A compound modifier (also called a compound adjective, phrasal adjective, or adjectival phrase) is a compound of two or more attributive words: that is, two or more words that collectively modify a noun.

Hyphens are often used when a compound modifies a noun (“sun-bleached curtains,” “fire-roasted tomatoes”) but not when -ly adverbs are used (“lightly salted peanuts”).

Jun 1, 2007 · A compound modifier refers to two or more words expressing a single concept. Regular adjectives modify nouns all the time, but a compound modifier goes much further.

A compound modifier consists of two words connected by a hyphen, which act together like one adjective. Usually, compound modifier words could be understood as individual modifiers or nouns, …

What Is a Compound Modifier? A compound modifier is a group of two or more words that work together to describe a single noun. You can think of it as one idea made up of multiple parts. Common …

Sep 18, 2024 · Learn how to use compound modifiers correctly in English. This simple guide explains what compound modifiers are and how to use hyphens.

Dec 10, 2025 · Learn how to use hyphens in compound modifiers with clear rules, examples, tables, and interactive practice.

Two words brought together as a compound may be written separately, written as one word, or connected by hyphens. For example, three modern dictionaries all have the same listings for the …

A compound modifier is two or more words (often connected with a hyphen) that act as a single adjective to modify a noun (e.g. “one-way ticket”).

Nov 18, 2024 · Use a hyphen to indicate that words have been combined into a unit modifier, which is a descriptive expression composed of two or more words that form one new meaning.