Big List of Adjectives That Start With R (Positive, Negative, Descriptive)

There are many adjectives in the English language that start with the letter “R.” These adjectives can get added into our regular vocabulary to help us describe others in a positive or negative light. Or simply to help us better articulate what we think or feel.

What are adjectives?

Adjectives are simple words that define the characteristics or emotional states of nouns. Such as big, humorous, yellow, enjoyable, or quickly. They can also describe how many nouns there are: many, few, millions, and eleven.

However, adjectives are not limited to only changing nouns. Also, they may function as an external addition to the verb to be or as linking verbs.

An adjective can modify a noun’s subject or object as a compliment. An adjective is referred to as an object compliment when it describes the object in a sentence, as a subject compliment when it describes the subject.

Absolute Adjectives: Adjectives that are absolutes describe things that stand alone.
Comparative Adjectives: Unsurprisingly, comparative adjectives draw comparisons between two or more items. The suffix -er is used to create the comparative form for most one-syllable adjectives. Replace the final -y in two-syllable adjectives with the suffix -ier. Add the word more to adjectives with multiple syllables.
Superlative Adjectives: Adjectives with superlative endings denote the maximum degree of the discussed quality. Adding the suffix -est means one-syllable adjectives are transformed into superlatives. Adjectives with two syllables that finish in -y are changed to -iest. Adjectives with several syllables add the most words. It is often the definite article (the) rather than an or a when you use an article with a superlative adjective. When you use a superlative, it is evident that you are referring to a particular thing or thing(s).

How can you use adjectives?

It’s well-known that adjectives make your writing and voice sound highly flowery. It helps make it more descriptive & provides your audience with a visual delight. Using too many adjectives, however, can make something appear or sound hazy & confusing. This would cause people to misunderstand what you were saying. A talent you should learn is when, when, and how to employ adjectives.

Any writing should be exact and easy to understand. Look for a word that expresses what you are attempting to say in its most precise form. Examples of adjectives that denote “extremely rapid” include quick, swift, hasty, fleet, etc. Similar expressions for various happiness levels include being satisfied, cheery, jolly, joyous, exuberant, delighted, etc.

Descriptive adjectives that start with R

Rustling
Rushed
Ruptured
Ruling
Rugged
Ruby
Rounded
Rose
Roomy
Romantic
Rolling
Rocky
Rocketing
Robotic
Ritualistic
Risky
Ripe
Rigid
Rightful
Right
Rickety
Ribbed
Rhythmic
Rhetorical
Rewarding
Revolutionary
Revolting
Reversible
Reverse
Revealing
Reusable
Retroactive
Retired
Restrictive
Restrained
Restored
Rested
Respective
Resonant
Residual
Resident
Reserved
Rescued
Repressive
Replaceable
Repetitive
Repetitious
Repellent
Repeated
Repaired
Repairable
Rented
Renewable
Removable
Remote
Remedial
Remarkable
Remaining
Religious
Relieved
Reliable
Relevant
Relaxed
Relative
Regrettable
Regretful
Regional
Refurbished
Refundable
Reflective
Refillable
Referential
Redeemable
Reddish
Red
Recyclable
Rectangular
Recognized
Recognizable
Reckless
Reciprocal
Receptive
Recent
Receding
Rebellious
Rebel
Reasonable
Realistic
Real
Ready
Reactive
Raw
Raving
Ravenous
Rational
Raspy
Rasping
Rash
Rare
Rapid
Rank
Random
Rampant
Rambling
Rainy
Raging
Radioactive
Radiant
Racial
Rabid

Positive adjectives that start with R

Royal
Roomy
Robust
Rosy
Romantic
Riveting
Ripe
Right
Ritzy
Rightful
Richest
Rich
Rewarding
Richer
Rhetorical
Revamped
Rested
Responsible
Restored
Responsive
Respective
Respectable
Resounding
Respectful
Resourceful
Resolute
Rescued
Reputable
Resilient
Reputed
Repairable
Remarkable
Reliable
Renewable
Relieved
Relevant
Relaxed
Reigning
Relaxing
Relatable
Regal
Refreshing
Recognized
Refundable
Redolent
Recognizable
Reassuring
Reasonable
Receptive
Reassured
Realistic
Ready
Raucous
Real
Ravishing
Rare
Rapid
Radiant
Rapturous
Rakish

Negative adjectives that start with R

Rutted
Rumpled
Ruthless
Rusted
Rusty
Ruinous
Rough
Ruined
Rudimentary
Rueful
Rotting
Ridiculing
Rotten
Riotous
Risky
Revolting
Resentful
Reviled
Restless
Restrictive
Repulsive
Repellent
Repugnant
Reprehensible
Repressive
Remote
Reluctant
Remorseless
Remedial
Remorseful
Relentless
Reckless
Regrettable
Reclusive
Regretful
Recalcitrant
Raw
Rebellious
Reactive
Reasonless
Raspy
Ragged
Rasping
Rampant
Rancid
Radioactive
Rabble
Radical
Rabid

Adjectives that start with R to describe a person

Romantic
Reverential
Reverent
Revengeful
Responsive
Responsible
Respectful
Respectable
Resourceful
Resolute
Resilient
Resentful
Remorseless
Remorseful
Religious
Relentless
Relaxing
Relaxed
Receptive
Rebellious
Reassuring
Reassured
Reasonable
Realistic
Reactive
Rational
Rapturous
Rampant
Rampageous
Rambunctious
Russian
Rumpled
Rude
Royal
Rowdy
Rounded
Round
Rough
Rotund
Romanian
Roman
Rigid
Ridiculous
Richest
Richer
Rich
Retired
Retired
Resplendent
Respected
Reputable
Repulsive
Republican
Repelling
Remarkable
Religious
Reliable
Relevant
Reigning
Regular
Regal
Refined
Reddened
Red-blooded
Red
Reclusive
Reckless
Reciprocal
Recent
Rebel
Real
Ready
Raw
Ravishing
Ravished
Raving
Ravenous
Ratty
Rattling
Rare
Rank
Random
Rancid
Rampant
Rambling
Radioactive
Radical
Radiant
Rabid

Example sentences with adjectives that start with “R”:

The B-52 was not a bad looking aircraft its rotund fuselage being offset by a narrow chord wing with a single strut.
This soil in the bowl is Redolent with my own particular terroir.
Some of the examples he discusses may remind us of the metaphorical appropriation of biology by racist craniometry in the nineteenth century.
They were eager to unshackle Europe from the Church, from its class and gender constraints, and from any whiff of its racist or colonialist past.
The group of patients underwent modified radical mastoidectomy because of the presence of a sclerotic mastoid with extensive cholesteatoma.
When the subjects concentrated on moving the Robotic appendages, their brain supplied the signals for their intent, BrainGate captured those signals, and the Robotic limbs responded in turn.
At the bottom of nearly all my handbags and suitcases can be found a random array of black eyeliners, lip glosses and discarded powder compacts.
She remembered her excitement when they arrived at the St Kilda Town Hall and a quick scan of the women’s dresses reassured her about her choice.
And we had him clothed in this ugly pink nightgown, this noxiously ratty looking dirty blonde wig, red marabou, and orange fuzzy slippers.
As I made my way up 2nd Avenue, I noticed a raving lunatic weaving all over the sidewalk yelling and screaming unintelligibly.
The weight of Schneiderman’s ire was focused on child-oriented products like the Wildheart Outdoors Natural Mosquito Repellent Bracelet and Kenza High-Quality Zika Mosquito Repellent Smiley Patch.
He might have noticed how my cheeks flooded with scarlet or how I seemed more reclusive than ever, but he didn’t comment on it.
The accession of the Dutch prince to the throne had agonized the Tories because it set aside both the reigning king and the Prince of Wales.
As the counteroffensive went on, the fronts and armies gained experience repelling counterattacks of big enemy tank force groupings.
One had an eyepatch, his other eye reddened and bloodshot, tired looking. It looked like he wanted to go home to his wife and take a bath.
Through complex financial transactions, he soon emerged as those assets’ outright owner—and his country’s Richest or second-Richest man reputedly.
Cat did not respond but studied Miko with regal eyes before she quick-footed into the darkness of the service ways.
For the wedding, I bought a red dress.
I possess nine apples.
The meal is excellent.
My brother is bad-mannered.
The previous movie we saw was uninteresting.
Picasso is a talented artist, number six.
Chennai experiences hot, humid weather the entire year.
This is a fantastic moment to travel to the US.
The drive was fantastic.
In India, the Marina Beach is the longest beach.
Switzerland is awash with retired dictators and kleptocrats with their millions.
The very happy and obliging young service ladies were resplendent in snappy white shorts and tops.
Among the Democrats’ richest and most fervent supporters, this may be the number one issue.
I’ve heard whispered tales of how ridiculous and awesome this movie is, but haven’t seen it yet.
An alcoholic and suicidal ad executive finds himself in a dive where a sleek girl in yellow is the cynosure of all the rowdy dancers.
She’d never been anything but rude and ignorant to Josie, knowing Josie was but an orphan.
He has a rumpled, boyish look to him, resembling the actor Michael Keaton in dowdy pinstripes and a button-down shirt.
Emma sat with her rounded knees collected up to her ample chest and held her bottle of Passion Pop in her outstretched hand.
DuPont chemist Stephanie Kwolek first developed the ultra-strong fiber in 1965 as a way to make radial tires lighter
All the Trojan men are killed, the town is razed to the ground and the women are distributed among the occupiers as the spoils of victory.

Adjectives that start with “R” (images)

Other adjective lists

Other lists of adjectives:

Inside this article

Tags:

Adjectives

Fact checked:
Content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. Learn more.

About the author

Dalia Y.: Dalia is an English Major and linguistics expert with an additional degree in Psychology. Dalia has featured articles on Forbes, Inc, Fast Company, Grammarly, and many more. She covers English, ESL, and all things grammar on GrammarBrain.