50 Meaningful One Word Tattoos To Ink On Your Body
Sometimes all it takes is a word to express yourself authentically.
Getty While they say a picture is worth a thousand words, sometimes it just takes one word to capture something more meaningful than a picture, especially when it comes to meaningful tattoos.
Whether a feeling, a place, a desire, or a sense of self, one or two words alone can have a beautiful representation — so much so that many individuals chose special words to use as permanent statements on their bodies in the form of small, one-word tattoos.
Instagram is a particularly great source for anyone hoping to find great examples of small, minimalist tattoo ideas and designs.
Scroll ahead to check our selection of the 50 best small, meaningful one (or two) word tattoos for both men and women.
50 Meaningful One-Word Tattoos
1. Hope
Photo credit: Arte & Amor Tattoo
Get a tattoo that drives you to continue believing in yourself, your future, and others.
2. Adventure
Photo credit: soniagarciamat_tattoo
For those individuals that crave their next moment of excitement, remember to always keep your sense of adventure.
3. Create
Photo credit: Priscila Manzini
No computer nor app can take away our sense of creativity. For those who think with their right-brain, remember to never stop creating.
4. Strength
Photo credit: dani.dtattoo
We never realize how strong we are until we've been put through the ringer, and this tattoo will constantly remind you of your own power.
5. Liberty
Photo credit: Ungrey
As the founding fathers said, life and liberty come hand in hand.
6. Wild
Photo credit: Africa Studio / Shutterstock
There are many interpretations to the word wild, and when it's inked onto your body, you make the rules. Let your wild run, always.
7. Art
Photo credit: Gabriel R. Pradas
Art comes in many forms, but at the end of the day, it matters that you've created, enjoyed, and experienced it.
8. Saudade
Photo credit: Arte & Amor Tattoo
A Portuguese word that does not translate directly into English, saudade is "a deep emotional state of nostalgic or profound melancholic longing for an absent something or someone that one loves. Moreover, it often carries a repressed knowledge that the object of longing might never return."
9. NYC (or your favorite city)
Photo credit: miko_nyctattoo
And we won't judge if it's Brooklyn.
10. Forever
Photo credit: nikakostattoo
What's more permanent, or forever, than a tattoo? A word that speaks to a lifelong commitment.
11. 'Ohana
Photo credit: Subtle Tattoos
'Ohana means family in Hawaiian, "in an extended sense of the term, including blood-related, adoptive or intentional. The concept emphasizes that families are bound together and members must cooperate and remember one another."
12. Believe
Photo credit: 682A IA / shutterstock
Belief is such a strong feeling, it can lead massive crowds of people to do the unthinkable.
13. Balance
Photo credit: lili.karagity.tattoo
We all strive for balance, and by having this word inked onto our bodies, it's a constant reminder to seek it out.
14. Sophrosyne
Photo credit: Black Side Tattoo
Sophosyne "is an ancient Greek concept of an ideal of excellence of character and soundness of mind, which when combined in one well-balanced individual leads to other qualities, such as temperance, moderation, prudence, purity, decorum and self-control."
Plus, it's a great conversation starter.
15. Breathe
Photo credit: Chang West 4 Tattoo Manhattan
With the rise of responsibility and mental health awareness, it's important to remember that life goes on and to breathe and take one day at a time.
16. Faith
Photo credit: conlll
Never lose your faith, whether it's in your God, yourself, or those around you.
17. Twinkle
Photo credit: Shlok Patel
Whether it's the twinkle in your love's eyes or the stars in the sky, never lose those magical moments.
18. Dreamer
Photo credit: konstantin_siegel
We are only as powerful as our dreams. No idea is too big and out of reach.
19. Meraki
Photo credit: becarocks
Originating in Greek, Merak "is a word that modern Greeks often use to describe what happens when you leave a piece of yourself (your soul, creativity, or love) in your work. When you love doing something, anything, so much that you put something of yourself into it."
20. Lucky
Photo credit: arte_e_amor_tattoo
Some of us are so lucky to be handed the cards we're dealt, but sometimes we forget. This tattoo will stand as a reminder to be grateful for how lucky we are, and hopefully inspire us to help others.
21. Resilience
Photo credit: lazzaretti.rodrigo
Resilience was surprisingly one of the most common choices as a tattoo. Why? Because no matter your circumstance or background, we surprise ourself to get back up and continue to fight.
22. Passion
Photo credit: sun_69customtattoo_kohsamui
Some believe that our passions make us who we are, and are important aspects of mankind.
23. Eleutheromania
Photo credit: minhtam_nguyenmtn
Eleutheromania (or eleutherophilia) is "a mania or frantic zeal for freedom"
24. Inhale
Photo credit: designbyyoum
Like breathe, inhale is a nice visual to correlate with taking each situation at face value. Remember, tomorrow is another day, and inhale through times of anxiety and stress.
25. Lionheart
Photo credit: wood_n_needle
Often meant to describe someone with a brave and courageous heart, this play on words tattoo will symbolize you have the heart and strength of the iconic lion.
26. Strong
Photo credit: tattooist_jing
Power on and always remember your strength. This inspirational tattoo will always be a nice reminder to show how strong you can be.
27. Woman
Photo credit: arte_e_amor_tattoo
With the rise of power with feminism, it's important to vocalize that you're proud to be who you are a woman.
28. Wanderlust
Photo credit: machofromnyc
Notably known as the strong desire to travel and see the world.
29. Duality
Photo credit: Alexis Ren
There's never one side to any situation, or one part of a person. No matter what, it's crucial to remember duality.
30. Positive
Photo credit: deera
In a world that can test our moods and outlook, always remain positive. Even if it takes a one word tattoo to remind you.
31. Amor
Photo credit: carneiroink
The Spanish word for love, but very importantly focused around romantic love, as it's a very special feeling in the Spanish language (and to be frank, should be for every other language).
32. Love
Photo credit: albalunatattoo
If you are someone who loves with every sense of being, and promotes the idea of love, this tattoo is for you.
33. Carpe Diem
Photo credit: Little Tattoos
While we know this is technically two words, we made an exception for this motivating saying. Meaning "seize the day," it's important to wake up each morning with a drive and passion to make it a great day.
34. Mind Over Matter
Photo credit: gitanafineart
When we get in our own heads, and can't take things for face value. The concept of mind over matter plays a significant role in our happiness.
35. Imagine
Photo credit: jasminjanna
When John Lennon spoke of imagination, he spoke of words and wishes for a better day, which created responsibility for one another.
36. Simplicity
Photo credit: tattoosforeverygirl
We don't need much to be happy. We also don't need to leave behind and ugly eco-footprint. This could be a lovely reminder to cut our stuff and create more moments and memories.
37. Here
Photo credit: analauradm
Be in the present, always.
38. Honey
Photo credit: ninka
To some a nickname, and to others the desire for sweetness and love within their lives.
39. Paradox
Photo credit: ninka
Nothing is to be taken for face value, as often things are never what they appear to be — a true paradox.
40. Papillion
Photo credit: maaikes_skinart
Meaning butterfly in French, this word can continue to inspire us to extend our wings and soar.
41. Wildflower
Photo credit: anna.tattoos
No matter the conditions, nor the care, wildflowers continue to grow and look beautiful while doing so. Given its ideology and metaphor, this would make for a great tattoo.
42. Patience
Photo credit: small.tattoos
Things may never go according to plan, and we may have to wait longer than expected, always remember to have patience and stay calm and flexible.
43. Liberosis
Photo credit: small.tattoos
The word means a longing for liberty.
44. Cheeky
Photo credit: edy_artistpage
Whether it's physically cheeky (located on your bottom) or a pun-on-words cheeky, this is a fun and playful tattoo to put on your body.
45. Trust
Photo credit: tatmania_p
What are relationships without trust? Yet for being so important, it needs to be given seldom and to people who deserve it.
46. Yugen
Photo credit: Inkstinct
Ever have a positive feeling, situation, or even scenery that can't be put into words, like nothing can probably describe how special it is? That's yugen (originating from the Japanese language).
47. Quiet
Photo credit: adrianlamingtatto
To some, we have problems listening. We talk and talk, taking over conversations. By placing a quiet tattoo (preferably somewhere noticeable on our wrist or hands), we can remember to be quiet and hear what others have to say.
48. Loneliness
Photo credit: ycan.cevik
A word often contrived in a negative meaning, instead try looking at something like loneliness as a sense of independence. Yes, we love to be around our friends and loved ones, but at the end of the day, we have to love, be secure, and comfortable with ourselves.
49. Karma
Photo credit: inksoultattoos
A reminder to always do the right thing, because some believe in karma, and what goes around comes around.
50. Cherish
Photo credit: bkutattoos
Cherish each and every passing moment, because nothing in this world is guaranteed. Cherish each loved one, sunset, and new experience.
Elizabeth Blasi is a New Yorker. A lifestyle and travel writer, who is often seen with a suitcase in hand jet-setting to her next location. But as a true Digital Nomad, her love of writing and romance novels means her laptop is always beside her.