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List of non-standard English adjectives



         


Following is a list of infrequently used English adjectives that are non-standard, in that they are not derived from the same root as the corresponding noun, or they are based on the same root, but in a way that is non-intuitive even to a native English speaker. In many cases, the non-standard adjective is merely an uncommon and literary alternative to a more standard and generic one; sometimes, these non-standard adjectives may convey subtle shades of meaning or bear connotations not shared with the standard adjective, even though the overall meaning is essentially the same. For example, for an adjective form of 'charity' we could say 'eleemosynary', though in most cases 'charitable' would work just as well, and indeed, most native English speakers will not understand "eleemosynary", but will readily recognize "charitable".

Frequently, alternative adjectives are derived from Latin, while the more common adjectives are of Germanic origin. In many such cases, the Latinate adjective is connotated variously as more erudite, florid, old-fashioned, or pretentious than the more common Germanic adjective. Many such words entered English via the Norman French spoken by the aristocracy in England following the Norman Conquest, or as scientific terms from the period when all scientific work was done in Latin.

Some of the adjectives have a similar noun form, which acts as an alternative noun.

Colloquial spoken English sometimes forms adjectives by adding an -ish or -y (pronounced as the "ee" in "free") ending to nouns: something that tastes of apples may be described as appley or (less commonly) appleish; something that tastes of butter, buttery. Most of these formations are not standard insofar as they are not usually included in dictionaries, but will be readily understood.

Here is the list in the format:

The list, sorted by adjectives:






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