Introduction: Order of Adjectives
The Order of Adjectives is an important grammar rule in English that helps us place descriptive words in the right sequence before a noun. Native speakers follow this order naturally, but learners often get confused. Understanding this rule is essential for writing correct and natural-sounding sentences, especially for students and those preparing for competitive exams.
What is the Order of Adjectives?
When we use more than one adjective before a noun, they must appear in a specific order to sound correct. The standard sequence is:
Opinion → Size → Age → Shape → Colour → Origin → Material → Purpose + Noun
Example: A beautiful small old round red Italian wooden dining table
Order of Adjectives – The Rule
| Position | Type of Adjective | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Opinion | beautiful, ugly, nice |
| 2 | Size | big, small, tall |
| 3 | Age | old, young, new |
| 4 | Shape | round, square, oval |
| 5 | Colour | red, blue, green |
| 6 | Origin | Indian, French, American |
| 7 | Material | wooden, cotton, steel |
| 8 | Purpose | sleeping (bag), racing (car) |
Order of Adjectives: Important Tips for Students & Competitive Exam Candidates
- Memorise the sequence – Opinion, Size, Age, Shape, Colour, Origin, Material, Purpose.
- Not all adjectives will be used every time – only include the ones needed.
- No commas are used between adjectives before a noun.
- Practice with examples to build natural fluency.
- Be careful with adjectives of quantity – they usually come before all descriptive adjectives (three big old houses).
- For competitive exams – spotting the wrong order of adjectives is a common question type.
- In spoken English – native speakers may sometimes rearrange for emphasis, but in exams, stick to the rule.
100+ Examples of Correct Order of Adjectives
- A beautiful small old round red Italian wooden chair
- A nice big young tall black American basketball player
- Three large ancient square white Greek marble statues
- An elegant small new oval silver French mirror
- A delicious huge fresh round red Indian apple
- Two ugly small old rectangular brown wooden boxes
- A lovely medium-sized young round blue Japanese vase
- A charming little old green English cottage
- Several big ancient round grey stone towers
- A scary huge old black African lion
- An adorable tiny newborn white Persian kitten
- A nice tall young blonde American girl
- A beautiful long old red Chinese silk scarf
- Five large modern square white glass tables
- An amazing small young oval golden locket
- A handsome tall young British soldier
- A delicious large round yellow mango
- A rare small ancient bronze coin
- A gorgeous huge modern silver chandelier
- Two little old round clay pots
- A comfortable big old brown leather sofa
- A smart tall young Indian cricket player
- An attractive medium-sized old French painting
- A lovely small round pearl ring
- A huge ancient black Egyptian pyramid
- A long new blue cotton dress
- A strange large old wooden door
- A delicate small oval silver pendant
- A giant old red brick wall
- Three large new stainless steel plates
- A bright small yellow school bus
- A wonderful big old musical instrument
- A horrible huge ancient stone statue
- A cool medium-sized black leather jacket
- An expensive small old golden watch
- A cute little brown teddy bear
- A plain big old steel gate
- A rare large oval sapphire stone
- A shiny new red sports car
- A short young Indian teacher
- A heavy big rectangular wooden table
- A soft small white cotton pillow
- A long thin silver metal chain
- A beautiful tall old green tree
- A new round crystal bowl
- A modern large glass building
- A thick old brown rope
- A small cute baby goat
- A dark long velvet curtain
- A sharp small kitchen knife
- A clean big round glass plate
- A rough old wooden stick
- A lovely small square box
- A hot large steel kettle
- A cold refreshing lemon drink
- A light thin cotton sheet
- A big ancient golden crown
- A tall young African man
- A quiet small old village
- A sweet little red cherry
- A narrow long wooden bridge
- A strong heavy iron door
- A smooth small marble tile
- A dirty old cotton rag
- A hard big square brick
- A soft round woollen ball
- A large old fishing boat
- A thin new white paper
- A modern tall office building
- A fast small racing car
- A thick woollen winter sweater
- A bitter small green lemon
- A deep large blue ocean
- A wide long silk ribbon
- A shiny golden wedding ring
- A colourful small glass bottle
- A lovely young Spanish dancer
- A beautiful small Indian temple
- A noisy big busy market
- A calm quiet small lake
- A wild huge African elephant
- A dusty old wooden shelf
- A broken small clay cup
- A narrow old stone path
- A tall dark handsome man
- A kind old Indian woman
- A funny little brown dog
- A tasty large chocolate cake
- A slow old yellow bus
- A quick small red fox
- A giant tall oak tree
- A huge round football stadium
- A thin delicate gold chain
- A colourful long silk scarf
- A short old stone wall
- A plain white cotton dress
- A heavy thick iron rod
- A bright young student
- A clever small Indian boy
- A charming young lady
- A small old wooden spoon
Order of Adjectives: Conclusion
Mastering the Order of Adjectives is essential for writing correct and natural sentences in English. By learning the rules, practicing regularly, and using examples, students and competitive exam candidates can improve both their writing and speaking skills. Remember, the right order makes your English sound fluent and professional.
Also Read: Explore Types of Adverbs: 100+ Examples for Exam Mastery
Unlock Types of Adjectives: 100+ Examples for Exam Triumph August 14, 2025