Compound Adjective

Compound adjectives are an indispensable part of English language, allowing us to express complex ideas with nuance and clarity. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the intricacies of using compound adjectives, complete with unique adjective examples and easy-to-follow tips.

What is a Compound Adjective? – Definition

A compound adjective is a type of adjective that consists of more than one word, often hyphenated, to better describe a noun. For example, the term “well-known” in the sentence “He is a well-known actor” is a compound adjective that adds depth to the noun ‘actor’.

What is the Best Example of a Compound Adjective?

The best example to illustrate a compound adjective is “ice-cold water”. Here, “ice-cold” is a compound adjective made up of two words, “ice” and “cold”, hyphenated to act as a single descriptive term. It provides a vivid, precise picture of just how cold the water is.

100 Compound Adjective Examples

Delve deeper into the world of compound adjectives with this curated list of 100 unique and distinct examples. Get inspired to enhance your language skills!

1. Fast-paced
2. Heavy-handed
3. Long-lasting
4. Well-intentioned
5. All-knowing
6. Fresh-faced
7. Hand-picked
8. Eye-catching
9. Self-aware
10. Time-sensitive
11. Tongue-tied
12. Soft-spoken
13. Full-time
14. Age-old
15. Old-fashioned
16. Brand-new
17. Cut-throat
18. Well-equipped
19. All-inclusive
20. Light-headed
21. Ill-advised
22. Free-thinking
23. Mind-blowing
24. Short-sighted
25. Heart-wrenching
26. Kind-hearted
27. Self-employed
28. High-flying
29. Low-key
30. Never-ending
31. Hard-hitting
32. Quick-witted
33. Bad-tempered
34. Up-to-date
35. Laid-back
36. Long-term
37. Narrow-minded
38. Last-minute
39. Deep-rooted
40. Ever-changing
41. Budget-friendly
42. Hair-raising
43. Easy-going
44. High-speed
45. World-renowned
46. Far-reaching
47. Well-spoken
48. Middle-aged
49. Well-dressed
50. Two-faced
51. Worry-free
52. High-risk
53. Long-distance
54. Family-oriented
55. Small-scale
56. Low-cost
57. Second-hand
58. Far-off
59. Hot-headed
60. Cold-blooded
61. Child-friendly
62. Over-the-top
63. User-friendly
64. Cold-hearted
65. Good-natured
66. Bright-eyed
67. Short-term
68. Thick-skinned
69. Non-stop
70. Sweet-smelling
71. Down-to-earth
72. All-out
73. Clean-cut
74. Hard-working
75. Early-morning
76. High-quality
77. Full-blown
78. Custom-built
79. Single-handed
80. Long-standing
81. Open-minded
82. Self-contained
83. High-level
84. Close-knit
85. Self-made
86. Ground-breaking
87. Up-and-coming
88. Good-looking
89. Self-sufficient
90. Mouth-watering
91. Out-of-date
92. Top-of-the-line
93. Far-fetched
94. Hard-to-find
95. Under-the-weather
96. True-blue
97. Weak-kneed
98. Lily-livered
99. Loose-lipped
100. Awe-inspiring

Compound Adjective Sentence Examples

Here are the compelling sentences that feature compound adjectives

1. The fast-paced city life leaves me breathless.
2. His heavy-handed approach to management was not well-received.
3. She gave him a long-lasting impression on their first date.
4. His well-intentioned advice ended up causing more harm than good.
5. The all-knowing oracle predicted the outcome of the war.
6. The fresh-faced recruit was eager to learn.
7. The hand-picked flowers were a hit at the party.
8. The eye-catching billboard drew lots of customers to the new restaurant.
9. She is self-aware enough to recognize her own faults.
10. Please complete this time-sensitive task by the end of the day.

How to Use Compound Adjectives? – Expanded Step by Step Guide

Step 1: Identify the Noun

Your first task is to identify the noun you intend to modify. Is it a person, place, thing, or idea? Knowing your target noun will guide your choice of compound adjectives.

Step 2: Choose the Right Words

The next step is to select the individual words that will form your compound adjective. Consider the message you want to convey and the tone you want to set.

Step 3: Use a Hyphen or Not?

In most cases, you’ll need to hyphenate the words to form your compound adjective. However, common phrases like “real estate” may not require a hyphen when used adjectivally, e.g., “real estate agent.”

Step 4: Placement

Compound adjectives usually precede the noun they modify, especially if you want to focus the reader’s attention on a particular aspect of that noun.

Step 5: Double Check Context

Always look at the sentence as a whole to ensure that the compound adjective is serving its purpose and not causing any confusion.

Step 6: Use Sparingly

Compound adjectives are powerful, but using too many can make your text confusing or harder to read. Use them where they can make the most impact.

Step 7: Proofread

A final proofreading step ensures that you’ve spelled everything correctly, and that your hyphens are in place.

Step 8: Peer Review

If possible, have someone else read your work to make sure that your compound adjectives are effective and properly used.

Tips for Using Compound Adjectives

1. Be Consistent: Once you decide to hyphenate, stick to it throughout your text.
2. Avoid Redundancy: Use compound adjectives that add value and avoid ones that are redundant.
3. Check Spelling: Always double-check the spelling, especially the hyphenation.
4. Read Aloud: Reading your text aloud can help you identify where compound adjectives would be most effective.

Master the art of using compound adjectives to enrich your vocabulary and make your sentences more descriptive and engaging.