60 Adjectives Starting with D Commonly Used in Formal Letters and Everyday Conversation

This article will list 60 easy and comprehensive adjectives starting with letter D that are used to describe, modify and quantify nouns. Descriptive words starting with D are categorized into eight different categories depending on their relevant use.
Descriptive words starting with D, when used in your communication will enhance the deeper meaning of the information you are delivering to others. Moreover, descriptive words starting with D are needed for the comparison of nouns.
Whenever adjectives are used with a person, place or thing, at once, either a positive or a negative sense comes to the mind of the listener.
Positive Adjectives Starting with D to Describe a Person
1. Dauntless
Definition: to have the strength, determination and fearlessness
Synonyms: undaunted, undismayed
Example: He showed dauntless bravery while training to become a naval officer.
2. Decent
Definition: someone who is following the acceptable standards of morality
Synonyms: suitable, satisfactory
Example: He is a decent man.
3. Deferent
Definition: someone who is considerate and respectful
Synonyms: dutiful, regardful
Example: She is always deferent.
4. Decisive
Definition: someone who is capable of producing results and settling the issues
Synonyms: conclusive, crucial
Example: He is decisive, so he does not waste any time to get to the conclusions of the matter.
5. Deft
Definition: someone who is able to move quickly, skillfully and neatly
Synonyms: dexterous, dextrous
Example: She is a deft woman, this is why she can manage multiple tasks at the same time.
6. Dedicated
Definition: someone who is loyal to and devoted to a purpose or a task
Synonyms: committed, wholehearted
Example: They are very dedicated people, so you will never be disappointed with their enthusiasm.
7. Delighted
Definition: someone or something that shows and feels great happiness and pleasure
Synonyms: thrilled, glad
Example: He was delighted to see his daughter win the race.
8. Demure
Definition: someone who is shy, modest and reserved
Synonyms: meek, bashful
Example: She is demure, which is one of her many admirable qualities.
9. Dependable
Definition: someone who is completely reliable and trustworthy
Synonyms: loyal, faithful
Example: She is a dependable woman.
10. Daring
Definition: someone who is audaciously bold or adventurous
Synonyms: brave, intrepid
Example: She was a daring girl, so she decided to become an acrobat.
11. Dainty
Definition: someone who is delicate and pretty
Synonyms: nice, fine
Example: She was dressed in a dainty manner.
Positive Adjectives Starting with D to Describe an Event
1. Diverse
Definition: an activity which happens with a great deal of variety
Synonyms: sundry, manifold
Example: The new year fireworks celebration took place in a diverse manner.
2. Daedal
Definition: something which is ingenious or complex in function and design
Synonyms: convoluted, sophisticated
Example: The daedal workings of my favourite teapot are amazing.
3. Daily
Definition: something which happens every day of the week
Synonyms: everyday, day-to-day
Example: The doctor advised me to add yoga to my daily routine because I was pregnant.
4. Damascene
Definition: something which can transform the beliefs and attitude of people dramatically, (when used for metal) decorated or embellished in an attractive wavy pattern
Synonyms: damask
Example: In the light of the recent statement, the court thinks that the witness had undergone something like a damascene conversion.
5. Danceable
Definition: an event on which it is enjoyable to dance for celebration
Synonyms: playful, entertaining
Example: I found the wedding ceremony to be danceable, because of heart-touching music.
6. Dandy
Definition: something which is excellent and outstanding
Synonyms: admirable, exceptional
Example: Everything was dandy at the new year celebration.
7. Dateable
Definition: an event or thing which is able to be dated to a particular time in the calendar
Synonyms: datable
Example: When my baby spoke the first word, I thought the day was dateable.
8. Dazzling
Definition: something which is extremely bright and illuminated
Synonyms: glaring, gleaming
Example: I could see the dazzling rays of sunlight filtering into my greenhouse.
9. Dapper
Definition: something characterized by neatness and good looks
Synonyms: spruce, smart
Example: Everything was arranged in a dapper manner at the art exhibition.
10. Dulcet
Definition: an event full of sweet and melodious sounds
Synonyms: sweet-sounding, soothing
Example: I love to spend some time besides my birdbath fountain because I enjoy the dulcet environment.
11. Dreamlike
Definition: something that is characterized by the qualities of a dream or fantasy
Synonyms: wonderful, overwhelming
Example: When my parents took me to the Cadbury World and Disneyland, I saw a dreamlike view.
12. Dramatic
Definition: an event, situation or circumstance that take place strikingly and suddenly
Synonyms: noticeable, significant
Example: The pandemic brought about a dramatic increase in the death rate.
13. Domiciliary
Definition: an event which takes place in somebody’s house or is concerned with somebody’s house
Synonyms: homely, domestic
Example: An official from the domiciliary authority was notified of the upcoming problems.
Positive Adjectives Starting with D to Describe a Place
1. Decorated
Definition: a place that is made more attractive and appealing by adding embellishments
Synonyms: adorn, beautify
Example: The resort was decorated to celebrate the golden jubilee.
2. Decurved
Definition: a place that is bent downwards
Synonyms: curved, twisted
Example: The railway platform was decurved to allow easy access for the disabled.
3. Delightful
Definition: a place that is charming and exciting
Synonyms: enjoyable, entertaining, satisfying
Example: Our beach house is such a delightful place.
4. Domestic
Definition: a place that is concerned with family relations and chores
Synonyms: household, private
Example: Domestic abuse is a crime.
5. Developed
Definition: a place that is progressive, elaborated and advanced to a specific degree
Synonyms: grown, evolved
Example: They have an ancestral home in a developed society of Louisiana.
6. Deluxe
Definition: a place that is superior, sumptuous and luxurious
Synonyms: magnificent, splendid
Example: This hotel is a deluxe place to spend the summer vacation.
7. Democratic
Definition: a place or country that is supporting, following, favouring or relating to the practice and principles of democracy
Synonyms: popular, republican
Example: I live in a democratic country.
Positive Adjectives Starting with D to Describe Emotions, Personality, and Feelings
1. Deliberate
Definition: an action which is done intentionally, willingly and consciously
Synonyms: calculated, preconceived
Example: His refusal was deliberate.
2. Demanding
Definition: work which requires too much physical labour, attention, skill and effort
Synonyms: challenging, taxing
Example: 12-hour job is too demanding.
3. Daughterly
Definition: someone who loves a woman just like his daughter
Synonyms: dear, beloved
Example: He treated all his employees in a daughterly manner.
Negative Adjectives Starting with D to Describe a Person
1. Dangerous
Definition: someone who intends to harm himself or others
Synonyms: injurious, threatening
Example: The patient of schizophrenia is a dangerous person.
2. Deceitful
Definition: someone who is involved in and guilty of dishonesty
Synonyms: untruthful, crooked
Example: She is very deceitful, this is why it is important to keep your precious belongings away from her.
3. Disheartened
Definition: someone who has lost all his confidence, determination and courage
Synonyms: dispirited, deprived
Example: When we lost our final match, all of the team members were very disheartened.
4. Discouraged
Definition: someone who has lost all his enthusiasm and bravery
Synonyms: fearful, anxious, afraid
Example: She felt discouraged when she faced a heavy loss.
5. Demoralized
Definition: someone who has lost all his hope and confidence
Synonyms: disheartened, discouraged
Example: His actions easily declare the fact that he is demoralized.
6. Distressing
Definition: someone who is facing extreme pain, sorrow and anxiety
Synonyms: miserable, grieve
Example: I heard she grew up in a distressing family.
7. Defiant
Definition: someone who resists authority, power and opposition
Synonyms: obstinate, stubborn
Example: His defiant personality made him ruder.
Negative Adjectives Starting with D to Describe an Event
1. Deplorable
Definition: something that deserves very strong condemnation
Synonyms: shameful, dishonourable
Example: The condition of most of our Southern villages is deplorable.
2. Dank
Definition: something that is disagreeably cold, musty and damp
Synonyms: humid, moist
Example: After boiling pasta for a long time, my kitchen became dank.
3. Deafening
Definition: something that is extremely noisy and makes it impossible to hear any other sound
Synonyms: ear-shattering, ear-piercing
Example: The whole situation was so deafening, that I could not talk over the phone.
4. Deadly
Definition: something that has the potential to cause a death
Synonyms: lethal, mortal
Example: A wildfire broke out, it was a deadly situation for the wild animals because they had no way to escape it.
5. Disputable
Definition: something that is not factual or established
Synonyms: questionable, debatable, arguable
Example: When different political parties unite, the decisions made are always disputable for the public.
6. Debatable
Definition: something that is not agreeable for the common people
Synonyms: doubtful uncertain and unclear
Example: It is strongly debatable whether the developing countries will ever come out of the financial recession.
7. Darkling
Definition: something that is dark and obscure
Synonyms: uncannily, threatening
Example: Everything became darkling, after the sunset.
Negative Adjectives Starting with D to Describe a Place
1. Dark
Definition: a place that has no light at all
Synonyms: unlit, unilluminated
Example: Even the small pond felt abysmal because of the pitch dark night.
2. Debased
Definition: a place that has lost its original quality and value
Synonyms: fake, false, imitation
Example: The abandoned house at the corner of the street is now debased.
3. Degraded
Definition: a place or something that describes or displays disregard and disrespect
Synonyms: disgrace, cheapen
Example: If the outdoor furniture is not looked after, it becomes degraded.
4. Devalued
Definition: to underestimate and decrease the importance or worth of any place or thing
Synonyms: decry, defame, traduce,
Example: When my lawn got full of weeds, it was devalued in the market.
5. Deckled
Definition: a place that has rough edges
Synonyms: bordered, fenced
Example: My chicken coop is deckled, this is why it does not allow the water to flow in.
6. Defunct
Definition: a place that is not functional or existing anymore
Synonyms: inoperative, disused
Example: The science laboratory of our college is defunct.
Negative Adjectives Starting with D to Describe Emotions, Personality, and Feelings
1. Drugged
Definition: a person who is unconscious because of taking drugs
Synonyms: intoxicated, anaesthetized
Example: The victim was drugged, to keep him free of pain throughout the surgery.
2. Dowdy
Definition: a person who is unfashionable and lacks smartness
Synonyms: ill-dressed, shabby
Example: When a rich French woman entered the room, all of us looked dowdy.
3. Dishevelled
Definition: a person who is untidy
Synonyms: messy, disordered
Example: The dishevelled appearance of the man and was the reason that he got rejected in the interview.
4. Disarrayed
Definition: a person who is unorganised and shabby
Synonyms: disarranged, unsettled
Example: Everyone was very annoyed when they saw the waitress in a disarrayed appearance.
5. Demode
Definition: a person who is unfashionable, something which is outdated and out of fashion
Synonyms: old fashioned, unstylish
Example: The big old radio and the wooden benches made my room look demode.
6. Doddering
Definition: a person who is excessively affected by old age
Synonyms: weak, unsteady
Example: He was a doddering old man, so he was given a wheelchair at the entrance of the shopping mall.
Conclusion
After understanding the proper meaning of an adjective, you can use the above 60 descriptive words starting with D, where it is appropriate. I have explained with detail simple descriptive words starting with D, which is the fourth alphabet of the English language.
I have divided these descriptive words starting with D in 8 different categories, 4 positive and 4 negative, so that you can understand them easily.
By using the above-given adjectives in your day to day conversation, you can add a lot of description to what you are trying to inform others. In this way, your listeners will be able to enjoy the talk with you, at the same time understand the meaning that you intend to convey deeply and completely.