Are you writing characters that are a pride of lions in your book? Would some words to describe a lioness come in handy? Scroll down to learn more!
1. Fearless
Definition
Showing no fear or trepidation.
Examples
“Despite the sheer size of the water buffalo, the lioness was fearless in her pursuit.”
“Contrary to popular belief, it is the lionesses who are the fearless protectors of the pride.”
How it Adds Description
“Fearless” helps you to illustrate how brave the lionesses in your story are, often facing up against staggering odds in order to protect those around them and their young. It can help your readers to really root for the lioness, or feel scared for any other characters who may come up against them!
2. Hardworking
Definition
Placing a lot of effort and care into one’s work.
Examples
“Hunting for the pride’s food and looking after its cubs, it is hard not to see lionesses as some of the most hardworking beasts in the animal kingdom.”
“It was hard having a mother that was one of the highest ranking and hardworking in the entire pride. She had a big reputation to live up to.”
How it Adds Description
Lionesses do a lot for their pride, including most of the hunting and the childcare. Show how diligent they are by describing them as “hardworking”. This also can help to show how much they do that other characters in your story might not fully appreciate or realize!
3. Huntress
Definition
A female person or animal that hunts other animals for food or sport.
Examples
“The lioness is the epitome of a huntress, sleek, stealthy, and ruthless.”
“If you are looking for the top huntress on the savannah, the lioness is a worthy candidate when backed up with the rest of her sisters.”
How it Adds Description
“Huntress” not only shows the activity of the lioness but also has connotations of power and grandeur. It can help to set your lioness apart from the other animals in your story and also show the sheer skill that they have when stalking their prey.
4. Lithe
Definition
- Healthy; able to move and bend with ease.
- Graceful in movement.
Examples
“The lithe silhouette of the lioness slinked through the long grass of the savannah.”
“Lithe movements helped the lioness to keep up with the antelope, adapting to its pace and change of direction with ease.”
How it Adds Description
“Lithe” demonstrates the agility of a lioness, but also the ease and grace they have when they are moving about. Lionesses are almost fluid in their movements, especially when pacing or stalking prey, and “lithe” will help you illustrate this to your reader.
5. Maternal
Definition
Displaying motherly behavior.
Examples
“At the sound of her cub in trouble, the fierce maternal instincts of the lioness sprung into action.”
“The maternal bond between lioness and cub helps them to be able to survive any hardship.”
How it Adds Description
Lionesses are some of the fiercest mothers out there, and so you can describe their actions and motives as “maternal”. It may even be that they show this motherly instinct towards another animal or character in your story, or show the lengths they will go to to protect their little ones.
6. Powerful
Definition
- Having a lot of power and strength.
- Having a strong effect on others.
Examples
“The lioness’s powerful jaws sunk into the neck of the antelope.”
“The lioness moved towards them with powerful, purposeful strides. He was incredibly thankful for the plexiglass window that separated them.”
How it Adds Description
“Powerful” can not only help to show the physical strength of the lioness in your story but also the effect and influence that they have on others. For example, their presence can be enough to have other characters quaking in their boots!
7. Protective
Definition
Wanting to shield someone from harm because of an emotional bond.
Examples
“Even when faced with unthinkable odds, the lioness remained fiercely protective of her cubs until the end.”
“She stepped in front of the cubs, her fur puffing up and her hackles raising in a protective stance.”
How it Adds Description
Show the relationship between your lioness and those that she holds dear by describing them as “protective”. This not only helps to show your reader the level of control she has over those that she cares about but can help to show the lengths they will go to keep them from harm.
8. Proud
Definition
- Feeling better or more important than others.
- Feeling positive because of a personal or group achievement.
Examples
“The proud and noble lioness stood tall in the long grass.”
“She could not help but feel proud as she looked on at her family. Everyone was well fed, strong, and healthy, with no threat from any rival lion pride.”
How it Adds Description
A group of lions is called a pride, and for good reason! These animals exude confidence and an air of superiority over others, so to describe a lioness as “proud” wouldn’t be all that crazy of a notion! It can also help to display to your reader how your lioness feels about their situation, especially when oftentimes this is a group effort between all the lionesses.
9. Prowling
Definition
Moving quietly so as not to be seen or heard.
Examples
“Prowling stealthily through the undergrowth, the zebra didn’t know the lioness was there at all until it was upon him.”
“A prowling predator such as the lioness works with the other females of the pride to coordinate their attack.”
How it Adds Description
“Prowling” helps you to show to your reader the quiet and stealthy movement of a lioness when they are hunting. Not only that, but it can also illustrate a sense of deviousness if the lioness in your story is more of a villainous character.
10. Regal
Definition
Possessing the qualities of royalty.
Examples
“There was something so regal and majestic about the way that the lioness held herself on the dusty rock.”
“Even though they lack the resplendent mane of their male counterparts, the regal nature of a lioness still makes them the queen of the jungle.”
How it Adds Description
Lions are often associated with royalty, and you can reflect this in your writing by describing your lioness as “regal”. This can not only reflect their power and status in your story but also the way that they move with both grace and strength.