Are you writing a female character who is particularly nasty to others in your novel? Learn how to describe a mean girl in a story by using the 10 words we’ve included below.
1. Jealous
Definition
Someone who’s bitter or angry because they lack or want something that someone else owns.
Examples
“The mean girl was jealous, and she couldn’t hide it. Her facial expressions showed her envy clearly.”
“The jealous girl started to cut up her friend’s clothes. If she didn’t have the latest fashions, no one could.”
How it Adds Description
“Jealous” shows your mean girl’s actions are caused by envy or wanting what someone else has. This word shows your reader that they’re a difficult person to be around, as they’re never happy for other characters. “Jealous” might also signal that the mean girl isn’t happy with her own life, so she compares herself to other characters.
2. Spiteful
Definition
Someone who does nasty or cruel things to hurt others.
Examples
“The spiteful girl locked the doors to the cinema so no one else could get in.”
“The mean girl was always spiteful, and because of this, her friendship circle was very small.”
How it Adds Description
The word “spiteful” shows that the mean girl likes to upset others. The word can imply she likes hurting others’ feelings, but in extreme cases, it could also imply physical harm. If a character is “spiteful,” they’re likely not as popular as they’re nasty and not kindhearted.
3. Corrupt
Definition
Someone who has morally wrong behavior.
Examples
“Everyone could see the mean girl was corrupt, but no one wanted to take a stand against her.”
“The corrupt girl was mean to her colleagues. But her perfect work saved her from being fired.”
How it Adds Description
“Corrupt” shows that the mean girl doesn’t have good morals, which can lead her to be nasty or unfair to others. The word “corrupt” has connotations of illegal behavior, but it can also signal the character goes behind other characters’ backs. If a character is corrupt, they might also be smart or scheming.
4. Insecure
Definition
Someone who feels not good enough or lacks confidence.
Examples
“Secretly, the mean girl was insecure. But she hid these feelings under a hard exterior.”
“The insecure mean girl strutted down the corridor. However, her peers could see she was worried about how she looked.”
How it Adds Description
The adjective “insecure” shows that the mean girl’s actions stem from feelings of not being good enough or a lack of confidence. If a character is “insecure,” they may take these feelings out on others by calling them names or isolating them. An “insecure” character might also have difficulty showing their genuine personality to others.
5. Vengeful
Definition
Someone who is angry and wants revenge.
Examples
“The vengeful girl stomped out of the classroom. She wanted to get her way and couldn’t stand it when the teacher said no.”
“The mean girl was vengeful and decided to pour her drink into the stranger’s bag.”
How it Adds Description
“Vengeful” shows that the mean girl wants revenge, but her feelings stem from anger, and thus she might make reckless decisions. If a character is “vengeful,” others may stay away from them or avoid them completely.
6. Gloomy
Definition
Someone very unhappy and hopeless.
Examples
“Everyone avoided the gloomy mean girl. Her bad attitude made everyone in her presence feel down.”
“The gloomy mean girl lived in a cloud of anger and resentment. She had no friends or allies at school.”
How it Adds Description
If your mean girl is horrible because of a deep sadness, “gloomy” is a great adjective to use. This word shows the character feels very unhappy, and they project these strong feelings through a mean attitude. A “gloomy” character often brings others down with them, and this can affect nearby characters in your novel.
7. Snobby
Definition
Someone too proud of their taste, social status, or intelligence.
Examples
“The snobby mean girl looked down her nose at everyone in her college. She felt that she was above them in every area of life.”
“The mean girl was snobby, but not on purpose. She’d been brought up in an exclusive bubble.”
How it Adds Description
If you want to link your mean girl’s behavior to their upbringing and social class, “snobby” is an excellent adjective to utilize. This word shows the mean girl isn’t nice to people because she thinks she’s better than them in intelligence, class, or style.
8. Vain
Definition
Someone extremely proud of their intelligence, beauty, or other good qualities.
Examples
“The mean girl was so vain that every time she passed a reflective surface, she had to stop, look at herself, and then take a photo.”
“The vain mean girl posted selfies online and blackmailed her classmates into liking and sharing them.”
How it Adds Description
“Vain” can show your mean girl is very wrapped up in what she looks like or how clever she is. This could make her think she’s better than others, or she could be nasty while showing off her looks and abilities. If a different character calls her “vain,” they’re likely critical of her selfish attitude.
9. Loud
Definition
Someone who makes a lot of noise.
Examples
“The loud, mean girl started screaming at her mother.”
“The mean girl was loud and unapologetic about it. You could hear her shouting insults from miles away.”
How it Adds Description
Sometimes being too “loud” is a negative trait, and this can emphasize how little your mean girl cares for others. If other characters describe her as being “loud,” this shows they find her annoying or bothersome.
10. Vulgar
Definition
Someone who has poor taste or is rude.
Examples
“The mean girl was vulgar, and the topics she spoke about frequently offended others.”
“Everyone turned around as the vulgar girl entered the room. You couldn’t ignore her crude and mean remarks.”
How it Adds Description
“Vulgar” shows your mean girl often talks about unacceptable topics or talks to other characters in a rude way. This might make other characters dislike her, and it could also lead to her getting censored by others.