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Words that end in ous: adjective vocabulary

This list brings together adjectives that end in the suffix -ous, which generally means full of or having the quality of. It is aimed at students working on suffixes, spelling lists, or writers looking to add variety to descriptive writing. Read through the words and notice how many describe a quality or trait.

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Words that end in ous: adjective vocabulary

30 words
WordMeaningIn a sentenceSave
famousadjectiveKnown and recognized by a very large number of people.The singer became famous overnight after her video went viral online.
dangerousadjectiveLikely to cause harm, injury, or serious risk.The icy road was too dangerous to drive on without chains.
curiousadjectiveEager to find out about something or understand how it works.The curious child wanted to know why the moon changed shape.
seriousadjectiveSolemn, thoughtful, and not joking, or requiring careful attention because of its importance or severity.He gave a serious answer, without a hint of his usual joking manner.
nervousadjectiveEasily agitated, worried, or apprehensive, especially before or during a stressful situation.She felt nervous before walking onto the stage for her first solo performance.
generousadjectiveWilling to give more money, time, or help than is strictly necessary or expected.The generous donor paid for new equipment for the entire school library.
jealousadjectiveFeeling resentful envy of someone's achievements, possessions, or advantages, or fearful of losing someone's affection to a rival.He felt jealous when his friend got the promotion he had been hoping for.
gorgeousadjectiveExtremely beautiful or attractive; strikingly pleasing to look at.The bride wore a gorgeous gown covered in delicate lace.
courageousadjectiveShowing courage; able to face danger, difficulty, or pain without being overcome by fear.The courageous nurse stayed behind to care for patients during the evacuation.
mysteriousadjectiveDifficult to understand, explain, or identify; strange and puzzling.A mysterious light appeared over the hills every night that summer.
enormousadjectiveExtremely large in size, extent, or degree.The company reported an enormous increase in profits after launching its new product line.
previousadjectiveExisting or happening before the one being discussed.The previous owner planted the pear tree.
variousadjectiveOf several different kinds; more than one and not all the same.The market sells various fruits imported from countries all over the world.
obviousadjectiveEasy to see, understand, or notice; not needing much thought or explanation.It was obvious from her smile that she had passed the exam.
anxiousadjectiveFeeling or showing worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome.She felt anxious waiting for the doctor to call with her test results.
preciousadjectiveOf great value, worth, or importance, and therefore treated with great care.Time with her grandchildren became more precious as she grew older.
vigorousadjectiveFull of physical strength, energy, and enthusiasm; done with great force or effort.The coach recommended thirty minutes of vigorous exercise most days of the week.
humorousadjectiveCausing laughter or amusement; funny in a light, entertaining way.She told a humorous story about her first disastrous cooking attempt.
gloriousadjectiveHaving, deserving, or bringing great honor, beauty, or admiration; wonderfully impressive.They watched a glorious sunset paint the entire sky in orange and pink.
victoriousadjectiveHaving won a battle, contest, or competition against an opponent.The victorious team paraded through the streets with the championship trophy.
spontaneousadjectiveDone or occurring without planning, prompting, or apparent external cause.Their spontaneous road trip began with nothing more than a full tank of gas.
ambitiousadjectiveHaving a strong desire to achieve success, power, or a difficult goal.The ambitious young lawyer aimed to make partner before turning thirty.
cautiousadjectiveCareful to avoid danger, mistakes, or unwanted results.We took a cautious step onto the slippery path.
deliciousadjectiveHaving a highly pleasant taste or smell, especially of food.The soup smelled so delicious that everyone rushed to the kitchen before dinner was even announced.
enviousadjectiveFeeling or showing envy toward someone else's possessions, achievements, or good fortune.She couldn't help feeling envious of her sister's effortless success at every job.
furiousadjectiveExtremely angry, often to the point of losing control of one's temper.She was furious when she discovered someone had scratched her new car.
hazardousadjectiveDangerous or risky, especially in a way that could cause injury or harm.Workers wore protective suits to handle the hazardous chemicals safely.
luminousadjectiveGiving off light, especially a soft, glowing light, or full of light.The luminous hands of the clock glowed brightly in the dark bedroom.
numerousadjectiveExisting or occurring in large quantity; many in number.Numerous studies have linked the chemical to health problems in animals.
poisonousadjectiveContaining a substance capable of causing illness or death if swallowed, touched, or inhaled.The berries looked tasty, but the guide warned they were poisonous.

What the suffix -ous means

The suffix -ous typically means full of or characterized by, so a word like dangerous means full of danger. This ending appears on many descriptive adjectives borrowed from Latin, which is why so many -ous words feel formal or bookish. Learning the pattern helps with both spelling and figuring out meaning from context.

Frequently asked questions

What part of speech do -ous words usually belong to?

Words ending in -ous are almost always adjectives, describing a quality or characteristic.