Formation of Adjectives From Nouns and Verbs


Formation of Adjectives! Many of the English adjectives exist independently, i.e., they do not form from other words, for example, good, bad, black, etc., but there is a huge list of adjectives formed from nouns and verbs. There are no general rules for forming adjectives, but many adjectives are from a base word by adding some group of words at the beginning or at the end of a word called prefixes and suffixes.  

Must Learn: Comparison of Adjectives

Formation of Adjectives from Nouns

Many adjectives are formed nouns by adding the suffixes able, al, an, ate, ic, ous, ly, y, ish, en, ful, less, etc.

The suffix “less” means without. It turn a noun into an adjective.

Formation of Adjectives From Nouns and Verbs
NounAdjective
FearFearless
HarmHarmless
HomeHomeless
CareCareless
UseUseless
ShameShameless
PowerPowerless
HairHairy/hairless
HelpHelpful/Unhelpful/helpless
HarmUnharmed/harmful/harmless
MeaningMeaningless
PainPainful/Painless

Examples

  • A useless vehicle.
  • A careless person.

The suffix “-ful” means full of

NounAdjective
Beautybeautiful
HelpHelpful
Bountybountiful
Hopehopeful

Example

  • She was wearing a beautiful dress.
  • A bountiful supply of coconuts.

Adjectives can also be formed by adding the suffix “-y,” a noun which means the stated thing or is characterized by.

NounAdjective
NoiseNoisy
StormStormy
SunSunny
ThirstThirsty
MudMuddy
JuiceJuicy
CloudCloudy
sleepSleepy
FriendFriendly
ManManly
KingKingly
WomanWomanly
FatherFatherly
InkInky
DirtDirty
HealthHealthy
WealthWealthy
LuckLucky/unlucky
AngerAngry

Many adjectives are formed from nouns with the addition of the suffixes “-ible, -able.

NounAdjective
PleasurePleasurable
PardonPardonable
 Laugh Laughable
RespectRespectable
SenseSensible
AdviceAdvisable
honorHonorable
DisputeDisputable
KnowledgeKnowledgeable
WorkWorkable
beliefBelievable
PermissionPermissible/impermissible
nonsenseSensible

Formation of adjectives by adding the suffix “ic” and “ical.

NounAdjective
CriticCritical
PublicityPublic
ArtistArtistic
HeroHeroic
PoetryPoetic
AtomAtomic
HistoryHistoric
photographyPhotographic

The suffix “-ish” is used with nouns to form adjectives to say what something comes from or which say what a person, thing, or action is like

NounAdjective
BoyBoyish
ChildChildish
StyleStylish
GirlGirlish
FoolFoolish
IrelandIrish

Adjectives formed with “ous.

NounAdjective
GloryGlorious
DangerDangerous
CourageCourageous
FameFamous
NounAdjective
WoodWooden
WoolWoolen
GoldGolden

Forming Adjectives Using Prefixes and Suffixes

Adjectives formed with other prefixes and suffixes are given below in the table.

NounAdjective
EducationEducated
NationNational
ClothingClothed
EmploymentUnemployed
CookeryCooked
DamageDamaging
HealthHealthy/Unhealthy
ProduceProductive
NonsenseInsensitive
MusicMusical/Unmusical
InformationInformative/Uninformative/Informed/Uninformed
BruteBrutal
researchSearching
IndustryIndustrial
GeorgeGeorgean 
AlexandriaAlexandrian
HerculesHerculean
FortuneFortunate
TroubleTroublesome
QuarrelQuarrelsome
NorthNorthern
eastEastern
westWestern
PaidUnpaid
WholeWholesome
AweAwesome
SouthSouthern
Sudan Sudanese
PassionPassionate
ProportionProportionate
ChinaChinese
ProgressProgressive
FurnitureFurnished

Formation of Adjectives From Verbs

VerbAdjective
AccustomCustomary
AchieveAchievable
ActActing
ActiveInactive
AddAdditionally
AdvantageAdvantaged
AmazeAmazed/amazing
AngerAngry
ApplyApplicable
AbhorrenceAbhorrent
AbortAbortive
AbridgeAbridged
EnthusiastEnthusiastic
DeserveDeserved
SuspectSuspected
PreventPreventive
BehaveBehavioral
BelieveBelievable

Related Articles:


Leave a Comment