You may not often find yourself in need of a Q-word, much less an adjective that starts with "q." And, if you live outside of the world of competitive Scrabble, chances are even less likely. Truth be told, there aren't that many of them, and like many of the adjectives that start with X, the average person will probably never need to know them. Still, they're nice to have on hand, just in case.
"Q" is a rather demanding letter of the alphabet, as it can rarely stand at the beginning of a word without its buddy "u.". Perhaps that's why the adjectival lists are limited. Nevertheless, feel free to stash a few of these in your back pocket for the next time you'd like to add some eloquence to your quips.
Here we have a selection of adjectives that start with the letter "q." There are a few more in existence but, what are the chances you will need to use a word like quinquennial, well, more than once every five years?
Here are our top 20 "q" adjectives:
1. Quaint - unusual or old-fashioned in a pleasing way
That village we visited in Italy was so quaint; it looked like it hadn't changed in a hundred years.
2. Qualified - having met conditions or requirements set
Sonia wasn't qualified for the promotion; she needed a Master's degree or two more years of experience.
3. Quantifiable - able to be determined or measured
The depth of a mother's love for her child, like the depth of space, is too large to be quantifiable.
4. Quarrelsome - inclined or ready to quarrel
Mark and Joe are both very quarrelsome. I hope they don't get into an argument tonight.
5. Quarterly - occurring every quarter of the year
Please submit your quarterly reports to the manager before noon.
6. Queasy - affected with nausea; nauseated
Some people don't like riding the roller coaster as it makes them feel queasy.
7. Queer - differing from what is usual or ordinary, odd, singular; slang word relating to homosexuals
What is that queer smell emanating from the kitchen?
8. Quenched - having satisfied one's thirst
Boy, that lemonade really quenched my thirst.
9. Querulous - inclined to find fault; full of complaint; peevish
I'd rather travel with a sickening optimist than with a querulous person.
10. Questioning - doubtful or objecting
Her questioning look revealed her doubt in me.
11. Quick - rapid; swift
A quick walk around the building is just the thing to cure the mid-afternoon slump.
12. Quiet - still; calm; motionless; hushed
You were so quiet when you came home last night, I thought you'd stayed out all night.
13. Quilted - constructed like a quilt
Everything that we want to be comfortable now comes in a quilted version: quilted mattresses, quilted jackets, even quilted toilet paper!
14. Quintessential - the most perfect embodiment of something
Calvin's dog is the quintessential "man's best friend." He fetches slippers, catches frisbees, and loves to snuggle in the evening.
15. Quirky - having unusual traits or mannerisms
Some might say that Genevieve having an alter-ego for when she goes clubbing is weird but I think it's part of her quirky charm.
16. Quixotic - foolishly idealistic; impractical or impracticable; visionary
The revolutionaries may have been quixotic, but they weren't dangerous.
17. Quizzical - odd; perplexed; questioning
My husband gave me a quizzical look when I told my mom we'd see her at Christmas. He didn't know I'd invited her for the holidays.
18. Quondam - former; of another time
My quondam love for him shall remain in the past.
19. Quotable - worth quoting or suitable for quotation
Charles Dickens is one of my favorite authors, I find him infinitely quotable.
20. Quotidian - occurring every day
These quotidian tasks are becoming a burden.
So you see, "q" adjectives are useful for more than just a winning Scrabble score. They can be used in a variety of situations to describe an infinite number of people, places, activities, and ideas. Let us allow "q" to remain ever-quirky and move on to the far more commonplace Adjectives That Start with R.
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