noun / adjective

adjective

AJ-ik-tiv/ˈædʒɪktɪv/

A word that describes or modifies a noun, or serving that role.

Each adjective describes an apple's size: one big, the other small.

Two contrasting apples paired with physical word tiles: a large apple above “big apple” and a small apple above “small apple.” The contrasting modifier tiles make the describing words visible while the noun stays identical.

Etymology

adLatinto

+jectLatinto throw

+iveLatinadjective-forming

“Throwing to” developed into placing something beside another thing, hence “adding.” An adjective was something “added to” a noun to qualify or define it.

In context

demarcations0:20

An adjectival is any structure that does what an adjective normally does. That means that it adds information to nouns.

WRITING STYLE 8: Choosing Adjectives

More examples

An adjective can describe size, color, or other qualities.
She removes unnecessary adjectives from the opening paragraph.
The class identifies the noun modified by each adjective phrase.

Forms

adjective · adjectives

Similar words

modifier: Broader; includes words and phrases with other grammatical roles.
adverb: Usually modifies verbs, adjectives, adverbs, or whole clauses.