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adjective definition

ad·jec·tive (aj′ik tiv)

noun

any of a class of words used to modify a noun or other substantive, as by describing qualities of the entity denoted, stating its limits or quantity, or distinguishing it from others (Ex.: good, every, Aegean)

Etymology: ME & OFr adjectif < L adjectivus, that is added < adjectus, pp. of adjicere, to add to < ad-, to + jacere, to throw: see jet

adjective

  1. of an adjective
  2. having the nature or function of an adjective
  3. dependent or subordinate
  4. Law of or relating to practice and procedure; procedural

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

adjective Synonyms

adjective

n.

modifier, article, determiner, attribute, attributive, qualifier, adjectival, descriptive word, descriptive term, limiting word, limiter, dependent, adjectival construction, identifier, qualifying word, qualifying term, attributive name, adjunct, adnoun.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

adjective Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • derive: They can be categorized under the adjectives derived, duped and deliberate.

Converse of subject

  • modify: To use this sort of language implies that ' bishop ' is masculine unless it is modified by a feminine adjective.

Adjective modifier

  • possessive: To embrace his solicitor's address within the possessive adjective ' his ' involves a very brave step.

Modifies a noun

  • ending: We will discuss adjective endings in a later section.

Noun used with modifier

  • noun: Did not know what grammar was, or the difference between a noun adjective and a noun substantive.

Preposition: before

  • noun: But we do not normally use more than three adjectives before a noun.
adjective usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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"adjective." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/adjective>

APA Style

adjective. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/adjective

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