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:
1. Adjective + Noun
- full-length movie
- cold-water fish
2. Adverb + Past Participle
- well-known author
- highly-respected scientist
3. Noun + Past Participle
- sun-dried tomatoes
- wind-powered turbine
4. Number + Noun
- ten-minute break
- two-hour delay
5. 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 50+ 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
Time & Duration
- long-term
- short-lived
- full-time
- part-time
- last-minute
Size & Measurement
- ten-foot
- high-speed
- low-cost
- five-inch
- full-length
Purpose & Function
- energy-saving
- waterproof
- stress-relieving
- hand-operated
- cost-effective
Opinion or Quality
- well-known
- best-selling
- top-rated
- thought-provoking
- widely-respected
Materials or Origin
- hand-made
- sun-dried
- machine-woven
- carbon-neutral
- wind-powered
Other Useful Types
- sugar-free
- cold-blooded
- open-ended
- old-fashioned
- eye-catching
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).