Attributive
/əˈtrɪbjətɪv/adjective
Describing an adjective which is used before a noun, within the noun phrase itself.
In the phrase 'A red ball', 'red' is an attributive adjective.
Often appears as...
- 'attributive adjective'
- 'attributive position'
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Location Matters
Attributive adjectives always come directly before the noun they describe in English.
In 'the blue sky,' 'blue' is attributive to 'sky.'
Pro Tip 2/3Adjectives Only
'Attributive' is not for verbs or adverbs; it's specific to adjectives used with nouns.
'Big' in 'big computer' is attributive, but 'quickly' in 'runs quickly' is not.
Pro Tip 3/3No Commas Needed
Do not use commas between attributive adjectives and the nouns they modify.
We say 'a cold, dark night,' not 'a cold, dark, night.'
Compare with
characterizedefinedescriptivedesignateidentifymarkqualifyspecify
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