Compound Adjectives Lesson - Definition & Types, Usage, and Examples

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Updated: Feb 17, 2025

Lesson

Lesson Overview

What Is a Compound Adjective?
Types of Compound Adjectives With Examples
Difference Between Compound Adjectives and Compound Nouns
List of Compound Adjectives Examples
Compound Adjective Assessment

Language constantly evolves to express different ideas. Compound adjectives provide a tool for conveying descriptions and ideas with greater precision. They allow writers to paint pictures, evoke specific emotions, and create memorable imagery.

Compound adjectives streamline language, making it more impactful. They help readers grasp details quickly, avoiding clunky phrases that disrupt the flow of writing.

What Is a Compound Adjective?

A compound adjective is a single adjective made up of two or more words, often joined by a hyphen. These combined words work together as one unit to modify a noun, providing a more specific and nuanced description than a single adjective could.

For example, instead of saying "a road with many lanes," we can use the compound adjective "multi-lane" to create the more concise phrase "a multi-lane road." This not only saves space but also enhances clarity and impact.

Take This Quiz :

Compound Words Exam: Trivia Quiz

Types of Compound Adjectives With Examples

Compound adjectives are incredibly versatile, and they can be formed by combining different parts of speech. Here are some common types:

1. Adjective + Adjective

Two adjectives join forces to create a single, more powerful descriptor.

Example: The icy-cold wind whipped through the trees.

2. Noun + Adjective

A noun and an adjective team up to describe something with the characteristics of the noun.

Example: He wore a snow-white coat.

3. Adverb + Adjective

An adverb modifies an adjective, intensifying or altering its meaning.

Example: The students were highly-motivated to succeed.

4. Number + Noun

This combination specifies a measurement related to the noun.

Example: We took a ten-minute break.

5. Participle + Adverb/Preposition

This structure often describes a state of being or a process.

Example: The worn-out shoes were tossed in the bin. (past participle + adverb)
Example: This is a made-up story. (past participle + preposition)

Take This Quiz :

Quiz on Hyphens with Compound Adjectives 1

Difference Between Compound Adjectives and Compound Nouns

Compound adjectives and compound nouns, while both combining words, serve distinct grammatical roles. They differ in function, form, and other ways -

Feature	Compound Adjective	Compound Noun
Function	Modifies a noun or pronoun. Describes a quality or characteristic.	Represents a person, place, thing, or idea. Acts as a noun.
Form	Often hyphenated, especially before the noun. Can consist of various word combinations (adjective + adjective, noun + adjective, etc.).	Can be open, closed, or hyphenated. Also formed from various word combinations (noun + noun, verb + noun, etc.).
Placement	Typically precedes the noun it modifies. Can also follow a linking verb.	Functions as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence.
Pluralization	Generally does not change form in plural.	Can be pluralized, usually by adding "-s" or "-es" to the end.
Example	"a well-known author" (adjective modifying "author")"The author is well-known." (adjective following linking verb)	"a well-known person" (noun representing a person) "Well-being is important." (noun representing a concept)
Example Plural	Many well-known authors	Many well-known people

List of Compound Adjectives Examples

Compound Adjective	Example Sentence
Absent-minded	The absent-minded professor forgot his keys.
Air-conditioned	We enjoyed the air-conditioned comfort of the theater.
All-consuming	His work became an all-consuming passion.
Bad-tempered	The bad-tempered cat hissed at the approaching dog.
Big-hearted	She was known for her big-hearted generosity.
Blue-eyed	The blue-eyed child smiled brightly.
Broken-hearted	She was broken-hearted after the relationship ended.
Carefree	The carefree days of summer were coming to an end.
Cold-blooded	The cold-blooded reptile sunned itself on the rock.
Cost-effective	The new system proved to be very cost-effective.
Deep-rooted	The problem had deep-rooted causes.
Easy-going	He had an easy-going personality.
Far-reaching	The effects of the decision were far-reaching.
Fast-paced	The city has a fast-paced lifestyle.
First-class	They traveled in first-class accommodations.
Full-time	She works a full-time job.
Good-natured	He was a good-natured and helpful neighbor.
Hard-working	The hard-working student earned top grades.
High-spirited	The high-spirited horse galloped across the field.
Ill-mannered	The ill-mannered guest offended everyone.
Kind-hearted	The kind-hearted woman volunteered at the shelter.
Long-term	They made a long-term investment.
Low-key	The party was a low-key gathering of friends.
Narrow-minded	He had a narrow-minded view of the world.
Old-fashioned	She wore an old-fashioned dress.
Open-minded	It's important to be open-minded about different cultures.
Part-time	He works a part-time job after school.
Quick-witted	She was known for her quick-witted remarks.
Self-centered	The self-centered man only thought about himself.
Short-sighted	It was a short-sighted decision.
Slow-moving	The slow-moving line tested our patience.
Soft-spoken	The soft-spoken librarian helped us find a book.
Strong-willed	The strong-willed child refused to obey.
Time-consuming	The project was very time-consuming.
Well-behaved	The well-behaved children impressed their teachers.
Well-known	The author was well-known for her novels.
World-famous	The museum houses world-famous works of art.
Worn-out	His worn-out shoes needed to be replaced.