183 Best Words to Describe a Forest (Curated & Ranked)

Lindsey Desmet
Updated 06/04/2022
Woman sitting in a forest looking at the trees

Forests are not only beautiful but an essential part of life on Earth. They serve as home to more than 80% of land animals[1] and cover nearly a third of the world.[2]

Trees can reduce air pollution, cool the air, and provide renewable energy.[3][4]

Many life-saving medications even come from rainforest trees and plants.[5]

Finding the right words to describe a forest can really bring your story to life, whether you’re writing a novel or sharing an anecdote about a recent hiking trip.

We have the list of words to describe the forest below, plus an activity to help you discover more about the forest.

  1. Up
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    Moonlit

  2. Up
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    Beautiful

  3. Up
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    Hushed

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    Majestic

  5. Up
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    Ancient

  6. Up
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    Vivid

  7. Up
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    Damp

  8. Up
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    Devastated

  9. Up
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    Ominous

  10. Up
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    Dusky

  11. Up
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    Misty

  12. Up
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    Dense

  13. Up
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    Enchanted

  14. Up
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    Green

  15. Up
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    Dark

  16. Up
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    Blossoming

  17. Up
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    Uninterrupted

  18. Up
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    Lush

  19. Up
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    Shady

  20. Up
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    Wild

  21. Up
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    Grand

  22. Up
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    Peaceful

  23. Up
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    Captivating

  24. Up
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    Vegetated

  25. Up
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    Moist

  26. Up
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    Enormous

  27. Up
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    Magnificent

  28. Up
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    Huge

  29. Up
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    Hostile

  30. Up
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    Mighty

  31. Up
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    Pathless

  32. Up
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    Dazzling

  33. Up
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    Terrible

  34. Up
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    Fragrant

  35. Up
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    Stately

  36. Up
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    Splendid

  37. Up
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    Temperate

  38. Up
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    Diverse

  39. Up
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    Evergreen

  40. Up
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    Overgrown

  41. Up
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    Lofty

  42. Up
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    Open

  43. Up
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    Lively

  44. Up
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    Breathtaking

  45. Up
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    Daunting

  46. Up
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    Primeval

  47. Up
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    Sprawling

  48. Up
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    Bewildering

  49. Up
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    Undisturbed

  50. Up
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    Quiet

  51. Up
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    Shaded

  52. Up
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    Sun-dappled

  53. Up
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    Dewed

  54. Up
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    Dynamic

  55. Up
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    Earthy

  56. Up
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    Wooded

  57. Up
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    Mysterious

  58. Up
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    Silent

  59. Up
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    Primitive

  60. Up
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    Dormant

  61. Up
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    Shadowy

  62. Up
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    Murky

  63. Up
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    Distant

  64. Up
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    Untouched

  65. Up
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    Snow-covered

  66. Up
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    Decayed

  67. Up
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    Brown

  68. Up
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    Pristine

  69. Up
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    Old-growth

  70. Up
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    Giant

  71. Up
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    Spectacular

  72. Up
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    Jagged

  73. Up
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    Deserted

  74. Up
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    Native

  75. Up
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    Wet

  76. Up
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    Formidable

  77. Up
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    Heavenly

  78. Up
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    Cold

  79. Up
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    Colorful

  80. Up
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    Remarkable

  81. Up
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    Nocturnal

  82. Up
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    Isolated

  83. Up
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    Tropical

  84. Up
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    Picturesque

  85. Up
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    Tangled

  86. Up
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    Romantic

  87. Up
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    Gloomy

  88. Up
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    Ethereal

  89. Up
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    Vast

  90. Up
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    Bustling

  91. Up
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    Gorgeous

  92. Up
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    Calm

  93. Up
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    Enchanting

  94. Up
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    Coniferous

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    Lonely

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    Spooky

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    Dreary

  98. Up
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    Desolate

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    Stunning

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    Crowded

  101. Up
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    Luxuriant

  102. Up
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    Leafless

  103. Up
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    Equatorial

  104. Up
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    Humming

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    Primal

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    Thick

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    Pristine

  108. Up
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    Solemn

  109. Up
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    Inaccessible

  110. Up
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    Arboraceous

  111. Up
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    Northern

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    Mangrove

  113. Up
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    Humid

  114. Up
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    Powerful

  115. Up
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    Cool

  116. Up
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    Western

  117. Up
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    Sodden

  118. Up
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    Leafy

  119. Up
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    Swampy

  120. Up
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    Foggy

  121. Up
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    Southern

  122. Up
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    Undeveloped

  123. Up
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    Wildlife-filled

  124. Up
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    Eastern

  125. Up
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    Unspoiled

  126. Up
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    Secluded

  127. Up
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    Willowy

  128. Up
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    Mystical

  129. Up
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    Solitary

  130. Up
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    Immense

  131. Up
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    Foreboding

  132. Up
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    Noble

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    Sacred

  134. Up
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    Prehistoric

  135. Up
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    Grassy

  136. Up
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    Eerie

  137. Up
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    Boreal

  138. Up
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    ::

    Deep

  139. Up
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    Wind-blown

  140. Up
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    Warm

  141. Up
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    Pure

  142. Up
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    Strange

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    Shaggy

  144. Up
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    Petrified

  145. Up
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    Sturdy

  146. Up
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    Dry

  147. Up
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    Bleak

  148. Up
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    Haunted

  149. Up
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    Bare

  150. Up
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    Flourishing

  151. Up
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    Glorious

  152. Up
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    Rough

  153. Up
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    Untrodden

  154. Up
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    Grim

  155. Up
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    Amazonian

  156. Up
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    Mature

  157. Up
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    Rolling

  158. Up
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    Wide

  159. Up
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    Young

  160. Up
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    Subtropical

  161. Up
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    Inland

  162. Up
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    Valuable

  163. Up
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    Chilly

  164. Up
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    Deciduous

  165. Up
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    Verdant

  166. Up
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    ::

    Alive

  167. Up
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    Wondrous

  168. Up
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    Somber

  169. Up
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    Brittle

  170. Up
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    Abundant

  171. Up
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    Large

  172. Up
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    Barren

  173. Up
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    Inhospitable

  174. Up
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    Alpine

  175. Up
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    ::

    Celestial

  176. Up
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    Sweltering

  177. Up
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    Autumnal

  178. Up
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    ::

    Idyllic

  179. Up
    -1
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    ::

    Unending

  180. Up
    -1
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    ::

    Scary

  181. Up
    -1
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    ::

    Natural

  182. Up
    -2
    Down
    ::

    Bushy

  183. Up
    -2
    Down
    ::

    Coastal

Activity: Forest Discovery Scavenger Hunt

Knowing how to describe a forest is great, but genuinely discovering and understanding the forest is even better!

You can visit a local wooded park or nearby national forest to complete this activity.

Look for and take photos of the following things:

  • A fallen leaf
  • A fallen branch
  • The bark of a tree
  • Three plants other than trees
  • A bird that lives in the forest
  • A mammal that lives in the forest
  • A bug that lives in the forest

After finding and collecting photos of all of the items on the list, research them. Write captions for your photos that explain the plant or animal species and how/why it thrives in a forest environment.

You can use simple identification if completing this activity with children or create in-depth captions explaining the forest ecosystem.

Be sure to bring water and snacks, choose a trail suitable to your fitness and experience levels, and wear appropriate clothes when visiting the woods!

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