Daring, dependable and determined: D words are great for talking about effort. Use them for goal setting, compliments, writing prompts 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- danceverb
- To move your body to music. “We dance to a song before math.”
- daringadjective
- Brave and willing to try new things. “The daring climber reached the top of the rope.”
- darlingnoun
- Someone who is very loved. “Our class pet is a little darling.”
- dazzleverb
- To amaze with something bright or wonderful. “The dancers dazzle the crowd.”
- dearadjective
- Loved, or very special. “She is a dear friend.”
- decorateverb
- To make something look pretty or special. “We decorate our classroom door together.”
- deednoun
- Something you do, like a kind act. “Helping clean up was a good deed.”
- delightedadjective
- Very happy and pleased. “The class was delighted by the surprise visit.”
- doodleverb
- To draw little pictures just for fun. “I doodle stars when I think.”
- dreamnoun
- A hope for the future. “My dream is to visit the moon.”
Grades 3–5
10 words- decentadjective
- Good, fair and kind to others. “A decent player shakes hands after the game.”
- dedicatedadjective
- Working hard and not giving up. “Our dedicated coach comes to every practice.”
- defendverb
- To stand up for someone or something. “Defend a friend who is being teased.”
- dependableadjective
- Always there when people count on you. “A dependable friend keeps promises.”
- deserveverb
- To earn something because of what you did. “You deserve a break after all that hard work.”
- designverb
- To plan how something will look or work. “We design a bridge out of paper and tape.”
- determinedadjective
- Sticking with something even when it is hard. “She was determined to learn to swim.”
- devotedadjective
- Loving and loyal. “The devoted gardener waters the plants every day.”
- discoverynoun
- Something new that someone finds or learns. “The class made an exciting discovery under the microscope.”
- donateverb
- To give something to help others. “Our class will donate books to the library.”
Grades 6–8
10 words- decisiveadjective
- Able to make choices quickly and clearly. “A decisive leader helped us pick a plan.”
- determinationnoun
- Not giving up, even when something is hard. “Her determination helped her finish the race.”
- developverb
- To grow or get better over time. “Practice helps you develop new skills.”
- dignitynoun
- Respect for yourself and for others. “Treat every person with dignity.”
- diligentadjective
- Careful and hardworking. “A diligent student checks every answer.”
- diplomaticadjective
- Good at handling problems in a calm, fair way. “Be diplomatic when friends disagree.”
- discerningadjective
- Good at noticing what is true or best. “A discerning reader questions what she reads online.”
- disciplinedadjective
- Able to stick to good habits. “A disciplined athlete practices a little every day.”
- diversitynoun
- Having many different kinds of people or things. “Our school celebrates the diversity of its families.”
- dynamicadjective
- Full of energy and new ideas. “Our dynamic science teacher makes every lab exciting.”
All 77 positive D words
Each word with a simple meaning. Tap the speaker to hear it.
Showing all 77 words
Words to describe a friend
33 words- daringadjective
- Brave and willing to try new things.
- darlingnoun
- Someone who is very loved.
- dauntlessadjective
- Brave and not easily scared.
- dazzlingadjective
- So bright or wonderful that it amazes you.
- dearadjective
- Loved, or very special.
- decentadjective
- Good, fair and kind to others.
- decisiveadjective
- Able to make choices quickly and clearly.
- dedicatedadjective
- Working hard and not giving up.
- defendernoun
- Someone who stands up for others.
- deftadjective
- Quick and skillful with your hands.
- deliberateadjective
- Careful, and doing things on purpose.
- delightfuladjective
- Very pleasant and fun to be around.
- dependableadjective
- Always there when people count on you.
- deservingadjective
- Worthy of something good.
- designernoun
- Someone who plans how things look or work.
- determinedadjective
- Sticking with something even when it is hard.
- devotedadjective
- Loving and loyal.
- dignifiedadjective
- Calm, serious and worthy of respect.
- diligentadjective
- Careful and hardworking.
- diplomatnoun
- Someone who is good at helping people agree.
- diplomaticadjective
- Good at handling problems in a calm, fair way.
- discerningadjective
- Good at noticing what is true or best.
- disciplinedadjective
- Able to stick to good habits.
- distinguishedadjective
- Respected for doing great work.
- doernoun
- Someone who gets things done.
- doggedadjective
- Never giving up, no matter how long it takes.
- donornoun
- Someone who gives to help others.
- dotingadjective
- Showing a lot of love and care.
- dreamernoun
- Someone with big hopes and ideas.
- drivenadjective
- Working hard because you really want something.
- dutifuladjective
- Doing what you should, carefully and willingly.
- dynamicadjective
- Full of energy and new ideas.
- dynamonoun
- A person who is full of energy.
Feelings
4 words- dazzledadjective
- Amazed by something bright or wonderful.
- delightedadjective
- Very happy and pleased.
- devotionnoun
- Deep love and loyalty.
- dreamyadjective
- Calm and happy, as if in a nice dream.
Doing words
23 words- danceverb
- To move your body to music.
- dareverb
- To be brave enough to try something new.
- daydreamverb
- To think happy thoughts while you are awake.
- dazzleverb
- To amaze with something bright or wonderful.
- debateverb
- To share and test ideas in a fair, friendly way.
- decipherverb
- To figure out something hard to read or understand.
- decorateverb
- To make something look pretty or special.
- dedicateverb
- To give something your full time and care.
- deduceverb
- To figure something out using clues.
- defendverb
- To stand up for someone or something.
- delightverb
- To make someone very happy.
- delveverb
- To dig deep into a topic to learn more.
- demonstrateverb
- To show how to do something.
- dependverb
- To trust someone to help you.
- deserveverb
- To earn something because of what you did.
- designverb
- To plan how something will look or work.
- developverb
- To grow or get better over time.
- deviseverb
- To think up a clever plan.
- devoteverb
- To give your love or time to something.
- discoververb
- To find or learn something new.
- donateverb
- To give something to help others.
- doodleverb
- To draw little pictures just for fun.
- dramatizeverb
- To act out a story or scene.
Things and ideas
17 words- dawnnoun
- The start of a new day, or a fresh start.
- debutnoun
- The first time you share a talent with others.
- decencynoun
- Treating people in a good, fair way.
- decorationnoun
- Something that makes a place look special.
- dedicationnoun
- Giving lots of time and effort to something.
- deednoun
- Something you do, like a kind act.
- determinationnoun
- Not giving up, even when something is hard.
- dignitynoun
- Respect for yourself and for others.
- diligencenoun
- Careful, steady hard work.
- diplomanoun
- A paper you earn when you finish school.
- diplomacynoun
- Solving problems with calm, fair talk.
- discoverynoun
- Something new that someone finds or learns.
- distinctionnoun
- A special honor for excellent work.
- diversitynoun
- Having many different kinds of people or things.
- donationnoun
- A gift of money, time or things to help others.
- dreamnoun
- A hope for the future.
- drivenoun
- The energy to keep working toward a goal.
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 D words
What is a powerful positive word that starts with D?
Determined, dedicated and dignity are powerful D words. They are about effort and self-respect, which children can work toward every day.
What is a nice or beautiful word that starts with D?
Dear, darling and delighted are warm, gentle words. Dream and dazzle are fun for poems and stories.
What compliments start with D?
Try “You’re so dependable,” “That was daring” or “You’re a dear friend.” For hard work, “You were so determined” means a lot.
What personality traits start with D?
Daring, decent, dedicated, dependable and devoted are positive traits that start with D. Older students can add decisive, diligent and diplomatic.
How can I use positive D words in class?
D words are great for goal setting. Ask each child to finish the sentence “I am determined to…” and name one step they will take this week.