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Grammar Monster

Examples of the Different Types of Compound Adjective

A compound adjective is a multi-word adjective. Most compound adjectives are two-word adjectives, but they can be longer. Usually, a hyphen (or hyphens) is used to link the words together to show that it is one adjective. For example (compound adjectives shaded):

Please request a four-foot table.
It is a 6-page document.
Claire worked as a part-time keeper at the safari park.
That is an all-too-common mistake.

Got it? Take a quick test.

Different Types of Compound Adjective (with Examples)

Here are some common formats for compound adjectives (with examples).

Examples of Compound Adjectives Starting with Numbers

number

noun

The most common compound adjectives start with numbers and end with nouns. For example:

three-hour wait
ten-minute journey
five-day holiday
three-page document
500-word story

Examples of Compound Adjectives with Adjectives

[word]

adjective

Compound adjectives often end with adjectives. For example:

brand-new car
fat-free snacks
ice-cold drinks
red-hot peppers
world-famous player

Examples of Compound Adjectives Ending with Nouns

[word]

noun

Compound adjectives can end with nouns. For example:

apple-pie tin
blue-sky thinking
deep-water vessel
long-life milk
third-party insurance

Examples of Compound Adjectives Ending with Present Participles

[word]

present participle

Lots of compound adjectives end with present participles (adjectives that end "-ing" and are formed from verbs). For example:

English-speaking country
forward-thinking strategy
long-lasting relationship
never-ending story
thought-provoking idea

Examples of Compound Adjectives Ending with Past Participles

[word]

past participle

Compound adjectives can end with present participles (adjectives that usually end "-ed," "-d," "-t," "-en," or "-n" and are formed from verbs). For example:

absent-minded person
level-headed leader
middle-aged man
narrow-minded response
short-haired cat

Examples of Compound Adjectives from Proper Nouns

Sometimes, compound adjectives are formed from proper nouns (i.e., the names of things), and these are written using capital letters. With such compound adjectives, there is no need to group the words using hyphens. For example:

Did you manage to get the Billy Elliot tickets?

Waking the Dead Claire Goose had a cat that loved potato chips.

("Waking the Dead" is correct. It is a compound adjective using title case.) Read more about proper nouns.

Examples of Compound Adjectives with Quotation Marks and Italics

Although a less common practice, it is also possible to group the words in a compound adjective using quotation marks, italics, or a combination of the two. For example:

It is an ab initio course (i.e., for beginners).
Amber looked at the stick in the water, looked me in the eye and then turned away, giving me a "get it yourself" look.
For more than ten years, Jack claimed to be part of the "Mary Celeste" crew before admitting to his cousin at a party that he was not.

Watch Those Capital Letters!

The noun does not get a capital letter unless it is part of the title.

Did you manage to get the Billy Elliot Tickets?
The village fete will be held on the Red Lion lawn.

common noun

Compound Adjectives with Adverbs

An adjective is often preceded by a word like "very," "well," "beautifully," or "extremely." (These are adverbs.)

Usually, there is no need to link an adverb to an adjective using a hyphen. For example:

Young Tracey is an extremely brave girl.
It was a beautifully painted portrait in a skilfully carved frame.

Beware of Ambiguous Adverbs!

With words like "well" and "fast" (both of which can be used as an adjective or an adverb), a hyphen is useful to avoid ambiguity. For example:

Jacob took the well-fatted calf to the riverside.
Jacob took the well fatted calf to the riverside.

Two Easy Rules

The following rules will cover most scenarios:

(1) When preceding an adjective with the adverb "well," use a hyphen.

well-known actor

(2) Do not use a hyphen with an adverb that ends "-ly."

widely known actor

Interactive Exercise

Here are three randomly selected questions from a larger exercise, which can be edited, printed to create an exercise worksheet, or sent via email to friends or students.

Q1

True or false? A compound adjective is a multi-word adjective.A: TrueB: False

Q2

Select the better version for "a famous player".A: a well-known playerB: a well known player

Q3

Click on the one with a compound adjective in the following format:

[word]

adjective

A: ice-cold stareB: blue-sky thinkingC: five-week holiday

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