When using more than one adjective to describe a noun place the adjectives in the following order before the noun.

1. 
   

   Opinion and general description

   
   

   Example: nice, funny, lovely

   
   
   
   
2. 
   

   Dimension / Size / Weight

   
   

   Example: big, small, heavy

   
   
   
   
3. 
   

   Age

   
   

   Example: old, new, young, ancient

   
   
   
   
4. 
   

   Shape

   
   

   Example: round, square, oval

   
   
   
   
5. 
   

   Colour

   
   

   Example: green, red, blue, black

   
   
   
   
6. 
   

   Country of origin

   
   

   Example: Italian, Polish, English

   
   
   
   
7. 
   

   Material

   
   

   Example: wooden, cotton, woollen, plastic

   
   
   
   

   8. Purpose and power

   
   

   Example: walking (socks), tennis (racquet), electric (iron)

Here are some examples of nouns modified with three adjectives in the correct order based on the list above. Notice that the adjectives are not separated by commas.

• 
  

  A wonderful old French clock. (opinion - age - origin)

  
  
• 
  

  A big square blue box. (dimension - shape - colour)

  
  
• 
  

  A disgusting pink plastic ornament. (opinion - colour - material)

Here's a rhyme which, if you learn it, might help you remember the order of adjectives!

In my nice big flat

There's an old round box

For my green swiss hat

And my woolly walking socks.

Exercises

Place the adjectives in the correct order before the noun. When you have decided on the correct order, click on the arrow to see if you have answered correctly.