"Give me 5 examples of two-word adjectives."

This week, many readers found this blog on Google by searching for the keywords "two-word adjectives." Some searched for the meaning of two-word adjectives, while others searched for sentences that use compound adjectives. One user was particularly specific: he/she typed "Give me 5 examples of two-word adjectives."

In the spirit of providing useful information, I am listing more than five examples. But first, what is a two-word adjective? It's simply an adjective--a descriptive word--that is made up of two words! These two words are usually a noun and another adjective. For example,


one-minute silence
a three-page article
a five-mile marathon
an in-home demonstration
your five-year plan

Most two-word adjectives are joined by a hyphen. (In fact, I think all of them are--I'm not sure. Ha-ha.) But here's what you should remember: the noun does not become plural even if the other pair is a number adjective that is greater than one. Hence, we have a three-page article. Look, even the term two-word is a two-word adjective. There is a term for that, you know, when the name of something is self-descriptive.

Like the word PALINDROMEEMORDNILAP. But I forgot. If you know it, let me know.

Anyway, here are some more two-word adjectives that sound familiar.

Nine-Inch Nails
The Forty-Year-Old Virgin  (okay, that's three words)
a forty-day fast
The Law-Abiding Citizen
blue-collar workers

It's easy to form two-word adjectives. Try it!