Positive words make a sentence feel warm. Use this list for writing prompts, compliments, morning meetings or a word wall. Every word below has a short meaning written for children.
Core words by grade
A short list for each grade band, with a meaning, an example sentence and audio.
Grades K–2
10 words- ableadjective
- Can do something. “She is able to tie her shoes.”
- acenoun
- Someone who is very good at something. “He is an ace at puzzles.”
- activeadjective
- Busy moving, playing and doing things. “Active kids love games at recess.”
- adoreverb
- To love someone or something very much. “I adore the books in our class library.”
- agreeverb
- To think the same as someone else. “We agree to take turns on the slide.”
- aliveadjective
- Full of life and energy. “The garden felt alive with bees.”
- amazingadjective
- So good that it surprises you. “That was an amazing catch!”
- amusedadjective
- Finding something funny. “The class was amused by the silly song.”
- awardnoun
- A prize for doing something well. “Our class won an award for reading.”
- awesomeadjective
- Very good, or full of wonder. “The view from the hill was awesome.”
Grades 3–5
10 words- achieveverb
- To reach a goal by working hard. “With practice, you can achieve your reading goal.”
- adventurousadjective
- Happy to try new and exciting things. “My adventurous cousin tried every ride.”
- advicenoun
- Helpful ideas about what to do. “My teacher gave me good advice about my story.”
- affectionateadjective
- Showing love and care. “Our dog is very affectionate.”
- allynoun
- A friend who stands up for you. “Be an ally when someone is left out.”
- applaudverb
- To clap to show you liked something. “We applaud every reader after they share.”
- artisticadjective
- Good at making art. “His artistic poster won a ribbon.”
- assistverb
- To help someone do something. “Can you assist me with the paint jars?”
- attentiveadjective
- Paying close attention. “An attentive listener remembers the details.”
- awestruckadjective
- Filled with wonder. “The children were awestruck by the whale.”
Grades 6–8
10 words- acknowledgeverb
- To show that you notice and value something. “Acknowledge your partner’s idea before you add your own.”
- adaptableadjective
- Able to change when things change. “Our adaptable team made a new plan when it rained.”
- admirableadjective
- Deserving respect. “Helping your friend was admirable.”
- affirmationnoun
- A kind, true sentence that cheers you on. “My morning affirmation is ‘I can do hard things.’”
- ambitiousadjective
- Working hard to reach a big goal. “She has an ambitious plan to read 50 books.”
- appreciativeadjective
- Thankful. “I am appreciative of your help.”
- articulateadjective
- Able to share ideas clearly. “The articulate speaker kept everyone listening.”
- aspireverb
- To hope for and work toward a big goal. “I aspire to write my own book one day.”
- assuredadjective
- Confident and calm. “She gave an assured answer.”
- authenticadjective
- Real and true to who you are. “Be authentic and share what you really think.”
All 101 positive A words
Each word with a simple meaning. Tap the speaker to hear it.
Showing all 101 words
Words to describe a friend
40 words- ableadjective
- Can do something.
- acceptingadjective
- Welcoming people just as they are.
- accommodatingadjective
- Happy to make room for what others need.
- accountableadjective
- Owning up to what you say and do.
- acenoun
- Someone who is very good at something.
- achievernoun
- Someone who works hard and reaches goals.
- activeadjective
- Busy moving, playing and doing things.
- adaptableadjective
- Able to change when things change.
- adeptadjective
- Very skilled at something.
- admirableadjective
- Deserving respect.
- adorableadjective
- So sweet that it is easy to love.
- advancedadjective
- Skilled and ready for harder work.
- adventurernoun
- Someone who loves to explore and try new things.
- adventurousadjective
- Happy to try new and exciting things.
- affableadjective
- Friendly, relaxed and good-natured.
- affectionateadjective
- Showing love and care.
- agileadjective
- Able to move quickly and easily.
- agreeableadjective
- Pleasant and happy to go along with others.
- alertadjective
- Awake and quick to notice things.
- allynoun
- A friend who stands up for you.
- altruisticadjective
- Helping others without wanting anything back.
- amazingadjective
- So good that it surprises you.
- ambassadornoun
- A person who represents a group and welcomes others.
- ambitiousadjective
- Working hard to reach a big goal.
- amiableadjective
- Friendly and pleasant to be around.
- amusingadjective
- Funny in a gentle, cheerful way.
- approachableadjective
- Easy and comfortable to talk to.
- articulateadjective
- Able to share ideas clearly.
- artistnoun
- A person who creates pictures, music or other art.
- artisticadjective
- Good at making art.
- assertiveadjective
- Speaking up for yourself in a calm, kind way.
- astoundingadjective
- So amazing it is hard to believe.
- astuteadjective
- Smart about understanding people and situations.
- athleticadjective
- Strong, fit and good at sports.
- attentiveadjective
- Paying close attention.
- attunedadjective
- Tuned in to how others feel.
- authenticadjective
- Real and true to who you are.
- avidadjective
- Very eager about something you love.
- awareadjective
- Noticing what is going on around you.
- awesomeadjective
- Very good, or full of wonder.
Feelings
14 words- absorbedadjective
- So interested that you forget everything else.
- accomplishedadjective
- Proud because you finished something hard.
- admirationnoun
- A feeling of respect and liking for someone.
- affectionnoun
- A warm feeling of love and care.
- aglowadjective
- Glowing with happiness.
- aliveadjective
- Full of life and energy.
- amazedadjective
- Very surprised, in a good way.
- amusedadjective
- Finding something funny.
- animatedadjective
- Lively and full of excitement.
- anticipationnoun
- The excited feeling of waiting for something good.
- appreciativeadjective
- Thankful.
- assuredadjective
- Confident and calm.
- astonishedadjective
- Very, very surprised.
- awestruckadjective
- Filled with wonder.
Doing words
27 words- acceptverb
- To welcome someone or something with an open mind.
- accomplishverb
- To finish something you set out to do.
- achieveverb
- To reach a goal by working hard.
- acknowledgeverb
- To show that you notice and value something.
- adaptverb
- To change to fit a new place or plan.
- adjustverb
- To change something a little so it works better.
- admireverb
- To look up to someone, or to like something a lot.
- admitverb
- To say something is true, even when it is hard.
- adoptverb
- To take in and care for, like a new pet.
- adoreverb
- To love someone or something very much.
- advanceverb
- To move forward or get better.
- adviseverb
- To give someone helpful ideas about what to do.
- advocateverb
- To speak up for a person or an idea.
- agreeverb
- To think the same as someone else.
- aidverb
- To help someone who needs it.
- aimverb
- To set a goal and try to reach it.
- amazeverb
- To surprise someone in a wonderful way.
- amuseverb
- To make someone smile or laugh.
- anticipateverb
- To look forward to something that will happen.
- apologizeverb
- To say you are sorry.
- applaudverb
- To clap to show you liked something.
- appreciateverb
- To be thankful for someone or something.
- approveverb
- To say that something is good or okay.
- aspireverb
- To hope for and work toward a big goal.
- assistverb
- To help someone do something.
- attainverb
- To reach something you worked for.
- attemptverb
- To try to do something.
Things and ideas
20 words- abilitynoun
- A skill or talent you have.
- abundancenoun
- More than enough of something.
- acceptancenoun
- Being welcomed and included just as you are.
- accoladenoun
- Praise or a prize for great work.
- achievementnoun
- Something great you did by working hard.
- advantagenoun
- Something that helps you do well.
- adventurenoun
- An exciting trip or experience.
- advicenoun
- Helpful ideas about what to do.
- affirmationnoun
- A kind, true sentence that cheers you on.
- alohanoun
- A Hawaiian word for love, hello and goodbye.
- ambitionnoun
- A big goal you really want to reach.
- apologynoun
- Words that say you are sorry.
- applausenoun
- Clapping to show that you liked something.
- aptitudenoun
- A natural talent for learning something.
- artnoun
- Pictures, music and other things people make with imagination.
- aspirationnoun
- A big hope for your future.
- assistancenoun
- Help that someone gives.
- autonomynoun
- Being able to make your own choices.
- awardnoun
- A prize for doing something well.
- awarenessnoun
- Noticing what is happening around you and inside you.
Turn this list into a game
Paste these words into WordCurious for flashcards, a read-aloud spelling test and printables. Or make a word search right now.
Questions about positive A words
What is a powerful positive word that starts with A?
Ambitious, admirable and authentic are strong choices for older students, because each one names a quality people respect. For younger children, amazing and awesome are easy, cheerful favorites.
What is a nice or beautiful word that starts with A?
Adore, aglow and awestruck are lovely to say and to hear. Affectionate is a warm word for someone who shows love and care.
What compliments start with A?
Try “You’re amazing,” “You’re a real ally” or “That was admirable.” For a classmate’s work, “That is so artistic” or “What an awesome idea” works well.
What personality traits start with A?
Adventurous, affectionate, attentive, adaptable and ambitious are positive traits that start with A. They make good words for character studies and for describing a friend.
How can I use positive A words in class?
Pick a word of the day for morning meeting, start a compliment circle, or add the week’s words to your word wall. Older students can sort the list by part of speech and use the words in their own writing.