Compound Adjective: Definition, Examples & Rules | English Grammar
Last Updated: 01 Jul, 2025
Welcome! In this lesson, you'll explore the fascinating world of Compound Adjectives in English grammar. We'll learn what they are, how to form them, and why they're so useful. You'll discover examples, rules, tips, and even a fun quiz to test your knowledge!
What is a Compound Adjective?
Compound Adjective Definition: A Compound Adjective is made up of two or more words that work together to describe a noun. These words are usually joined by a hyphen (-) and act as a single unit to modify the noun.
Why are Compound Adjectives Important? They help us create more specific and detailed descriptions. For example, instead of saying "a man who is well known," we can say "a well-known man."
Function in Grammar
Compound adjectives are used before nouns to provide more detailed and specific descriptions. They combine multiple words to create a single descriptive unit. For example:
- Without Compound Adjective: a man who is well known
- With Compound Adjective: a well-known man
Compound adjectives help make our language more concise and descriptive by combining multiple words into one powerful descriptive unit.
Compound Adjective vs Simple Adjective
Compound Adjective | Simple Adjective |
---|---|
well-known | famous |
high-quality | good |
long-term | lasting |
up-to-date | current |
A compound adjective combines multiple words, while a simple adjective is a single word.
📌 Compound Adjective Challenge!
Can you spot the compound adjectives in these sentences?
- She is a well-known actress.
- This is a high-quality product.
- We need a long-term solution.
Show Answers
- well-known
- high-quality
- long-term
Examples of Compound Adjectives in Sentences
- She is a well-known actress.
- This is a high-quality product.
- We need a long-term solution.
- He is a hard-working student.
- She has blue-green eyes.
- This is an up-to-date report.
- He is a self-made millionaire.
- She is a part-time worker.
- This is a world-famous restaurant.
- He is a middle-aged man.
- She has a good-looking face.
- This is a fast-paced movie.
- He is a well-educated person.
- She is a kind-hearted woman.
- This is a user-friendly interface.
Notice how each compound adjective combines multiple words to create a more specific description.
List of Common Compound Adjectives
- well-known
- high-quality
- long-term
- hard-working
- blue-green
- up-to-date
- self-made
- part-time
- world-famous
- middle-aged
- good-looking
- fast-paced
- well-educated
- kind-hearted
- user-friendly
- time-saving
- money-saving
- energy-efficient
- environmentally-friendly
- family-oriented
Compound Adjective Formation
Pattern | Example | Usage |
---|---|---|
Adverb + Past Participle | well-known | a well-known actor |
Adjective + Noun | high-quality | high-quality products |
Adjective + Adjective | blue-green | blue-green eyes |
Noun + Adjective | world-famous | world-famous restaurant |
Compound adjectives can be formed in different ways to create specific descriptions.
Special Rules and Notes
- Hyphenation: Compound adjectives are usually hyphenated when they come before the noun they describe.
- No Hyphen After: When compound adjectives come after the noun, they are often not hyphenated.
- Adverb + Past Participle: This is a common pattern (well-known, badly-behaved).
- Adjective + Noun: Another common pattern (high-quality, low-cost).
- Numbers: Numbers in compound adjectives are always hyphenated (five-year-old, ten-dollar).
- Colors: Color combinations are hyphenated (blue-green, red-orange).
Quick Quiz: Spot the Compound Adjective!
Which words are compound adjectives in these sentences?
- She is a well-known actress.
- This is a high-quality product.
- He is a hard-working student.
- She has blue-green eyes.
- This is an up-to-date report.
Answers: well-known, high-quality, hard-working, blue-green, up-to-date
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a compound adjective?
A compound adjective is made up of two or more words (often joined by a hyphen) that work together to describe a noun, such as "well-known" or "high-quality".
How do you form compound adjectives?
Compound adjectives are usually formed by joining two or more words with a hyphen, such as adverb + past participle (well-known), adjective + noun (high-quality), or adjective + adjective (blue-green).
When do you use a hyphen in compound adjectives?
Use a hyphen when the compound adjective comes before the noun it describes (e.g., "a well-known actor"). The hyphen is often omitted if the adjective comes after the noun.
Can numbers be part of compound adjectives?
Yes, numbers are often used in compound adjectives and are always hyphenated, such as "five-year-old child" or "ten-dollar bill".
Why are compound adjectives important?
They help make descriptions more specific and concise by combining multiple words into a single descriptive unit.
What are some common patterns for compound adjectives?
Common patterns include adverb + past participle (well-known), adjective + noun (high-quality), adjective + adjective (blue-green), and noun + adjective (world-famous).
Do all compound adjectives use hyphens?
Most compound adjectives use hyphens when they come before a noun, but the hyphen is often dropped when the adjective comes after the noun.
Conclusion
Compound adjectives are powerful tools that help us create more specific and detailed descriptions. They combine multiple words to form a single descriptive unit, making our language more concise and expressive. Remember to use hyphens when they come before nouns, and practice identifying them in your reading and writing!