noun
adjective
AJ-ihk-tihv
noun
1
A word that describes or modifies a noun, such as "tall," "blue," or "happy."
"In "the red car," "red" is the adjective."
"Good writers choose precise adjectives instead of stacking up vague ones."
How to Use Adjective
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA describing word — it tells you more about a noun, like its color, size, or quality.
Memory tip
Ask "what kind?" or "which one?" about a noun — the word that answers is usually an adjective.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
descriptive adjective
adjective phrase
comparative adjective
Word Forms
adjectived past tense, adjectives plural, adjectives singular
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Fill the Gap
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In "the red car," "red" is the _____.
Etymology
From Latin adiectivus, "added on," from adicere ("to throw toward, to add"). This was a translation of the Greek grammatical term for a word "added" to a noun.