Adjective Collocations in English

Adjective Collocations in English (100+ Examples for B2–C1)

Learning and using collocations can speed up your language acquisition by teaching you the “chunks” of speech that native speakers use. Rather than constructing phrases from scratch, knowing these fixed combinations helps you communicate more naturally and with greater detail. Many learner’s dictionaries and language resources feature dedicated sections on collocations because they are so vital to fluency. Let’s look at some commonly used adjective collocations.

Descriptive Adjective Collocations

Collocation	Meaning	Example sentence
Breathtaking view	a scenery so impressive or beautiful that it takes your breath away.	We reached the hilltop at sunrise and were rewarded with a breathtaking view of the valley below.
Stunning beauty	an appearance or object that is remarkably attractive or strikingly beautiful.	The garden in full bloom revealed a stunning beauty that captivated every visitor.
Glittering surface	a surface that sparkles or shines brightly, often due to light reflecting off it.	The lake’s glittering surface under the midday sun made the whole scene look magical.
Immaculate condition	describes something kept in perfect, spotlessly clean or unspoiled condition.	Despite its age, the antique table was preserved in immaculate condition, as if it were brand new.
Rugged terrain	land that is rough, uneven, or steep, often challenging to traverse.	Our trek through the rugged terrain of the national park taught us both resilience and appreciation for nature’s wild beauty.
Silky smooth	a texture that is exceptionally smooth and soft, reminiscent of silk.	The fabric of the gown was silky smooth to the touch, adding an extra layer of luxury to the outfit.
Pristine wilderness	an area of nature that remains untouched, pure, and in its original state.	They spent the summer camping in the pristine wilderness, far from the hum of city life.
Vibrant colours	colours that are bright, lively, and full of energy; often used to describe a lively scene.	The festival was a feast for the eyes, with vibrant colours adorning every corner of the celebration.
Dense fog	fog that is thick and heavy, greatly reducing visibility.	Driving in the early morning, we encountered dense fog that blurred the outlines of nearby trees.
Sparkling clean	describes something so clean that it seems to shine or sparkle.	After the deep cleaning session, the entire house looked sparkling clean and inviting.
Massive structure	an enormous or imposing building or construction, emphasising its sheer scale.	The ancient fortress stood as a massive structure, a testament to the engineering skills of its time.
Delicate features	fine, subtle physical details that often convey a sense of grace or fragility.	The artist’s portrait captured her delicate features with exquisite attention to detail.

Opinion-based adjective collocations

In these combinations, the adjective expresses a judgment or assessment, often relating to success, mistakes, or experiences.

Collocation	Meaning	Example sentence
Remarkable achievement	an accomplishment that stands out because of its excellence or significance.	Her remarkable achievement in sustainable design earned her international recognition.
Outstanding performance	a performance that is exceptionally good and leaves a lasting impression.	The actor’s outstanding performance in the play captivated the entire audience.
Disappointing outcome	a result that fails to live up to expectations or hopes.	Despite high hopes, the project ended with a disappointing outcome that left the team disheartened.
Inspiring vision	a forward-looking idea or plan that motivates and excites others.	The leader shared an inspiring vision of a greener future that energised the company.
Astounding breakthrough	a discovery or development that is surprising and significantly impactful.	The research lab celebrated an astounding breakthrough in renewable energy technology.
Appalling behavior	actions or conduct that shock or dismay due to their severity or moral shortcomings.	The public condemned the politician’s appalling behaviour during the debate.
Overwhelming support	a degree of backing or approval that is so strong it’s hard to ignore.	The new policy received overwhelming support from the community, ensuring its swift adoption.
Controversial decision	a choice that sparks debate and is likely to be criticised by different groups.	The board’s controversial decision to restructure the company division incited heated discussions.
Impressive display	a demonstration or presentation that is notably excellent and praiseworthy.	The athlete’s impressive display of skill during the finals left spectators in awe.
Heartwarming story	a narrative that evokes strong, positive emotions and touches the heart.	The documentary’s heartwarming story of community resilience inspired viewers worldwide.
Unforgettable experience	an event or moment so meaningful that it remains vivid in memory.	Visiting the ancient ruins was an unforgettable experience that deepened my appreciation for history.

Sensory and experiential adjective collocations

These adjectives evoke sensory impressions or describe experiences that impact our feelings.

Collocation	Meaning	Example sentence
Vivid imagery	extremely clear, detailed pictures in one’s mind; language that paints a strong visual impression.	The novel’s vivid imagery brought the enchanted forest to life, making every tree and stream leap from the pages.
Intoxicating aroma	a smell so alluring and compelling that it captivates the senses.	As soon as I entered the bakery, the intoxicating aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls filled the air.
Soothing melody	a gentle, calming tune that eases tension and relaxes the listener.	Late in the evening, a soothing melody drifted from the living room, lulling everyone into a state of calm.
Velvety texture	a surface quality that is exceptionally smooth and soft, reminiscent of velvet.	The custard had a velvety texture that made every spoonful feel indulgently luxurious.
Lush landscape	a richly abundant and vibrant natural scene, often full of greenery and life.	The countryside stretched out before us as a lush landscape, dotted with wildflowers and towering trees.
Deafening silence	an overwhelming quietness that feels almost as forceful as a loud noise; a silence heavy with unspoken meaning.	After the sudden news, a deafening silence fell over the room that communicated more than words ever could.
Burning sensation	a feeling of heat or irritation on the skin, often likened to a mild burn.	The spicy salsa left a burning sensation on my tongue that was both painful and oddly satisfying.
Refreshing breeze	a cool and invigorating flow of air that awakens the senses and provides relief on a warm day.	While hiking on the hot trail, a refreshing breeze offered a welcome break and renewed my energy.
Mesmerising view	a sight so captivating that it holds your gaze and fills you with wonder.	Perched on the cliff, we admired the mesmerising view of the sun setting over the endless ocean.
Exhilarating experience	an event or activity that fills one with intense excitement and joy, often leaving a lasting impression.	Skydiving proved to be an exhilarating experience that left my heart racing and my spirit soaring.
Subtle fragrance	a light, gentle scent that is noticeable without being overpowering; often evokes a delicate mood.	The subtle fragrance of jasmine in the evening air created an atmosphere of serene elegance around the garden party.
Tactile sensation	A physical feeling experienced through touch, emphasising texture or material quality.	Walking barefoot on the dewy grass provided a tactile sensation that connected me deeply with nature.

Fixed or idiomatic adjective collocations

Certain adjective-noun pairs have become standard through habitual use, even if the connection is not strictly logical. They just “sound right” to native speakers.

Collocation	Meaning	Example sentence
Dead serious	completely serious; not joking or exaggerating in the slightest.	When he announced his resignation, he was dead serious about leaving the company.
Dead wrong	absolutely incorrect; completely mistaken with no room for doubt.	Her prediction about the outcome was dead wrong, as the event unfolded in an entirely different way.
Dead calm	utterly still; used especially to describe water or weather conditions with no wind or movement at all.	The lake was dead calm in the early morning light, creating a mirror-like reflection of the sky.
Raring to go	extremely eager and ready to start an activity.	After the long break, the athletes were raring to go for the final race of the tournament.
Wide awake	fully alert, not at all sleepy or drowsy.	Even after a huge meal, he stayed wide awake, chattering away about his plans for the day.
Flat broke	completely without money; entirely out of cash.	After paying off all his bills, he found himself flat broke until his next paycheck arrived.
Hell-bent	determined to do something regardless of the risk or consequences.	She’s hell-bent on launching her startup, even if it means taking big financial risks.
Hard as nails	extremely tough; not easily affected by emotion, criticism, or hardship.	Despite the setbacks, his hard-as-nails attitude kept the team motivated during the crisis.
Old-school	Traditional or nostalgic, preferring methods or styles from the past over modern alternatives.	He runs his business in an old-school manner, relying on face-to-face meetings rather than digital communications.
Wild-eyed	exhibiting a look of intense excitement, passion, or even madness—often suggesting a willingness to take risks.	The wild-eyed entrepreneur captivated the investors with his bold, unconventional ideas.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are adjective collocations in English?

Adjective collocations are common adjective + noun combinations that native speakers naturally use, such as “strong argument” or “heavy rain.”

Why are collocations important in English?

Collocations help learners speak and write more naturally because they reflect how words typically combine in real English.

Are adjective collocations important for B2 and C1 exams?

Yes. Using natural collocations improves your lexical range and can increase your score in Cambridge exams.

How can I learn collocations faster?

Learn them in chunks, read widely, and practise using them in sentences instead of memorising single words.

Adjective Collocations in English

Published by My Lingua Academy on 4 Jun 20254 Jun 2025