What Are Compound Adjectives?
A compound adjective is made by combining two or more words to describe a noun more precisely. Instead of using a long phrase, we often join words to keep descriptions sharp and concise. For example, in “a fast-moving train,” the words fast and moving work together as one adjective to describe the train.
You’ll often see them joined with a hyphen when they appear before a noun. But not all combinations follow the same rules, and that’s where many learners get confused.
How Compound Adjectives Are Formed
Compound adjectives follow clear patterns that help you describe things in a more specific way. These combinations usually appear before a noun and often use a hyphen to connect the words. Here are the most common patterns:
Adjective + Noun
- full-length movie
- cold-water fish
Adverb + Past Participle
- well-known author
- highly-respected scientist
Noun + Past Participle
- sun-dried tomatoes
- wind-powered turbine
Number + Noun
- ten-minute break
- two-hour delay
Adjective + Present Participle
- easy-going attitude
- good-looking actor
When to Use a Hyphen in Compound Adjectives
Hyphens play a key role in compound adjectives—they help the reader understand which words go together. In most cases, use a hyphen when the compound adjective comes before a noun.
Use a hyphen before the noun:
- She wore a bright-red dress.
- We took a five-day trip.
No hyphen when it comes after the noun:
- Her dress was bright red.
- The trip lasted five days.
A common exception:
If the first word ends in -ly, don’t use a hyphen:
- a highly skilled artist (not “highly-skilled”)
- a completely unexpected result
Correct vs. Incorrect Usage:
| Correct | Incorrect |
|---|---|
| a well-known author | a well known author |
| a five-star hotel | a five star hotel |
| a full-time job | a full time job |
Examples of Compound Adjectives in Sentences
- She gave a last-minute excuse that didn’t sound convincing.
- The high-speed train arrived ten minutes early.
- We stayed in a well-furnished apartment near the beach.
- He wore a custom-made suit to the event.
- The teacher handed out a five-page worksheet.
- They admired the hand-painted mural on the wall.
- It’s a low-cost solution to a recurring problem.
- Their house has energy-efficient windows.
- The company launched a state-of-the-art product.
- She’s working on a long-term research project.
- We enjoyed a home-cooked meal after the trip.
- He’s a soft-spoken leader with a calm presence.
- The doctor gave me a sugar-free alternative.
- It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
- He’s reading a best-selling novel.
List of 100+ Common Compound Adjectives
This list includes frequently used compound adjectives grouped by type. They are useful in everyday writing, academic work, and professional communication.
Appearance & Personality
good-looking
short-tempered
soft-spoken
kind-hearted
quick-witted
open-minded
strong-willed
level-headed
easy-going
sharp-eyed
Time & Duration
long-term
short-lived
full-time
part-time
last-minute
time-bound
round-the-clock
short-term
day-to-day
once-in-a-lifetime
Size & Measurement
ten-foot
five-inch
full-length
waist-high
knee-deep
room-sized
pocket-sized
paper-thin
head-high
hand-sized
Purpose & Function
energy-saving
waterproof
stress-relieving
hand-operated
cost-effective
time-saving
noise-reducing
user-friendly
space-saving
weather-resistant
Opinion or Quality
well-known
best-selling
top-rated
thought-provoking
widely-respected
high-quality
long-lasting
trustworthy
poorly-written
award-winning
Materials or Origin
hand-made
sun-dried
machine-woven
wind-powered
carbon-neutral
locally-sourced
factory-made
stone-built
cotton-based
metal-framed
Health & Physical State
low-fat
sugar-free
smoke-free
allergy-free
disease-resistant
health-conscious
well-balanced
low-calorie
fitness-focused
drug-free
Age & Condition
brand-new
old-fashioned
well-worn
newly-built
second-hand
time-tested
battle-scarred
freshly-painted
age-old
outdated
Speed, Degree & Intensity
high-speed
fast-paced
slow-moving
hard-hitting
quick-thinking
low-impact
high-pressure
energy-intensive
light-touch
full-scale
Cost, Value & Access
low-cost
budget-friendly
high-end
tax-free
fee-based
cost-cutting
price-sensitive
subscription-based
value-driven
low-risk
Emotions & Reactions
stress-free
nerve-wracking
heartwarming
mind-blowing
emotion-driven
fear-inducing
hope-filled
emotion-packed
joy-filled
tension-filled
Technology, Environment & Modern Use
AI-powered
cloud-based
eco-friendly
tech-savvy
data-driven
app-based
digitally-enabled
energy-efficient
future-ready
smart-enabled
FAQs About Compound Adjectives
What is a compound adjective?
A compound adjective is made by combining two or more words that together describe a noun, such as cold-hearted, full-length, or high-speed.
Do compound adjectives always need a hyphen?
Use a hyphen when the compound adjective comes before the noun (e.g., a well-known artist). If it comes after the noun (e.g., the artist is well known), you usually don’t need a hyphen.
Are all compound adjectives hyphenated?
No. Adjectives that begin with an -ly adverb like highly skilled or poorly written don’t take a hyphen.
Can numbers be part of compound adjectives?
Yes. For example: a two-hour meeting, a ten-page document. Always hyphenate when the number and noun form one idea before a noun.
What’s the difference between a compound adjective and a compound noun?
A compound adjective describes a noun (e.g., a part-time job), while a compound noun is a noun (e.g., a part-timer).
