Compound Adjectives

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;

1. Open-minded
2. Well-known
3. Middle-aged
4. High-speed
5. Long-term
6. Full-time
7. Part-time
8. Well-behaved
9. Old-fashioned
10. Cold-hearted
11. Warm-hearted
12. Bitter-sweet
13. Low-key
14. High-pitched
15. Small-scale
16. Wide-ranging
17. Thin-skinned
18. Heavy-handed
19. Light-hearted
20. Quick-witted
21. Tight-fisted
22. Hard-headed
23. Soft-spoken
24. Well-dressed
25. Bad-tempered
26. Good-natured
27. Strong-willed
28. Easy-going
29. Long-lasting
30. Short-lived
31. Well-off
32. Hand-picked
33. Mass-produced
34. Sugar-coated
35. Sun-dried
36. Ice-cold
37. Bone-dry
38. Heart-warming
39. Sky-high
40. Feather-light
41. Razor-sharp
42. Stone-cold
43. Pitch-black
44. Snow-white
45. Dirt-cheap
46. Brand-new
47. Time-consuming
48. Eye-opening
49. Far-reaching
50. Well-read
51. Quick-thinking
52. High-quality
53. Low-cost
54. Hard-wearing
55. Long-distance
56. Short-term
57. Air-tight
58. Water-resistant
59. User-friendly
60. Eco-friendly
61. Future-proof
62. Child-proof
63. Tamper-proof
64. Fire-resistant
65. Bullet-proof
66. Error-prone
67. Drought-resistant
68. Self-sufficient
69. Self-assured
70. Self-contained
71. All-inclusive
72. All-encompassing
73. All-important
74. High-level
75. Low-level
76. Mid-level
77. Cutting-edge
78. State-of-the-art
79. Heart-shaped
80. Time-saving
81. Labour-intensive
82. Cost-effective
83. Life-changing
84. Mind-blowing
85. Eye-catching
86. Mouth-watering
87. Never-ending
88. Long-standing
89. Far-off
90. Hand-made
91. Machine-washable
92. Well-intentioned
93. High-resolution
94. Low-grade
95. High-grade
96. Top-secret
97. Well-informed
98. Poorly-made
99. Second-hand
100. Best-selling
101. Self-reflective
102. Blue-eyed
103. Short-staffed
104. Long-haired
105. Hard-to-find
106. Well-rounded
107. Custom-built
108. Double-blind
109. French-speaking
110. Multi-layered
111. Single-minded
112. Five-star
113. Wind-blown
114. Ocean-front
115. Battle-scarred
116. Home-baked
117. Hand-written
118. Soft-shell
119. Iron-clad
120. Laser-focused
121. Sugar-free
122. Fat-free
123. Tax-free
124. Pain-free
125. Hassle-free
126. Wrinkle-free
127. Duty-bound
128. Tightly-knit
129. Well-placed
130. Cross-functional
131. Over-the-counter
132. In-depth
133. Off-peak
134. On-site
135. In-house
136. Out-of-date
137. Made-to-order
138. High-impact
139. Low-impact
140. Zero-tolerance
141. Top-quality
142. Full-bodied
143. World-famous
144. Three-dimensional
145. Short-range
146. Long-range
147. Wide-eyed
148. Far-flung
149. Medium-sized
150. Heavy-duty
151. Light-weight
152. Heart-healthy
153. Time-lapse
154. Record-breaking
155. Award-winning
156. Breath-taking
157. Show-stopping
158. Noise-cancelling
159. Career-minded
160. Free-thinking
161. Grass-roots
162. Safety-conscious
163. Outcome-based
164. Performance-driven
165. Goal-oriented
166. Faith-based
 167. Future-oriented
168. Client-focused
169. User-centered
170. Detail-oriented
171. Mission-critical
172. Third-party
173. Special-edition
174. Limited-edition
175. High-definition
176. Wide-angle
177. Narrow-minded
178. Short-sighted
179. Long-sighted
180. Right-handed
181. Left-handed
182. Soft-hearted
183. Strong-minded
184. Well-meaning
185. Quick-tempered
186. Thin-lipped
187. Tight-lipped
188. Closed-minded
189. Open-hearted
190. High-flying
191. Low-lying
192. Forward-thinking
193. Back-breaking
194. Ground-breaking
195. Earth-shattering
196. World-class
197. Jury-rigged
198. Double-jointed
199. Self-cleaning

Compound Adjectives With Meanings

1. Bitter-sweet: Having mixed feelings about something, both pleasant and painful.
2. Well-known: Recognized by many people.
3. Open-minded: Willing to consider or accept new ideas and opinions.
4. High-pitched: A sound that is higher than most other sounds.
5. Long-term: Lasting, existing, or effective for a long time.
6. Short-lived: Lasting for only a short period.
7. Quick-witted: Able to think and understand quickly.
8. Ice-cold: Extremely cold; as cold as ice.
9. Bone-dry: Completely dry, without a trace of moisture.
10. Stone-cold: Completely cold, often used to describe a lack of emotion.
11. Iron-clad: Very strong and impossible to break or change.
12. Tight-fisted: Unwilling to spend money.
13. Cold-hearted: Lacking kindness, pity, or compassion; unfeeling.
14. Hot-headed: Easily angered and prone to emotional outbursts.
15. Soft-spoken: Having a quiet, gentle voice.
16. Hard-headed: Stubborn or unwilling to change an opinion or idea.
17. Thin-skinned: Sensitive to criticism or insults.
18. Heavy-handed: Using too much force or authority when dealing with a problem.
19. Single-minded: Focused on one thing with the exclusion of everything else.
20. Feather-light: Very light; having little weight.
21. Sky-high: Extremely high or exorbitant, often used for prices.
22. Pain-staking: Requiring or characterized by diligent care and effort.
23. Heart-wrenching: Causing great sadness or distress.
24. Soul-searching: Deep and serious thought about one's feelings and beliefs.
25. Middle-aged: In the period of life between young adulthood and old age, often considered
to be from about 45 to 65.
26. Sugar-coated: Made to seem more pleasant or acceptable, often hiding the true nature.
27. Full-time: Occupying or using the whole of someone's available working time, typically 40
hours in a week.
28. Part-time: For only part of the usual working time.
29. Mouth-watering: Smelling or looking delicious.
30. Self-sufficient: Able to maintain oneself without outside aid; capable of providing for one's
own needs.