What is a Compound Adjective in English? (Definition & Examples)
Compound adjectives are important in school English, exam questions and real-life communication. Understanding them helps you write and speak more clearly. At Vedantu, we make complex grammar easy with practical rules and lots of examples, so you can use compound adjectives correctly in every situation.
| Compound Adjective | Meaning | Sample Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Well-known | Famous or recognized | She is a well-known author. |
| High-speed | Very fast | The city has a high-speed train. |
| Old-fashioned | Not modern | He wore an old-fashioned suit. |
| Full-time | All working hours | He has a full-time job. |
| User-friendly | Easy to use | The app is user-friendly. |
What is a Compound Adjective?
A compound adjective is made by joining two or more words, usually with a hyphen. Together, they describe a noun more specifically. For example, “ice-cold water” describes water that is extremely cold. Compound adjectives are key to clear writing in exams, essays and daily English conversation.
Types of Compound Adjectives
- Adjective + Noun (e.g., high-speed, old-fashioned)
- Noun + Adjective (e.g., snow-white, world-famous)
- Adverb + Past Participle (e.g., well-known, highly-respected)
- Noun + Past Participle (e.g., sun-dried, home-cooked)
- Number + Noun (e.g., two-year-old, ten-page)
- Adjective + Present Participle (e.g., fast-growing, easy-going)
Rules for Using Compound Adjectives
- Hyphenate compound adjectives when they come before the noun (e.g., “a long-term plan”).
- If the compound comes after the noun, drop the hyphen (e.g., “the plan is long term”).
- Use hyphens to avoid confusion, especially in exam writing.
- Do not hyphenate common compounds with “ly” adverbs (e.g., “a highly respected teacher”).
- When compound adjectives include a number and a unit, use singular for the unit (e.g., “a three-hour test”, not “three-hours test”).
Compound Adjectives vs. Compound Nouns
| Aspect | Compound Adjective | Compound Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Function | Describes a noun (e.g., well-known author) |
Acts as a noun (e.g., toothbrush, football) |
| Formation | Mix of adjective, noun, participle, or number | Often noun + noun, or noun + another word |
| Hyphenation | Often hyphenated before noun | May be one word, two words, or hyphenated |
| Example | high-speed (train) | football (game) |
Common Mistakes with Compound Adjectives
- Forgetting hyphens before a noun (Incorrect: “well known actor”).
- Using plurals with numbers (Incorrect: “a ten-pages book”).
- Adding a hyphen after the noun (Incorrect: “the book is well-known”).
Practice Exercises: Spot and Use Compound Adjectives
- Underline the compound adjectives:
1. She wore a blue-green dress.
2. He found a part-time job.
3. The well-known artist visited our school.
4. This app is very user-friendly.
5. The two-year-old child smiled.
- Make sentences using:
- Old-fashioned
- Full-time
- Last-minute
- Cold-hearted
- Open-minded
Summary
Compound adjectives combine two or more words (often with a hyphen) to describe nouns in detail. They follow simple rules and appear often in school exams and daily English. Practice with Vedantu’s examples makes these grammar concepts clear and exam-ready. Mastering compound adjectives builds confidence in both writing and speaking.
Types of Adjectives
Types of Compound Words
Adjectives Exercises
FAQs on Compound Adjectives: Explanation, Rules & Examples
1. What is a compound adjective?
A compound adjective is a descriptive term made up of two or more words that function together as a single adjective to modify a noun. These words are usually joined by a hyphen, especially when they precede the noun. For example, in "high-speed train," "high-speed" is a compound adjective describing the train.
2. How are compound adjectives formed in English?
Compound adjectives are formed by combining different word types. Common combinations include:
- Adjective + noun (e.g., snow-white)
- Adverb + participle (e.g., well-known)
- Noun + adjective (e.g., sea-green)
- Number + noun (e.g., two-year-old)
3. Do all compound adjectives use a hyphen?
Generally, yes, compound adjectives are hyphenated, especially when placed *before* the noun they modify. However, if the compound adjective comes *after* the noun, the hyphen is usually omitted. For example: "a well-known author" (hyphenated) vs. "The author is well known" (not hyphenated). There can be exceptions, so it's best to check a style guide.
4. What is the difference between a compound adjective and a compound noun?
A compound adjective modifies a noun (describes it), while a compound noun acts as a noun itself. For example, "long-term goal" (compound adjective modifying "goal") versus "firefighter" (compound noun). Compound adjectives are often hyphenated; compound nouns may be written as one word, separate words, or hyphenated, depending on the words involved.
5. Can you give 10 examples of compound adjectives?
Here are ten examples of compound adjectives:
- well-known
- high-speed
- part-time
- full-time
- long-term
- short-term
- user-friendly
- cost-effective
- open-minded
- old-fashioned
6. Where do you place compound adjectives in a sentence?
Compound adjectives are usually placed *before* the noun they modify (e.g., "a well-written essay"). When placed *after* the noun, the hyphen is typically omitted (e.g., "The essay is well written").
7. Are there exceptions when compound adjectives aren't hyphenated?
Yes, there are exceptions. Hyphens are often omitted when the compound adjective follows the noun. Also, some established compound adjectives, like "well-to-do" or "attorney general", may not always follow the standard hyphenation rules. Consulting a style guide is always recommended.
8. How do compound adjectives differ in British vs. American English?
While the basic principles are the same, minor differences in hyphenation may occur between British and American English. These differences are often subtle and style-guide dependent. For example, some compound adjectives might be hyphenated in American English but not in British English, or vice versa.
9. How do I identify compound adjectives in reading comprehension passages?
Look for phrases consisting of two or more words that describe a noun and often function as a single unit of meaning. Pay close attention to hyphens, but remember there can be exceptions, particularly when the adjective phrase follows the noun. Context is key in identifying them accurately.
10. Why are hyphens important in compound adjectives?
Hyphens in compound adjectives improve clarity and readability, preventing misinterpretations. They clearly indicate that multiple words are working together to modify a single noun. For example, "a small-town girl" is different from "a small town girl"—the hyphen makes it clear the adjective refers to the size of the town and not the girl.
11. What are some common mistakes to avoid when using compound adjectives?
Common mistakes include incorrect hyphenation (especially when the compound adjective precedes the noun), inconsistent hyphenation within a text, and failing to recognize established compound adjectives that might not follow standard rules. Always double-check your work against a style guide.
12. How can compound adjectives improve my writing?
Using compound adjectives makes your writing more precise, vivid, and concise. They add descriptive detail and help the reader understand your meaning more clearly and quickly. They can significantly elevate the quality of your writing, both in terms of style and accuracy.
