Adjective Definition
ăjĭk-tĭv
adjectives
noun
adjectives
The part of speech that modifies a noun or other substantive by limiting, qualifying, or specifying and distinguished in English morphologically by one of several suffixes, such as -able, -ous, -er, and -est, or syntactically by position directly preceding a noun or nominal phrase.
American Heritage
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)
Webster's New World
Any of the words belonging to this part of speech, such as white in the phrase a white house.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
- preposition
- adnoun
- adjunct
- attributive name
- article
- modifier
- determiner
- dependent
- adjectival
- attributive
- qualifying word
- identifier
- adjectival construction
- limiter
- attribute
adjective
Adjectival.
An adjective clause.
American Heritage
Of an adjective.
Webster's New World
Specifying the processes by which rights are enforced, as opposed to the establishing of such rights; remedial.
Adjective law.
American Heritage
Having the nature or function of an adjective.
Webster's New World
Not standing alone; derivative or dependent.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
verb
To make an adjective of; to form or convert into an adjective.
Wiktionary
Other Word Forms of Adjective
Noun
Singular:
adjective
Plural:
adjectivesOrigin of Adjective
-
Borrowing from Old French adjectif, from Latin adiectīvum, from ad (“next to”) + -iect-, perfect passive participle of iaciō (“throw”) + -īvus, adjective ending; hence, a word "thrown next to" a noun, modifying it.
From Wiktionary
-
Middle English from Old French adjectif from Late Latin adiectīvus from adiectus past participle of adicere to add to ad- ad- iacere to throw yē- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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