Some words tell us more about a thing. They are called describing words. Let us become word painters!
What is an adjective?
An adjective is a describing word. It tells us more about a noun (a person, animal, place or thing).
An adjective can tell us:
- how it looks: pretty, shiny
- how it feels: soft, hot, happy, sad
- its size: big, small, tall
- its colour: red, green, yellow
- how many: one, two, three
- how it moves: fast, slow
big · small · tall · happy · sad · fast · red · soft
Look and say
Read each one. The describing word is in bold.
The big mango.
The happy dog.
The tall coconut tree.
The small red car.
The fast bike.
Activity A: Picture puzzle
Finish the sentence with a word from the box.
happy · tall · fast · small · big · sad
- 🐘 The elephant is ___.
- 🐭 The mouse is ___.
- 🦒 The giraffe is ___.
- 🐇 The rabbit is ___.
Play the game below to check. Then try Find the adjective (Activity C).
TRY ITDescribing word games
Choose a game. Look at the picture and tap the right word.
Activity B: Describe a monster
- Draw your own monster on paper.
- Write 3 to 5 describing words for it. For example: big, green, hairy, funny, three-eyed.
- Write two sentences about it.
For example: “My monster is big and green.” “It has three funny eyes.”
Activity C: Find the adjective
Circle (or tap in the game above) the describing word.
1. The cat is soft.
Show answer
soft
2. I have a red ball.
Show answer
red
3. The sun is hot.
Show answer
hot
4. Granny has a sweet mango.
Show answer
sweet
5. The sad boy cried.
Show answer
sad
Quick check
1. What is an adjective?
Show answer
A describing word. It tells us more about a noun.
2. Say a describing word for a coconut tree.
Show answer
For example: tall, green.
3. Make it better: “The dog ran.”
Show answer
For example: The big brown dog ran.
Words to know
Say these words with a grown-up. Can you use each one in a sentence?
adjective · describing word · noun · size · colour · feel
Parents’ corner
- I spy with describing words: “I spy something round and yellow.” Take turns.
- At the market: pick a fruit and describe it together: “This pineapple is big, prickly and sweet.”
- Adjective of the day: choose one word (for example “shiny”) and find things that match it all day.
For parents and teachers
After this lesson, your child should be able to:
- say what a describing word (adjective) is
- pick describing words for size, colour, feel and how many
- find the describing word in a short sentence
- use describing words to make their own sentences more interesting
Answer key
Activity A: elephant – big, mouse – small, giraffe – tall, rabbit – fast.
Activity C: soft, red, hot, sweet, sad.
Activity B: answers will vary.
Previous: Media All Around Us and Colours That Feel
Next: Verbs: Action Words
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