Adjective Order for Physical Descriptions: The Royal Order Explained

English adjectives follow a conventional sequence (the "Royal Order"). For physical descriptions:

1. Quantity/Number: one, two, several
2. Opinion/Quality: beautiful, handsome, striking
3. Size: tall, petite, heavyset
4. Shape: oval, angular, pear-shaped
5. Age: young, middle-aged, youthful
6. Color: blonde, hazel-eyed, olive-skinned
7. Texture/Material: silky-haired, smooth-skinned, curly-haired
8. Condition/State: fit, toned, radiant, weary
9. Origin/Proper adjective: Irish, Nordic (if relevant)
10. Purpose/Qualifier: running shoes (not for people)

Example

"A tall, slender, young, blonde, blue-eyed, radiant woman." (Size → Shape → Age → Color → Condition)

Flexibility

Opinion adjectives can move for emphasis ("A striking tall woman" vs. "A tall striking woman"). Commas separate coordinate adjectives (same category).