Do you want to write a dramatic scene that features clouds in the sky? Let us help you. Below, we’ve shared 10 words to give some ideas on how to describe clouds in a story.
1. Enveloping
Definition
Covering or surrounding something completely.
Examples
“Enveloping clouds blanketed the sky, obscuring the sun and casting a somber atmosphere over the landscape.”
“The enveloping clouds moved swiftly, driven by the fierce wind, as if they were on a mission to shroud the world below.”
How it Adds Description
The way that clouds move can often seem quite oppressive, as they cover various landmarks and locations in shadow. Describe the consuming way in which the clouds move in your story by describing them as “enveloping”, potentially setting your readers up to expect something bad may happen.
2. Ethereal
Definition
- Light and delicate.
- Seeming to be not of this world.
Examples
“The ethereal clouds seemed to glow with an otherworldly light.”
“The sky was a canvas of soft, pastel hues, and the ethereal clouds looked as if they were delicate brushstrokes painted by the hand of a master artist.”
How it Adds Description
Using “ethereal” to describe the clouds in your story not only illustrates how light and thin they look but also how otherworldly they can seem. This is especially true when the light hits them in a certain way, or if they swirl into shapes that feel familiar to your reader or characters.
3. Fickle
Definition
Changing suddenly and without reason.
Examples
“The fickle clouds played a game of hide and seek with the sun, revealing it one moment and then hiding it the next.”
“The clouds were incredibly fickle, teasing them with glorious sunshine before threatening to rain.”
How it Adds Description
Clouds are unpredictable and constantly changing in shape, size, and movement. In this sense, clouds can be compared to a fickle person, who changes their mind or behavior frequently and can be difficult to predict. Describing clouds as “fickle” also suggests a sense of whimsy and playfulness, which can capture their ethereal and ever-changing nature.
4. Fluffy
Definition
- Soft with the appearance of wool or fur.
- Light and full of air.
Examples
“The fluffy clouds floated lazily in the sky like giant cotton balls, casting playful shadows on the ground below.”
“The fluffy clouds looked like a herd of sheep grazing on a vast blue pasture.”
How it Adds Description
Clouds have a soft and floaty appearance, much like cotton candy or a plush pillow. By referring to clouds as “fluffy”, you not only illustrate the physical appearance of the clouds to your reader, but it also implies a sense of comfort and calm.
5. Murky
Definition
Dark and difficult to see through.
Examples
“The murky clouds hung low in the sky, their thick, gray shroud obscuring the sun.”
“The murky clouds churned ominously overhead, threatening the promise of a torrential downpour.”
How it Adds Description
If the clouds in your story are thick and hard for your characters to see through, consider describing them as “murky”. This shows how dark they are, but can also help you to create a sense of foreboding thanks to the shadows and threat of bad weather that they create.
6. Ominous
Definition
Suggesting that something bad is going to happen.
Examples
“The ominous clouds loomed menacingly in the distance, their dark and brooding presence signaling the arrival of an impending storm.”
“The clouds hung ominously over the town, casting everything in shadow and putting a chill up the spines of its residents.”
How it Adds Description
Clouds are often described as “ominous” when they have a dark, threatening appearance that suggests the onset of dangerous or destructive weather. However, they can also create more sinister feelings for your characters and reader as they can be a symbol of bad things to come.
7. Shadowy
Definition
- Dark and full of shadows.
- Mysterious.
Examples
“The shadowy clouds crept across the sky, shrouding it in a cloak of darkness.”
“The sun struggled to penetrate the thick, shadowy clouds, casting an eerie and surreal light over the landscape below.”
How it Adds Description
“Shadowy” helps you to illustrate to your reader the dark and mysterious nature of the clouds in your story. It could be that the clouds are obscuring and hiding something important behind them, or are a sign of things to come.
8. Shimmering
Definition
Reflecting a gentle, moving light.
Examples
“The sunlight turned the clouds into a shimmering display of silk across the morning sky.”
“The clouds shimmered and shone, almost as if they were imitating the crystalline water below them.”
How it Adds Description
Often when the sun hits clouds in a certain way, usually during the morning or the evening, it can make them appear as if they are glittering. Describing them as “shimmering” suggests a sense of movement and beauty. This is also a way to capture their dynamic and ever-changing nature, meaning that everything in your story is full of life for your reader.
9. Stormy
Definition
Weather reminiscent of a storm.
Examples
“The stormy clouds gathered ominously on the horizon, their dark, brooding presence heralding the arrival of violent weather.”
“The winds howled and the lightning flashed as the stormy clouds unleashed their fury upon the world below.”
How it Adds Description
Not only does describing your clouds as “stormy” let your reader know what the weather is like, but it can also infer some other things, too. “Stormy” suggests a sense of power, fury, and intensity, which can evoke a feeling of fear, respect, or awe.
10. Swirling
Definition
Moving quickly in a flowing, circular motion.
Examples
“The swirling clouds danced and twirled around the sky, leaving gossamer wisps in their wake.”
“The dust devils spun across the barren landscape, lifting the swirling clouds of sand high into the air.”
How it Adds Description
Describing the clouds in your story as “swirling” suggests a sense of dynamic motion, fluidity, and energy, which can be both mesmerizing and overwhelming to behold. It can also signify that there is due to be a change in the weather, which could also foreshadow events in your story.