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WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®

WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®

Helping writers become bestselling authors

Setting Thesaurus

October 11, 2010 by ANGELA ACKERMAN

Below are samples of our popular setting thesaurus.

For the completely developed and enhanced collection (over 220 settings included), please visit One Stop For Writers, where it has a permanent home within our vast Descriptive Database. You can access it and all our other thesauruses with a click of a button as you write! If you like, stop by and check out our FREE TRIAL.

If you are a book person, good news: The Rural Setting Thesaurus and The Urban Setting Thesaurus also contain all of this sitting description. Click each cover below to find out more about each book.

Happy writing!

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000046_00067]Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000046_00072]

What is a Setting Description Thesaurus?

  • Abandoned Mine
  • Airplane
  • Airport Check-in
  • Alley
  • Amusement Park
  • Attic
  • Bakery
  • Bank
  • Basement
  • Bathroom (home)
  • Barn
  • *GE* Barn 2 (Dairy Focus)
  • Beach
  • Bedrooms
  • Birthday Party
  • Bonfire
  • Bowling Alley
  • Bridge
  • Bookstore
  • Cafeteria
  • Casino
  • *GE* Catacombs
  • Cave
  • Church
  • City Park
  • Classroom
  • Closet
  • Coffee House
  • Courtroom
  • Cruise Ship
  • *GE* Cryogenic Sleep Chamber
  • Daycare
  • Desert
  • Diner
  • Dragon’s Lair
  • Dungeon (Caution Graphic Description)
  • *GE* Egyptian Pyramids
  • Elevator
  • Farms
  • Forest
  • Frozen Tundra
  • Gallows
  • Garage
  • Garage Sale
  • Garden
  • Graveyard
  • *GE* GLOBAL WARMING (dystopian)
  • Grocery Store
  • Halloween Party
  • Haunted House
  • Herbalist Shop (fantasy)
  • High School Hallway
  • Hospital
  • Hotel Room
  • House Fire
  • House Party
  • Kitchen
  • *GE* Laboratory
  • *GE* Laboratory (secret genetic)
  • Lake
  • Library
  • Locker Room
  • Meadow
  • Medieval Castle Armory
  • Medieval Marketplace
  • Middle School Dance (informal)
  • *GE* Mindscape (Mind Magic)
  • Mountains
  • Movie Theatre
  • Night Club
  • Nursery
  • Ocean/Sea Bed
  • Old Pick-Up Truck
  • Pirate Ship
  • Playground
  • Pond
  • Pool Hall
  • Prison Cell
  • Pub
  • Public Pool (Outdoor)
  • Rainforest/Jungle
  • Ranch
  • Restaurant
  • River
  • School Bus
  • School Office
  • Shopping Mall
  • Sleep-Away Camp
  • *GE* Spaceport
  • *GE* Spaceship
  • Stands at a Sporting Event
  • Storm Sewer
  • Subway Station
  • Swamp
  • Taxi cab
  • Teacher’s Lounge
  • Toolshed
  • *GE* Trailer
  • Treehouse
  • *GE* Tropical Island City
  • Urban Street
  • Video Arcade
  • Waiting Room
  • Waterfall
  • Water Slide Park
  • Wedding Ceremony (Church)
  • Woods at Night
  • Zoo

Visit our other Descriptive Thesaurus Collections HERE.

*GE*: Guest Entry (an entry written by a guest poster)

ANGELA ACKERMAN
ANGELA ACKERMAN

Angela is a writing coach, international speaker, and bestselling author who loves to travel, teach, empower writers, and pay-it-forward. She also is a founder of One Stop For Writers, a portal to powerful, innovative tools to help writers elevate their storytelling.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. some guy says

    November 13, 2020 at 10:43 pm

    More of these, please!

  2. Andrea Oregon says

    May 4, 2020 at 9:13 pm

    I would be the first to grab a copy if there was a Fantasy and SciFi/Dystopian Setting Thesaurus

    • ANGELA ACKERMAN says

      May 6, 2020 at 10:33 am

      We would love to do all these settings, and we had toyed with doing a Speculative volume someday, but for now, we are exploring some of these settings at One Stop for Writers: https://onestopforwriters.com/scene_settings

  3. Rachel L Harris says

    May 10, 2018 at 7:40 pm

    Hi girls! Love your sites, own all your books, and have a subscription to One Stop 😉 One thing I didn’t see but was looking for was a dance studio. For my purposes it was a ballroom dance studio, but ballet could’ve worked, too. Thought I’d mention it in case you were looking for any new ideas

    Thanks for all you do!!
    xoxo

    • ANGELA ACKERMAN says

      May 10, 2018 at 8:26 pm

      Rachel, you are so sweet–thank you for the kind words, and for joining One Stop! I hope you are finding all our resources there helpful. 🙂

      You’re right, we don’t have Dance Studio, and that might be a good one to do. Do me a favor and add it to the Wish List? (That’s how we keep track of new Thesaurus requests.) Here’s the link: https://onestopforwriters.com/os_updates

  4. 1youngwriter7 says

    March 24, 2018 at 5:02 pm

    Can you include a wedding reception where the newlyweds dance?

    • BECCA PUGLISI says

      March 26, 2018 at 8:59 am

      Hi there! We actually have a Wedding Reception entry at One Stop For Writers. So if you have a subscription, you can view it there. 🙂

  5. Charity Talbot says

    February 23, 2018 at 1:54 am

    Love you guys for all these! They have been super helpful! I’m trying to paint the picture of how things are in a medieval military camp. Would this be on the list in the future? If not, what lists do you guys recommend using to get the right atmosphere? 🙂

    • BECCA PUGLISI says

      February 23, 2018 at 7:45 am

      Hi, Charity. We do have a few medieval settings in the thesaurus at One Stop For Writers: castle, armory, tavern, dungeon, gallows, and herbalist’s shop. We don’t have a military camp on our list currently, but I can add it to the hopper and we’ll see what happens. Off the top of my head, I think it might be too broad for us to cover. We have so many possible entries that we could write; many times, the decision comes down to how much research an entry would require and how many other similar entries we already have. But Angela and I can discuss it. I’ll let you know :).

      As far as research goes, your best bet is to do some Google searches. I found a ton of information online when I was writing the Medieval Castle entry, so between the internet and the library, I’m sure you could find the info you need on a military camp. Best of luck!

  6. Sid says

    June 1, 2017 at 4:07 am

    I’ve been trying to write about an underwater expedition, but i’m unable to.
    Since, I never experienced it. So can you Guys help me Out. 🙂

    • BECCA PUGLISI says

      June 1, 2017 at 9:16 am

      Hi, Sid. Check out the Ocean/Sea Bed entry. It’s only a partial entry; you can see the whole thing in the Rural Setting Thesaurus book or as part of the Setting Thesaurus at One Stop For Writers. Good luck!

  7. Lee says

    October 13, 2016 at 7:40 am

    Hi,

    I’ve been using this website for years now. It is a treasure!

    A tip for a new entry many would find useful:

    Christmas marketplace (based perhaps on German cities)

    • ANGELA ACKERMAN says

      October 13, 2016 at 9:19 am

      Thanks for the suggestion, Lee!

  8. Josh says

    July 31, 2016 at 7:52 pm

    Hello! I was wondering if you had anything for a cobbled street or old stone buildings? Thank you!

  9. Simone says

    July 17, 2016 at 1:49 pm

    Would one For different types of Temples

    • BECCA PUGLISI says

      July 18, 2016 at 2:37 pm

      Hi, Simone. Thanks for letting us know what you’d like to see. We’ll add this to our list of possibilities :).

  10. Mark says

    February 5, 2016 at 1:33 pm

    Do you have anything on the website for a police station? I’m sure some of the stuff for other offices might translate, but the police station would have interrogation rooms, evidence counters, ect.

    Or will that be in the book that is coming out sometime in the future?

    • ANGELA ACKERMAN says

      February 6, 2016 at 2:02 am

      Hi Mark, we do not have it here at Writers Helping Writers, but we do have it at One Stop For Writers (https://onestopforwriters.com/), along with all our other finish descriptive thesaurus collections. As well, Becca and I will be releasing two books on settings in June, and Police Station is one of the entries.

      • Mark says

        February 8, 2016 at 2:26 pm

        Thank you for the link! I am sure that will be very helpful.

  11. Evie Jayne says

    October 15, 2015 at 7:06 pm

    This is fantastic. Angela. For a long time I’ve been saying that a writer’s setting database would be such a good thing, but have no idea how to go about it. Thanks heaps for this. I have it in my bookmarks and pop it up each time I sit down to write. I live in a tiny town(population 350) and write urban fantasy set in large cities, so I don’t write what I know.
    I’d love to see a database on places around the world eg: What does New York smell like, what would I be likely to see walking down the street in Arusha, Tanzania, what does the heat feel like when I step off the plane in Kuala Lumpur? If anybody knew of anything like this or knew how to create it, I would be eternally grateful.

  12. Shell says

    September 21, 2015 at 8:06 am

    I would love Museum on this list.
    I find your site very useful and have three of your books on my writing shelf.

    • BECCA PUGLISI says

      September 21, 2015 at 9:52 am

      Hi, Shell! You’ll be happy to know that “Museum” is on our list for the book version of The Setting Thesaurus, which we’re hoping will be available for purchase in late spring. I wish it was sooner; if you can’t wait that long, I can tell you that this entry will be part of the Setting Thesaurus at One Stop For Writers, which is launching on October 7th. So you might want to check that out :).

      • Carly Marino says

        September 26, 2015 at 2:00 pm

        Late spring is so far 🙁 can’t wait! Love what yall do! And

        • ANGELA ACKERMAN says

          September 26, 2015 at 2:10 pm

          I know! Becca and I each need a clone…maybe two! have a terrific weekend 🙂

  13. Shelia Cosper says

    July 13, 2015 at 7:09 pm

    Why isn’t CASTLE on this list?????

    you guys rock

    • ANGELA ACKERMAN says

      July 13, 2015 at 7:21 pm

      We stuck to mainly contemporary settings, but may do a fantasy setting list in the future. For now there is a medieval castle armory, a dungeon and a medieval marketplace all listed, so that should give you some starting point detail. 🙂

  14. Russell Baker says

    April 15, 2015 at 5:40 pm

    Love the work you do!! Can’t wait for more books to come out, I will be purchasing all that I can get my hands on.
    I do have some suggestions to add to the Setting Thesaurus Entry Collection –
    You could use the following:
    Laboratory or Workshop
    Tunnel
    Inn
    Tavern
    Stable

    Thanks
    Russ

    • ANGELA ACKERMAN says

      April 15, 2015 at 7:03 pm

      Hi Russ,

      Thanks so much! You will be happy to know that we are working on two Setting Thesaurus books with a hopeful release date of June, and I believe most of these are included in the books. 🙂 Have a terrific day!

      • Carly says

        September 3, 2015 at 3:46 pm

        I’m guessing you meant January 2016? I’m soooo very excited! I wish I could pre-order them now! I love your books, site, and resources. This site is wonderful! Thank you for all you do!

  15. naila says

    March 24, 2015 at 6:47 pm

    hi angela,
    i would like to buy your book about setting thesaurus entry, could u give me any information about this.

    • ANGELA ACKERMAN says

      March 24, 2015 at 7:01 pm

      Hi Naila,

      Nice to hear from you. Our books are still in development with a tentative release date of December. If you like, I can add your email to our notification list? Just let me know!

    • naila says

      March 25, 2015 at 8:40 am

      yes please 🙂

      • naila says

        March 25, 2015 at 6:47 pm

        hi
        as english is not my first language, this website is a blessing of god for me. thank you so much for such a beneficial website 🙂

        • ANGELA ACKERMAN says

          March 25, 2015 at 8:40 pm

          Very glad the site is helpful, Naila!

      • ANGELA ACKERMAN says

        March 25, 2015 at 8:40 pm

        Will do! 🙂

  16. ardenFOXX says

    March 18, 2015 at 9:59 am

    You have everything but a tropical island. 🙁

    • BECCA PUGLISI says

      March 18, 2015 at 10:03 am

      Hi, Arden! Angela and I are drafting the book version of this thesaurus, and we’ve already added the Tropical Island entry :). So eventually, you’ll have access to that one, too. Thanks for letting us know!

  17. Celia Lewis says

    November 29, 2014 at 3:32 pm

    I’m wondering about the addition of “Yarn Store”… I can get lost in them for several hours… from the patterns to the fabulous yarns, commercial to local hand-dyed/woven, so many textures, sounds, sights.
    Love what I’m reading on your site – total distraction… er, education! 🙂

  18. Poppy says

    October 10, 2014 at 9:09 am

    This website is so useful. I use it all the time and I’m so grateful for all the work you put into it. I have all three of your books. I was wondering whether you might consider – if it’s not too late for me to ask – doing a setting of a train/train station? Once again, thank you for all your good work.

    • BECCA PUGLISI says

      October 10, 2014 at 1:42 pm

      Hi, Poppy! Unfortunately, we’re all done with the setting thesaurus and won’t be adding more to it on our blog. BUT…we ARE in the process of writing the book version of the setting thesaurus, and it will include a train station. I don’t know if you can wait that long, but the books will be out next spring :).

      • Corrie says

        November 8, 2014 at 11:36 am

        Book version of Setting Thesaurus? This makes me so happy!!!

  19. Arden Rose says

    July 22, 2014 at 12:00 am

    This is a amazing website and I just received all three of your books very helpful. So I just wanted to say thanks for that. 🙂 is there any chance you could add a ‘Circus’ one? I’ve been trying to look around for it and watching some clips but honestly it’s a little difficult. If you could that would help me loads! Keep up the great work on this site it’s truly amazing.

  20. Ian Laverman says

    June 10, 2014 at 5:29 am

    Hi, these thesaurus are really amazing, the are a great help when i am writing even if i write in a different language. i was wondering if youre going to make one about a castle or a ancient abandond city?

    • ANGELA ACKERMAN says

      June 10, 2014 at 11:13 am

      HI Ian,

      We plan to tackle these in an upcoming book, actually. 🙂 Let us know if you’d like an email when our new setting books are available (early 2015). But we also have “Castle Armory” here on the blog if that helps: https://writershelpingwriters.net/2010/11/setting-thesaurus-entry-medieval-castle-armory/

      Happy writing!

  21. Christine says

    April 11, 2014 at 12:50 pm

    I absolutely love this website, one of the best tools I have ever come across and so well organized. I would like to add to the list the following:
    – overgrown field (forgotten farm land) has trees lining the property lines, grass long in some places, short in others, usually a tree in the center, old wooden windmills, wooden fences. What would it smell like? How do you describe the open and closed spaces (trees and grass) with accuracy for the reader?

    Thanks!

  22. Christina Janz says

    April 6, 2014 at 8:57 pm

    These setting thesaurus entries, as the others, are goldmines. I would love to see these all make it into physical books, because I like to just flip open a book for these kind of references. I’ve already bought the three books you have out. Absolute genius! I’ve told all my writer friends, who have also bought your books. One look through mine convinced them. Thank you for the work that went into this endeavor.

    • BECCA PUGLISI says

      April 7, 2014 at 12:53 pm

      Thanks so much for letting us know that our books are working for you, Christina. And for telling your friends ;). We don’t know for sure of all of our thesauri will make it into book form. Turning them into books takes quite a bit of time, so we’re focusing first on the ones that are the most popular. But we’ll keep you posted! Thanks again for the kinds words, and have a great week!

  23. Anon says

    February 23, 2014 at 2:46 pm

    Could you do a post about a mansion? My novel is set partly in a rich orphan’s estate, and as MC is observant, constantly bored and analytical, I need more details.

  24. Bruce says

    February 21, 2014 at 10:55 pm

    This is MASSIVELY helpful. Can you guys add a veterinary clinic to the list?

    Thanks guys!

    • Bruce says

      February 21, 2014 at 11:18 pm

      And a gym (workout)

  25. Ana says

    December 23, 2013 at 3:55 pm

    Hey guys, I want to thank you for helping writers better themselves, and ask you if in the Setting Thesaurus Collection you could add “art gallery”. I’ve never been to one, but have seen them in the movies and tv, I’d like to know what else is going on besides what they show on tv. Thank you!

    • BECCA PUGLISI says

      December 24, 2013 at 7:25 am

      Hi, Ana! I’m so glad you’re finding the setting thesaurus useful. It’s one that I consult often. We’re keeping a list of additional settings in case we do ever add to this list. We’ll definitely keep “art gallery” in mind :).

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