Chapter: Adjectives
📚 Vocabulary
English Grammar and Composition Classes Nine and Ten
⭐ Most Important Exam Words
abundantbravediligentfragilegeneroushonestreliableenoughfewlittlemanymuchseveralthisthatthesethoseeacheveryeitherneitherwhichwhatwhosegoodbadbeautifulfaroldboringboredinterestinginterestedwell-knownhard-workingkind-hearted
📃 Word Formation Rules
► Most descriptive adjectives can be changed into nouns by adding -ness: kind → kindness, honest → honesty.
► Many adjectives form adverbs by adding -ly: careful → carefully, brave → bravely.
► Adjectives ending in -y often change y to i before adding -ness: happy → happiness, lazy → laziness.
► Adjectives ending in -ful commonly form nouns by adding -ness: useful → usefulness, beautiful → beautifulness.
► The prefixes un-, in-, im-, il-, and ir- can form opposite adjectives: happy → unhappy, possible → impossible, regular → irregular.
► The suffixes -less and -ful form adjectives with opposite meanings: care → careless/careful, hope → hopeless/hopeful.
► Compound adjectives may be formed with noun plus adjective or adverb plus participle: world-famous, well-known, hard-working.
► Short adjectives usually form the comparative with -er and the superlative with -est: tall → taller → tallest.
► Adjectives of two or more syllables generally use more and most: careful → more careful → most careful.
► Some adjectives have irregular comparison: good → better → best, bad → worse → worst, little → less → least, many → more → most.
1. Descriptive Adjectives (8 words)
abundant[/əˈbʌndənt/]adjmedium
Meaning: প্রচুর
Alt: plentiful; more than enough
Example: Bangladesh has abundant natural resources.
Syn: plentifulAnt: scarce
💡 Exam tip: Use abundant before a plural noun or an uncountable noun.
brave[/breɪv/]adjeasy
Meaning: সাহসী
Alt: showing courage
Example: The brave soldier saved the child.
Syn: courageousAnt: cowardly
💡 Exam tip: The comparative and superlative forms are braver and bravest.
diligent[/ˈdɪlɪdʒənt/]adjmedium
Meaning: পরিশ্রমী
Alt: hard-working and careful
Example: A diligent student usually achieves success.
Syn: industriousAnt: lazy
💡 Exam tip: Diligent is commonly used before student, worker, or effort.
fragile[/ˈfrædʒaɪl/]adjmedium
Meaning: ভঙ্গুর
Alt: easily broken or damaged
Example: Handle this fragile glass carefully.
Syn: delicateAnt: durable
💡 Exam tip: Fragile often describes objects that need careful handling.
generous[/ˈdʒenərəs/]adjeasy
Meaning: উদার
Alt: willing to give or share
Example: The generous man donated money to the poor.
Syn: liberalAnt: stingy
💡 Exam tip: The noun form is generosity.
honest[/ˈɒnɪst/]adjeasy
Meaning: সৎ
Alt: truthful and sincere
Example: An honest person is trusted by everyone.
Syn: truthfulAnt: dishonest
💡 Exam tip: Use an before honest because the h is silent.
magnificent[/mæɡˈnɪfɪsənt/]adjhard
Meaning: চমৎকার
Alt: very grand or beautiful
Example: We enjoyed the magnificent view of the sea.
Syn: splendidAnt: ordinary
💡 Exam tip: Magnificent is a strong adjective; avoid using very magnificent in formal writing.
reliable[/rɪˈlaɪəbl/]adjmedium
Meaning: নির্ভরযোগ্য
Alt: worthy of trust
Example: He is a reliable friend.
Syn: dependableAnt: unreliable
💡 Exam tip: The noun form is reliability and the adverb form is reliably.
2. Adjectives of Quantity and Number (8 words)
all[/ɔːl/]adjeasy
Meaning: সব; সমস্ত
Alt: the whole amount or number
Example: All students attended the class.
Syn: everyAnt: none
💡 Exam tip: All is followed by a plural countable noun or an uncountable noun.
enough[/ɪˈnʌf/]adjeasy
Meaning: যথেষ্ট
Alt: as much or as many as needed
Example: We have enough food for everyone.
Syn: sufficientAnt: insufficient
💡 Exam tip: Enough comes before a noun but after an adjective: enough money, good enough.
few[/fjuː/]adjeasy
Meaning: অল্প কয়েকটি
Alt: a small number of countable things
Example: Few students understood the difficult lesson.
Syn: not manyAnt: many
💡 Exam tip: Few has a negative sense; a few means some.
little[/ˈlɪtl/]adjeasy
Meaning: সামান্য
Alt: a small amount of an uncountable thing
Example: There is little water in the jar.
Syn: not muchAnt: much
💡 Exam tip: Little is used with uncountable nouns; a little means some.
many[/ˈmeni/]adjeasy
Meaning: অনেক
Alt: a large number of countable things
Example: Many people joined the celebration.
Syn: numerousAnt: few
💡 Exam tip: Use many with plural countable nouns.
much[/mʌtʃ/]adjeasy
Meaning: অনেক
Alt: a large amount of an uncountable thing
Example: There is not much milk in the glass.
Syn: a great deal ofAnt: little
💡 Exam tip: Much is common in negative sentences and questions with uncountable nouns.
several[/ˈsevrəl/]adjmedium
Meaning: বেশ কয়েকটি
Alt: more than two but not many
Example: Several candidates answered correctly.
Syn: variousAnt: few
💡 Exam tip: Several is followed by a plural countable noun.
sufficient[/səˈfɪʃənt/]adjmedium
Meaning: পর্যাপ্ত
Alt: enough for a particular purpose
Example: The amount of food was sufficient for the guests.
Syn: adequateAnt: insufficient
💡 Exam tip: Sufficient may be followed by for: sufficient for the task.
3. Demonstrative and Possessive Adjectives (8 words)
this[/ðɪs/]adjeasy
Meaning: এই
Alt: referring to a nearby singular noun
Example: This book is very useful.
Syn: the presentAnt: that
💡 Exam tip: This is used with a singular countable noun or an uncountable noun.
that[/ðæt/]adjeasy
Meaning: ওই; সেই
Alt: referring to a distant singular noun
Example: That building is our school.
Syn: the mentionedAnt: this
💡 Exam tip: That is used with a singular noun; its plural form is those.
these[/ðiːz/]adjeasy
Meaning: এইগুলো
Alt: referring to nearby plural nouns
Example: These flowers are beautiful.
Syn: the nearbyAnt: those
💡 Exam tip: These must be followed by a plural noun.
those[/ðəʊz/]adjeasy
Meaning: ওগুলো; সেগুলো
Alt: referring to distant plural nouns
Example: Those houses belong to the villagers.
Syn: the distantAnt: these
💡 Exam tip: Those is the plural form of that.
my[/maɪ/]adjeasy
Meaning: আমার
Alt: belonging to me
Example: My brother lives in Dhaka.
Syn: of meAnt: your
💡 Exam tip: My is a possessive adjective and must be followed by a noun.
our[/ˈaʊə/]adjeasy
Meaning: আমাদের
Alt: belonging to us
Example: Our country is rich in culture.
Syn: of usAnt: their
💡 Exam tip: Do not confuse our with are.
your[/jɔː/]adjeasy
Meaning: তোমার; আপনাদের
Alt: belonging to you
Example: Please submit your assignment today.
Syn: of youAnt: my
💡 Exam tip: Your shows possession; you are is written as you're.
their[/ðeə/]adjeasy
Meaning: তাদের
Alt: belonging to them
Example: The students completed their work.
Syn: of themAnt: our
💡 Exam tip: Their is possessive, while there refers to a place and they're means they are.
4. Interrogative and Distributive Adjectives (8 words)
which[/wɪtʃ/]adjeasy
Meaning: কোনটি; কোন
Alt: asking about one or more choices
Example: Which subject do you like most?
Syn: what oneAnt: none
💡 Exam tip: Which is used before a noun in questions involving a limited choice.
what[/wɒt/]adjeasy
Meaning: কী; কোন
Alt: asking for information about a thing
Example: What book are you reading?
Syn: which thingAnt: none
💡 Exam tip: What is generally used when the number of choices is unlimited.
whose[/huːz/]adjeasy
Meaning: কার
Alt: asking about possession
Example: Whose pen is lying on the desk?
Syn: belonging to whomAnt: none
💡 Exam tip: Whose is possessive; do not confuse it with who's, meaning who is.
each[/iːtʃ/]adjeasy
Meaning: প্রত্যেক
Alt: every one considered separately
Example: Each student received a certificate.
Syn: everyAnt: none
💡 Exam tip: Each takes a singular noun and usually a singular verb.
every[/ˈevri/]adjeasy
Meaning: প্রত্যেক; প্রতি
Alt: all members of a group individually
Example: Every child deserves education.
Syn: eachAnt: none
💡 Exam tip: Every is followed by a singular countable noun.
either[/ˈaɪðə/]adjmedium
Meaning: দুটির যেকোনো একটি
Alt: one of two choices
Example: Either answer may be correct.
Syn: one or the otherAnt: neither
💡 Exam tip: Either is used for two persons or things, not more than two.
neither[/ˈnaɪðə/]adjmedium
Meaning: দুটির কোনোটিই নয়
Alt: not one and not the other of two
Example: Neither answer is correct.
Syn: not eitherAnt: either
💡 Exam tip: Neither normally takes a singular noun and singular verb.
such[/sʌtʃ/]adjmedium
Meaning: এমন; এইরূপ
Alt: of the kind or degree mentioned
Example: It was such a beautiful day.
Syn: of that kindAnt: different
💡 Exam tip: Use such a before a singular countable noun: such a story.
5. Degrees of Comparison (8 words)
good[/ɡʊd/]adjeasy
Meaning: ভালো
Alt: of high quality or standard
Example: She is a good student.
Syn: excellentAnt: bad
💡 Exam tip: Its irregular comparative and superlative forms are better and best.
bad[/bæd/]adjeasy
Meaning: খারাপ
Alt: of poor quality
Example: Smoking is a bad habit.
Syn: poorAnt: good
💡 Exam tip: Its irregular forms are worse and worst.
beautiful[/ˈbjuːtɪfəl/]adjeasy
Meaning: সুন্দর
Alt: pleasing to the senses
Example: The garden has beautiful flowers.
Syn: prettyAnt: ugly
💡 Exam tip: Use more beautiful and most beautiful, not beautifuller or beautifullest.
clever[/ˈklevə/]adjmedium
Meaning: চতুর
Alt: quick to understand or learn
Example: The clever boy solved the puzzle.
Syn: intelligentAnt: stupid
💡 Exam tip: Both cleverer and more clever are used, but follow one style consistently.
far[/fɑː/]adjmedium
Meaning: দূরবর্তী
Alt: at a great distance
Example: Their village is far from the town.
Syn: distantAnt: near
💡 Exam tip: The usual comparative and superlative forms are farther and farthest for distance.
little[/ˈlɪtl/]adjmedium
Meaning: ছোট; সামান্য
Alt: small in size or amount
Example: He lives in a little house.
Syn: smallAnt: large
💡 Exam tip: As an amount adjective, its irregular forms are less and least.
old[/əʊld/]adjmedium
Meaning: বয়স্ক; পুরোনো
Alt: having existed for a long time
Example: This is an old bridge.
Syn: agedAnt: young
💡 Exam tip: Older and oldest are general forms; elder and eldest are mainly used for family relations.
many[/ˈmeni/]adjeasy
Meaning: অনেক
Alt: a large number
Example: Many students joined the competition.
Syn: numerousAnt: few
💡 Exam tip: The irregular comparative and superlative forms are more and most.
6. Participial and Compound Adjectives (8 words)
boring[/ˈbɔːrɪŋ/]adjeasy
Meaning: একঘেয়ে
Alt: causing a lack of interest
Example: The lecture was boring.
Syn: dullAnt: interesting
💡 Exam tip: Use boring for the thing that causes the feeling.
bored[/bɔːd/]adjeasy
Meaning: বিরক্ত
Alt: feeling uninterested
Example: The students felt bored during the lecture.
Syn: uninterestedAnt: interested
💡 Exam tip: Use bored for a person who experiences the feeling.
interesting[/ˈɪntrəstɪŋ/]adjeasy
Meaning: আকর্ষণীয়
Alt: holding attention or curiosity
Example: She told us an interesting story.
Syn: fascinatingAnt: uninteresting
💡 Exam tip: Interesting describes something that creates interest.
interested[/ˈɪntrəstɪd/]adjeasy
Meaning: আগ্রহী
Alt: having curiosity or concern
Example: I am interested in learning English.
Syn: curiousAnt: uninterested
💡 Exam tip: Use interested in, not interested on.
well-known[/ˌwel ˈnəʊn/]adjmedium
Meaning: সুপরিচিত
Alt: known by many people
Example: He is a well-known writer.
Syn: famousAnt: unknown
💡 Exam tip: Hyphenate a compound adjective before a noun.
hard-working[/ˌhɑːd ˈwɜːkɪŋ/]adjmedium
Meaning: কর্মঠ
Alt: working with great effort
Example: The hard-working farmer supports his family.
Syn: diligentAnt: idle
💡 Exam tip: Hard-working is usually hyphenated before a noun.
kind-hearted[/ˌkaɪnd ˈhɑːtɪd/]adjmedium
Meaning: দয়ালু
Alt: having a kind and sympathetic nature
Example: The kind-hearted woman helped the orphan.
Syn: compassionateAnt: cruel
💡 Exam tip: This compound adjective is formed from noun plus past participle.
waterproof[/ˈwɔːtəpruːf/]adjmedium
Meaning: জলরোধী
Alt: not allowing water to pass through
Example: He bought a waterproof jacket.
Syn: water-resistantAnt: absorbent
💡 Exam tip: Waterproof is a closed compound adjective and is written as one word.
💡 Exam Tips
• Identify the noun that an adjective qualifies before choosing its form.
• Use a singular noun after each, every, either, neither, and every one.
• Use many and few with plural countable nouns; use much and little with uncountable nouns.
• Remember the difference between a few and few: a few means some, while few means almost none.
• Remember the difference between a little and little: a little means some, while little means almost none.
• Use more and most with long adjectives; use -er and -est with most short adjectives.
• Do not use double comparison: write more beautiful, not more beautifuller.
• Use bored and interested for people; use boring and interesting for things or situations.
• Place adjectives before nouns in attributive use: a brave boy. Place them after linking verbs in predicative use: The boy is brave.
• Use an before adjectives beginning with a vowel sound: an honest man, an interesting book.
• Use such a before a singular countable noun and so before an adjective without a noun: such a good boy, so good.
• In transformation questions, preserve the meaning when changing positive, comparative, and superlative degrees.
• Use hyphens in compound adjectives before nouns: a five-year-old child, a well-known poet.
• Check adjective order when several adjectives occur: opinion, size, age, shape, colour, origin, material, purpose, noun.
• Do not confuse possessive adjectives with similar words: your/you’re, their/there/they’re, whose/who’s.