Understanding Compound Adjectives: Meaning, Definition, Types, Usage, and Examples

Describing people, animals, places, or objects is a fundamental aspect of human communication. Mastering the use of appropriate adjectives to convey precise descriptions is an essential skill. At times, a single adjective may not suffice, and this is where compound adjectives become useful. This article provides comprehensive insight into compound adjectives and their applications. Explore the various types of compound adjectives along with examples provided below to gain a clear understanding of their usage.

What is a compound adjective?

A compound adjective consists of two or more words that together function as an adjective in a sentence. This type of adjective is created by combining a noun, present participle, or past participle with an adjective. Sometimes the adjective comes before these elements, while other times it follows them. Typically, compound adjectives are connected with hyphens.

Explanation of a Compound Adjective

A compound adjective is described by the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary as being “formed of two or more parts.” Similarly, the Collins Dictionary explains that in grammar, a compound noun, adjective, or verb consists of two or more words, such as fire engine, bottle-green, and force-feed.

The Cambridge Dictionary states that “a compound word is two or more words linked together to produce a word with a new meaning.” Therefore, when an adjective is combined with any other part of speech to create a new meaning and describe the subject or object in a sentence, it is known as a compound adjective.

Types of Compound Adjectives with Examples

Compound adjectives can be categorized based on the different parts of speech or verb forms that combine with an adjective. The table below provides examples of various types of compound adjectives.

Creating compound adjectives can be achieved through several methods, grouped into three main categories: Descriptive, Origin, and Compound Adjectives from Phrasal Verbs.

Descriptive Compound Adjectives

Descriptive compound adjectives combine two or more adjectives to describe a noun, with the adjectives either hyphenated or written separately. Examples include:

• Fast-paced
• Well-known
• Old-fashioned
• Yellow-striped

Examples are simple Sentences:

• The movie was fast-paced and exciting.
• She is a well-known author.
• He prefers old-fashioned clothing.
• The butterfly had yellow-striped wings.

Origin Compound Adjectives

Origin compound adjectives combine a noun with an adjective describing its origin, often used for food, drinks, and products. Examples include:

• French-made
• Italian-style
• American-made
• Chinese-inspired

Examples are simple Sentences:

• She bought a French-made handbag.
• We enjoyed an Italian-style dinner.
• They drive an American-made truck.
• The restaurant serves Chinese-inspired dishes.

Compound Adjectives from Phrasal Verbs

Compound adjectives from phrasal verbs combine a verb and a preposition with a noun or adjective. Examples include:

• Breakneck
• Cut-and-dried
• Run-of-the-mill
• Stand-alone

Examples are simple Sentences:

• They raced down the hill at breakneck speed.
• The instructions were cut-and-dried.
• It’s just a run-of-the-mill job.
• He prefers a stand-alone computer.

Formation of Compound Adjectives

Compound adjectives can be either hyphenated or unhyphenated:

Hyphenated Compound Adjectives These are formed by joining words with a hyphen to clarify meaning and avoid ambiguity. Examples include:

• Well-known
• Fast-paced
• High-speed
• Time-consuming
• Light-hearted

Examples are simple Sentences:

• She is a well-known artist.
• The book is fast-paced and thrilling.
• They have a high-speed internet connection.
• Cooking dinner can be time-consuming.
• The movie was light-hearted and fun.

Unhyphenated Compound Adjectives

These are formed by joining words without a hyphen and are less common. Examples include:

• Handmade
• Everyday
• Worldwide
• Lifelong
• Outspoken

Examples are simple Sentences:

• She bought a handmade necklace.
• It’s an everyday routine.
• The company has worldwide recognition.
• They have a lifelong friendship.
• He is very outspoken about his views.

Compound Adjectives by Combination:

Compound adjectives can also be constructed through various combinations:

• Adjective + Past Participle: Such as “narrow-minded” or “quick-witted”.
• Adverb + Past Participle: Like “well-behaved” or “densely-populated”.
• Noun + Past Participle: As seen in “sun-baked” or “child-wanted“.
• Noun + Present Participle: For example, “English-speaking” or “time-saving“.
• Adjective + Present Participle: Such as “good-looking” or “slow-moving“.
• Adverb + Present Participle: Like “never-ending” or “forward-thinking“.
• Noun + Adjective: As in “world-famous” or “ice-cold“.
• Adjective + Noun: Such as “full-length” or “last-minute“.
• Noun + Noun: Like “part-time“.
• Adjective + Adjective: Such as “fat-free“.

See More “Demonstrative Adjectives”

List of Compound Adjective with Examples in Sentences

Distinguishing Compound Adjective from Compound Nouns

The primary distinction between compound adjectives and compound nouns lies in their function within a sentence. A compound adjective acts as an adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun. In contrast, a compound noun functions as a noun, either performing or receiving the action in a sentence. Examples of compound nouns include bedroom, water tank, washing machine, air conditioner, bird watcher, and skyscraper. Conversely, examples of compound adjectives are ill-natured, kind-hearted, Malayalam-speaking, long-lasting, everlasting, densely-populated, and old-fashioned.

Common Mistakes and Misunderstandings

Incorrect Hyphenation

A frequent error with compound adjective involves improper hyphenation.

For instance, the compound adjective “well known” requires a hyphen when modifying a noun, as in “a well-known author.” Conversely, it should not be hyphenated when used as a predicate adjective, as in “The author is well known.”

Confusion with Compound Nouns

Another prevalent mistake is the mix-up between compound adjectives and compound nouns. Compound nouns consist of two or more words functioning as a single noun, while compound adjectives modify a noun.

For example, “fire truck” is a compound noun referring to a type of vehicle, whereas “fire-fighting” in “fire-fighting equipment” is a compound adjective describing equipment used to combat fires.

Understanding the distinction between compound nouns and compound adjectives is crucial for correct usage in writing.

Test Your Knowledge of Compound Adjectives

Identify the compound adjective in the following sentences and determine the parts of speech that form each compound adjective.

• All my students are well-behaved.
• The villain in that movie appeared to be a cold-blooded individual.
• Gokul works as a part-time instructor.
• Each of us managed to reach the summit of the 100-foot high mountain.
• The three-legged, green-eyed monster in the film looked truly terrifying.
• As a diabetes patient, ensure you eat only sugar-free foods.
• Check if the widely-known singer can be our chief guest for the interstate musical contest.
• The wedding and reception were meticulously planned.
• The film about nurses’ lives in Middle Eastern countries had a long-lasting impact on the viewers.
• The ten-hour journey was worthwhile.

Let’s verify if your answers are correct.

• All my students are well-behaved. (Adverb + Past Participle)
• The villain in that movie appeared to be a cold-blooded individual. (Adjective + Past Participle)
• Gokul works as a part-time instructor. (Adjective + Noun)
• Each of us managed to reach the summit of the 100-foot high mountain. (Adjective + Noun)
• The three-legged, green-eyed monster in the film looked truly terrifying. (Adjective + Past Participle, Adjective + Past Participle)
• As a diabetes patient, ensure you eat only sugar-free foods. (Noun + Adjective)
• Check if the widely-known singer can be our chief guest for the interstate musical contest. (Adverb + Past Participle)
• The wedding and reception were meticulously planned. (Adverb + Past Participle)
• The film about nurses’ lives in Middle Eastern countries had a long-lasting impact on the viewers. (Adjective + Present Participle)
• The ten-hour journey was worthwhile. (Adjective + Noun)

FAQs about Compound Adjectives

• What is a compound adjective?

A compound adjective is a combination of two or more words that function together as a single adjective to modify a noun. For example, in the phrase “high-speed train,” “high-speed” is a compound adjective describing the train.

• How do I know when to hyphenate a compound adjective?

You should hyphenate a compound adjective when it comes before the noun it modifies, as in “a well-known artist.” However, do not hyphenate when the compound adjective follows the noun, such as in “The artist is well known.”

• Can compound adjectives be formed with more than two words?

Yes, compound adjective can include more than two words. For instance, in the phrase “a state-of-the-art facility,” “state-of-the-art” is a multi-word compound adjective describing the facility.

• Are compound adjectives always hyphenated?

No, compound adjectives are not always hyphenated. Hyphenation typically occurs when the compound adjective precedes the noun it modifies. However, some compound adjectives are so commonly used that they are written without hyphens, such as “high school student.”

• What is the difference between a compound adjective and a compound noun?

A compound adjective modifies a noun and describes a characteristic of it, such as “full-time job.” A compound noun, on the other hand, is a noun made up of two or more words that function as a single entity, like “toothpaste.”

• Can adverbs be part of compound adjectives?

Yes, adverbs can be part of compound adjective, especially when they are combined with participles or adjectives. For example, “well-known” (adverb + participle) in “a well-known author” or “never-ending” (adverb + participle) in “a never-ending story.”

• How do I avoid common mistakes with compound adjectives?

To avoid common mistakes with compound adjectives:

• Always hyphenate compound adjective when they come before the noun they modify.
• Do not hyphenate them when they follow the noun.
• Understand the difference between compound adjective and compound nouns.
• Check reliable resources if you’re unsure about the correct usage or hyphenation.
• Can compound adjectives include numbers?

Yes, compound adjectives often include numbers, usually with a hyphen. For example, “a three-year-old child” or “a 20-page document.”

• Are there exceptions to the hyphenation rule in compound adjective?

Yes, some compound adjective become so familiar that hyphenation is dropped over time. Additionally, compound adjectives that include adverbs ending in -ly, such as “highly skilled worker,” are not hyphenated.

• How can I learn more about proper usage of compound adjective?

To learn more about proper usage of compound adjectives, you can refer to grammar guides, style manuals like the Chicago Manual of Style, or online resources that provide detailed explanations and examples. Practice by reading and writing regularly to familiarize yourself with common patterns and rules.