories, love your life

• Writing Inspiration
• Semi-Charmed Life
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MASTER LIST of Gestures and Body Language!

Gestures and body language

matter a lot in fiction because nonverbal communication is so important. Gestures can help readers visualize a scene and get a feel for the characters. They can also set up lines of dialogue so you don’t have a string of he said, she said, he asked, etc., running down the page.

How to describe body language and gestures in writing may seem simple, but I find that when I’m in the middle of writing a scene, sometimes I draw a blank! It’s easy to wind up with characters who are nodding and shrugging all the time. Hopefully this list will help make writing body language easier.

You might want to consider which gestures or what body language is typical for each of your characters. For instance, one of my characters in the novel I just finished tends to hug herself when she’s nervous, while another has a habit of rubbing at his shoulder when he’s uncomfortable. They only do it a few times each throughout the book, but I think details like that make characters feel more solid.

For a great guide to what body language means, I recommend What Every BODY Is Saying , by former FBI counterintelligence offer Joe Navarro and body language expert Marvin Karlins.

Some of the things in my list are not exactly body language or gestures, but are useful for dialogue tags. As with my list of facial expressions , I’ve included some different ways to say the same thing. There are some longer phrases and sentences, which you can obviously rewrite and adjust as you like, although you don’t have to.

Let me know if you have gestures or body language to add to this list! 

Master List of Gestures and Body Language

he lowered his head she hung her head he ducked she bowed her head he covered his eyes with a hand she pressed her hands to her cheeks

she raised her chin he lifted his chin

her hands squeezed into fists his hands tightened into fists she clenched her fists she balled her fists he unclenched his fists her arms remained at her sides

he shrugged she gave a half shrug he lifted his shoulder in a half shrug she gave a dismissive wave of her hand

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she raised a hand in greeting he waved

she held up her hands he lifted his hands she held up her palms he threw his hands in the air she brushed her palms together he rubbed his hands together she made a steeple of her fingers he spread his hands they gesticulated he waved his hands she clapped her hands he snapped his fingers she held up a finger he pointed she gestured with a thumb he jerked his thumb toward… she extended her middle finger toward him he gave her the finger she gave him the thumbs up

she put her hands on her hips she shoved her hands in her pockets he jammed his hands in his front pockets she rested a hand on her hip she jutted out her hip

she folded her arms he crossed his arms over his chest she hugged herself he wrapped his arms around himself she rocked back and forth

she spread her arms wide he held out his arms she held out her hand they extended a hand

he shook his head she nodded he bobbed his head she tilted her head he cocked his head she inclined her head he jerked her head in the direction of… she turned her face away he looked away

his breaths quickened she panted she was breathing hard his chest rose and fell with rapid breaths she took in a deep breath he drew in a long breath she took in a sharp breath he gasped she held her breath he let out a harsh breath she exhaled he blew out his cheeks she huffed he sighed she snorted

she laughed he giggled she guffawed he chuckled she gave a bitter laugh he gave mirthless laugh she tittered he cackled

she rubbed her shoulder he kneaded his shoulder he rolled his shoulders she tensed her shoulders he massaged the back of his neck she rubbed her temples she rubbed her hands on her thighs

she ran her hand through her hair he threaded a hand through his hair he raked his fingers through his hair he shoved his hair back away from his face she toyed with a lock of hair she played with her hair she twirled her hair she wrapped a curl around her finger she tucked a lock of hair behind her ear she undid her ponytail and shook out her hair she tossed her hair he buried his hands in his hair he stroked his beard he scratched his beard

she tugged at her earlobe he bit a nail she chewed on a cuticle she picked at her nails she inspected her fingernails he plucked at the cuff of his shirt she picked a piece of lint from her sleeve he adjusted the lapels of his jacket she fiddled with her earring / bracelet he twisted the wedding ring on his finger she played with her cell phone he tugged at his shirt collar he adjusted his tie she smoothed down her skirt

she scratched her nose he scratched his head he rubbed his forehead she rubbed her eyes she pinched the bridge of her nose he held his nose

she slapped her forehead he smacked his forehead he facepalmed he slapped a hand over her mouth she covered her mouth with her hand she pressed her fingers to her lips he held his finger up to his lips he rubbed his chin

she pressed a hand to her throat he clutched his chest he leaned against the wall she bounced on her toes she jumped up and down he tapped his foot she stomped her foot

she folded her hands in her lap she drummed her fingers on the table he tapped his fingers on the table he slammed his hand on the table she pounded her fist on the table she set her palms down flat on the table he rested his hands on the table she set her hands on the table, palms up he leaned back in his chair she hooked her feet around the chair legs he gripped the arm of the chair she put her hands behind her head he put his feet on the desk they fidgeted she jiggled her foot he swung his leg she crossed her legs he uncrossed his legs she crossed her ankles in front of her she stretched out her legs in front of her he sprawled out he put his feet on the desk

she cringed he shuddered she flinched he shivered she trembled his body shook she cowered he shrank from… she huddled in the corner

she gestured with her coffee cup

they gesture with their pen

he pulled away she jerked away he turned away she jolted upright he stiffened she straightened he tensed he jumped she jumped to her feet he stood up she rose from her seat

she relaxed he hunched she slouched her shoulders sagged his shoulders slumped she wilted he went limp he rolled his shoulders she squared her shoulders

she clasped her hands behind her back he puffed out his chest she thrust out her chest

he propped his chin on his hand she rested her chin on her palm he yawned she stretched

he turned around she whirled around he pivoted she reeled

she stepped away she drew nearer he leaned closer she inched forward he loomed closer he paced she shifted from one foot to the other he swayed on his feet she dragged her feet

she pumped a fist he thrust his fists in the air she punched the air

A slightly expanded version of this list of body language and gestures appears in my book Master Lists for Writers: Thesauruses, Plots, Character Traits, Names, and More. Click on the cover to check it out!

Do you have thoughts or advice about how to use gestures or describe body language in writing? Let us know in the comments! Thanks so much for reading, and happy writing!

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Eyes, Ears, Mouth, and Nose: Character Descriptions for your Novel

There are many schools of thought on writing character descriptions in your novels. Some people are of the “blank slate” variety offering up almost no physical descriptions and letting the reader decide. While others are more into the “give every detail” until their character might as well be a drawing on the page. Most writers fall somewhere in between that spectrum. 

There are a variety of factors that determine how and why you might want to describe your characters. In a lot of cases, it might simply come down to personal preferences: some people don’t really care what a character looks like while others want to know everything. 

I fall into the latter category and personally have a hard time getting into books where there is little to no physical description of the characters. 

And that’s fine—there is no right or wrong answer here. I’m sure some people read about flowing black hair and emerald green eyes and roll their own eyes, wishing the author would just get on with things. 

But if you’d like to include more physical descriptions of your characters, we’re here to help. In this article, we’ll go over:

• The benefits of writing character descriptions
• Tips for writing character descriptions, including avoiding stereotypes
• Types of physical descriptions you can use
• Words to help get you thinking about descriptions for your characters

Benefits of Writing Character Descriptions

So let’s start with why you want to include character descriptions in your books. As I stated at the beginning, you can still choose to only use description minimally and often still get the same effect as using more description might. 

Helps to establish character identity

Character descriptions are a key tool in helping your reader understand who your characters are and what they might be like. By including details about their physical appearance, personality traits, and behavior, you help create a strong sense of individuality for each character, which makes them easier for your readers to remember and keep track of throughout the story. 

Increases reader engagement

When readers have a clear picture of your characters, they often become more invested in the story. By providing vivid descriptions, you create a connection between your reader and your characters, which can make the reader more invested in what happens to them. Describing characters isn’t really any different than describing the world they live in. 

Creates character development

Character descriptions can also help you track and show character development throughout your story. As characters change and evolve, you can reflect these changes in their descriptions, such as going from a polished, put-together person who turns unkempt and slovenly as they fall on hard times. 

Supports worldbuilding

If you're writing a story set in a fantastical or imaginary world, character descriptions can be used to help establish the look and feel of the world. By including details about the clothing, weapons, or other objects that characters use, you can create a rich, believable world that helps fully immerse your reader.

Adds depth to dialogue

Character descriptions can also help you add depth to the dialogue between characters. By providing information about how each character speaks, uses gestures, and carries themselves, you can make dialogue feel more real and convincing.

Enhances the overall writing

Finally, including character descriptions in your writing can help to elevate the overall quality of your writing. By giving the reader a strong sense of who the characters are and what they're like, you can create a more immersive and engaging reading experience.

Tips for Writing Character Descriptions

If that’s enough to convince you to start writing some more character descriptions for your book, then let’s look at a few tips on how to include them. 

Start with the basics

When writing a character description, begin with their physical appearance, including their height, weight, hair and eye color, and any distinctive features. Make sure you also include information about their age, ethnicity, and any scars or tattoos, or anything else of note. 

Show, don't tell

Rather than simply telling your readers what your characters look like, show them through their actions and behaviors. For example, if your character is tall, describe the way they move and carry themselves (and have to duck to get under a doorway). If they have curly hair, show how it bounces when they walk. This helps your character feel more real and three-dimensional to your reader.

Include personality traits

Physical appearance is important, but it's the character's personality that makes them truly memorable. Think about what makes your character unique and how they interact with others. Consider their motivations, values, beliefs, and quirks. Are they shy, confident, or somewhere in between? Do they have a strong moral code or are they more of a rogue? By giving your character a well-defined personality, you'll make them more relatable to your readers.

Use sensory details 

When describing your characters, try to incorporate other sensory details. This makes descriptions more vivid and engaging for your readers. For example, if your character is wearing a particular outfit, describe the fabric and the way it moves as they walk. If they have a unique scent, mention it. By using sensory details, you'll give your reader a deeper sense of who your character is and what they're like.

Show character development

As your story progresses, your characters will change and evolve. Make sure to reflect these changes in their descriptions. For example, if your character starts out shy and reserved but becomes more confident as the story progresses, make sure to show this change in the way they carry themselves and interact with others.

Avoid over-describing

While it's important to give your characters vivid and well-defined descriptions, it's also important to avoid going overboard. Overloading your readers with too much information can be overwhelming and make your characters feel flat and one-dimensional. Focus on the details that are most important to the story and the characters themselves.

Consistency

It's important to be consistent with the physical descriptions you give your characters throughout your writing. Take lots of notes and keep track of these details. Inconsistencies in a character's appearance can be distracting and can take away from the overall quality of your writing.

Always keep the purpose of your physical descriptions in mind. If a character's appearance is not central to the story, then you may only need to give a basic description. On the other hand, if a character's appearance plays a significant role, you may want to go into more detail. Different genres, like romance, rely more on physical descriptions (since attraction and relationships are a thing) than other ones like thrillers or mysteries, where a person’s appearance is less relevant or might give away unintentional clues.  

Avoiding Stereotypes 

This is a really important one, so it gets its own section. When you’re describing characters in your writing, it's essential to avoid using stereotypes and clichés. Stereotyping can perpetuate harmful beliefs and contribute to discrimination and prejudice. 

What are stereotypes?

Stereotypes are oversimplified and exaggerated generalizations about groups of people. They are often based on cultural, racial, ethnic, or gender biases and can be harmful to both the individuals and groups they target. 

When used in character descriptions, stereotypes can reduce complex, multidimensional individuals to one-dimensional caricatures, which can and historically have been insulting and offensive.

Stereotypes can also limit the diversity and creativity of your storytelling. By relying on common or predictable character traits, you miss the opportunity to explore new and unique perspectives. This can make your characters seem flat, predictable, and uninteresting.

Tips for Avoiding Stereotypes in Character Descriptions

Do your research

Before you start writing, learn about the cultures, races, ethnicities, and genders your characters represent. This will help you understand the nuances of their experiences and perspectives and avoid relying on stereotypes.

Develop complex characters

Create characters who are more than just their cultural, racial, ethnic, or gender identity. Give them unique interests, hobbies, and personalities. Allow them to have flaws, contradictions, and diverse perspectives.

Avoid using physical descriptions as shorthand for personality traits

For example, using "slender and elegant" to describe a character's appearance and implying that they are also sophisticated and graceful. Physical appearance is just one aspect of a character's identity and should not be used to make assumptions about their worth or behavior.

Be mindful of language

The words you use to describe your characters can reinforce negative stereotypes. Use language that is respectful and avoids negative or reductive connotations. If you’re writing characters outside your lived experience such as someone of a different race or sexuality than you, hire a sensitivity reader. You can do all the research in the world, but you don’t know what you don’t know. 

Types of Physical Descriptions

Now that we’ve covered some of the dos and don’ts of writing character descriptions, let’s discuss what you can actually describe about your characters. This is just a jumping off point and you certainly don’t have to use all of them to build your characters. 

Keep in mind that, while you might come up with all of these details for your characters, you want to be mindful of which ones are actually relevant to telling your story. Remember, don’t go overboard. 

External features

External features include a character's height, weight, body type, and general appearance. You can describe their skin color, hair color, eye color, and any distinctive features like freckles or scars. This type of description gives the reader a basic understanding of what the character looks like, which is helpful in creating a mental image.

Describing the type of clothing they wear, including the colors, patterns, and how they fit, can reveal a lot about a character’s personality and social status. For example, a character who wears tailored suits and expensive shoes might be a little snobby and concerned with their image, while a character who wears ripped jeans and t-shirts might be casual and relaxed.

Facial features

Facial features can be used to give the reader a more in-depth understanding of a character's personality and emotions. You can describe their smile, the way they frown, their cheekbones, and their jawline. You can also describe their eyebrows, the shape of their nose, and the size and shape of their eyes, which can give the reader insight into their emotions.

Body language

Body language can be used to give the reader an understanding of a character's emotions and personality without the need for dialogue . Describing the way a character stands, walks, or gestures can reveal a lot about their confidence level, mood, and attitude. For example, a character who slouches and avoids eye contact is likely to be shy, while a character who stands up straight and makes direct eye contact is likely to be confident.

Describing the tone, pitch, and rhythm of a character's voice can reveal a lot about their personality, emotions, and background. For example, a character with a deep, booming voice may be more assertive, while a character with a soft, high-pitched voice may be more timid.

Sensory details

Finally, sensory details can be used to add depth and richness to your character descriptions. Describing the way a character smells, the way their hair feels, or the way their skin looks in different light can make them feel more real and tangible to the reader.

Words to Describe Various Features

As you can see, there are so many ways for you to describe your characters. To help you get started on this, below is a list of ideas and words you can use to describe different aspects of your characters. Obviously, this is just a start and there are literally thousands of ways to describe people in all their various shapes, sizes, colors, and types. 

Head and face

• Oval: rounded, elongated, balanced, symmetrical
• Round: full, plump, chubby, cherubic
• Square: angular, defined, strong, masculine
• Heart: pointy, triangular, wider at the temples, narrow at the chin
• Diamond: angular, pointed, narrow at the forehead and jaw, wide at the cheekbones
• Long: elongated, narrow, oval, rectangular
• Triangular: angular, wide at the jaw, narrow at the forehead, inverted heart-shape
• Oblong: elongated, rectangular, similar to oval but longer
• Pear-shaped: narrow at the forehead, wide at the jaw and cheekbones, downward-pointing triangle
• Rectangular: angular, defined, similar to oblong but more squared
• Cheeks: rosy, plump, gaunt, sunken, dimpled, flushed, pale, chubby, hollow
• Chin: pointed, cleft, rounded, prominent, dimpled, double, weak, strong, square
• Ear: large, small, delicate, flapped, pointed, rounded, lobeless, pierced
• Eyes: deep-set, angled, bright, piercing, hooded, wide-set, close-set, beady, slanted, round, droopy, sleepy, sparkling
• Forehead: high, broad, wrinkled, smooth, furrowed, low, narrow, receding
• Jaw: strong, square, defined, angular, jutting, soft, weak, chiseled
• Lips: full, thin, chapped, cracked, puckered, pursed, smiling, quivering, pouty
• Mouth: wide, small, downturned, upturned, smiling, frowning, pouting, grimacing
• Nose: hooked, straight, aquiline, button, long, short, broad, narrow, upturned, downturned, hooked, snub
• Eyebrows: arched, bushy, thin, unkempt, groomed, straight, curved, knitted, furrowed, raised
• Texture: curly, straight, wavy, frizzy, lank, greasy, voluminous, luxurious, tangled, silky, coarse, kinky
• Length: long, short, shoulder-length, waist-length, neck-length, chin-length, buzzed, shaven
• Style: styled, unkempt, messy, wild, sleek, smoothed, braided, ponytail, bun, dreadlocks
• Color: blonde, brunette, red, black, gray, silver, salt-and-pepper, auburn, chestnut, golden, caramel
• Volume: thick, thin, fine, full, limp, voluminous, sparse
• Parting: center-parted, side-parted, combed, brushed, gelled, slicked back
• Bangs: fringed, side-swept, blunt, wispy, thick, thin
• Accessories : headband, scarf, barrettes, clips, pins, extensions, braids, ribbons, beads, feathers
• Build: slender, skinny, lean, athletic, toned, muscular, burly, stocky, rotund, plump, hefty, portly
• Height: tall, short, petite, lanky, willowy, stocky, rotund
• Posture: slouching, upright, hunched, stiff, relaxed, confident, nervous, slumped
• Shape: hourglass, pear-shaped, apple-shaped, athletic, bulky, willowy, curvy
• Muscles: defined, toned, prominent, ripped, flabby, soft
• Fat distribution: chubby, plump, rounded, jiggly, wobbly, flabby, bloated, bloated
• Body hair: hairy, smooth, shaven, beard, goatee, mustache, stubble
• Weight: light, heavy, average, underweight, overweight, obese, lean, skinny
• Body language: confident, nervous, aggressive, submissive, arrogant, timid, confident, relaxed
• Body movements: graceful, clunky, fluid, awkward, jerky, smooth, agile, rigid
• Muscular: ripped, toned, defined, well-built, buff, brawny, burly, strapping
• Athletic: fit, toned, agile, flexible, energetic, muscular, athletic, sporty
• Thin: skinny, slender, slim, lanky, bony, gaunt, angular, wiry
• Stocky: sturdy, broad-shouldered, compact, muscular, solid, robust, heavy-set
• Overweight: plump, chubby, rotund, heavy, portly, corpulent, stout, fleshy
• Fat: overweight, overweight, rotund, heavy, bloated, tubby, round, fat
• Lean: lanky, slender, skinny, thin, wiry, willowy, spare, underweight
• Larger: large, heavy, hefty, substantial, solid, overweight, portly, rotund
• Texture: smooth, soft, silky, rough, bumpy, flaky, scaly, rough
• Tone: fair, light, pale, dark, tan, olive, bronze, ruddy, rosy
• Complexion: clear, radiant, glowing, dull, blotchy, sallow, ruddy, weathered
• Wrinkles: deep, fine, lines, crow's feet, wrinkles, age spots
• Marks: freckles, age spots, birthmarks, moles, scars, blemishes, discoloration
• Tone: even, uneven, patchy, discolored, mottled, sunburned, windburned
• Glow: luminous, radiant, healthy, dull, tired, lifeless
• Tautness: taut, firm, loose, saggy, wrinkles, age spots, slack
• Condition: healthy, glowing, radiant, dry, oily, acne-prone, sunburned, windburned

Note: Be sure to read our article on writing skin colors to get some background on how to write characters of color and avoiding harmful stereotypes when it comes to these descriptions. 

• Clothing: trendy, stylish, fashionable, outdated, classic, eclectic, casual, formal, conservative, bold, vibrant, plain, ornate
• Fabric: silk, cotton, wool, leather, denim, lace, satin, velvet, suede, corduroy
• Colors: bright, bold, pastel, neutral, vibrant, muted, monochrome
• Accessories : jewelry, hats, glasses, belts, scarves, gloves, watches, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings
• Shoes: sneakers, boots, sandals, heels, loafers, flats, pumps, oxfords, slippers
• Grooming: well-groomed, unkempt, messy, clean-cut, scruffy, neat
• Hair: styled, messy, curly, straight, braided, dreadlocks, afro, updo, ponytail
• Makeup: natural, bold, minimal, heavy, smokey, colorful, neutral
• Personal grooming: clean, fragrant, unkempt, well-groomed, grooming habits
• Overall appearance: put-together, disheveled, polished, rough, messy, tidy
• Pitch: high, low, nasal, gravelly, scratchy, deep, throaty, husky, raspy
• Volume: loud, soft, whispery, booming, hushed, muted, strident, dulcet
• Tone: monotone, cheerful, sad, angry, bitter, sarcastic, enthusiastic, flat, nasally, gravelly, cheerful, sarcastic
• Speech patterns: slow, fast, articulate, stilted, halting, fluent, confident, nervous, eloquent, mumbled
• Accent: southern, New York, British, Australian, Scottish, Irish, French, German, Spanish
• Tempo: steady, fast-paced, slow, rhythmic, halting, uneven, rapid-fire
• Inflection: rising, falling, flat, questioning, commanding, sing-song, monotone
• Quality: clear, muddled, strained, smooth, raspy, breathy, husky, scratchy
• Emotion: sad, angry, joyful, frightened, nervous, confident, excited, monotone, cheerful, bitter
• Distinctiveness: unique, distinctive, common, generic, typical, atypical.
• Floral: rose, lavender, jasmine, gardenia, lilac, daisy
• Fruity: apple, peach, citrus, berry, tropical, mango
• Spicy: cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, pepper, ginger, vanilla
• Earthy: wood, moss, pine, soil, leaves, grass
• Musky: animalistic, wild, sensual, exotic, primitive, earthy
• Sweet: sugar, candy, chocolate, caramel, vanilla, honey
• Fresh: clean, soapy, crisp, fresh-cut grass, ocean, mint
• Pungent: sour, sharp, acrid, acidic, biting, rank
• Chemical: antiseptic, bleach, alcohol, gasoline, paint, rubber
• Miscellaneous: perfume, cologne, cigarette smoke, body odor, aftershave, hair spray
• Posture: upright, slouching, slumped, stiff, relaxed, confident, timid
• Gestures: pointing, waving, nodding, shaking, shrugging, crossing arms, twirling hair
• Facial expression: smiling, frowning, scowling, smirking, biting lip, raised eyebrow, blank stare
• Eye contact: direct, avoiding, intense, fleeting, guarded, bold
• Movements: quick, slow, deliberate, graceful, clunky, hesitant, energetic
• Touch: holding, embracing, patting, slapping, grabbing, caressing
• Tone of voice: loud, soft, monotone, animated, friendly, gruff
• Fidgeting: tapping, shuffling, jiggling, biting nails, twirling hair, fumbling
• Stance: wide, narrow, balanced, off-center, tense, relaxed
• Proximity: close, distant, invading personal space, avoiding proximity

Whew, that is a lot to keep track of. And if you’re like most people, you probably have more than one character in your novel. In fact, you might have dozens. While you might not go into as much detail about your side characters as you do your main ones, you’ll still want some grasp of their physical characteristics. 

Thankfully, Dabble is the perfect tool to keep on top of every single trait you assign to your characters. Using their Story Notes function you can keep in-depth dossiers of every character, their eye color, height, age, accent, you name it. The best part is those descriptions are right there and easy to access while you’re drafting and editing your novel. 

Give it a go with their 14-day free trial and see how it works for you. 

Nisha J Tuli is a YA and adult fantasy and romance author who specializes in glitter-strewn settings and angst-filled kissing scenes. Give her a feisty heroine, a windswept castle, and a dash of true love and she’ll be lost in the pages forever. When Nisha isn’t writing, it’s probably because one of her two kids needs something (but she loves them anyway). After they’re finally asleep, she can be found curled up with her Kobo or knitting sweaters and scarves, perfect for surviving a Canadian winter.

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20+ Best Words to Describe Lips, Adjectives for Lips

Lips, those soft and fleshy parts that surround the mouth, are not only essential for speaking, eating, and expressing emotions but also possess an alluring beauty that captivates our attention. When it comes to describing lips, an array of words can be used to depict their unique characteristics. From luscious and plump to thin and delicate, the words we choose to describe lips offer glimpses into their shape, texture, color, and overall appeal. In this blog post, we will explore a diverse range of words that beautifully capture the essence of lips, allowing us to appreciate their captivating allure.

Table of Contents

Adjectives for Lips

Here are the 20 Most Popular adjectives for lips:

• Captivating

Adjectives for lip balm:

• Moisturizing
• Revitalizing
• Conditioning
• Restorative

Adjectives for lip color:

Adjectives for lip gloss:.

• Wet-looking
• Pout-enhancing

Words to Describe Lips with Meanings

• Beautiful : Visually appealing or attractive.
• Captivating : Holding attention or interest.
• Delicate : Fragile or dainty in nature.
• Elegant : Gracefully stylish or refined.
• Full : Plump or well-rounded in shape.
• Gentle : Soft and mild in nature.
• Kissable : Tempting or inviting for a kiss.
• Luscious : Richly appealing or desirable.
• Plump : Full and rounded in form.
• Rosy : Having a pink or healthy tone.
• Sensuous : Pleasing to the senses.
• Silky : Smooth and luxurious in texture.
• Smooth : Even and free from roughness.
• Supple : Flexible or bendable.
• Tender : Soft and gentle to the touch.
• Voluptuous : Curvaceous and sensual.
• Warm : Radiating or exuding warmth.
• Youthful : Indicating youthful appearance or vitality.
• Zesty : Energetic or lively in nature.
• Alluring : Attracting or enticing in a mysterious way.

Example Sentences for Lips Adjectives

• Her beautiful lips were the envy of many.
• The actress had a captivating smile and lips.
• Handle the fragile flowers with delicate lips.
• She carried herself with an elegant pout.
• His full lips made him a sought-after model.
• The baby’s gentle lips brushed against her cheek.
• Her kissable lips beckoned him closer.
• She applied the luscious lip balm with care.
• His plump lips were perfect for kissing.
• The toddler’s rosy lips looked adorable in photos.
• The painting captured the sensuous curve of her lips.
• The lip balm left her lips feeling silky smooth.
• His smooth lips brushed against her own.
• Her supple lips moved with grace as she spoke.
• The medicine provided relief to her tender lips.
• She emphasized her voluptuous lips with a bold color.
• The hot tea warmed her warm lips on a cold day.
• The skincare routine kept her lips looking youthful .
• Her zesty lips brightened up her face instantly.
• The mysterious stranger had an alluring smile on his lips.

Explore More Words:

Words to Describe Face

Words to Describe Body

How to describe lips in writing?

Describing lips in writing involves capturing their shape, texture, color, and appeal using vivid and expressive language.

How do you describe attractive lips?

Attractive lips can be described as full, well-defined, and having a natural or enhanced color that enhances the overall facial features.

Which type of lips are pretty?

Beauty is subjective, but generally, lips that are proportionate, symmetrical, and have a smooth texture are often considered pretty. However, beauty is diverse, and all types of lips can be attractive in their own unique way.

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How to Describe a Kiss in Writing: Capturing the Movements, Sensations and Emotions

By Happy Sharer

Introduction

A kiss is “the touching or pressing of one’s lips against another person or an object” (Oxford English Dictionary). A kiss can communicate a variety of emotions, from love and adoration to joy and comfort. It can also evoke a range of physical sensations, such as warmth, electricity, and tingles. In this article, we will explore how to capture these movements, sensations, and emotions in writing.

Describing the Movements of the Lips

When writing about a kiss, it is important to note the movement of the lips. Describe the pressure of the kiss, whether it is light and gentle or firm and passionate. Note the softness of the lips and the rhythm of the kiss. Is it slow and lingering, or is it quick and impulsive? These details can help create an image of the kiss in the reader’s mind.

Detailing the Sensations of the Kiss

Another important aspect to consider when writing a kiss is the physical sensation of the kiss. Describe the warmth that radiates from the kiss, or the electricity that crackles between the two people. Are there any tingles that travel through the body? These details can help create a vivid image of what it feels like to experience a kiss.

Using Metaphors and Similes

Metaphors and similes are a great way to capture the essence of a kiss in writing. For example, you could describe the kiss as “like a spark of electricity that traveled through my veins” or “as gentle as a feather brushing against my lips.” These comparisons can help create a more vivid image of the kiss for the reader.

Using Descriptive Words to Evoke Emotion

In addition to metaphors and similes, descriptive words can be used to evoke emotion in the reader. Use words such as passionate, tender, and romantic to convey the emotion of the kiss. You could also use words such as electric, fiery, and intoxicating to emphasize the intensity of the kiss.

Capturing the Emotions Felt During the Kiss

Kisses can evoke a range of emotions, from joy to comfort to love. Describe how the characters feel during the kiss. Are they filled with happiness and contentment? Do they feel a deep connection to each other? Can they sense the love between them? These details can help create an emotional connection between the characters and the reader.

Describing the Environment in Which the Kiss Takes Place

The setting and atmosphere of the kiss can also add to the overall description. Is the kiss taking place in a romantic restaurant, or a deserted beach? Is the air filled with the scent of roses, or the salty sea breeze? These details can help create a more immersive experience for the reader.

Showing How the Kiss Changes the Characters Involved

Finally, it is important to show how the kiss changes the characters involved. Does the kiss deepen their connection? Does it spark new feelings within them? These details can help convey the importance of the kiss and the impact it has on the characters.

Describing a kiss in writing can be a daunting task. By focusing on the movements, sensations, emotions, and environment of the kiss, you can create a vivid and immersive experience for the reader. Use metaphors and similes to capture the essence of the kiss, and descriptive words to evoke emotion. Finally, show how the kiss changes the characters involved, conveying its importance.

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Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. I have a passion for learning and enjoy explaining complex concepts in a simple way.

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How To Describe a Nose In Writing (100+ Examples & Words)

Describing a nose in writing can vividly bring a character to life. From the shape to its unique quirks, a nose can tell a lot about a character.

Here is how to describe a nose in writing:

Describe a nose in writing by focusing on size, shape, texture, color, width, nostrils, bridge, tip, sides, and unique features like freckles or moles. Use vivid examples to capture the essence of each nose type. Avoid cliches but do use exaggeration and metaphor.

In this article, we’ll explore how to capture the essence of a nose with words, providing over 100 examples to fuel your creative writing.

Different Types of Noses

Table of Contents

Noses come in various shapes and sizes, each adding a distinct flavor to a character’s description.

From the classic Roman nose, distinguished by its high, prominent bridge, to the celestial nose, known for its upturned tip, each type has its own charm.

The aquiline nose, often called an eagle nose, projects a regal and strong profile.

Snub noses, characterized by their small and slightly upturned appearance, often convey youthfulness and playfulness.

The hawk nose, with its sharp and slightly curved down shape, often suggests intensity and determination. Understanding these types can serve as a foundation for more detailed descriptions.

10 Characteristics of Noses to Describe

When it comes to describing noses, there are 10 characteristics you definitely need to consider:

Freckles/Moles

The size of a nose significantly impacts a character’s facial balance.

Large noses can suggest boldness or dominance, while small noses might indicate delicacy or subtlety.

Example Sentences:

• His nose was grand, a commanding feature that anchored his face.
• She had a petite nose, a subtle curve that complemented her delicate features.
• His sizable nose gave him a distinguished look, impossible to ignore.
• Her small, button-like nose added to her youthful appearance.
• The enormity of his nose was as pronounced as his presence.
• A tiny nose, almost elfin, sat perfectly on her face.
• His large nose was a proud testament to his heritage.
• The minuteness of her nose was in stark contrast to her expressive eyes.
• His nose, broad and substantial, was a striking feature.
• Her nose was modest in size, but it fit her face beautifully.

The shape of a nose adds character and can hint at ethnic background or familial traits.

• Her nose was aquiline, an elegant curve that spoke of nobility.
• His nose was distinctly Roman, with a bridge strong and straight.
• A playful upturn defined her celestial nose, adding a hint of whimsy.
• He had a hawk-like nose, sharp and descending, mirroring his keen insight.
• The bulbous tip of his nose gave him a jovial look.
• Her nose was gently curved, like a subtle crescent.
• A prominent bump mid-bridge gave his nose a distinctive profile.
• Her snub nose, slightly upturned, was full of charm.
• He sported a Greek nose, perfectly straight and harmoniously balanced.
• The hooked aspect of her nose added character to her striking face.

The texture of a nose, from smooth to bumpy, can be revealing about a person’s age or lifestyle.

• His nose was rugged, weathered from years of outdoor life.
• She had a smooth, porcelain-like nose, flawless in its texture.
• Age had textured his nose with tiny lines and bumps.
• The freckles dusting her nose gave it a lively texture.
• His nose bore the roughness of adolescence, still finding its final form.
• Her nose was soft, almost velvety to the touch.
• A network of fine lines crisscrossed his nose, a testament to years of laughter.
• Her nose had a gentle roughness, a hint of her rural upbringing.
• The sleekness of his nose contrasted with his otherwise rugged features.
• Delicate pores peppered her nose, giving it a subtle texture.

The color of a nose can be influenced by emotion, temperature, or even health.

• His nose turned a rosy red in the cold air.
• Her nose was a pale ivory, almost translucent in the sunlight.
• Emotion flushed his nose to a bright crimson.
• The bridge of her nose was adorned with a sprinkle of freckles.
• A sunburn had tinted his nose a tender pink.
• Her nose retained a tan, reminiscent of summer days.
• In his anger, his nose became noticeably redder.
• Her nose, usually fair, was now flushed with exertion.
• The cold nipped at his nose, turning it a slight blue.
• A blush of health gave her nose a warm, peachy hue.

The width of a nose can influence the perception of other facial features.

• His wide nose gave his face a sense of strength and stability.
• She had a narrow nose, which elongated her other features elegantly.
• The broadness of his nose was striking, commanding attention.
• Her nose was slender, adding to her refined appearance.
• A wide, flat nose sat proudly on his face, full of character.
• The thinness of her nose was in harmony with her delicate jawline.
• His nose flared slightly at the nostrils, suggesting a breadth of emotion.
• Her nose, though narrow, was perfectly proportioned to her face.
• The expansiveness of his nose was a dominant feature in his robust visage.
• A sleek, thin nose enhanced her sophisticated look.

Nostrils vary greatly in shape and size, adding to the uniqueness of a nose.

• His nostrils were small and neatly rounded, unobtrusive yet distinct.
• She had flared nostrils that seemed to accentuate her fiery personality.
• His nostrils were elongated, adding a certain elegance to his profile.
• Her nostrils were wide and welcoming, complementing her generous smile.
• The slight asymmetry of his nostrils gave his face a charming quirk.
• Her nostrils were delicate, barely noticeable under the shadow of her nose.
• His nostrils expanded dramatically when he laughed heartily.
• The fine shape of her nostrils lent a refined air to her nose.
• His large nostrils were indicative of his athletic prowess.
• Her nostrils, though small, were perfectly formed, adding to her graceful appearance.

The bridge of a nose can be a defining feature, influencing the overall look of the nose.

• He had a high, prominent bridge that gave his face a noble profile.
• Her nose bridge was low and unassuming, blending seamlessly into her face.
• A slight bump on his nose bridge added a touch of ruggedness.
• Her bridge was straight and true, a classic beauty.
• The bridge of his nose sloped gently, creating a soft profile.
• Her bridge was wide, setting the stage for her striking eyes.
• A subtle indentation at the top of his bridge made his nose unique.
• Her bridge curved delicately, a smooth transition from forehead to tip.
• His bridge was narrow, drawing attention to the tip of his nose.
• The robust bridge of her nose spoke of her strong will.

The tip of a nose can vary from upturned to bulbous, each carrying its own charm.

• His nose tip was slightly upturned, giving him a friendly appearance.
• She had a rounded tip that softened her otherwise sharp features.
• The tip of his nose was bulbous, adding character to his face.
• Her nose tip was delicate and pointed, a fairy-like feature.
• An upturned tip gave his nose a hint of playfulness.
• The tip of her nose was broad, anchoring her large, expressive eyes.
• His nose tip dipped slightly, giving him a thoughtful look.
• Her nose tip was flat, a distinctive feature that set her apart.
• A sharp tip to his nose accentuated his decisive nature.
• The soft roundness of her nose tip echoed her gentle personality.

The sides of a nose can influence the perception of width and shape.

• The sides of his nose were straight, leading to a strong, defined tip.
• Her nose sides curved gently, softening the angles of her face.
• The sides of his nose flared out slightly, suggesting a breath of vitality.
• Her nose sides were smooth, seamlessly merging with her cheeks.
• The sharp sides of his nose added to his intense gaze.
• The sides of her nose were subtly concave, creating a refined silhouette.
• His nose sides were broad, giving his face a robust appearance.
• She had high, narrow sides that defined her elegant nose.
• The sides of his nose were uneven, a unique characteristic that made him more intriguing.
• Her nose sides were softly rounded, enhancing her approachable demeanor.

Freckles or moles on a nose can add charm and uniqueness.

• A smattering of freckles across his nose gave him a boyish charm.
• She had a singular mole at the tip of her nose, a striking feature.
• His nose was adorned with freckles, a testament to sunny days spent outdoors.
• A small mole on the side of her nose added to her bewitching look.
• Freckles dusted his nose, lending him a mischievous air.
• Her nose boasted a constellation of tiny moles, each one a story.
• The freckles on his nose were like specks of gold on sun-kissed skin.
• Her nose, with its single, prominent mole, was enchantingly unique.
• A cluster of freckles on the bridge of his nose made him look perpetually sun-drenched.
• Each mole on her nose seemed to enhance her enigmatic smile.

3 Full Examples of How to Describe a Nose in Writing in Different Styles

Consider these full examples of how to describe a nose in different genres of writing.

1. Literary Fiction

In the soft glow of the evening sun, Eleanor’s nose seemed more than just a part of her face; it was a story in itself.

It was neither large nor small, but perfectly symmetrical, as if sketched by an artist deeply in love with balance. The bridge was straight, a gentle slope that spoke of her quiet determination. At the tip, a slight upturn hinted at her inherent optimism, a subtle defiance against the drudgery of life. Her nostrils were finely shaped, delicate yet expressive, widening slightly when she laughed, which she did with her whole being.

The skin was smooth, unmarred except for a smattering of freckles that danced across the bridge like tiny, bashful stars. In that moment, her nose was not just a feature; it was the epitome of her graceful resilience.

2. Romance Novel

As Jason gazed into Samantha’s eyes, he couldn’t help but notice her nose, a striking feature that captivated him completely.

It was a soft, celestial curve, upturned at the tip as if reaching for a kiss from the sky. The bridge was slender, casting a dainty shadow that played hide and seek with her sparkling eyes. Her nostrils were perfectly formed, subtle and unassuming, yet they flared slightly when she giggled, a sound that echoed in Jason’s heart.

The color of her nose was a warm ivory, blushing to a rosy pink whenever their eyes met. It was the kind of nose that whispered secrets of tender nights and promises of passionate tomorrows.

3. Fantasy Genre

In the realm of Eldoria, Lord Aric’s nose was as legendary as his valor.

Broad and strong, it was like a bastion on his rugged face, telling tales of battles fought and won. The bridge was like a ridge, high and imposing, shadowed with scars that spoke of a warrior’s life. The tip was blunt and firm, a testament to his unyielding spirit. His nostrils were like the gates of a fortress, wide and commanding, flaring with each breath that he took in the heat of battle. The color was a weathered tan, etched with lines of wisdom and age.

It was a nose that didn’t just breathe the air of Eldoria. It was as if it breathed the very essence of the land itself, a symbol of strength and endurance in a world of magic and turmoil.

If you’re looking for specific vocabulary for how to describe a nose in writing, check out this video:

Final Thoughts: How to Describe a Nose in Writing

Once you figure out the perfect description for the nose in your story, you’ll still need to describe other features.

Features like eyes, smiles, ears, hands, and feet.

Read This Next:

• How To Describe Eyebrows In Writing (100+ Words & Examples)
• How To Describe Feet In Writing (100+ Words & Examples)
• How to Describe Eyes in Writing (21 Best Tips + Examples)
• How to Describe a Smile in Writing (700 Ways & Examples)

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