Is there an adjective for someone who looks like a vampire? [on hold]
I'm describing what an opiate addict looks like before recovery. Instead of saying "he looked like a vampire," I'd like to say something like "he looked [vampiric]."
I actually just found out vampiric was a word, but I want something that sounds better (more colloquial/natural, I suppose) and covers a variety of traits (pale, emaciated, sickly, etc).
———
Why I don’t just use "vampiric":
As @chepner commented:
I think the idea is to find a word that isn't so "circular", and doesn't refer explicitly to vampires or require knowledge of vampires in context. If someone were to ask "What does a vampire look like?", then "It looks vampiric/vampirish" wouldn't be terribly helpful.
I don’t want to explicitly refer to drug addicts as vampires. I just want to capture those traits in the best way.
single-word-requests adjectives
put on hold as off-topic by curiousdannii, Cascabel, J. Taylor, 9fyj'j55-8ujfr5yhjky-'tt6yhkjj, TimLymington Jan 26 at 10:32
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Please include the research you’ve done, or consider if your question suits our English Language Learners site better. Questions that can be answered using commonly-available references are off-topic." – curiousdannii, Cascabel, J. Taylor, 9fyj'j55-8ujfr5yhjky-'tt6yhkjj
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add a comment |
I'm describing what an opiate addict looks like before recovery. Instead of saying "he looked like a vampire," I'd like to say something like "he looked [vampiric]."
I actually just found out vampiric was a word, but I want something that sounds better (more colloquial/natural, I suppose) and covers a variety of traits (pale, emaciated, sickly, etc).
———
Why I don’t just use "vampiric":
As @chepner commented:
I think the idea is to find a word that isn't so "circular", and doesn't refer explicitly to vampires or require knowledge of vampires in context. If someone were to ask "What does a vampire look like?", then "It looks vampiric/vampirish" wouldn't be terribly helpful.
I don’t want to explicitly refer to drug addicts as vampires. I just want to capture those traits in the best way.
single-word-requests adjectives
put on hold as off-topic by curiousdannii, Cascabel, J. Taylor, 9fyj'j55-8ujfr5yhjky-'tt6yhkjj, TimLymington Jan 26 at 10:32
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Please include the research you’ve done, or consider if your question suits our English Language Learners site better. Questions that can be answered using commonly-available references are off-topic." – curiousdannii, Cascabel, J. Taylor, 9fyj'j55-8ujfr5yhjky-'tt6yhkjj
If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
add a comment |
I'm describing what an opiate addict looks like before recovery. Instead of saying "he looked like a vampire," I'd like to say something like "he looked [vampiric]."
I actually just found out vampiric was a word, but I want something that sounds better (more colloquial/natural, I suppose) and covers a variety of traits (pale, emaciated, sickly, etc).
———
Why I don’t just use "vampiric":
As @chepner commented:
I think the idea is to find a word that isn't so "circular", and doesn't refer explicitly to vampires or require knowledge of vampires in context. If someone were to ask "What does a vampire look like?", then "It looks vampiric/vampirish" wouldn't be terribly helpful.
I don’t want to explicitly refer to drug addicts as vampires. I just want to capture those traits in the best way.
single-word-requests adjectives
I'm describing what an opiate addict looks like before recovery. Instead of saying "he looked like a vampire," I'd like to say something like "he looked [vampiric]."
I actually just found out vampiric was a word, but I want something that sounds better (more colloquial/natural, I suppose) and covers a variety of traits (pale, emaciated, sickly, etc).
———
Why I don’t just use "vampiric":
As @chepner commented:
I think the idea is to find a word that isn't so "circular", and doesn't refer explicitly to vampires or require knowledge of vampires in context. If someone were to ask "What does a vampire look like?", then "It looks vampiric/vampirish" wouldn't be terribly helpful.
I don’t want to explicitly refer to drug addicts as vampires. I just want to capture those traits in the best way.
single-word-requests adjectives
single-word-requests adjectives
edited Jan 24 at 4:36
V2Blast
16318
16318
asked Jan 22 at 17:33
njbootnjboot
3,61812041
3,61812041
put on hold as off-topic by curiousdannii, Cascabel, J. Taylor, 9fyj'j55-8ujfr5yhjky-'tt6yhkjj, TimLymington Jan 26 at 10:32
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Please include the research you’ve done, or consider if your question suits our English Language Learners site better. Questions that can be answered using commonly-available references are off-topic." – curiousdannii, Cascabel, J. Taylor, 9fyj'j55-8ujfr5yhjky-'tt6yhkjj
If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
put on hold as off-topic by curiousdannii, Cascabel, J. Taylor, 9fyj'j55-8ujfr5yhjky-'tt6yhkjj, TimLymington Jan 26 at 10:32
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Please include the research you’ve done, or consider if your question suits our English Language Learners site better. Questions that can be answered using commonly-available references are off-topic." – curiousdannii, Cascabel, J. Taylor, 9fyj'j55-8ujfr5yhjky-'tt6yhkjj
If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
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12 Answers
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I'd suggest cadaverous. It incorporates many facets of what I believe you're trying to convey: a corpse-like appearance, including pallid and underweight.
From Merriam-Webster.com:
1a : of or relating to a corpse
b : suggestive of corpses or tombs
2a : PALLID, LIVID
b :
GAUNT, EMACIATED grossly underweight
add a comment |
For something often used to describe people and not an analogy like ghoulish or vampiric or cadaverous:
pallid - very pale, in a way that looks unhealthy and not attractive
I wouldn't call this pallid. The origin of Vampire legends is most likely a disease called prophyra. Good images are hard to find but this site has some. ippn.info
– Joshua
Jan 24 at 19:09
1
I like this except it doesn't incorporate the notion of death. Thanks for your answer though, it's still a really good one.
– njboot
Jan 24 at 20:22
add a comment |
"Vampiric" is the actual adjective to describe something (or someone) like a vampire.
According to the Collins English Dictionary, as quoted in the Dictionary.com entry for vampiric:
Derived Forms
vampiric ( væmˈpɪrɪk ) or vampirish , adjective
4
If I was told that someone was "vampiric", I wouldn't assume they looked pallid, I would assume they drank blood.
– neminem
Jan 24 at 17:10
1
If you were told they looked vampiric though there would be no problem right? Appearance is that the asker is looking for
– Eric Nolan
Jan 25 at 10:00
1
@EricNolan If I was told somebody looked "vampiric", at most I'd assume they have long canine teeth. For non-physical features, they might be dressed like Bella Lugosi in Dracula - so, capes with high collars and old timey clothes.
– vlaz
Jan 25 at 13:44
@vlaz but you wouldn't assume they drank blood. You would assume they looked like a vampire, perhaps the Hammer Horror kind. This is the question that was asked.
– Eric Nolan
Jan 25 at 14:46
1
@EricNolan not exactly. The problem is that OP has one set of assumptions of what a vampire looks like and "long fangs for drinking blood" is not among them. Nor is "old fashioned clothes". The question asks for "vampiric looking" but actually means something different, OP wants to describe a set of traits some vampires posses by using the descriptor for any vampire which ends up confusing to say the least.
– vlaz
Jan 25 at 14:59
add a comment |
gaunt - extremely thin and bony; haggard and drawn, as from great hunger, weariness, or torture; emaciated.
Dictionary.com
This more emphasises the skinny and haggard nature of their appearance - rather than the pale or sickliness - so you could combine two adjectives, like:
He looked pale and gaunt.
His gaunt and sickly appearance.
add a comment |
If you wish to use an evocative adjective, it could be ghoulish.
Webster's 1913 Dictionary does think that it is synonym to "vampirelike", but it has a broader meaning:
Characteristic of a ghoul; vampirelike; hyenalike.
The meaning of ghoul (originally a flesh-eating ghost of Arab tales) would be:
In popular folklore, an undead or subhuman being, especially one that eats human flesh.
(American Heritage)
Ghoulish is often used in a figurative way, to express the morbid interest of a person for the death of other human beings. But in a proper sense, it would evoke the aspect of a ghoul. Since this word conjures both ideas at the same time, it may or may not be what you are looking for.
Some of the words in your text are themselves possible choices: Morbid, or undead. Then perhaps moribund. (Being close to dying usually involves bad nutrition and circulation and hence the person would be gaunt and pale.)
– Peter A. Schneider
Jan 25 at 11:49
add a comment |
The adjectives ashen and ashen-faced (they basically mean the same thing) are used to describe a person who looks unhealthily pale (their skin is slightly grayish in colour) because they are ill or in a state of shock (I guess, a person can naturally look ashen sometimes). The adjective ashen is closely connected with the word ashes. Ashes are the gray powdery substance that is left after you burn something. Here's how the Collins English Dictionary defines this term:
Someone who is ashen looks very pale, especially because they are ill, shocked, or frightened.
Example sentence (one of the two example sentences for ashen in the Cambridge Dictionary):
She was thin and her face was ashen.
Here's a picture of a woman with an ashen face (kind of, looks like a vampire if you ask me):
add a comment |
Such a person is wan:
1a : suggestive of poor health : SICKLY, PALLID
b : lacking vitality : FEEBLE
mw
It goes beyond just pale to describe the haggard, sickly appearance and behavior you want to describe.
add a comment |
Deathly's not bad:
resembling or suggestive of death - his face was deathly pale
add a comment |
People who dress in the aesthetic of the goth subculture would likely be pleased to be deemed they look like a vampire. To your more detailed case to describe drug addicts, my sense is it may fit to some but not all addicts; for the ones that it doesn't really describe there is heroin chic.
add a comment |
I like Etiolated as a metaphorical adjective (describes a person as if they were a plant):
adjective
(of a plant) pale and drawn out due to a lack of light.
add a comment |
Vampirical
It means ‘like a vampire’.
You can say ‘he looked vampirical’.
It means ‘having the traits of a vampire’ or ‘like a vampire’, per the Wiktionary.com entry for the word.
"vampirical" is an inventional word that you just maded up
– Aaron F
Jan 24 at 10:29
6
@AaronF Um. The answer links to a citation. Even if you belieferize that Wiktionary is the dictionarism that anyone can use to inventionate words, the linkinated page has decadinous agehood. And the OED has a citation from 1969.
– David Richerby
Jan 24 at 11:12
@DavidRicherby love your comment! Unfortunately I don't have an OED subscription and can only view their free dictionary. You're right: I am of the belief that Wiktionary is as authoritative as Urban Dictionary, also that Mirriam Webster is a made-up book of misspellings, and my comments reflect my (overly) strong and outdated views. I blame my encylopædia-editing parents... :-(
– Aaron F
Jan 24 at 12:06
add a comment |
There is always the tried and true "strung-out" or "cadaverous" or "corpselike" i like "he had the look of a worn and deflated pillowcase in need of a wash"
What does it mean for a pillowcase to be "deflated"? Also, a pillowcase that looks like it needs a wash is probably less white than normal; vampires are the exact opposite.
– David Richerby
Jan 24 at 11:17
3
"strung out" has a strong connotation of hard drug abuse.
– rackandboneman
Jan 24 at 22:35
add a comment |
put on hold as off-topic by curiousdannii, Cascabel, J. Taylor, 9fyj'j55-8ujfr5yhjky-'tt6yhkjj, TimLymington Jan 26 at 10:32
This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:
- "Please include the research you’ve done, or consider if your question suits our English Language Learners site better. Questions that can be answered using commonly-available references are off-topic." – curiousdannii, Cascabel, J. Taylor, 9fyj'j55-8ujfr5yhjky-'tt6yhkjj
If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
12 Answers
12
active
oldest
votes
12 Answers
12
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
I'd suggest cadaverous. It incorporates many facets of what I believe you're trying to convey: a corpse-like appearance, including pallid and underweight.
From Merriam-Webster.com:
1a : of or relating to a corpse
b : suggestive of corpses or tombs
2a : PALLID, LIVID
b :
GAUNT, EMACIATED grossly underweight
add a comment |
I'd suggest cadaverous. It incorporates many facets of what I believe you're trying to convey: a corpse-like appearance, including pallid and underweight.
From Merriam-Webster.com:
1a : of or relating to a corpse
b : suggestive of corpses or tombs
2a : PALLID, LIVID
b :
GAUNT, EMACIATED grossly underweight
add a comment |
I'd suggest cadaverous. It incorporates many facets of what I believe you're trying to convey: a corpse-like appearance, including pallid and underweight.
From Merriam-Webster.com:
1a : of or relating to a corpse
b : suggestive of corpses or tombs
2a : PALLID, LIVID
b :
GAUNT, EMACIATED grossly underweight
I'd suggest cadaverous. It incorporates many facets of what I believe you're trying to convey: a corpse-like appearance, including pallid and underweight.
From Merriam-Webster.com:
1a : of or relating to a corpse
b : suggestive of corpses or tombs
2a : PALLID, LIVID
b :
GAUNT, EMACIATED grossly underweight
edited Jan 23 at 15:02
answered Jan 22 at 18:05
drewhartdrewhart
1,961514
1,961514
add a comment |
add a comment |
For something often used to describe people and not an analogy like ghoulish or vampiric or cadaverous:
pallid - very pale, in a way that looks unhealthy and not attractive
I wouldn't call this pallid. The origin of Vampire legends is most likely a disease called prophyra. Good images are hard to find but this site has some. ippn.info
– Joshua
Jan 24 at 19:09
1
I like this except it doesn't incorporate the notion of death. Thanks for your answer though, it's still a really good one.
– njboot
Jan 24 at 20:22
add a comment |
For something often used to describe people and not an analogy like ghoulish or vampiric or cadaverous:
pallid - very pale, in a way that looks unhealthy and not attractive
I wouldn't call this pallid. The origin of Vampire legends is most likely a disease called prophyra. Good images are hard to find but this site has some. ippn.info
– Joshua
Jan 24 at 19:09
1
I like this except it doesn't incorporate the notion of death. Thanks for your answer though, it's still a really good one.
– njboot
Jan 24 at 20:22
add a comment |
For something often used to describe people and not an analogy like ghoulish or vampiric or cadaverous:
pallid - very pale, in a way that looks unhealthy and not attractive
For something often used to describe people and not an analogy like ghoulish or vampiric or cadaverous:
pallid - very pale, in a way that looks unhealthy and not attractive
answered Jan 22 at 20:23
steveslivastevesliva
4,5181318
4,5181318
I wouldn't call this pallid. The origin of Vampire legends is most likely a disease called prophyra. Good images are hard to find but this site has some. ippn.info
– Joshua
Jan 24 at 19:09
1
I like this except it doesn't incorporate the notion of death. Thanks for your answer though, it's still a really good one.
– njboot
Jan 24 at 20:22
add a comment |
I wouldn't call this pallid. The origin of Vampire legends is most likely a disease called prophyra. Good images are hard to find but this site has some. ippn.info
– Joshua
Jan 24 at 19:09
1
I like this except it doesn't incorporate the notion of death. Thanks for your answer though, it's still a really good one.
– njboot
Jan 24 at 20:22
I wouldn't call this pallid. The origin of Vampire legends is most likely a disease called prophyra. Good images are hard to find but this site has some. ippn.info
– Joshua
Jan 24 at 19:09
I wouldn't call this pallid. The origin of Vampire legends is most likely a disease called prophyra. Good images are hard to find but this site has some. ippn.info
– Joshua
Jan 24 at 19:09
1
1
I like this except it doesn't incorporate the notion of death. Thanks for your answer though, it's still a really good one.
– njboot
Jan 24 at 20:22
I like this except it doesn't incorporate the notion of death. Thanks for your answer though, it's still a really good one.
– njboot
Jan 24 at 20:22
add a comment |
"Vampiric" is the actual adjective to describe something (or someone) like a vampire.
According to the Collins English Dictionary, as quoted in the Dictionary.com entry for vampiric:
Derived Forms
vampiric ( væmˈpɪrɪk ) or vampirish , adjective
4
If I was told that someone was "vampiric", I wouldn't assume they looked pallid, I would assume they drank blood.
– neminem
Jan 24 at 17:10
1
If you were told they looked vampiric though there would be no problem right? Appearance is that the asker is looking for
– Eric Nolan
Jan 25 at 10:00
1
@EricNolan If I was told somebody looked "vampiric", at most I'd assume they have long canine teeth. For non-physical features, they might be dressed like Bella Lugosi in Dracula - so, capes with high collars and old timey clothes.
– vlaz
Jan 25 at 13:44
@vlaz but you wouldn't assume they drank blood. You would assume they looked like a vampire, perhaps the Hammer Horror kind. This is the question that was asked.
– Eric Nolan
Jan 25 at 14:46
1
@EricNolan not exactly. The problem is that OP has one set of assumptions of what a vampire looks like and "long fangs for drinking blood" is not among them. Nor is "old fashioned clothes". The question asks for "vampiric looking" but actually means something different, OP wants to describe a set of traits some vampires posses by using the descriptor for any vampire which ends up confusing to say the least.
– vlaz
Jan 25 at 14:59
add a comment |
"Vampiric" is the actual adjective to describe something (or someone) like a vampire.
According to the Collins English Dictionary, as quoted in the Dictionary.com entry for vampiric:
Derived Forms
vampiric ( væmˈpɪrɪk ) or vampirish , adjective
4
If I was told that someone was "vampiric", I wouldn't assume they looked pallid, I would assume they drank blood.
– neminem
Jan 24 at 17:10
1
If you were told they looked vampiric though there would be no problem right? Appearance is that the asker is looking for
– Eric Nolan
Jan 25 at 10:00
1
@EricNolan If I was told somebody looked "vampiric", at most I'd assume they have long canine teeth. For non-physical features, they might be dressed like Bella Lugosi in Dracula - so, capes with high collars and old timey clothes.
– vlaz
Jan 25 at 13:44
@vlaz but you wouldn't assume they drank blood. You would assume they looked like a vampire, perhaps the Hammer Horror kind. This is the question that was asked.
– Eric Nolan
Jan 25 at 14:46
1
@EricNolan not exactly. The problem is that OP has one set of assumptions of what a vampire looks like and "long fangs for drinking blood" is not among them. Nor is "old fashioned clothes". The question asks for "vampiric looking" but actually means something different, OP wants to describe a set of traits some vampires posses by using the descriptor for any vampire which ends up confusing to say the least.
– vlaz
Jan 25 at 14:59
add a comment |
"Vampiric" is the actual adjective to describe something (or someone) like a vampire.
According to the Collins English Dictionary, as quoted in the Dictionary.com entry for vampiric:
Derived Forms
vampiric ( væmˈpɪrɪk ) or vampirish , adjective
"Vampiric" is the actual adjective to describe something (or someone) like a vampire.
According to the Collins English Dictionary, as quoted in the Dictionary.com entry for vampiric:
Derived Forms
vampiric ( væmˈpɪrɪk ) or vampirish , adjective
edited Jan 24 at 5:42
V2Blast
16318
16318
answered Jan 22 at 22:09
tca1130tca1130
54913
54913
4
If I was told that someone was "vampiric", I wouldn't assume they looked pallid, I would assume they drank blood.
– neminem
Jan 24 at 17:10
1
If you were told they looked vampiric though there would be no problem right? Appearance is that the asker is looking for
– Eric Nolan
Jan 25 at 10:00
1
@EricNolan If I was told somebody looked "vampiric", at most I'd assume they have long canine teeth. For non-physical features, they might be dressed like Bella Lugosi in Dracula - so, capes with high collars and old timey clothes.
– vlaz
Jan 25 at 13:44
@vlaz but you wouldn't assume they drank blood. You would assume they looked like a vampire, perhaps the Hammer Horror kind. This is the question that was asked.
– Eric Nolan
Jan 25 at 14:46
1
@EricNolan not exactly. The problem is that OP has one set of assumptions of what a vampire looks like and "long fangs for drinking blood" is not among them. Nor is "old fashioned clothes". The question asks for "vampiric looking" but actually means something different, OP wants to describe a set of traits some vampires posses by using the descriptor for any vampire which ends up confusing to say the least.
– vlaz
Jan 25 at 14:59
add a comment |
4
If I was told that someone was "vampiric", I wouldn't assume they looked pallid, I would assume they drank blood.
– neminem
Jan 24 at 17:10
1
If you were told they looked vampiric though there would be no problem right? Appearance is that the asker is looking for
– Eric Nolan
Jan 25 at 10:00
1
@EricNolan If I was told somebody looked "vampiric", at most I'd assume they have long canine teeth. For non-physical features, they might be dressed like Bella Lugosi in Dracula - so, capes with high collars and old timey clothes.
– vlaz
Jan 25 at 13:44
@vlaz but you wouldn't assume they drank blood. You would assume they looked like a vampire, perhaps the Hammer Horror kind. This is the question that was asked.
– Eric Nolan
Jan 25 at 14:46
1
@EricNolan not exactly. The problem is that OP has one set of assumptions of what a vampire looks like and "long fangs for drinking blood" is not among them. Nor is "old fashioned clothes". The question asks for "vampiric looking" but actually means something different, OP wants to describe a set of traits some vampires posses by using the descriptor for any vampire which ends up confusing to say the least.
– vlaz
Jan 25 at 14:59
4
4
If I was told that someone was "vampiric", I wouldn't assume they looked pallid, I would assume they drank blood.
– neminem
Jan 24 at 17:10
If I was told that someone was "vampiric", I wouldn't assume they looked pallid, I would assume they drank blood.
– neminem
Jan 24 at 17:10
1
1
If you were told they looked vampiric though there would be no problem right? Appearance is that the asker is looking for
– Eric Nolan
Jan 25 at 10:00
If you were told they looked vampiric though there would be no problem right? Appearance is that the asker is looking for
– Eric Nolan
Jan 25 at 10:00
1
1
@EricNolan If I was told somebody looked "vampiric", at most I'd assume they have long canine teeth. For non-physical features, they might be dressed like Bella Lugosi in Dracula - so, capes with high collars and old timey clothes.
– vlaz
Jan 25 at 13:44
@EricNolan If I was told somebody looked "vampiric", at most I'd assume they have long canine teeth. For non-physical features, they might be dressed like Bella Lugosi in Dracula - so, capes with high collars and old timey clothes.
– vlaz
Jan 25 at 13:44
@vlaz but you wouldn't assume they drank blood. You would assume they looked like a vampire, perhaps the Hammer Horror kind. This is the question that was asked.
– Eric Nolan
Jan 25 at 14:46
@vlaz but you wouldn't assume they drank blood. You would assume they looked like a vampire, perhaps the Hammer Horror kind. This is the question that was asked.
– Eric Nolan
Jan 25 at 14:46
1
1
@EricNolan not exactly. The problem is that OP has one set of assumptions of what a vampire looks like and "long fangs for drinking blood" is not among them. Nor is "old fashioned clothes". The question asks for "vampiric looking" but actually means something different, OP wants to describe a set of traits some vampires posses by using the descriptor for any vampire which ends up confusing to say the least.
– vlaz
Jan 25 at 14:59
@EricNolan not exactly. The problem is that OP has one set of assumptions of what a vampire looks like and "long fangs for drinking blood" is not among them. Nor is "old fashioned clothes". The question asks for "vampiric looking" but actually means something different, OP wants to describe a set of traits some vampires posses by using the descriptor for any vampire which ends up confusing to say the least.
– vlaz
Jan 25 at 14:59
add a comment |
gaunt - extremely thin and bony; haggard and drawn, as from great hunger, weariness, or torture; emaciated.
Dictionary.com
This more emphasises the skinny and haggard nature of their appearance - rather than the pale or sickliness - so you could combine two adjectives, like:
He looked pale and gaunt.
His gaunt and sickly appearance.
add a comment |
gaunt - extremely thin and bony; haggard and drawn, as from great hunger, weariness, or torture; emaciated.
Dictionary.com
This more emphasises the skinny and haggard nature of their appearance - rather than the pale or sickliness - so you could combine two adjectives, like:
He looked pale and gaunt.
His gaunt and sickly appearance.
add a comment |
gaunt - extremely thin and bony; haggard and drawn, as from great hunger, weariness, or torture; emaciated.
Dictionary.com
This more emphasises the skinny and haggard nature of their appearance - rather than the pale or sickliness - so you could combine two adjectives, like:
He looked pale and gaunt.
His gaunt and sickly appearance.
gaunt - extremely thin and bony; haggard and drawn, as from great hunger, weariness, or torture; emaciated.
Dictionary.com
This more emphasises the skinny and haggard nature of their appearance - rather than the pale or sickliness - so you could combine two adjectives, like:
He looked pale and gaunt.
His gaunt and sickly appearance.
edited Jan 23 at 4:44
answered Jan 23 at 4:01
dwjohnstondwjohnston
9,123105488
9,123105488
add a comment |
add a comment |
If you wish to use an evocative adjective, it could be ghoulish.
Webster's 1913 Dictionary does think that it is synonym to "vampirelike", but it has a broader meaning:
Characteristic of a ghoul; vampirelike; hyenalike.
The meaning of ghoul (originally a flesh-eating ghost of Arab tales) would be:
In popular folklore, an undead or subhuman being, especially one that eats human flesh.
(American Heritage)
Ghoulish is often used in a figurative way, to express the morbid interest of a person for the death of other human beings. But in a proper sense, it would evoke the aspect of a ghoul. Since this word conjures both ideas at the same time, it may or may not be what you are looking for.
Some of the words in your text are themselves possible choices: Morbid, or undead. Then perhaps moribund. (Being close to dying usually involves bad nutrition and circulation and hence the person would be gaunt and pale.)
– Peter A. Schneider
Jan 25 at 11:49
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If you wish to use an evocative adjective, it could be ghoulish.
Webster's 1913 Dictionary does think that it is synonym to "vampirelike", but it has a broader meaning:
Characteristic of a ghoul; vampirelike; hyenalike.
The meaning of ghoul (originally a flesh-eating ghost of Arab tales) would be:
In popular folklore, an undead or subhuman being, especially one that eats human flesh.
(American Heritage)
Ghoulish is often used in a figurative way, to express the morbid interest of a person for the death of other human beings. But in a proper sense, it would evoke the aspect of a ghoul. Since this word conjures both ideas at the same time, it may or may not be what you are looking for.
Some of the words in your text are themselves possible choices: Morbid, or undead. Then perhaps moribund. (Being close to dying usually involves bad nutrition and circulation and hence the person would be gaunt and pale.)
– Peter A. Schneider
Jan 25 at 11:49
add a comment |
If you wish to use an evocative adjective, it could be ghoulish.
Webster's 1913 Dictionary does think that it is synonym to "vampirelike", but it has a broader meaning:
Characteristic of a ghoul; vampirelike; hyenalike.
The meaning of ghoul (originally a flesh-eating ghost of Arab tales) would be:
In popular folklore, an undead or subhuman being, especially one that eats human flesh.
(American Heritage)
Ghoulish is often used in a figurative way, to express the morbid interest of a person for the death of other human beings. But in a proper sense, it would evoke the aspect of a ghoul. Since this word conjures both ideas at the same time, it may or may not be what you are looking for.
If you wish to use an evocative adjective, it could be ghoulish.
Webster's 1913 Dictionary does think that it is synonym to "vampirelike", but it has a broader meaning:
Characteristic of a ghoul; vampirelike; hyenalike.
The meaning of ghoul (originally a flesh-eating ghost of Arab tales) would be:
In popular folklore, an undead or subhuman being, especially one that eats human flesh.
(American Heritage)
Ghoulish is often used in a figurative way, to express the morbid interest of a person for the death of other human beings. But in a proper sense, it would evoke the aspect of a ghoul. Since this word conjures both ideas at the same time, it may or may not be what you are looking for.
answered Jan 23 at 8:03
fralaufralau
1,592215
1,592215
Some of the words in your text are themselves possible choices: Morbid, or undead. Then perhaps moribund. (Being close to dying usually involves bad nutrition and circulation and hence the person would be gaunt and pale.)
– Peter A. Schneider
Jan 25 at 11:49
add a comment |
Some of the words in your text are themselves possible choices: Morbid, or undead. Then perhaps moribund. (Being close to dying usually involves bad nutrition and circulation and hence the person would be gaunt and pale.)
– Peter A. Schneider
Jan 25 at 11:49
Some of the words in your text are themselves possible choices: Morbid, or undead. Then perhaps moribund. (Being close to dying usually involves bad nutrition and circulation and hence the person would be gaunt and pale.)
– Peter A. Schneider
Jan 25 at 11:49
Some of the words in your text are themselves possible choices: Morbid, or undead. Then perhaps moribund. (Being close to dying usually involves bad nutrition and circulation and hence the person would be gaunt and pale.)
– Peter A. Schneider
Jan 25 at 11:49
add a comment |
The adjectives ashen and ashen-faced (they basically mean the same thing) are used to describe a person who looks unhealthily pale (their skin is slightly grayish in colour) because they are ill or in a state of shock (I guess, a person can naturally look ashen sometimes). The adjective ashen is closely connected with the word ashes. Ashes are the gray powdery substance that is left after you burn something. Here's how the Collins English Dictionary defines this term:
Someone who is ashen looks very pale, especially because they are ill, shocked, or frightened.
Example sentence (one of the two example sentences for ashen in the Cambridge Dictionary):
She was thin and her face was ashen.
Here's a picture of a woman with an ashen face (kind of, looks like a vampire if you ask me):
add a comment |
The adjectives ashen and ashen-faced (they basically mean the same thing) are used to describe a person who looks unhealthily pale (their skin is slightly grayish in colour) because they are ill or in a state of shock (I guess, a person can naturally look ashen sometimes). The adjective ashen is closely connected with the word ashes. Ashes are the gray powdery substance that is left after you burn something. Here's how the Collins English Dictionary defines this term:
Someone who is ashen looks very pale, especially because they are ill, shocked, or frightened.
Example sentence (one of the two example sentences for ashen in the Cambridge Dictionary):
She was thin and her face was ashen.
Here's a picture of a woman with an ashen face (kind of, looks like a vampire if you ask me):
add a comment |
The adjectives ashen and ashen-faced (they basically mean the same thing) are used to describe a person who looks unhealthily pale (their skin is slightly grayish in colour) because they are ill or in a state of shock (I guess, a person can naturally look ashen sometimes). The adjective ashen is closely connected with the word ashes. Ashes are the gray powdery substance that is left after you burn something. Here's how the Collins English Dictionary defines this term:
Someone who is ashen looks very pale, especially because they are ill, shocked, or frightened.
Example sentence (one of the two example sentences for ashen in the Cambridge Dictionary):
She was thin and her face was ashen.
Here's a picture of a woman with an ashen face (kind of, looks like a vampire if you ask me):
The adjectives ashen and ashen-faced (they basically mean the same thing) are used to describe a person who looks unhealthily pale (their skin is slightly grayish in colour) because they are ill or in a state of shock (I guess, a person can naturally look ashen sometimes). The adjective ashen is closely connected with the word ashes. Ashes are the gray powdery substance that is left after you burn something. Here's how the Collins English Dictionary defines this term:
Someone who is ashen looks very pale, especially because they are ill, shocked, or frightened.
Example sentence (one of the two example sentences for ashen in the Cambridge Dictionary):
She was thin and her face was ashen.
Here's a picture of a woman with an ashen face (kind of, looks like a vampire if you ask me):
edited Jan 25 at 21:57
answered Jan 23 at 12:26
Mike RMike R
4,59421742
4,59421742
add a comment |
add a comment |
Such a person is wan:
1a : suggestive of poor health : SICKLY, PALLID
b : lacking vitality : FEEBLE
mw
It goes beyond just pale to describe the haggard, sickly appearance and behavior you want to describe.
add a comment |
Such a person is wan:
1a : suggestive of poor health : SICKLY, PALLID
b : lacking vitality : FEEBLE
mw
It goes beyond just pale to describe the haggard, sickly appearance and behavior you want to describe.
add a comment |
Such a person is wan:
1a : suggestive of poor health : SICKLY, PALLID
b : lacking vitality : FEEBLE
mw
It goes beyond just pale to describe the haggard, sickly appearance and behavior you want to describe.
Such a person is wan:
1a : suggestive of poor health : SICKLY, PALLID
b : lacking vitality : FEEBLE
mw
It goes beyond just pale to describe the haggard, sickly appearance and behavior you want to describe.
answered Jan 23 at 19:40
KevinKevin
2,9141722
2,9141722
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add a comment |
Deathly's not bad:
resembling or suggestive of death - his face was deathly pale
add a comment |
Deathly's not bad:
resembling or suggestive of death - his face was deathly pale
add a comment |
Deathly's not bad:
resembling or suggestive of death - his face was deathly pale
Deathly's not bad:
resembling or suggestive of death - his face was deathly pale
answered Jan 23 at 9:37
NagoraNagora
42526
42526
add a comment |
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People who dress in the aesthetic of the goth subculture would likely be pleased to be deemed they look like a vampire. To your more detailed case to describe drug addicts, my sense is it may fit to some but not all addicts; for the ones that it doesn't really describe there is heroin chic.
add a comment |
People who dress in the aesthetic of the goth subculture would likely be pleased to be deemed they look like a vampire. To your more detailed case to describe drug addicts, my sense is it may fit to some but not all addicts; for the ones that it doesn't really describe there is heroin chic.
add a comment |
People who dress in the aesthetic of the goth subculture would likely be pleased to be deemed they look like a vampire. To your more detailed case to describe drug addicts, my sense is it may fit to some but not all addicts; for the ones that it doesn't really describe there is heroin chic.
People who dress in the aesthetic of the goth subculture would likely be pleased to be deemed they look like a vampire. To your more detailed case to describe drug addicts, my sense is it may fit to some but not all addicts; for the ones that it doesn't really describe there is heroin chic.
answered Jan 22 at 17:56
user662852user662852
2,650619
2,650619
add a comment |
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I like Etiolated as a metaphorical adjective (describes a person as if they were a plant):
adjective
(of a plant) pale and drawn out due to a lack of light.
add a comment |
I like Etiolated as a metaphorical adjective (describes a person as if they were a plant):
adjective
(of a plant) pale and drawn out due to a lack of light.
add a comment |
I like Etiolated as a metaphorical adjective (describes a person as if they were a plant):
adjective
(of a plant) pale and drawn out due to a lack of light.
I like Etiolated as a metaphorical adjective (describes a person as if they were a plant):
adjective
(of a plant) pale and drawn out due to a lack of light.
answered Jan 22 at 21:35
JacobIRRJacobIRR
1743
1743
add a comment |
add a comment |
Vampirical
It means ‘like a vampire’.
You can say ‘he looked vampirical’.
It means ‘having the traits of a vampire’ or ‘like a vampire’, per the Wiktionary.com entry for the word.
"vampirical" is an inventional word that you just maded up
– Aaron F
Jan 24 at 10:29
6
@AaronF Um. The answer links to a citation. Even if you belieferize that Wiktionary is the dictionarism that anyone can use to inventionate words, the linkinated page has decadinous agehood. And the OED has a citation from 1969.
– David Richerby
Jan 24 at 11:12
@DavidRicherby love your comment! Unfortunately I don't have an OED subscription and can only view their free dictionary. You're right: I am of the belief that Wiktionary is as authoritative as Urban Dictionary, also that Mirriam Webster is a made-up book of misspellings, and my comments reflect my (overly) strong and outdated views. I blame my encylopædia-editing parents... :-(
– Aaron F
Jan 24 at 12:06
add a comment |
Vampirical
It means ‘like a vampire’.
You can say ‘he looked vampirical’.
It means ‘having the traits of a vampire’ or ‘like a vampire’, per the Wiktionary.com entry for the word.
"vampirical" is an inventional word that you just maded up
– Aaron F
Jan 24 at 10:29
6
@AaronF Um. The answer links to a citation. Even if you belieferize that Wiktionary is the dictionarism that anyone can use to inventionate words, the linkinated page has decadinous agehood. And the OED has a citation from 1969.
– David Richerby
Jan 24 at 11:12
@DavidRicherby love your comment! Unfortunately I don't have an OED subscription and can only view their free dictionary. You're right: I am of the belief that Wiktionary is as authoritative as Urban Dictionary, also that Mirriam Webster is a made-up book of misspellings, and my comments reflect my (overly) strong and outdated views. I blame my encylopædia-editing parents... :-(
– Aaron F
Jan 24 at 12:06
add a comment |
Vampirical
It means ‘like a vampire’.
You can say ‘he looked vampirical’.
It means ‘having the traits of a vampire’ or ‘like a vampire’, per the Wiktionary.com entry for the word.
Vampirical
It means ‘like a vampire’.
You can say ‘he looked vampirical’.
It means ‘having the traits of a vampire’ or ‘like a vampire’, per the Wiktionary.com entry for the word.
edited Jan 24 at 4:35
V2Blast
16318
16318
answered Jan 23 at 4:17
JelilaJelila
3,0211315
3,0211315
"vampirical" is an inventional word that you just maded up
– Aaron F
Jan 24 at 10:29
6
@AaronF Um. The answer links to a citation. Even if you belieferize that Wiktionary is the dictionarism that anyone can use to inventionate words, the linkinated page has decadinous agehood. And the OED has a citation from 1969.
– David Richerby
Jan 24 at 11:12
@DavidRicherby love your comment! Unfortunately I don't have an OED subscription and can only view their free dictionary. You're right: I am of the belief that Wiktionary is as authoritative as Urban Dictionary, also that Mirriam Webster is a made-up book of misspellings, and my comments reflect my (overly) strong and outdated views. I blame my encylopædia-editing parents... :-(
– Aaron F
Jan 24 at 12:06
add a comment |
"vampirical" is an inventional word that you just maded up
– Aaron F
Jan 24 at 10:29
6
@AaronF Um. The answer links to a citation. Even if you belieferize that Wiktionary is the dictionarism that anyone can use to inventionate words, the linkinated page has decadinous agehood. And the OED has a citation from 1969.
– David Richerby
Jan 24 at 11:12
@DavidRicherby love your comment! Unfortunately I don't have an OED subscription and can only view their free dictionary. You're right: I am of the belief that Wiktionary is as authoritative as Urban Dictionary, also that Mirriam Webster is a made-up book of misspellings, and my comments reflect my (overly) strong and outdated views. I blame my encylopædia-editing parents... :-(
– Aaron F
Jan 24 at 12:06
"vampirical" is an inventional word that you just maded up
– Aaron F
Jan 24 at 10:29
"vampirical" is an inventional word that you just maded up
– Aaron F
Jan 24 at 10:29
6
6
@AaronF Um. The answer links to a citation. Even if you belieferize that Wiktionary is the dictionarism that anyone can use to inventionate words, the linkinated page has decadinous agehood. And the OED has a citation from 1969.
– David Richerby
Jan 24 at 11:12
@AaronF Um. The answer links to a citation. Even if you belieferize that Wiktionary is the dictionarism that anyone can use to inventionate words, the linkinated page has decadinous agehood. And the OED has a citation from 1969.
– David Richerby
Jan 24 at 11:12
@DavidRicherby love your comment! Unfortunately I don't have an OED subscription and can only view their free dictionary. You're right: I am of the belief that Wiktionary is as authoritative as Urban Dictionary, also that Mirriam Webster is a made-up book of misspellings, and my comments reflect my (overly) strong and outdated views. I blame my encylopædia-editing parents... :-(
– Aaron F
Jan 24 at 12:06
@DavidRicherby love your comment! Unfortunately I don't have an OED subscription and can only view their free dictionary. You're right: I am of the belief that Wiktionary is as authoritative as Urban Dictionary, also that Mirriam Webster is a made-up book of misspellings, and my comments reflect my (overly) strong and outdated views. I blame my encylopædia-editing parents... :-(
– Aaron F
Jan 24 at 12:06
add a comment |
There is always the tried and true "strung-out" or "cadaverous" or "corpselike" i like "he had the look of a worn and deflated pillowcase in need of a wash"
What does it mean for a pillowcase to be "deflated"? Also, a pillowcase that looks like it needs a wash is probably less white than normal; vampires are the exact opposite.
– David Richerby
Jan 24 at 11:17
3
"strung out" has a strong connotation of hard drug abuse.
– rackandboneman
Jan 24 at 22:35
add a comment |
There is always the tried and true "strung-out" or "cadaverous" or "corpselike" i like "he had the look of a worn and deflated pillowcase in need of a wash"
What does it mean for a pillowcase to be "deflated"? Also, a pillowcase that looks like it needs a wash is probably less white than normal; vampires are the exact opposite.
– David Richerby
Jan 24 at 11:17
3
"strung out" has a strong connotation of hard drug abuse.
– rackandboneman
Jan 24 at 22:35
add a comment |
There is always the tried and true "strung-out" or "cadaverous" or "corpselike" i like "he had the look of a worn and deflated pillowcase in need of a wash"
There is always the tried and true "strung-out" or "cadaverous" or "corpselike" i like "he had the look of a worn and deflated pillowcase in need of a wash"
answered Jan 22 at 21:21
JimalayaJimalaya
352
352
What does it mean for a pillowcase to be "deflated"? Also, a pillowcase that looks like it needs a wash is probably less white than normal; vampires are the exact opposite.
– David Richerby
Jan 24 at 11:17
3
"strung out" has a strong connotation of hard drug abuse.
– rackandboneman
Jan 24 at 22:35
add a comment |
What does it mean for a pillowcase to be "deflated"? Also, a pillowcase that looks like it needs a wash is probably less white than normal; vampires are the exact opposite.
– David Richerby
Jan 24 at 11:17
3
"strung out" has a strong connotation of hard drug abuse.
– rackandboneman
Jan 24 at 22:35
What does it mean for a pillowcase to be "deflated"? Also, a pillowcase that looks like it needs a wash is probably less white than normal; vampires are the exact opposite.
– David Richerby
Jan 24 at 11:17
What does it mean for a pillowcase to be "deflated"? Also, a pillowcase that looks like it needs a wash is probably less white than normal; vampires are the exact opposite.
– David Richerby
Jan 24 at 11:17
3
3
"strung out" has a strong connotation of hard drug abuse.
– rackandboneman
Jan 24 at 22:35
"strung out" has a strong connotation of hard drug abuse.
– rackandboneman
Jan 24 at 22:35
add a comment |
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