Adjective vocabulary: agreement before comparison
Learn this complete reference set, recall meanings and construction clues, then apply the grammar in original short practice.
Exam scope and assessment notes
Original teaching foundations for the 2026–2028 syllabus. Six prescribed texts have passage-specific sequences; all 693 printed vocabulary rows have been reconciled into 692 distinct records, with additional number, comparison and compound-verb practice. Linked teaching and lexical self-checks do not certify mastery. Complete line-by-line annotation, further translation and scansion practice, qualified Latin-teacher review, full timed papers and human marking remain outstanding. Open the assigned edition alongside these lessons: public ancient texts can differ in spelling, punctuation or editorial readings from the prescribed prose anthology. Practice explanations are formative, not Cambridge questions, marks or predicted grades. Cambridge has announced withdrawal; the last assessment is June 2028, in administrative zones 3, 4, 5 and 6 only. Confirm entry with your centre.
Before you begin
- Identify noun, verb and clause roles
- Recall the whole dictionary record rather than only its first spelling
Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.
Quick readiness check
What does a dictionary meaning fail to establish on its own?
What you will learn
- Match adjectival meaning with gender, number and case
- Recognise indeclinable quantities and comparison exceptions
Read the form, recall the meaning, then check the construction
Use the reference list to learn, then hide the meanings in recall practice. The usage note explains a grammatical clue or limit. Self-check labels do not award a grade or certify mastery.
84 of 84 entries shown · 0 marked for another review in this practice
acer, acris, acreAdjective
keen, fierce
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
aeger, -gra, -grumAdjective
ill, sick
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
altus, -a, -umAdjective
high, deep
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
aptus, -a, -umAdjective
suitable, appropriate
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
atrox, atrocis m. f. n.Adjective
harsh, terrible
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
attonitus, -a, -umAdjective
astonished
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
audax, audacis m. f. n.Adjective
bold
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
barbarus, -a, -umAdjective
barbarian
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
benignus, -a, -umAdjective
kind
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
bonus, -a, -umAdjective
good
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
brevis, -is, -eAdjective
short
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
callidus, -a, -umAdjective
clever, cunning
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
carus, -a, -umAdjective
dear
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
celer, -is, -eAdjective
swift, fast
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
certus, -a, -umAdjective
certain, definite
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
contentus, -a, -umAdjective
satisfied, happy, content
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
crudelis, -is, -eAdjective
cruel
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
difficilis, -is, -eAdjective
difficult
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
dignus, -a, -um + abl.Adjective
worthy, deserving (of)
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force. The record specifically highlights a abl. construction; check that governed case.
diligens, -ntis m. f. n.Adjective
diligent, hard-working
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
dirus, -a, -umAdjective
awful, dreadful
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
dives, divitis m. f. n.Adjective
rich, wealthy
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
dubius, -a, -umAdjective
doubtful
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
durus, -a, -umAdjective
hard, harsh
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
extremus, -a, -umAdjective
furthest, last
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
facilis, -is, -eAdjective
easy
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
felix, felicis m. f. n.Adjective
lucky, happy
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
ferox, ferocis m. f. n.Adjective
fierce
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
fessus, -a, -umAdjective
tired
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
fidelis, -is, -eAdjective
faithful, loyal
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
fortis, -is, -eAdjective
brave
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
gravis, -is, -eAdjective
heavy, severe, important
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
idoneus, -a, -umAdjective
suitable
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
ignavus, -a, -umAdjective
lazy, cowardly
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
infelix, infelicis m. f. n.Adjective
unlucky
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
ingens, -ntis m. f. n.Adjective
huge, enormous
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
inimicus, -a, -umAdjective
hostile, unfriendly
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
insanus, -a, -umAdjective
mad, insane
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
insignis, -is, -eAdjective
distinguished, remarkable
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
invitus, -a, -umAdjective
reluctant, unwilling
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
iratus, -a, -umAdjective
angry
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
iustus, -a, -umAdjective
just, right
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
laetus, -a, -umAdjective
happy
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
latus, -a, -umAdjective
broad, wide
Check the forms: latus, lateris is a side; latus, -a, -um is the adjective broad.
liber, libera, liberumAdjective
free
Check the forms: liber, libri is a book; liber, libera, liberum is free. English meaning cannot be decided by the headword alone.
longus, -a, -umAdjective
long
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
magnus, -a, -umAdjective
large, great
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
malus, -a, -umAdjective
bad
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
medius, -a, -umAdjective
middle, the middle of
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
mirabilis, -is, -eAdjective
wonderful, amazing
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
miser, misera, miserumAdjective
wretched, unfortunate
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
multus, -a, -umAdjective
much, many
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
necesseAdjective
necessary
An indeclinable predicate word, often with esse. Do not invent masculine, feminine and neuter agreement forms.
novus, -a, -umAdjective
new
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
omnis, -is, -eAdjective
all, every
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
parvus, -a, -umAdjective
small
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
pauci, -ae, -aAdjective
few, a few
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
pauper, pauperis m. f. n.Adjective
poor, a poor person
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
perterritus, -a, -umAdjective
terrified
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
plenus, -a, -umAdjective
full
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
proximus, -a, -umAdjective
nearest, next
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
prudens, prudentis m. f. n.Adjective
wise, sensible
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
publicus, -a, -umAdjective
public
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
pulcher, pulchra, pulchrumAdjective
beautiful
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
reliquus, -a, -umAdjective
remaining, the rest of
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
Romanus, -a, -umAdjective
Roman
The adjective means Roman and agrees with a noun; the separate masculine noun identifies a Roman person.
sacer, sacra, sacrumAdjective
holy
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
saevus, -a, -umAdjective
savage, fierce
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
sapiens, sapientis m. f. n.Adjective
wise
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
scelestus, -a, -umAdjective
wicked
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
similis, -is, -eAdjective
like, similar
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
stultus, -a, -umAdjective
stupid
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
subitus, -a, -umAdjective
sudden
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
summus, -a, -umAdjective
highest, greatest
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
superbus, -a, -umAdjective
proud
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
talis, -is, -eAdjective
such, of such a kind
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
tantus, -a, -umAdjective
so large, so great
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
tot (indeclinable)Adjective
so many
An indeclinable quantity word: retain its form while the counted noun has its own case and number.
tristis, -is, -eAdjective
sad, mournful, gloomy
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
tutus, -a, -umAdjective
safe
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
utilis, -is, -eAdjective
useful
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
verus, -a, -umAdjective
true
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
vetus, veteris m. f. n.Adjective
old
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
vivus, -a, -umAdjective
alive, living
Choose a form agreeing with the noun in gender, number and case. Similar spelling or a shared declension is not enough; comparison may change the force.
Distinguish description and role
Altus can describe height or depth according to what it modifies; gravis can suggest weight, seriousness or importance. A dictionary gives possible senses, not permission to choose any one without the noun and context. Agreement connects the description to its noun even when the words are separated.
An adjective and noun need not share a declension: puella fortis is a feminine nominative singular noun and agreeing third-declension adjective. Matching the last letters alone would be a weaker test than matching the grammatical features.
Read exceptional records
Comparatives and superlatives change degree and can use irregular stems, developed in the comparison lesson. Plural pauci means few and should not be made a singular adjective without evidence. Tot is an indeclinable quantity expression, while necesse is an indeclinable predicate word; do not invent agreement endings for them.
Dignus highlights an ablative construction and is an adjective, not a preposition just because it has a governed-case note. Distinguish adjectives used as descriptions, substantive uses and expressions involving a complement. The listed form is a starting point for analysis.
Sources for this lesson
Pause and explain
Must agreeing nouns and adjectives always have identical endings?
Worked example
Explain original ‘Puella fortis venit’.
Show the worked solution
- Puella is feminine nominative singular.
- Fortis can agree in those features.
- Venit requires context for present versus perfect without vowel marking.
Answer The phrase identifies a brave girl, with fortis agreeing despite the different noun/adjective endings. The verb's time needs its form and context; adjective agreement does not decide that separate ambiguity.
Try a topic test
Choose Easy, Normal or Difficult. Save your answers and open worked review after finishing.
Test this topic →From guided practice to a new situation
Write your answer and reasoning first. Use a hint only if you are stuck. The model solution is for self-checking; your written work is not automatically marked.
Guided: Match ‘milites fortes’ by grammar.
Give me a hint
Use masculine nominative plural in this phrase.
Compare my reasoning
- Milites is the plural noun.
- Fortes supplies an agreeing plural description.
- Translate soldiers as brave.
The phrase can mean brave soldiers with matching masculine nominative plural features. The match is grammatical rather than based on the words sharing the same dictionary ending.
Look for these in your work
- Identifies noun
- Checks features
- Translates description
Independent: Compare adjective latus with noun latus, lateris.
Give me a hint
The complete record identifies the kind.
Compare my reasoning
- Adjective forms describe breadth.
- The genitive lateris identifies the noun side.
- Check the sentence's agreement and role.
The adjective latus means broad, whereas latus, lateris names a side. Their shared headword requires the other forms and syntax to distinguish the meaning.
Look for these in your work
- Uses forms
- Separates kinds
- Uses syntax
Application: A learner builds a new ending for tot to agree with a noun. Explain why it is unsupported.
Give me a hint
The record is indeclinable.
Compare my reasoning
- Identify the invariant quantity word.
- Leave its form unchanged.
- Read the counted noun's own case and number.
Tot does not acquire a new agreeing ending in this use. The noun still has its required case and number, but an invented tot-form is not justified by the general adjective agreement rule.
Look for these in your work
- Uses indeclinability
- Preserves form
- Checks noun
Common mistakes
- Matching only identical endings
- Inventing forms of tot or necesse
- Making dignus a preposition
What can you explain now?
Must agreeing nouns and adjectives always have identical endings?
Compare with the explanation
No
Gender, number and case agree even when declensions and endings differ.
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Make it stick
Must agreeing nouns and adjectives always have identical endings?
If you needed the solution, close it and solve the problem again from a blank page. A correct answer is stronger when you can explain the reason for each step.