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

NOTE: We usually use no more than three adjectives preceding a noun.

1. Opinion

   Example: an interesting book, a boring lecture

2. Dimension

   Example: a big apple, a thin wallet

3. Age

   Example: a new car, a modern building, an ancient ruin

4. Shape

   Example: a square box, an oval mask, a round ball

5. Color

   Example: a pink hat, a blue book, a black coat

6. Origin

   Example: some Italian shoes, a Canadian town, an American car

7. Material

   Example: a wooden box, a woolen sweater, a plastic toy

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 Italian clock. (opinion - age - origin)
• A big square blue box. (dimension - shape - color)
• A disgusting pink plastic ornament. (opinion - color - material)
• Some slim new French trousers. (dimension - age - origin)