Using English common words synonyms in our conversations, isn’t about being fancy, it’s about being a better communicator. It shows you have a bigger toolbox and can express yourself perfectly, whether it’s a casual text or a school essay. These aren’t just fancy words to show off (though that can be cool too).
Imagine your favorite song, but every word is “said.” Kinda boring, right? Synonyms are like different instruments adding flavor. “Shouted,” “whispered,” “murmured” – they all mean “said” but create a way more interesting picture.
Not all simple words are the same. “Sad” is different from “disappointed” or “heartbroken.” The right synonym lets you express exactly how you feel, just like using the right tool for the job. You wouldn’t use a hammer to fix a watch, would you?
Think of synonyms like having more paint colors. You can describe a sunset as “red” or you can use “crimson,” “scarlet,” or “ruby.” The more options you have, the clearer and cooler your message becomes. That’s why it’s really important to improve English vocabulary and try to expand our vocabulary.
Pay attention to this conversation
🟣 Why so sad?
🟢 All my friends speak very good English. My English is always… bad.
🟣 What do you mean?
🟢 they use nice … words. My word choice is very… bad
🟣 Hmm… Let’s see… aha! How’s the weather today?
🟢 It’s … bad!
🟣Aha… what do you think about Marvel movies?
🟢They were good until end game! They are bad now…
🟣Aha, aha… How about Chelsea, the football team
🟢Oh Chelsea is bad… (I say “bad” a lot)
🟣Exactly! You need to learn some synonyms for some overused English words
🟢Really? Like what?
🟣 Let me show you…
1. English common words synonyms : Good synonyms
Example: “The movie was good.” It’s a good book”
Alternatives:
✅ Great (better than good): “The movie was great.”
✅ Pleasant (enjoyable): “The weather today is pleasant.”
✅ Superb (better than great): “He is a superb dancer.”
✅ Terrific: Extremely good; excellent. “The party was a terrific success; everyone had a great time.”
✅ Excellent: Of the highest quality; outstanding. “She received an excellent grade on her exam; she had studied diligently for weeks.”
Warning: Learning synonyms are good. BUT… You cannot use any synonym of a word, anywhere you like! Let me give you an example:
He’s a good guy. The show was good / great / pleasant / superb
He’s a great guy
He’s a superb guy
He’s a pleasant guy
2. Bad synonyms
Example: “That was a bad idea.”
Alternatives:
✅ Awful (very bad): “The weather today is awful.”
✅ Terrible (very bad): “That was a terrible mistake.”
✅ Horrible (very very bad): “It was a horrible experience.”
3. Very synonyms
The other word that is in the list of English common words synonyms is the word “very” that has the following alternatives:
Example: “She is very smart.”
Alternatives:
✅ Extremely (to a great degree): “She is extremely dedicated.”
✅ Incredibly (to an extraordinary degree): “He is incredibly talented.”
✅ Remarkably (noticeably, to a striking degree): “The view was remarkably beautiful.”
4. English common words synonyms : Interesting synonyms
Example: “That book is interesting.”
Alternatives:
✅ Fascinating (extremely interesting): “Space exploration is fascinating.”
✅ Captivating(attracting and holding interest): “The story was captivating.”
✅ Engaging (charming and attractive): “The lecture was engaging.”
Read more: A complete list of another word for change in English
5. Nice synonyms
Example: “She has a nice smile.”
Alternatives:
✅ Lovely (exquisitely beautiful): “It’s a lovely day.”
✅Charming (pleasantly attractive): “He has a charming personality.”
✅Delightful (causing delight): “The play was delightful.”
“Last weekend, I watched a movie. It was very interesting. The actors were very good, but the plot was a bit bad. The soundtrack, however, was very nice. Overall, it was a good experience.”
“Last weekend, I watched a movie. It was absolutely captivating. The actors were superb, although the plot was somewhat terrible. The soundtrack, on the other hand, was delightful. All in all, it was a great experience.”
6. Happy synonyms
Example: “I feel happy today.”
Alternatives:
✅ Joyful (feeling great happiness): “The news made her joyful.”
✅Elated (extremely happy): “He was elated by the success.”
✅Ecstatic (overwhelmed with happiness): “She was ecstatic about her new job.”
7. Sad synonyms
Example: “I feel sad today.”
Alternatives:
✅ Upset (unhappy or worried): “She was upset about the news.”
✅ Gloomy (unhappy and without hope): “He felt gloomy all day.”
✅ Heartbroken (suffering from great sorrow): “She was heartbroken by the news.”
Read more: Let’s learn about but synonyms (but in other words)
8. English common words synonyms: Big synonyms
Example: “It’s a big house.”
Alternatives:
✅ Huge (extremely large): “They live in a huge mansion.”
✅ Massive (large and heavy or solid): “That’s a massive building.”
✅ Gigantic (very large): “They saw a gigantic ship at the harbor.”
9. Small synonyms
Example: “She has a small car.”
Alternatives:
✅ Tiny (very small): “She wore a tiny ring.”
✅ Petite (small and slender for women): “She has a petite figure.”
✅ Compact (neatly packed into a small size): “He drives a compact car, perfect for the city.”
Again, context matters!
It’s a tiny apartment, but not petite!
She’s a petite, but not compact!
10. Like (as a filler)
Definition: Used to fill pauses during conversation.
Example: “I was, like, very tired.”
Alternatives:
✅ Um (to pause or hesitate): “I will, um, meet you at 5.”
✅ You know (another common filler): “We could go to the beach, you know, if it’s sunny.”
✅ (No filler): It’s often better to pause without a filler word: “I was very tired.”
11. Amazing
Alternatives:
✅ Astonishing: Causing great surprise or wonder.
Example: The magician’s tricks were astonishing; they left the audience in awe.
✅ Phenomenal: Remarkable; exceeding ordinary expectations.
Example: The success of the new product launch was phenomenal; sales doubled within the first month.
✅ Splendid: Magnificent; very impressive.
Example: The view from the mountaintop was splendid; it stretched for miles in every direction.
12. English common words synonyms (boring)
✅ Tedious: Boring because of being long, monotonous, or repetitive.
Example: The repetitive nature of the task made it tedious; I struggled to stay focused.
✅ Monotonous: Lacking in variety; dull and tedious.
Example: The monotonous sound of the dripping faucet kept me awake all night.
✅ Drab: Dull or lacking in brightness; drearily dull.
Example: The office was painted in drab colors, which made it feel depressing to work in.
13. Difficult
✅ Challenging: Testing one’s abilities; demanding.
Example: The crossword puzzle was challenging; it took me hours to complete.
✅ Arduous: Involving or requiring strenuous effort; laborious.
Example: The climb to the summit was arduous, but the view from the top was worth it.
✅ Laborious: Requiring considerable effort and time.
Example: The process of compiling the report was laborious; it took several days to complete.
✅ Tough: Strong, durable, or resilient, often in the face of difficulty or adversity.
Example: It’s a tough decision to make.
✅ Tricky: Something that is difficult to do or understand because it is complicated or has hidden challenges.
Example: This situation is tricky.
14. Calm
✅ Serene: Calm, peaceful, and untroubled.
Example: The serene beauty of the sunrise over the ocean took my breath away.
✅ Placid: Not easily upset or excited; calm and peaceful.
Example: The lake was placid, reflecting the clear blue sky above.
✅ Composed: Calm and in control of one’s emotions.
Example: Despite the chaos around her, she remained composed and focused on finding a solution.
15. Quiet
✅ Tranquil: Free from disturbance; calm.
Example: The tranquil atmosphere of the countryside was a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of the city.
✅ Serene: Peaceful and undisturbed; quiet and calm.
Example: The garden was a serene oasis in the middle of the bustling city.
✅ Placid: Not easily upset or excited; calm and peaceful.
Example: The small village was a placid retreat from the noise and chaos of the city
✅ Silent: This word means no sound at all.
Example: The library was silent.
✅ Hushed: Refers to speaking softly or with low volume.
Example: They spoke in hushed voices
✅ Mute: A state of absolute silence, often used in a dramatic context.
Example: The room was mute during the movie.
16. English common words synonyms (funny)
✅ Hilarious: Extremely amusing; causing loud laughter.
Example: The comedian’s jokes were so hilarious that the entire audience was rolling with laughter.
✅ Amusing: Entertaining and funny; causing a smile or a laugh.
Example: The children found the clown’s antics amusing and giggled uncontrollably.
✅ Comical: Causing laughter by being amusing or funny.
Example: The comedy show was filled with comical characters and witty one-liners.
17. Fast
✅ Speedy: Moving or capable of moving quickly.
Example: The speedy delivery service ensured that the package arrived on time.
✅ Rapid: Happening in a short time or at a fast pace.
Example: The rapid growth of the city led to increased traffic congestion.
✅ Quick: Moving or done with great speed; fast.
Example: She made a quick decision and acted on it before anyone else could respond.
18. Easy
✅ Straightforward: Simple and easy to understand or do.
Example: The instructions for assembling the furniture were straightforward and easy to follow.
✅ Effortless: Requiring no physical or mental effort; easy.
Example: With her years of experience, the task seemed effortless and was completed in no time.
✅ Simple: Not complicated or difficult to understand; easy.
Example: The recipe was simple, requiring only a few basic ingredients and minimal preparation.
19. English common words synonyms (beautiful)
✅ Gorgeous: Very beautiful or attractive.
Example: She wore a gorgeous gown that turned heads wherever she went.
✅ Stunning: Extremely impressive or attractive.
Example: The view from the mountaintop was stunning; it took my breath away.
✅ Exquisite: Extremely beautiful and, typically, delicate.
Example: The jewelry was exquisite; each piece was a work of art in its own right.
20. Slow
When something isn’t fast, it’s slow. Here are some alternatives:
✅ Leisurely: Doing something in a relaxed, unhurried way, without rushing.
Example: We took a leisurely walk.
✅ Sluggish: Moving or acting slowly, without much energy or speed.
Example: He felt sluggish after eating.
✅ Unhurried: Taking your time and not rushing, doing things in a calm and relaxed way.
Example: She has an unhurried pace.
21. Clean
If something is free from dirt, you might describe it as “clean.” Other ways to say this include:
✅ Tidy: Clean and organized, with everything in its proper place.
Example: I keep my room tidy.
✅ Spotless: Very clean, without any dirt or stains.
Example: The kitchen is spotless.
✅ Pristine: Perfectly clean and in its original, untouched condition.
Example: The car is in pristine condition.
22. Dirty
On the flip side, if something is not clean, it’s dirty. Here are some synonyms:
✅ Filthy: Extremely dirty, covered in a lot of dirt or grime.
Example: The room was filthy.
✅ Muddy: Covered in or full of wet, sticky dirt.
Example: His boots were muddy.
✅ Grimy: Dirty and covered with a lot of grime or smudges.
Example: The windows are grimy.
23. Important
When something holds great value or significance, “important” is often used. Alternatives include:
✅ Crucial: Extremely important and necessary for a particular result or outcome.
Example: It’s crucial to listen to your mother.
✅ Significant: Important and having a lot of meaning or impact.
Example: He made a significant contribution.
✅ Essential: Something that is absolutely needed and very important.
Example: Water is essential for life.
24. Old
Whether you’re talking about an object or a person, “old” is a common word. Here are some more specific options:
✅ Ancient: Very old, from a long time ago.
Example: They visited some ancient ruins.
✅ Elderly: Someone who is older, typically referring to older adults or senior citizens.
Example: The elderly man smiled.
✅ Vintage: Something that is old and often valued because of its age and quality, especially in reference to items like clothing, cars, or wine.
Example: She bought a vintage dress.
25. New
For things that are fresh or recent, “new” might be your first choice. Try these alternatives:
✅ Recent: Happening or appearing not long ago, in the near past.
Example: Have you heard the recent news?
✅ Modern: Related to the present time or the most recent ideas and styles.
Example: This building has a modern design.
✅ Fresh: Something that is new, clean, and recently made or picked.
Example: They bought fresh vegetables.
26. Tired
Feeling worn out? Instead of saying you’re “tired,” use these words:
✅ Exhausted: Feeling extremely tired and out of energy.
Example: He was exhausted after the marathon.
✅ Weary: Feeling very tired or worn out, often from prolonged effort or stress.
Example: She felt weary after the long day.
✅ Fatigued: Feeling very tired and drained, usually from physical or mental effort.
Example: He was fatigued from the journey.
Compare these two paragraphs:
The view from the top of the mountain was amazing. However, the hike to reach that point was anything but boring. The terrain was incredibly difficult to navigate, with steep inclines and rocky paths. Despite the challenges, the experience was unexpectedly good. As we reached the summit, a sense of calm washed over us, the serene surroundings providing a moment of respite from the arduous journey.
The view from the top of the mountain was astonishing. However, the hike to reach that point was anything but tedious. The terrain was incredibly challenging to navigate, with steep inclines and rocky paths. Despite the challenges, the experience was unexpectedly terrific. As we reached the summit, a sense of serenity washed over us, the tranquil surroundings providing a moment of respite from the arduous journey.
Compare these two paragraphs:
The countryside was calm and quiet, with only the occasional sound of rustling leaves breaking the peaceful silence. Suddenly, a burst of laughter shattered the tranquil atmosphere as my friend told a funny joke. We decided to go for a drive, and the journey was surprisingly fast. The roads were clear, making the trip feel easy. Along the way, we passed by fields of beautiful flowers, their vibrant colors adding to the already amazing scenery.
The countryside was serene and placid, with only the occasional sound of rustling leaves breaking the tranquil silence. Suddenly, a burst of laughter shattered the peaceful atmosphere as my friend told an amusing joke. We decided to go for a drive, and the journey was surprisingly rapid. The roads were clear, making the trip feel effortless. Along the way, we passed by fields of gorgeous flowers, their vibrant colors adding to the already astonishing scenery.
27. Smart
When you want to describe someone with strong mental abilities, “smart” is an easy go-to. But here are a few other options to add variety to your vocabulary:
✅ Intelligent: A formal way to describe someone with great mental abilities.
Example: She is an intelligent student.
✅ Clever: This word describes someone who can think quickly and come up with effective solutions.
Example: His clever idea solved the problem in no time.
✅ Bright: Often used to describe young learners or individuals who grasp things quickly.
Example: The bright child learned to read early.
28. Stupid
When you encounter a not-so-bright situation or person, consider these words instead of “stupid”:
✅ Foolish: Used to describe unwise decisions.
Example: It was foolish to go out in the storm.
✅ Dense: Refers to someone slow to understand.
Example: He can be a bit dense at times.
✅ Silly: A light-hearted way to describe something or someone that isn’t sensible.
Example: It was silly to forget your keys.
✅ Dumb: Commonly used for people or ideas that lack intelligence.
Example: It was a dumb idea to go out without an umbrella.
29. Loud
If you’re describing a noisy environment, you can use:
✅ Noisy: Commonly used when referring to children or busy places.
Example: The kids were noisy in the park.
✅Deafening: Extremely loud, to the point where you can’t hear anything else.
Example: The music was deafening at the concert.
✅Thunderous: A more dramatic way to describe loud sounds, often used in writing.
Example: The applause was thunderous.
30. Rich
Describing someone with money? Here are richer words than just “rich”:
✅Wealthy: A formal and common synonym for rich.
Example: They live in a wealthy neighborhood.
✅Affluent: Typically used in more formal settings or when discussing a society or class.
Example: The affluent family traveled the world.
✅ Prosperous: Often used for businesses or economies that are doing well financially.
Example: The prosperous business grew quickly.
31. Poor
On the flip side of rich, here are some synonyms for “poor”:
✅ Impoverished: Describes communities or individuals who lack resources.
Example: The impoverished community needed help.
✅ Destitute: Indicates extreme poverty, lacking basic necessities like food or shelter.
Example: The destitute man asked for food.
32. Ugly
When something isn’t quite aesthetically pleasing, use these:
✅Unattractive: A polite way to describe something that is not beautiful.
Example: The building was unattractive.
✅Hideous: A much stronger, more negative way to describe something very ugly.
Example: She wears the most hideous color combinations.
33. Lazy
When someone lacks motivation or energy, you can describe them as:
✅ Idle: Refers to someone who is inactive or not working.
Example: He was idle all weekend.
✅Lethargic: Describes a person who has no energy or motivation.
Example: I felt lethargic after the long day.
✅ Sluggish: Someone who moves or acts slowly due to laziness or tiredness.
Example: He moved in a sluggish manner.
34. Brave
For those moments of courage, here are better words than “brave”:
✅Courageous: A strong word to describe someone who faces fear or danger.
Example: The firefighters were courageous.
✅Valiant: Often used in historical or formal contexts.
Example: The soldiers made a valiant stand.
✅ Bold: Describes someone who takes risks or makes daring decisions.
Example: She made a bold decision.
Watch these three video and review the synonyms mentioned in this lesson:
Let’s Review
Huh… What a ………(sad)…….. gloomy day!
Yeah… the weather is just ….. ( bad )…… awful today
I hate this …… (small)….. tiny room
Yeah …. It makes me ….. (sad) ….. upset
I wish I could buy a ….. (big) ….. huge mansion
And that’s it
If you want to learn more about synonyms in English. we recommend you take our online English course. This course covers the most common vocabulary, phrasal verbs, idioms, and phrases that are needed to be able to communicate with natives. Take our general English course and level up your English level.
