Compound adjectives are the unsung heroes that add color and precision to our expressions. In this handy list, you’ll discover the magic of hyphenated word duos that can transform your everyday language into a tapestry of vivid imagery and exactness.
Before we jump into our comprehensive list, let’s get a quick grasp on what compound adjectives really are and how they can transform your communication.
What are Compound Adjectives?
Compound adjectives are adjectives that are made up of two or more words usually combined with a hyphen to act as a single idea to modify a noun. These two words work together to function like any other adjective, describing or giving more information about a noun.
The hyphen is an important little dash that links the words together to make sure the person reading knows that the words are connected in meaning.
For example, in the term “high-speed chase,” “high-speed” is a compound adjective that tells you what kind of chase it is—it’s not just any chase; it’s one with high speed. Similarly, a “full-time job” isn’t just any job, it’s a job that’s full-time.
How Compound Adjectives are Formed?
Compound adjectives can be formed from combinations of different types of words, such as:
- An adjective and a noun (e.g., “bitter-sweet”)
- A noun and a past participle (e.g., “sugar-coated”)
- A noun and an adjective (e.g., “ice-cold”)
- An adverb and a past participle (e.g., “well-known”)
- A verb and a preposition (e.g., “run-down”)
Compound Adjectives List
Here is a list of all popular compound adjectives;
- Open-minded
- Well-known
- Middle-aged
- High-speed
- Long-term
- Full-time
- Part-time
- Well-behaved
- Old-fashioned
- Cold-hearted
- Warm-hearted
- Bitter-sweet
- Low-key
- High-pitched
- Small-scale
- Wide-ranging
- Thin-skinned
- Heavy-handed
- Light-hearted
- Quick-witted
- Tight-fisted
- Hard-headed
- Soft-spoken
- Well-dressed
- Bad-tempered
- Good-natured
- Strong-willed
- Easy-going
- Long-lasting
- Short-lived
- Well-off
- Hand-picked
- Mass-produced
- Sugar-coated
- Sun-dried
- Ice-cold
- Bone-dry
- Heart-warming
- Sky-high
- Feather-light
- Razor-sharp
- Stone-cold
- Pitch-black
- Snow-white
- Dirt-cheap
- Brand-new
- Time-consuming
- Eye-opening
- Far-reaching
- Well-read
- Quick-thinking
- High-quality
- Low-cost
- Hard-wearing
- Long-distance
- Short-term
- Air-tight
- Water-resistant
- User-friendly
- Eco-friendly
- Future-proof
- Child-proof
- Tamper-proof
- Fire-resistant
- Bullet-proof
- Error-prone
- Drought-resistant
- Self-sufficient
- Self-assured
- Self-contained
- All-inclusive
- All-encompassing
- All-important
- High-level
- Low-level
- Mid-level
- Cutting-edge
- State-of-the-art
- Heart-shaped
- Time-saving
- Labour-intensive
- Cost-effective
- Life-changing
- Mind-blowing
- Eye-catching
- Mouth-watering
- Never-ending
- Long-standing
- Far-off
- Hand-made
- Machine-washable
- Well-intentioned
- High-resolution
- Low-grade
- High-grade
- Top-secret
- Well-informed
- Poorly-made
- Second-hand
- Best-selling
- Self-reflective
- Blue-eyed
- Short-staffed
- Long-haired
- Hard-to-find
- Well-rounded
- Custom-built
- Double-blind
- French-speaking
- Multi-layered
- Single-minded
- Five-star
- Wind-blown
- Ocean-front
- Battle-scarred
- Home-baked
- Hand-written
- Soft-shell
- Iron-clad
- Laser-focused
- Sugar-free
- Fat-free
- Tax-free
- Pain-free
- Hassle-free
- Wrinkle-free
- Duty-bound
- Tightly-knit
- Well-placed
- Cross-functional
- Over-the-counter
- In-depth
- Off-peak
- On-site
- In-house
- Out-of-date
- Made-to-order
- High-impact
- Low-impact
- Zero-tolerance
- Top-quality
- Full-bodied
- World-famous
- Three-dimensional
- Short-range
- Long-range
- Wide-eyed
- Far-flung
- Medium-sized
- Heavy-duty
- Light-weight
- Heart-healthy
- Time-lapse
- Record-breaking
- Award-winning
- Breath-taking
- Show-stopping
- Noise-cancelling
- Career-minded
- Free-thinking
- Grass-roots
- Safety-conscious
- Outcome-based
- Performance-driven
- Goal-oriented
- Faith-based
- Future-oriented
- Client-focused
- User-centered
- Detail-oriented
- Mission-critical
- Third-party
- Special-edition
- Limited-edition
- High-definition
- Wide-angle
- Narrow-minded
- Short-sighted
- Long-sighted
- Right-handed
- Left-handed
- Soft-hearted
- Strong-minded
- Well-meaning
- Quick-tempered
- Thin-lipped
- Tight-lipped
- Closed-minded
- Open-hearted
- High-flying
- Low-lying
- Forward-thinking
- Back-breaking
- Ground-breaking
- Earth-shattering
- World-class
- Jury-rigged
- Double-jointed
- Self-cleaning
Compound Adjectives With Meanings
- Bitter-sweet: Having mixed feelings about something, both pleasant and painful.
- Well-known: Recognized by many people.
- Open-minded: Willing to consider or accept new ideas and opinions.
- High-pitched: A sound that is higher than most other sounds.
- Long-term: Lasting, existing, or effective for a long time.
- Short-lived: Lasting for only a short period.
- Quick-witted: Able to think and understand quickly.
- Ice-cold: Extremely cold; as cold as ice.
- Bone-dry: Completely dry, without a trace of moisture.
- Stone-cold: Completely cold, often used to describe a lack of emotion.
- Iron-clad: Very strong and impossible to break or change.
- Tight-fisted: Unwilling to spend money.
- Cold-hearted: Lacking kindness, pity, or compassion; unfeeling.
- Hot-headed: Easily angered and prone to emotional outbursts.
- Soft-spoken: Having a quiet, gentle voice.
- Hard-headed: Stubborn or unwilling to change an opinion or idea.
- Thin-skinned: Sensitive to criticism or insults.
- Heavy-handed: Using too much force or authority when dealing with a problem.
- Single-minded: Focused on one thing with the exclusion of everything else.
- Feather-light: Very light; having little weight.
- Sky-high: Extremely high or exorbitant, often used for prices.
- Pain-staking: Requiring or characterized by diligent care and effort.
- Heart-wrenching: Causing great sadness or distress.
- Soul-searching: Deep and serious thought about one’s feelings and beliefs.
- Middle-aged: In the period of life between young adulthood and old age, often considered to be from about 45 to 65.
- Sugar-coated: Made to seem more pleasant or acceptable, often hiding the true nature.
- Full-time: Occupying or using the whole of someone’s available working time, typically 40 hours in a week.
- Part-time: For only part of the usual working time.
- Mouth-watering: Smelling or looking delicious.
- Self-sufficient: Able to maintain oneself without outside aid; capable of providing for one’s own needs.
