Adjectives That Start With Z (Positive, Negative & Neutral)
What Are Adjectives That Start with Z?
Ask someone to name a few adjectives that start with Z, and most people can think of only one or two. That’s because Z has fewer adjectives than any other letter in the English alphabet.
Even so, this isn’t a disadvantage. Since the list is so short, you can learn nearly all of the commonly used Z adjectives in a single session.
A few of them do a lot of work.
zealous
Job applications and news reports
zesty
Menus and food blogs
zany
Film reviews and children’s books
zonked
What half the office says on a Friday afternoon
Quick Vocabulary Challenge
Three of these four words are adjectives beginning with Z. One is not. Which word does not belong?
The odd one out is zebra. A zebra is a noun — the animal itself. The other three describe something: a zealous fan, a zesty sauce, a zippy little car. If a word names a thing, it’s a noun. If it describes a thing, it’s an adjective.
Top 20 Most Useful Adjectives That Start with Z
These are the twenty Z adjectives you are most likely to hear, read, or need. The “Level” column tells you how common the word is in everyday English.
| Adjective | Level | Best Used For | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| zealous | Intermediate | Strong enthusiasm for a cause or goal | Our new librarian is zealous about getting teenagers reading again. |
| zesty | Easy | Food, flavour, and lively energy | The chef finished the grilled fish with a zesty lime dressing. |
| zestful | Intermediate | Eager enjoyment of life or work | She has a zestful approach to every project she joins. |
| zippy | Easy | Speed, brightness, freshness (informal) | My cousin bought a zippy little hatchback for city driving. |
| zingy | Easy | Sharp, fresh flavour or lively style (informal) | The salad had a zingy dressing made with mustard and vinegar. |
| zany | Easy | Playful, amusing oddness | The film’s zany humour kept the whole cinema laughing. |
| zonked | Easy | Total exhaustion (informal) | After two exams and a football match, I was completely zonked. |
| zapped | Easy | Drained of energy (informal) | The heat left everyone at the market feeling zapped. |
| zonal | Advanced | Areas divided into zones | The council introduced zonal parking near the hospital. |
| zigzag | Easy | Sharp alternating turns | We followed a zigzag path up the hillside. |
| zoological | Advanced | Animals and animal science | She published a zoological study of urban foxes. |
| zoomorphic | Advanced | Art or design shaped like animals | The museum displayed zoomorphic pottery from the region. |
| zero-sum | Advanced | One side gains only if another loses | Treating salary talks as zero-sum rarely helps either party. |
| zero-tolerance | Intermediate | Rules with no exceptions | The school has a zero-tolerance policy on bullying. |
| zero-waste | Intermediate | Sustainability and packaging | Her bakery runs on a zero-waste system. |
| zero-emission | Intermediate | Clean transport and energy | The city added forty zero-emission buses this year. |
| zippered | Easy | Clothing, bags, and cases | He kept his passport in a zippered inside pocket. |
| Zen-like | Intermediate | Calmness under pressure (informal) | The coach stayed Zen-like even as the score slipped away. |
| zeitgeisty | Advanced | Something that captures the current mood (informal) | The advert felt zeitgeisty without trying too hard. |
| zeroth | Advanced | Coming before the first (technical) | Engineers call it the zeroth law for a reason. |
Did You Know?
Zany comes from Zanni, the name of a clownish servant character in Italian street comedy of the 1500s. The character was so famous that his name turned into an adjective for anyone amusingly silly.
Positive Adjectives That Start with Z
Positive
Positive adjectives express approval, warmth, or admiration. Z gives us a small but genuinely useful set, and almost all of them share one idea: energy.
A Note on Honesty
Because accuracy matters more than a round number: English does not contain fifteen widely accepted positive adjectives beginning with Z. The twelve below are the ones that hold up in real, modern usage. Padding the list with invented words would only mislead you.
| Adjective | Meaning |
|---|---|
| zealous | Showing great energy and commitment to a cause or goal |
| zestful | Full of eager enjoyment and enthusiasm |
| zesty | Lively and full of flavour or spirit |
| zingy | Pleasantly sharp, fresh, and stimulating (informal) |
| zippy | Bright, quick, and lively (informal) |
| zappy | Energetic and full of life (informal, more common in British English) |
| zany | Amusingly odd in a way people enjoy |
| Zen-like | Calm, unruffled, and steady under pressure (informal) |
| zeitgeisty | Well matched to the mood of the present moment (informal) |
| zero-waste | Designed so that nothing is thrown away |
| zero-defect | Aiming for work with no faults at all (used in quality and manufacturing) |
| zero-emission | Producing no polluting exhaust or fumes |
Word Spotlight: Zealous
Zealous means putting real energy behind something you believe in. A zealous campaigner knocks on doors in the rain. A zealous new employee reads the handbook twice.
Negative Adjectives That Start with Z
Negative adjectives point to a flaw, a problem, or an unpleasant state. Z has fewer of these than most letters, and several of them describe low energy rather than bad character.
| Adjective | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Overzealous | Enthusiastic to the point of causing problems |
| Zonked | Completely worn out, or dazed (informal) |
| Zapped | Drained of all energy (informal) |
| Zoned-out | Not paying attention; mentally absent (informal) |
| Zombie-like | Moving or reacting in a dull, unresponsive way |
| Zestless | Lacking energy, interest, or flavour (rare) |
| Zero-sum | Framed so that one person’s gain is another’s loss |
| Zigzagging | Changing direction repeatedly, often without a clear plan |
Two of these deserve a closer look, because tone matters.
Overzealous is criticism, but it is gentle criticism. It admits the person meant well. An overzealous steward asked us to move three times suggests fussiness, not cruelty.
Zero-sum is not an insult. It describes a type of situation: one where the total never grows, so any gain has to come out of someone else’s share. It becomes negative when people apply that thinking where it doesn’t belong — which is why you’ll often read about “zero-sum thinking” as a mistake.
Quick Tip
Zonked, zapped, and zoned-out are fine in messages, chats, and conversation with friends. Swap them for exhausted, drained, or distracted in essays, emails to clients, and anything a manager will read.
Neutral Adjectives That Start with Z
A neutral adjective simply describes. It doesn’t praise and it doesn’t criticise. Most of the neutral Z words come from science, geography, and design, which is exactly why they carry no emotional weight.
| Adjective | Meaning | Why It Is Neutral |
|---|---|---|
| Zonal | Relating to zones or divided into zones | Describes an arrangement, not a quality |
| Zigzag | Having sharp turns from side to side | Describes a shape |
| Zippered | Fastened with a zip | Describes a fastening |
| Zip-up | Closing with a zip | Describes a design feature |
| Zoological | Relating to animals or the study of animals | Names a field of study |
| Zoomorphic | Shaped like or representing an animal | Describes a visual form |
| Zonate | Marked with rings or bands of colour (biology) | A technical description of pattern |
| Zeroth | Coming before the item numbered one | A position in a sequence |
| Zygotic | Relating to a zygote, the first cell after fertilisation | A biological stage |
| Zenithal | Relating to the highest point | A position in space |
| Zero-based | Starting again from nothing each time | Describes a method, commonly in budgeting |
| Zebrine | Of or resembling a zebra (rare) | A comparison, not a judgement |
Quick Quiz — Positive, Negative, or Neutral?
1. The gallery bought a zoomorphic sculpture.
2. An overzealous fan ran onto the pitch.
3. The lemonade had a zingy kick.
Adjectives That Start with Z to Describe a Person
People are described in many different ways: how they behave, how they look, how they think, how they work. Here are the Z adjectives that fit each area.
| Adjective | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Zealous | Deeply committed and full of drive |
| Zestful | Approaching life with eager enjoyment |
| Zesty | Lively and full of spirit |
| Zippy | Quick-moving and energetic (informal) |
| Zappy | Bubbling with energy (informal) |
| Zany | Amusingly unpredictable and playful |
| Zen-like | Calm and unbothered, even under pressure |
| Zeitgeisty | In tune with current tastes and ideas (informal) |
| Overzealous | Trying too hard, to the point of irritating others |
| Zonked | Exhausted (informal) |
| Zapped | Worn out (informal) |
| Zoned-out | Not mentally present |
| Zombie-like | Moving without energy or reaction |
| Zaftig | Having a full, rounded figure (informal; see note below) |
A Word of Caution — Zaftig
This word was borrowed into English from Yiddish and is usually meant as a compliment about a full figure. Even so, comments about anyone’s body can land badly. Use it in creative writing if it fits your character. Avoid it at work, in reviews, and in anything about a real person you don’t know well.
Real-Life Example
A teacher is writing a short note about a student who reads ahead, asks constant questions, and volunteers for everything — but sometimes talks over classmates in her eagerness.
Which adjective fits: zealous, overzealous, or zonked?
Zealous, with a gentle mention of the interrupting. Zealous honours her commitment. Overzealous would make the whole note sound like a complaint, and zonked describes the opposite behaviour entirely.
Adjectives That Start with Z to Describe Character and Personality
Character words describe who somebody is, not what they happen to be doing today. Someone who is tired on Tuesday isn’t a tired person — but someone who throws real energy into everything they care about genuinely is zealous.
- Zealous — driven by strong belief and willing to work for it
- Zestful — takes real pleasure in life and shows it
- Zany — funny in a surprising, offbeat way
- Zen-like — steady, calm, and hard to rattle (informal)
- Zappy — naturally energetic and quick (informal)
- Overzealous — pushes so hard that it becomes a problem for others
- Zealotic tendencies — a phrase, not an adjective, used when someone’s commitment turns rigid and closed-minded
Notice that last entry. Zealot is a noun and zealotry is a noun, but there is no everyday adjective form. When you need that meaning, write a zealot’s certainty or rigid in her beliefs instead of reaching for a word that doesn’t exist.
Progress Check
- You’ve now met the core Z vocabulary — around thirty words, covering positive, negative, and neutral use.
- Next comes the practical half: describing yourself, describing colleagues, and using these words at work.
Adjectives That Start with Z to Describe Yourself
Self-descriptions appear in interviews, resumes, LinkedIn summaries, college essays, and scholarship applications. The aim is to sound confident and honest — never inflated.
Z is a difficult letter here, and it’s worth being straight about that. Only two of these words are safe in formal self-description.
| Adjective | Where It Works | How to Use It Well |
|---|---|---|
| Zealous | Cover letters, personal statements, applications for cause-driven roles | Attach it to something specific: zealous about accessible design, not just “I am zealous” |
| Zestful | Personal statements, creative or people-facing roles | Works best describing your approach: a zestful approach to teamwork |
| Zen-like | Informal profiles, personal bios | Fine on a personal website; too casual for a formal resume |
| Zany | Creative bios, comedy, children’s entertainment | Charming in the right field, risky in banking or law |
Example That Works
“I’m zealous about making complicated data easy for non-technical teams to read.”
Example That Doesn’t
“I am a zealous, zany, zestful person.” Three Z words in one line reads as a word game, not a job application.
Common Mistake
❌ I am very zeal about customer service.
✅ I am very zealous about customer service.
Zeal is the noun — the feeling itself. Zealous is the adjective that describes a person. You have zeal; you are zealous.
Adjectives That Start with Z to Describe Someone at Work
Workplace writing — reviews, references, feedback, recommendation letters — needs precise words. Here is where each Z adjective belongs, and where it doesn’t.
| Adjective | Suitable For |
|---|---|
| Zealous | Work ethic, commitment, mission-driven roles, recommendation letters |
| Zestful | Attitude, team energy, morale, customer-facing roles |
| Zero-defect | Quality control, manufacturing, engineering standards |
| Zero-tolerance | Policy language: safety, harassment, compliance |
| Zero-based | Budgeting and planning methods |
| Zonal | Operations, logistics, territory and site management |
| Zen-like | Informal praise for someone calm in a crisis; keep it out of formal reviews |
| Zippy | Casual praise for fast turnaround; too light for a written review |
| Zany | Creative teams and brainstorming; avoid in performance reviews |
| Overzealous | Constructive criticism, delivered with care |
Writing a recommendation letter? Zealous is your strongest option. “She was zealous about mentoring every new starter on the ward” says something specific and admiring, and it avoids the tired vocabulary that fills most reference letters.
Giving difficult feedback? Overzealous softens the blow because it acknowledges good intentions: “He can be overzealous in client meetings and occasionally answers before the client finishes.”
Adjectives That Start with Z to Describe a Leader
Leadership vocabulary usually covers vision, decisions, integrity, communication, and the ability to stay steady when things go wrong. Z contributes a handful of words, and they cluster around two qualities: drive and calm.
Zealous — a leader with real conviction, who works as hard as the people they lead. Strongest when tied to a purpose: a zealous advocate for staff training.
Zen-like — unshaken during a crisis. Informal, but very effective in a profile piece or a company blog: a Zen-like presence in the operations room.
Zero-tolerance — describes the standards a leader sets, not their personality: “She takes a zero-tolerance approach to safety shortcuts.”
Zestful — brings energy into the room and lifts a team’s mood.
Zeitgeisty — reads the market and the moment well. Useful in marketing and media contexts; too casual for a board report.
One warning. Overzealous leadership is a real and common criticism. It describes a leader who pushes so hard that the team burns out, so keep it for the moments you truly mean it.
Quick Tip
If no Z adjective fits your leader, don’t force one. Precision beats alliteration every time. Decisive, steady, and fair will always serve a reference letter better than a stretched Z word.
Adjectives That Start with Z to Describe Things and Objects
Objects, food, clothing, vehicles, and technology all have their own Z vocabulary.
| Adjective | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| zesty | Sharp and full of flavour | a zesty tomato salsa |
| zingy | Fresh with a pleasant sharp kick | a zingy ginger tea |
| zippy | Quick and responsive | a zippy electric scooter |
| zippered | Closed with a zip | a zippered laptop sleeve |
| zip-up | Designed to fasten with a zip | a zip-up fleece jacket |
| zigzag | Turning sharply from side to side | a zigzag stripe on the rug |
| zonal | Arranged in separate zones | zonal heating in the flat |
| zoomorphic | Shaped like an animal | a zoomorphic brass door handle |
| zero-emission | Producing no exhaust fumes | a zero-emission delivery van |
| zero-waste | Producing nothing to throw away | a zero-waste refill store |
Fill in the Blank
The mechanic said the little engine was surprisingly ______ for its size.
The answer is zippy. It’s the natural word for something small, quick, and responsive. Zesty belongs to flavour and spirit, and zonal belongs to areas divided into zones.
Adjectives That Start with Z to Describe Feelings and Emotions
Emotions come in three broad types: the ones we enjoy, the ones we don’t, and the ones that sit somewhere in between.
| Positive Feelings | Negative Feelings | Mixed or Neutral Feelings |
|---|---|---|
| zealous — burning with commitment | zonked — utterly drained | zany — silly in a way that may amuse or unsettle |
| zestful — eager and glad to begin | zapped — flattened by tiredness | zigzagging — swinging between moods |
| zesty — bright and full of spirit | zoned-out — mentally absent | zeitgeisty — caught up in the mood of the moment |
| zippy — buzzing with energy | zombie-like — numb and unresponsive | overzealous — keen, but past the useful point |
| Zen-like — calm and settled | zestless — flat, with no appetite for anything | zero-sum — feeling that another’s win is your loss |
Notice how zealous and overzealous sit in different columns. The feeling is the same; the amount is what changes. That single idea explains most of the Z emotion vocabulary — these words are really about how much energy someone has, from zestful at the top to zonked at the bottom.
10 Easy Adjectives That Start with Z for Kids
These words work well for primary school students. They are short, easy to picture, and fun to say.
| Word | Simple Meaning |
|---|---|
| zany | Very silly and funny |
| zippy | Fast and lively |
| zesty | Tasting fresh and a bit tangy |
| zigzag | Going this way, then that way |
| zealous | Trying really hard because you care |
| zonked | Very, very sleepy |
| zippered | Closed with a zip |
| zingy | With a sharp, fresh taste |
| zonal | Split into different areas |
| zoological | About animals |
Sentences Kids Can Copy and Change
- My little brother drew a zigzag line across the whole page.
- The puppy was zonked after chasing the ball for an hour.
- We ate zesty orange slices at half-time.
Match the Adjective
Match each word to the right picture description.
Word
- zigzag
- zonked
- zany
Picture
- A cat asleep on its back with all four legs in the air
- A clown wearing one green shoe and one purple boot
- Lightning across a dark sky
Show Answers
- 1 – C
- 2 – A
- 3 – B
Adjectives That Start with Z for Creative Writing
Fiction and poetry can carry rarer, older words that would look out of place in an email. These give a scene texture.
| Word | Simple Meaning |
|---|---|
| Zealous | Fiercely committed to a cause |
| Zany | Strange and funny in an unpredictable way |
| Zonked | Dazed or completely drained |
| Zombie-like | Moving with no life or reaction |
| Zigzag | Turning sharply back and forth |
| Zoomorphic | Shaped like an animal |
| Zenithal | At the highest point |
| Zymotic | To do with fermentation; once used for infectious disease |
| Zebrine | Striped like a zebra, or resembling a zebra |
| Zetetic | Proceeding by questioning and investigation |
The last four are genuinely rare. Zymotic and zetetic appear mainly in historical or scientific writing, which is precisely why they suit period fiction. A Victorian doctor in your novel could speak of a zymotic outbreak; a modern paramedic never would.
Scene Example
The lamp threw zebrine shadows across the corridor, and she followed them in a zigzag until the stairwell opened up ahead.
Did You Know?
Zest originally meant the outer peel of an orange or lemon, added to food for flavour. The meaning stretched from taste to spirit, which is how we ended up with zestful people as well as zesty sauces.
Adjectives That Start with Z for Resume and Interview Success
Professional writing rewards restraint. Here is an honest breakdown, including where each word will work against you.
| Adjective | Meaning | Where to Use It | Where NOT to Use It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zealous | Deeply committed to a goal or cause | Cover letters, personal statements, charity and advocacy roles | Anywhere it stands alone with no cause attached |
| Zestful | Full of eager enjoyment | Personal statements, teaching, hospitality, customer-facing roles | Technical resumes, where it sounds unrelated to skill |
| Zero-defect | Aiming for completely fault-free output | Manufacturing, engineering, and quality resumes | Roles with no measurable output — it will sound borrowed |
| Zero-based | Rebuilt from nothing each cycle | Finance, budgeting, and planning experience | General duties; it names a specific method |
| Zero-tolerance | Allowing no exceptions | Compliance, safety, HR, and policy writing | Describing yourself — it describes rules, not people |
| Zonal | Organised into areas | Logistics, retail operations, territory management | Anything outside that operational context |
| Zen-like | Calm under pressure | Personal bios and informal profiles | Formal resumes and cover letters |
| Zippy | Quick and lively | Casual creative bios | Any formal application |
| Zany | Amusingly offbeat | Comedy, children’s media, some creative agencies | Almost every other industry |
| Zeitgeisty | In tune with the current moment | Marketing, media, and trend-focused portfolios | Formal applications, where it sounds like slang |
The honest advice: you do not need a Z adjective on your resume. If zealous genuinely fits your story, use it once and anchor it to something real. Otherwise, reach for the clearer word. A hiring manager remembers “rebuilt the returns process and cut delays by a third” far longer than any adjective.
Common Mistakes When Using Adjectives That Start with Z
Mistake 1 · Using the noun instead of the adjective
❌ Her zeal attitude impressed the panel.
✅ Her zealous attitude impressed the panel.
Zeal is the feeling. Zealous is the describing word.
Mistake 2 · Mispronouncing zealous
❌ ZEE-lus
✅ ZEL-us
The related noun zeal is said ZEEL, but the adjective shortens the vowel. This trips up confident speakers all the time.
Mistake 3 · Confusing zealous with jealous
❌ He was zealous of his brother’s new bike.
✅ He was jealous of his brother’s new bike.
They rhyme, but zealous means eager, and jealous means resentful of what someone else has.
Mistake 4 · Using zesty for people’s opinions
❌ She gave a zesty reply to the criticism.
✅ She gave a sharp reply to the criticism.
Zesty carries flavour and cheerful energy. It doesn’t carry edge or annoyance.
Mistake 5 · Slang in formal writing
❌ The team was zonked after the audit, so results were delayed.
✅ The team was exhausted after the audit, so results were delayed.
Save zonked and zapped for conversation.
Mistake 6 · Forgetting the hyphen in compounds
❌ a zero tolerance policy
✅ a zero-tolerance policy
When the compound sits in front of a noun, hyphenate it. After the noun, you can drop it: the policy is zero tolerance.
Mistake 7 · Getting adjective order wrong
❌ a zigzag zany pattern
✅ a zany zigzag pattern
Opinion words come before shape words. You think it’s zany; you can see that it’s zigzag.
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
- The paramedics were about teaching first aid in local schools.
- After the double shift, my flatmate came home completely .
- The dressing was bright and , exactly right for a summer salad.
- The trail took a route between the boulders.
- The council introduced parking rules near the stadium.
Exercise 2: Choose the Correct Adjective
- Her cover letter said she was (zeal / zealous) about renewable energy.
- The comedy show was gloriously (zany / zonal).
- A (zippy / zygotic) little car is ideal for narrow streets.
- He was (jealous / zealous) of his neighbour’s garden.
- The factory follows a (zero-defect / zero-sum) quality standard.
Exercise 3: Match the Adjective to the Meaning
- Zestless
- Zoomorphic
- Zeroth
- Zen-like
- Shaped like an animal
- Lacking energy or interest
- Calm and unbothered
- Coming before the first
Exercise 4: Correct the Mistake
- The intern was over zealous during the client call.
- He has real zealous for teaching.
- We need a zero tolerance approach to safety.
Exercise 5: Rewrite the Sentence
Rewrite each one using a Z adjective, keeping the meaning the same.
- The waiter was so eager to help that he interrupted our conversation four times.
- By the end of the wedding, my grandmother was worn out.
- The sauce had a fresh, sharp taste from the lime.
Answer Key
Exercise 1: 1. zealous 2. zonked 3. zesty (zingy also works) 4. zigzag 5. zonal
Exercise 2: 1. zealous 2. zany 3. zippy 4. jealous 5. zero-defect
Exercise 3: 1–B, 2–A, 3–D, 4–C
Exercise 4:
- The intern was overzealous during the client call. — one word, no space.
- He has real zeal for teaching. — this needs the noun, not the adjective.
- We need a zero-tolerance approach to safety. — hyphenate before the noun.
Exercise 5 (sample answers):
- The waiter was overzealous.
- By the end of the wedding, my grandmother was zonked.
- The sauce had a zingy lime flavour.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many adjectives start with the letter Z?
English has roughly thirty to forty adjectives beginning with Z, and only about a dozen appear regularly in everyday speech and writing. Z produces fewer adjectives than any other letter, which is why most reliable lists are short.
What is the most common adjective that starts with Z?
Zealous is the most common in formal and written English, and zesty is the most common in everyday speech, largely because of food writing and menus. Zany comes a close third thanks to reviews and children’s books.
What is a positive adjective that starts with Z to describe a person?
Zealous and zestful are the two strongest choices. Zealous praises commitment to a cause; zestful praises a person’s energy and enjoyment. Both sound sincere rather than exaggerated when you attach them to something specific.
Is zealous a positive or negative word?
Zealous is positive on its own — it praises energy and dedication. It turns negative once the enthusiasm goes too far, and English marks that shift with a separate word: overzealous.
How do you pronounce zealous?
Say ZEL-us. The first syllable rhymes with bell. The noun zeal keeps the long vowel and rhymes with heel, which is why so many learners say the adjective incorrectly.
What is the difference between zesty and zestful?
Zesty usually describes flavour or a lively style: a zesty marinade, a zesty performance. Zestful almost always describes a person’s attitude: a zestful approach, a zestful new colleague. Food is zesty; people are zestful.
Are there any Z adjectives to describe negative personality traits?
Very few. Overzealous is the clearest one, and it points to excessive enthusiasm rather than genuine unkindness. Words like zonked, zapped, and zoned-out describe low energy or distraction, not character. English simply has no widely used Z adjective for cruelty, dishonesty, or laziness.
Which Z adjectives are safe for a resume?
Zealous is the safest, used once and tied to a specific interest or cause. Zero-defect, zero-based, and zonal work when the role genuinely involves those methods. Keep zany, zippy, Zen-like, and zeitgeisty out of formal applications.
Can zero-sum and zero-tolerance really be called adjectives?
Yes, when they sit in front of a noun and describe it: a zero-sum negotiation, a zero-tolerance policy. Grammarians call these compound modifiers. They are built from nouns but behave as adjectives in that position, and they need a hyphen there.
Why does the alphabet have so few Z adjectives?
Z is rare at the start of English words in general. Most Z words entered English from Greek, Arabic, Italian, or Yiddish rather than from Old English, and borrowed words tend to arrive as nouns first.
See also:
The Adjective Index from A to Z
Twenty-six guides, one for every letter of the alphabet. Click a letter to open its full list.
