60+ Adjectives That Start With Y

By Tony Ashley

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Are you stuck with adjectives that begin with the letter Y? This lack of vocabulary might interrupt your conversation or flow of thoughts. We’ve got you covered with 100+ words, from popular to lesser-known. Continue reading to keep your description going and improve your language skills!

Adjectives That Start With Y

Despite a limited quantity, some adjectives that start with a Y are widely used every day. These versatile words can enhance your writing and communication in various contexts.

AdjectiveMeaning
YellowA bright color, like that of a ripe lemon or the sun, often associated with caution or happiness.
YellowishHaving turned yellow, often due to age or exposure to certain conditions.
YellowedHaving turned yellow, often due to age or exposure to certain conditions.
Yellow-tingedHaving a slight or partial shade of yellow, often giving a warm or aged appearance.
YourBelonging to or associated with the person or people being addressed; used to indicate possession.
YearlongLasting for an entire year; spanning the duration of a year.
YearlyOccurring or produced once every year; annual.
YonderAt some distance in the direction indicated; over there. Often used to refer to a faraway place.
YesterRelating to the day before today; belonging to the recent past.
YareQuick and agile; nimble or ready, often used in nautical contexts to describe a ship’s responsiveness.
YobbishRude or uncouth, typically describing loutish or boorish behavior.
YeaAn archaic or formal word for yes; also used to express affirmation or agreement.
YenA strong desire or craving; a longing or urge.
YankeeInformal term often used to refer to an American, especially someone from the northern United States.
Year-endRelating to the end of the year, often associated with financial or organizational assessments.
YearlingAn animal, especially a horse, that is one year old or in its second year.
Yearned-forSomething that is deeply desired or longed for, often with a sense of emotional intensity.
Year-roundOccurring, continuing, or available throughout the entire year.
YelpingMaking a sharp, high-pitched cry or bark, often from pain or excitement.
YieldableCapable of being yielded or surrendered; flexible and accommodating.
Yogic/YogisticRelating to yoga or yogis, often describing practices or disciplines associated with physical and spiritual well-being.
YokedJoined together, often referring to animals (like oxen) harnessed together; also used metaphorically for connected or linked.
YowlingMaking a long, loud, mournful cry, often used to describe sounds made by animals such as cats.
YonArchaic or poetic term meaning “over there” or “at a distance.”
YondAn old or poetic form of “yonder,” meaning at or in that place over there.
YugoslavianRelating to the former country of Yugoslavia or its people.
YugoslavPertaining to the former state of Yugoslavia or its inhabitants.
YodelingA style of singing that involves rapid changes of pitch between the low-pitch chest register and the high-pitch falsetto.
YuletideRelating to the Christmas season; festive and associated with traditional Christmas customs.
YucatecanRelating to the Yucatán Peninsula or its culture, people, or language.
YiddishRelating to the Yiddish language or culture, traditionally spoken by Ashkenazi Jews.
YumanRelating to the Yuma people, their language, or culture, native to the southwestern United States.
YachtingPertaining to the sport or activity of sailing or cruising in a yacht.
YataghanedEquipped with or resembling a yataghan, a type of Ottoman short sword with a curved blade.

Y Words To Describe Someone Or Something

Below is a collection of words that start with Y to describe a person or a thing. These descriptive adjectives can help you paint a vivid picture of someone or something in a glowing or gloomy light. 

AdjectiveMeaning
YearningHaving an intense or deep longing or desire, often accompanied by a sense of melancholy.
YappingMaking a high-pitched, sharp noise, often repetitive, typically associated with small dogs or talkative people.
YouthfulPossessing the qualities or appearance of youth; energetic and fresh.
Yellow-belliedCowardly or lacking courage; timid.
YeastyResembling or smelling like yeast; often used to describe a lively or frothy quality.
YuckyUnpleasant or disgusting, often used informally to describe food or experiences.
YoungHaving lived for a short time; not old, typically referring to people, animals, or plants.
Young-at-heartHaving a youthful and lively spirit, regardless of one’s actual age.
Young-lookingAppearing younger than one’s actual age, often characterized by youthful features or energy.
YeastlikeResembling or similar to yeast, especially in being spongy or frothy.
YokelishCharacteristic of a yokel; unsophisticated, rural, or naïve.
YummyDelicious or highly enjoyable, often used informally to describe food.
YouthwardDirected toward or relating to youth or younger individuals.
Yo-YoFluctuating or oscillating up and down, often used metaphorically to describe variable conditions.
Yawn-proneLikely to yawn frequently, often due to boredom or tiredness.
YabberingTalking incessantly and often meaninglessly; chattering.
YieldlessNot producing or yielding any result; unproductive or barren.
Yard-wideHaving a width of one yard (approximately 0.91 meters); used to describe size or dimensions.
Yard-deepHaving a depth of one yard; often used to describe measurements or dimensions.
YetfulFull of potential or possibility; still having future prospects.
YankingCharacterized by a sharp, sudden pull; abrupt and forceful.
YewPertaining to the yew tree, often associated with its dark, evergreen foliage.
YewenMade of yew wood; associated with or derived from the yew tree.
YarrishBoisterous, loud, and lively; often associated with excitement or unruly behavior.
YahooingBehaving in a loud, boisterous, and uncultured manner; typically associated with rowdy behavior.
YeomanlikeResembling or characteristic of a yeoman; diligent, reliable, and hardworking.
YackedHaving talked excessively or casually; engaged in idle chatter.
YammeringTalking persistently and loudly, often in a complaining or irritating manner.

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Conclusion

With this comprehensive list of adjectives starting in Y, you’ve unlocked a new tool for your linguistic toolkit. Learn by heart all of these words practice with them, and they will add depth and nuance to your expression.


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