Adjectives

Adjectives are words that describe nouns, such as good, big, and beautiful. Usually, adjectives are formed with the addition of a suffix—meaning sounds added after the word—such as –able, -al, -ary, -ful, -ive, -less, -y etc. For example, if you add –able to like, we get the adjective likeable. Rational, customary, thankful, active, shameless, friendly etc. are other examples.

However, not all adjectives are formed that way. There are a number of adjectives that have very little in common with the corresponding nouns except in meaning. The adjective of Uncle is Avuncular. Therefore, we may say, John had an avuncular relationship with Tim. Such adjectives are known as independent adjectives. Let us see some such adjectives.

Apple – Malic

Blood –Haematic

Building – Tectonic

Cat – Feline

Dog – Canine

Eagle – Aquiline

Earth – Terrestrial

Child – Filial

Eye – Ocular

Gold – Auric

Kitchen – Culinary

Milk – Lacteal

Night – Nocturnal

Sea – Marine

Sun – Solar

Wife – Uxorial

Year – Annual

There are many other independent adjectives. Can you make sentences with these adjectives?