Creative Writing Vocabulary

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

verb a word that expresses an action, occurrence, or state of being

adverb a word that modifies or describes a verb, adjective, or other adverb

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

• During their migration, the birds would alight upon the trees to rest.
• As we walked through the park, we saw a butterfly alight upon a flower.
• I watched the dragonfly alight upon the water, it was so cool!
• The idea seemed to alight upon her mind suddenly, like a spark of inspiration.

adjective showing creative skill or taste; cleverly deceptive or cunning

• The artist's work was praised for its artful composition and attention to detail.
• She's an artful painter, always coming up with creative and unique designs.
• That street artist is seriously artful with their graffiti skills.
• His artful way of dodging questions during the interview was impressive.

verb to suddenly emerge or appear with force

adverb in a sudden and forceful manner

• The sun burst forth from behind the clouds, illuminating the landscape.
• When the music started playing, everyone burst forth onto the dance floor.
• As soon as the door opened, the dog burst forth into the yard.
• Inspiration can suddenly burst forth, leading to a flood of creativity.

noun a phrase or opinion that is overused and betrays a lack of original thought

adjective characterized by being overused and lacking originality

• The use of cliché phrases can detract from the originality of a piece of writing.
• I'm so tired of hearing the same cliché lines in every romantic comedy.
• That movie was so cliché, I could predict the ending within the first ten minutes.
• Her behavior was like a cliché, repeating the same mistakes over and over again.

verb to create or write something, such as a piece of music or a written work

• The talented musician will compose a symphony for the upcoming concert.
• I love to compose my own songs on the guitar.
• I'm going to compose a sick beat for my next track.
• She tried to compose herself before giving the presentation.

verb to create or devise something skillfully and inventively

• The chef was able to concoct a delicious new recipe using a variety of exotic spices.
• I can't believe you were able to concoct such a crazy plan in such a short amount of time.
• She's always able to concoct some drama out of nothing.
• His mind was able to concoct all sorts of wild ideas and scenarios.

verb to bring to mind; evoke

adverb used to describe how something is conjured up

• The artist was able to conjure up a beautiful landscape with just a few brush strokes.
• I can't believe you were able to conjure up such a delicious meal with just leftovers.
• The magician can conjure up some crazy tricks that will blow your mind.
• The old photograph conjured up memories of a happier time in her life.

noun a fabricated or invented story or plan

verb to prepare or concoct something, typically food, by mixing ingredients and heating them

• The chef was able to cook up a delicious five-course meal for the event.
• Let's cook up some spaghetti for dinner tonight.
• We can cook up a plan to sneak into the party.
• The politician tried to cook up a scandal to discredit his opponent.

verb to make something more lively or interesting

• The new marketing campaign aims to enliven the brand's image and attract more customers.
• Adding some colorful decorations will enliven the party and make it more fun.
• Let's enliven this boring class by playing some music and dancing!
• His jokes never fail to enliven the mood and bring laughter to the room.

verb to make something more lively or interesting

• The speaker's engaging presentation enlivened the otherwise dull conference.
• Adding some music to the party really enlivened the atmosphere.
• The new video game update really enlivened the gameplay.
• Her passion for the subject enlivened the discussion, sparking new ideas.

verb to bring or recall to the conscious mind; elicit or draw out

• The artist's use of color and light in the painting helps evoke a sense of tranquility.
• The movie scene really evoked some strong emotions in me.
• That song always evokes memories of my high school days.
• The smell of fresh-baked cookies can evoke feelings of nostalgia and comfort.

verb to cry out suddenly or vehemently, as in surprise, anger, or pain

• She couldn't help but exclaim in astonishment at the sight of the beautiful sunset.
• I couldn't believe what I was seeing, so I just had to exclaim out loud!
• When she saw the surprise party, she just exclaimed, 'No way!'
• His actions seemed to exclaim his true feelings more than words ever could.

noun an emotional state or reaction

adjective expressing emotion or sensitivity

• The patient described a sharp shooting feeling in their lower back.
• I have a gut feeling that something is not right.
• I'm catching good vibes and feeling myself today.
• She couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, even though she was alone.

adjective relating to or using figures of speech; metaphorical

• The author's use of figurative language added depth to the novel.
• I love how the painter used figurative elements in this artwork.
• The meme was so funny, it was like a figurative mic drop.
• Her smile was like a figurative ray of sunshine on a cloudy day.

noun a dull thud or heavy sound made by something falling or hitting the ground

verb to fall or drop heavily with a dull thud

adverb in a heavy, dull manner

• The heavy snow caused a loud flump as it fell from the roof.
• I heard a flump when the cat jumped off the bed.
• I flumped down on the couch after a long day at work.
• The news of the company's bankruptcy hit him like a flump.

adjective describing someone or something as resembling a goose or having goose-like qualities

• The scientist observed the goosy behavior of the geese in the wild.
• I always get goosy bumps when I watch scary movies.
• That haunted house gives me the goosies every time.
• Her goosy intuition always leads her in the right direction.

noun enthusiastic enjoyment or appreciation

adverb with enthusiasm or enjoyment

• The artist painted with great gusto, carefully applying each brushstroke.
• I ate the pizza with gusto, savoring every bite.
• She danced at the party with so much gusto, everyone was impressed.
• The team tackled the project with gusto, showing great enthusiasm and dedication.

noun a confused mixture or jumble of things

• The hotchpotch of policies implemented by the government has led to confusion among the public.
• The party was a hotchpotch of different music genres, but everyone still had a great time.
• The new restaurant's menu is a hotchpotch of flavors that surprisingly work well together.
• Her mind was a hotchpotch of memories and emotions, making it hard to focus on the present.

noun a figure of speech in which the last thing is mentioned first and the first thing last

• The use of hysteron proteron in literature can create a sense of urgency or confusion.
• It's like putting the cart before the horse, using hysteron proteron in a sentence.
• Talking backwards like that is just hysteron proteron, dude.
• In the grand scheme of things, using hysteron proteron is like starting at the end before the beginning.

noun the ability to form new ideas or images in the mind that are not present to the senses

adjective imaginary or unreal

• The author's vivid imagination brought the fictional world to life.
• Let your imagination run wild and see where it takes you!
• My imagination is on fire today, coming up with all sorts of crazy ideas.
• His imagination soared like a bird, reaching new heights of creativity.

adjective relating to or characterized by imagination; creative or inventive

• Her imaginative approach to problem-solving impressed the entire team.
• I love how imaginative your stories are!
• That movie was so imaginative, it blew my mind.
• His imaginative mind was a canvas for endless possibilities.

verb to form a mental image or concept of something that is not present

• Imagine a world where technology has advanced to the point where robots can perform all manual labor.
• Can you imagine how cool it would be if we could teleport to different places instantly?
• Just imagine if we could score tickets to that concert, it would be lit!
• When I close my eyes and imagine, I can almost feel the warm sun on my face.

adjective causing curiosity or interest; fascinating

• The scientist presented an intriguing theory that challenged current beliefs.
• I find that mystery novel to be really intriguing.
• That new movie is so intriguing, I can't wait to see it.
• Her eyes held an intriguing sparkle that drew me in.

verb to place or position side by side for comparison or contrast

• The two paintings were juxtaposed in the art gallery for comparison.
• I like how the two photos are juxtaposed on your Instagram feed.
• The music video juxtaposed scenes of the city with shots of the artist performing.
• Her calm demeanor was juxtaposed with the chaos of the situation.

noun a person who has been honored for achieving distinction in a particular field or with a prize or award

adjective related to or being a laureate

• The Nobel laureate gave a speech at the prestigious ceremony.
• I heard that the poetry laureate will be performing at the event.
• Did you see the rap battle where the lyrical laureate dominated the competition?
• She was considered the laureate of the culinary world, with her innovative recipes and techniques.

noun a body of knowledge or tradition related to a particular subject or field

• The lore of ancient civilizations is a fascinating topic of study for historians.
• I love hearing about the lore of this town from the older residents.
• Have you heard the urban lore about that abandoned house on the corner?
• The lore of her family's past was shrouded in mystery and intrigue.

noun a lyric poem or verse

adjective expressing the writer's emotions, usually briefly and in stanzas or recognized forms

• The poet carefully crafted each lyric to convey deep emotions.
• I love how catchy the lyrics of this song are!
• The lyrics of this track are straight fire!
• Her words danced like lyrical butterflies in the wind.

noun a form of imaginative play or fantasy

verb to pretend or imagine

• Children often engage in make believe play to develop their imagination and creativity.
• Let's play make believe and pretend we're pirates searching for treasure!
• My little sister loves to do make believe with her dolls.
• Sometimes it's easier to make believe everything is okay rather than facing reality.

noun a work of outstanding artistry or skill

adjective used to describe something that is of exceptional quality or skill

• The artist spent years creating a masterpiece that now hangs in the museum.
• Have you seen the new movie? It's a total masterpiece!
• That painting is straight fire, a true masterpiece!
• Her performance on stage was a masterpiece of emotion and skill.

noun a metrical line or verse

adjective relating to or characteristic of meter or poetic meter

• The poet carefully crafted the metrical structure of the sonnet.
• I struggled to understand the metrical patterns in the poem.
• I'm not a fan of the metrical stuff in poetry.
• The metrical heartbeat of the music resonated with the audience.

verb to think about carefully; consider thoroughly

• After receiving the proposal, the board members took some time to mull over the details before making a decision.
• I need to mull over which movie to watch tonight.
• Let's mull over where to grab dinner later.
• She liked to mull over the memories of her childhood.

noun the formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named

• The poet used onomatopoeia to vividly describe the sounds of nature in his latest work.
• I love how onomatopoeia makes comic books more fun to read with all the sound effects.
• The rapper's lyrics are full of onomatopoeia that really bring his songs to life.
• The artist's use of onomatopoeia in her painting created a sense of movement and energy.

noun the quality or state of being original; the ability to think or create in an independent and inventive way

• The artist's work was praised for its originality and unique style.
• I love how your outfit shows off your originality and creativity.
• Your TikTok videos are so lit, they really showcase your originality.
• In a sea of conformity, his originality shone like a beacon of light.

adjective describing someone or something that is full of fun and playfulness

• The children engaged in a playful game of tag during recess.
• She has a playful personality and is always joking around with her friends.
• The puppy was so cute and playful, it was bouncing around like crazy.
• The artist used playful colors and shapes to create a whimsical masterpiece.

noun a form of literary expression that emphasizes the aesthetic qualities of language, such as rhythm and sound

• The study of poetry is a fundamental aspect of literature courses.
• I love reading poetry in my free time, it's so relaxing.
• That poetry slam last night was lit!
• Her words were like poetry, flowing effortlessly and beautifully.

noun a word or phrase given to a performer to be spoken, or acted out, as a cue or reminder

verb to encourage someone to do something; to cause or bring about an action or reaction

adjective done without delay; on time; punctual

adverb in a prompt manner; quickly; without delay

• The teacher gave a prompt for the essay assignment.
• The boss needs a prompt response to the email.
• I need a prompt to finish this project on time.
• The sudden rain was a prompt to seek shelter.

noun A person or company that prepares and issues books, journals, or other works for sale or distribution.

• The publisher of the academic journal rejected the research paper.
• The publisher decided not to publish the book.
• The publisher passed on the manuscript.
• The publisher held the power to distribute the author's work.

verb to express oneself enthusiastically or ecstatically in speech

• The literary critic proceeded to rhapsodize about the profound themes in the novel.
• She couldn't stop rhapsodizing about the delicious food at the new restaurant.
• I could just rhapsodize about how awesome that concert was!
• As the sun set over the mountains, she felt like she could rhapsodize about the beauty of nature forever.

adjective describing or relating to rhythm; having a strong rhythm or beat

• The orchestra played a beautiful rhythmical piece that captivated the audience.
• I love dancing to rhythmical music, it's so much fun!
• The beat of that song is so rhythmical, I can't help but bob my head to it.
• Her speech was so rhythmical and captivating, it felt like poetry in motion.

noun a humorous or light-hearted joke

• The third movement of the symphony is a lively scherzo.
• The scherzo part of the music is so fun and upbeat!
• I love how the scherzo really kicks things up a notch in the song.
• Her playful teasing was like a musical scherzo in the conversation.

noun a person who writes or draws in a careless or untidy way

• The young scribbler showed great promise in his writing abilities.
• I'm just a scribbler trying to make sense of my thoughts on paper.
• Hey, look at that scribbler over there doodling in their notebook.
• She was known as the scribbler of the group, always jotting down ideas and notes.

noun A person who writes scripts for movies, television shows, or plays

• The scriptwriter meticulously crafted each line of dialogue to convey the character's emotions.
• The scriptwriter is always coming up with new ideas for our next project.
• That scriptwriter is a genius when it comes to writing compelling stories.
• The scriptwriter's words danced across the page, painting vivid scenes in the reader's mind.

noun vomit or something that is forcefully expelled

verb to expel or eject forcefully

• The volcano began to spew ash and lava, causing widespread destruction.
• I accidentally spewed soda all over myself when I opened the can too quickly.
• She was so angry that she started to spew insults at everyone in the room.
• His speech was so full of lies that it seemed to spew falsehoods with every word.

noun a group of lines in a poem or song that form a unit

• The poet carefully crafted each stanza to convey a specific theme in his work.
• I really liked the third stanza of that song, it was so catchy!
• The last stanza of that poem was fire, it really spoke to me.
• Each stanza of the painting represented a different chapter in the artist's life.

noun a length or extent of something, especially when it is great or impressive

preposition a word governing, and usually preceding, a noun or pronoun and expressing a relation to another word or element in the clause

• The idea that aliens visited Earth is beyond a stretch of the imagination for many scientists.
• Thinking that I could finish all my work in one day is a real stretch of the imagination.
• Believing that he can beat me in a race is a real stretch, if you ask me.
• The story he told was so unbelievable, it required a real stretch of the imagination to believe it.

noun a disrespectful or presumptuous action or statement

verb to act without proper authority or permission; to be overly familiar or presumptuous

• The artist did not want anyone to take liberties with their work.
• Don't take liberties with my stuff, okay?
• I can't believe he took liberties like that!
• She always takes liberties with the truth to make herself look better.

adjective describing something that produces pleasant sounds or melodies

• The opera singer's tuneful voice filled the concert hall with beauty and emotion.
• I love listening to tuneful melodies while I work.
• That new song is so tuneful, it's been stuck in my head all day.
• His words were like a tuneful melody, soothing and comforting to the ears.

verb to release or make something less tight or secure

• The engineer had to unloosen the bolts before removing the machinery.
• Can you help me unloosen this jar lid? It's stuck.
• I had to unloosen my belt after eating too much at the buffet.
• She needed to unloosen her grip on the situation and let things unfold naturally.

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun, in this case, 'unoriginal' describes something lacking originality or creativity

• The author's writing style was criticized for being unoriginal.
• I'm tired of seeing unoriginal posts on social media.
• That movie was so unoriginal, it was a total rip-off.
• His ideas were unoriginal, lacking any spark of creativity.

adjective not restrained or controlled; uncontrolled or unrestricted

• The unrestrained use of natural resources is leading to environmental degradation.
• He danced with unrestrained joy at the party last night.
• She went unrestrained shopping spree and maxed out her credit card.
• Her unrestrained laughter filled the room with warmth and happiness.

verb past tense form of 'warm over', meaning to reheat or rehash something

adjective refers to something that has been reheated or recycled

• The leftovers from last night were just warmed over for dinner.
• I'm not a fan of warmed over food, I prefer fresh meals.
• I can't believe they served us warmed over pizza at the party.
• His excuse for being late was just a warmed over version of the truth.

noun a state or quality of being wonderful; the characteristic of evoking wonder or admiration

• The wonderfullness of the art exhibit left the attendees in awe.
• I can't get over the wonderfullness of that movie we watched last night.
• The wonderfullness of that party was off the charts.
• The wonderfullness of her personality shines through in everything she does.

noun a person who writes for a living, especially a journalist or author

• The ink slinger carefully crafted each word of the legal document.
• I heard that new ink slinger at the newspaper is really talented.
• That ink slinger is always coming up with the coolest designs for tattoos.
• As an ink slinger of ideas, she never runs out of creative inspiration.

noun a rhetorical device in which one part of speech is substituted for another, such as using a noun as a verb

• The use of anthimeria in literature can create a unique and impactful effect on the reader.
• I love how authors use anthimeria to play with language and create new meanings.
• Using anthimeria in your writing can really spice things up and make it more interesting.
• Just like a chameleon changes its colors, anthimeria allows words to take on different forms and meanings.

noun a confused or disordered mixture of things; a noisy disturbance or uproar

• The clamjamfry at the event was overwhelming, with so many people crowded in one space.
• I couldn't hear myself think over the clamjamfry of voices in the room.
• Let's get out of this clamjamfry and find somewhere quieter to hang out.
• The political debate turned into a clamjamfry of accusations and finger-pointing.

noun A made-up or nonsensical word with no specific definition

• The dird of the company was responsible for overseeing all financial matters.
• I heard that the dird is planning a big company party next month.
• The dird is always on top of things and knows how to get stuff done.
• The dird of the team is like the captain of a ship, guiding everyone towards success.

noun a person who works with words; a skilled writer or editor

• The wordsmith crafted a beautiful piece of poetry that moved the audience to tears.
• My friend is such a wordsmith, she can come up with clever puns on the spot.
• I heard that rapper is a real wordsmith, his lyrics are always on point.
• The CEO is a wordsmith when it comes to negotiating deals, he always knows the right thing to say.

adjective Frore is an adjective that describes something as extremely cold or frozen.

• The frore temperatures in the Arctic make it a challenging environment for many species.
• I can't believe how frore it is outside, I need to bundle up!
• This frore weather is no joke, I'm staying inside where it's warm.
• His icy stare sent a frore chill down her spine.

noun a person who enjoys or has a keen interest in words and word games

• As a verbivore, she had a deep appreciation for the nuances of language and grammar.
• I consider myself a bit of a verbivore, always on the lookout for interesting words and phrases.
• My friend is a total verbivore - she can't get enough of reading and writing.
• Being a verbivore means devouring words and letting them nourish your mind.

adjective describing a plentiful or overflowing amount of something

• The garden was abounding with colorful flowers.
• My inbox is abounding with unread emails.
• The party was abounding with cool people.
• Her mind was abounding with creative ideas.

verb to emphasize or make more noticeable

adjective having been made more noticeable or emphasized

• The artist accentuated the details in his painting to create a more realistic effect.
• She really accentuated her outfit with those bold accessories.
• He totally accentuated his dance moves at the party last night.
• The silence in the room accentuated the tension between them.

noun a dream or a vision

verb to dream or envision something

• She had an adream about becoming a successful entrepreneur.
• I adreamed about winning the lottery last night.
• I adreamt I could fly like a bird in my dream.
• His adream of a better future kept him going during tough times.