One major grammatical point when speaking, reading or writing in English are compound words. What are compound words? We are going to look at what these words are and how they are formed, as well as looking at some examples of these types of words.
What is a Compound Word?
In simple terms, a compound word is a word which is made up of two or more words, usually two words, which are put together to form a new meaning, for example ‘deck chair.’
Compound word examples:
- help desk
- hot dog
- bookstore
- classmate
- queen-size
- one-sided
- well-educated
Types of Compound Words
Compound words can fall into one of two categories, each of which has subcategories. Let’s take a closer look at these two types.
Words classified by their form
The first type are compound words which are classified by their form. There are three forms of compound words, these are open form, closed form and hyphenated form. Here is a short description of each of these forms to make them easier to understand. Each description will also have an example of the word used in a sentence.
- Open form compound words are two words which are written independently of one another, separated by a space. An example of this type of compound word would be ‘ice cream.’ Here you can see it used in a sentence ‘I brought an ice cream from the store.’
- Closed form compound words are two words which have been joined together to make a new word, they are not separated by a space and are written one right after the other. An example of this type of compound word is ‘snowman.’ Here you can see the word used in a sentence. ‘At Christmas time, when it snowed, we built a snowman.’
- A hyphenated compound word is two words which are put together and separated by a hyphen. An example of this type of compound word is ’empty-handed.’ This is an example of how the word would look in a sentence. ‘I entered the competition but I came home empty-handed as I did not win.’
Words classified by their class
The next category that compound words can fall into is the word class. There are three subcategories for this type of compound word as well. These are compound verbs, compound adjective and compound nouns. Here is a short description of each of these types of compound words and some examples to further explain how they word both on their own and in a sentence.
- Compound verbs are words which describe an action. Unlike a regular verb, a compound verb is made up of two words. Compound verbs are usually open formed. An example of a compound verb is ‘ask for.’ Here you can see the word used in a sentence. ‘I like to regularly ask for updates on the project.’
- Compound adjectives are words which are descriptive. Unlike a regular adjective, a compound adjective is made of two words. Compound adjectives are usually hyphenated. An example of a compound adjective is ‘blue-eyed.’ Here is a sentence which contains the word to show how it would work. ‘My wife and daughter are both blue-eyed.‘
- Compound nouns are words which give a name to something. Unlike regular nouns, a compound noun is made up of two words. Compound nouns are usually closed form. An example of a compound noun is ‘apple tree.’ Here is an example of a sentence which contains this compound verb. ‘In the orchard we have several apple trees and one large oak.’
Lists of Compound Words
We will now list a variety of words from each of the classifications and subcategories of compound words.
Open Form Compound Words
- full moon
- living room
- dining room
- curtain rail
- deck chair
- tea cup
- dinner plate
- serving spoon
- clothes peg
- dance hall
- seat belt
- coffee grain
- ice cube
- ice cream
- real estate
- yard sale
- hand towel
- cell phone
- high school
- middle school
- grammar school
- elementary school
- car pool
- course work
- disc drive
- common sense
- key pal
- jumping jack
- energy bar
- help desk
- hot dog
- dirt bike
- landing field
- radio waves
- rib cage
- memory stick
- report card
Closed Form Compound Words
- windfall
- baseball
- worldwide
- southeast
- sailboat
- railway
- stockbroker
- snowman
- birthday
- wildcat
- football
- peanut
- afternoon
- anytime
- blackboard
- bookstore
- classmate
- eyeball
- freelance
- gridlock
- hamburger
- jigsaw
- knighthood
- lipstick
- moonlight
- overkill
- pothole
- runway
- showoff
- strawberry
- uptown
- uproot
- wrongdoing
- workplace
- workshop
- underdog
- today
- springtime
- somehow
- rainbow
- redhead
- rattlesnake
- playground
- overpass
Hyphenated Form Compound Words
- able-bodied
- runner-up
- clean-cut
- follow-up
- high-tech
- close-up
- father-in-law
- king-size
- queen-size
- one-sided
- run-in
- self-concept
- tip-off
- word-of-mouth
- self-service
- three-dimensional
- well-to-do
- hush-hush
- strong-arm
- x-ray
- toss-up
- well-being
- shrink-wrap
- u-turn
- topsy-turvy
- single-minded
- merry-go-round
- short-tempered
- on-site
- off-site
- life-sized
- in-depth
Compound Verbs
- blow up
- ask out
- blow out
- add up to
- break down
- break up
- break into
- bring down
- call back
- call around
- call off
- catch up
- check in
- cheer up
- come apart
- come down with
- come about
- come around
- count on
- cross out
- come in
- do over
- drop back
- drop in
- drop down
- eat out
- end up
- fall apart
- fall back
- fall over
- fall down
- fill out
- fill up
- find out
- get along
- get across
- get in
- get out
- get over
- get back
- get away with
- give up
- give away
- give in to
- go ahead
- go after
- go around
- go back
- go into
- grow up
- grow back
- grow apart
- hang out
- keep up
- keep on top of
- let down
- log in
- log out
- look for
- look out
- make up
- make over
- pass away
- pass on
- pay back
- point out
- put down
- put away
- put back
- run out
- run into
- sort out
- sleep over
- sleep in
- switch on
- switch off
- take back
- take off
- think up
- think over
Compound Adjectives
- good-looking
- long-lasting
- English-speaking
- well-known
- part-time
- middle-aged
- well-behaved
- well looked-after
- long-haired
- sparsely-populated
- well-educated
- dimly-lit
- sought-after
- mouth-watering
- fast-moving
- time-saving
- fat-free
- full-length
- world-famous
- five-foot
- brown-eyed
- blonde-haired
- open-minded
- closed-minded
- red-coloured
- five-minute
- short-tempered
- hot-headed
- small-minded
- well-behaved
- hard-working
Compound Nouns
- eyeball
- snowman
- heartbeat
- sunrise
- raindrop
- moonlight
- myself
- grandfather
- grandmother
- grandchild
- anymore
- goldfish
- skateboard
- seaside
- sunshine
- sunset
- lifespan
- friendship
- gentleman
- cowboy
- birthday
- bookshelf
- battelfield
- chopstick
- dishwasher
- dishwater
- haircut
- earring
- landlord
- necklace
- bypass
- notebook
- houseboat
- pancake
- ladybug
- ringworm
- thunderstorm
- teardrop
- teacake
- headache
- backache
- doorbell
- toolbox
Compound Words | Infographic
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Last Updated on February 10, 2020
Every word has its own meaning. You can search for the definition of every term in the dictionary. But do you know that you can put two words together and have a brand new meaning? Of course, not all words can be put together for such a case. However, many ones are already accepted in the English language. These words are called compound words.
What Are Compound Words?
Compound words are formed when two or more words are combined to produce a new one. This newly-constructed word has its own meaning that can either be related to the base words or not.
Types of Compound Words
Open Compound Words
Open compound words remain separate when written but are used together to create a new idea. For example, “peanut” and “butter” are unrelated to each other. But when you combine them and use them as one word, you will have “peanut butter,” which is already a different noun with its own meaning.
Closed Compound Words
Closed compound words are formed by combining two fully independent words together without space in between. An example of a closed-form compound word is “grandfather,” in which “grand” and “father” are put together.
Hyphenated Compound Words
Another possible form of a compound word is the hyphenated one. From the word itself, the independent terms used are separated by a hyphen or dash. A common example is “mother-in-law.”
Compound Nouns
Compound nouns are simply compound words that act as nouns. Nouns are names of people, animals, places, things, or events. However, it does not mean that the two words comprising it should only be nouns. A compound noun can be formed by combining two nouns, an adjective and a noun, a verb and a noun, and many more.
Compound Verbs
A compound verb is also called a complex predicate. It is a multi-word compound that acts as a single verb. It can be constructed by putting together a verb and a preposition or a verb and an adverb (phrasal verbs). Auxiliary verbs that are followed by the main verb can also be considered compounds. Some other combinations that involve a verb and a non-verb word can also be considered compound verbs if they indicate action.
Compound Adjectives
Two or more words that function as one and describe a noun are called compound adjectives. Usually, they are separated by a hyphen.
List of Compound Words
Open Compound Words
- Ice cream
- Ice cream cake
- Ice cube
- Cream cheese
- Hot dog
- Corn dog
- Corned beef
- Apple pie
- Sugar plum
- Web page
- Table cloth
- Fire drill
- Fire drill
- Fire exit
- High school
- Roller coaster
- Living room
- First aid
- Full moon
- Tea cup
- Serving spoon
- Real estate
- Car pool
- Cotton bud
- Cotton ball
- Video game
- Coffee grain
- Coffee mug
- Post office
- Upper deck
- Hand towel
- Sweet tooth
- Common sense
- Dance hall
- Police officer
- Vice president
- Science fiction
- Root word
- Candy cane
- Christmas tree
- Cell membrane
- Jumping jack
- Report card
- Credit card
- Debit card
- Radio wave
- Snack house
- Coffee shop
- Bus stop
- Swimming pool
- Rubber band
- Ice hockey
- Ice skate
- Break up
- Take away
- Take out
- Break away
- Lift up
- Push down
- Pull down
- Ask out
- Ask around
- Make up
- Turn in
- Fill up
- Fill out
- Fill in
Closed Compound Words
- Basketball
- Football
- Baseball
- Worldwide
- Overpass
- Southeast
- Northeast
- Northwest
- Southwest
- Bushfire
- Mailbox
- Snowball
- Skateboard
- Sailboat
- Birthday
- Blackboard
- Everything
- Anything
- Anyone
- Everyone
- Classmate
- Schoolmate
- Playmate
- Grandmother
- Grandfather
- Granddaughter
- Grandson
- Grasshopper
- Sunflower
- Sunrise
- Sunshine
- Moonlight
- Freelance
- Eyeball
- Eyebrow
- Eyelash
- Armpit
- Playground
- Teamwork
- Stoplight
- Flashlight
- Lighthouse
- Fireman
- Rainbow
- Raindrop
- Bedroom
- Popcorn
- Keyboard
- Notepad
- Keyhole
- Keystone
- Pothole
- Bowtie
- Necktie
- Brainwash
- Proofread
- Babysit
- Horseshoe
- Highlight
- Notebook
- Bookstore
- Lipstick
- Makeup
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrush
- Airbrush
- Crosswalk
- Crossroad
- Crossover
- Nightfall
- Riverbank
- Nutcracker
- Candlelight
- Backstroke
- Hamburger
- Cheeseburger
- Sandwich
- Homesick
- Uptown
- Rattlesnake
- Workplace
- Wrongdoing
- Springtime
- Underdog
- Strawberry
- Blueberry
- Watermelon
- Pineapple
- Cupcake
Hyphenated Compound Words
- Mother-in-law
- Father-in-law
- Sister-in-law
- Brother-in-law
- Sergeant-at-arms
- Merry-go-round
- Happy-go-lucky
- Editor-in-chief
- Over-the-counter
- Up-to-date
- State-of-the-art
- Long-term
- High-speed
- Left-handed
- Right-handed
- In-depth
- Full-length
- Part-time
- Long-haired
- Sun-dried
- Breath-taking
- Self-centered
- Well-off
- Well-known
- Gift-wrap
- Follow-up
- Well-being
- Single-minded
- Knee-length
- Short-tempered
- Off-site
- Runner-up
- One-sided
- Tip-off
- Blush-on
- Sugar-free
- Ice-cold
- Far-flung
- High-rise
- Life-size
- King-size
- Warm-blooded
- Cold-blooded
- Get-together
- Next-door
A Huge List of Compound Words
Following is a list of 1000 close compound words in English
- Aboveboard
- Afterbirth
- Afterburner
- Afterglow
- Afterimage
- Afterlife
- Aftermath
- Afternoon
- Airbrush
- Aircraft
- Airfield
- Airlift
- Airline
- Airliner
- Airmail
- Airman
- Airmen
- Airplane
- Airport
- Airship
- Airtime
- Allover
- Allspice
- Alongside
- Also
- Another
- Anybody
- Anyhow
- Anymore
- Anyone
- Anyplace
- Anything
- Anytime
- Anyway
- Anywhere
- Armchair
- Armpit
- Around
- Arrowhead
- Ashtray
- Authorship
- Babysit
- Babysitter
- Backache
- Backbite
- Backbone
- Backbreaker
- Backdrop
- Backfield
- Backfire
- Background
- Backhand
- Backlash
- Backlog
- Backpack
- Backside
- Backslap
- Backslide
- Backspace
- Backspin
- Backstage
- Backstop
- Backstretch
- Backstroke
- Backtrack
- Backward
- Ballpark
- Ballroom
- Bankbook
- Bankroll
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Beachcomb
- Became
- Because
- Become
- Bedbug
- Bedclothes
- Bedrock
- Bedroll
- Bedroom
- Bellbottom
- Bellboy
- Bellhop
- Below
- Birthday
- Blackball
- Blackberries
- Blackbird
- Blackboard
- Blackjack
- Blacklist
- Blackmail
- Blackout
- Blacksmith
- Blacktop
- Bluebell
- Blueberry
- Bluebird
- Bluefish
- Bluegrass
- Blueprint
- Boardwalk
- Bodyguard
- Bodywork
- Boldface
- Bookbinder
- Bookcase
- Bookend
- Bookkeeper
- Booklet
- Bookmark
- Bookmobile
- Bookseller
- Bookshelf
- Bookstore
- Bookworm
- Bootstrap
- Bowtie
- Brainchild
- Brainstorm
- Brainwash
- Bugspray
- Bushfire
- Buttercup
- Butterfat
- Butterfingers
- Butterflies
- Buttermilk
- Butternut
- Butterscotch
- Bypass
- Cabdriver
- Cancan
- Candid
- Candlelight
- Candlestick
- Cannot
- Cardboard
- Cardsharp
- Cardstock
- Carefree
- Caretaker
- Careworn
- Carfare
- Cargo
- Carhop
- Carload
- Carpetbagger
- Carpool
- Carport
- Carrack
- Carryall
- Carsick
- Cartwheel
- Carwash
- Cattail
- Catwalk
- Caveman
- Centercut
- Cheeseburger
- Cheesecake
- Classmate
- Clockwise
- Coffeemaker
- Comeback
- Comedown
- Commonplace
- Commonwealth
- Cornball
- Cornmeal
- Cornstalk
- Cornwall
- Cottonmouth
- Cottontail
- Cottonwood
- Countdown
- Counterattack
- Counterbalance
- Counterclockwise
- Counterintelligence
- Countermeasure
- Counteroffensive
- Counterpane
- Counterpart
- Counterpoint
- Counterpoise
- Courthouse
- Courtroom
- Courtyard
- Crewcut
- Crossbow
- Crossbreed
- Crosscut
- Crossover
- Crossroad
- Crosstown
- Crosswalk
- Crossword
- Cupcake
- Dairymaid
- Daisywheel
- Daybed
- Daybook
- Daybreak
- Daydream
- Daylight
- Daytime
- Deadend
- Deadline
- Dishcloth
- Dishpan
- Dishwasher
- Dishwater
- Diskdrive
- Dogwood
- Doorstop
- Downbeat
- Downunder
- Drawbridge
- Driveway
- Duckbill
- Duckpin
- Earache
- Eardrop
- Eardrum
- Earring
- Earthbound
- Earthquake
- Earthward
- Earthworm
- Egghead
- Eggshell
- Elsewhere
- Everyone
- Everything
- Eyeball
- Eyeballs
- Eyebrow
- Eyecatching
- Eye-catching
- Eyeglasses
- Eyelash
- Eyelid
- Eyesight
- Eyewitness
- Fatherland
- Fatherless
- Firearm
- Fireball
- Fireboat
- Firebomb
- Firebox
- Firebreak
- Firecracker
- Firefighter
- Fireflies
- Firehouse
- Fireman
- Fireproof
- Firewater
- Fireworks
- Fishbowl
- Fisherman
- Fisheye
- Fishhook
- Fishlike
- Fishmonger
- Fishnet
- Fishpond
- Fishtail
- Flashlight
- Football
- Foothill
- Foothold
- Footlights
- Footlocker
- Footnote
- Footpath
- Footprints
- Footrest
- Forbearer
- Forbid
- Forearm
- Forebear
- Forecast
- Forecastle
- Foreclose
- Foreclosure
- Foredoom
- Forefather
- Forefinger
- Forefront
- Forehand
- Forehead
- Foreleg
- Foreman
- Foremost
- Forepaws
- Forerunner
- Foresee
- Foresight
- Forestall
- Forestland
- Forever
- Forget
- Forgive
- Forklift
- Format
- Fortnight
- Freelance
- Friendship
- Fruitcup
- Gearshift
- Glassmaking
- Goodbye
- Goodnight
- Grandaunt
- Grandchild
- Grandchildren
- Granddaughter
- Grandfather
- Grandmaster
- Grandmother
- Grandnephew
- Grandnieces
- Grandparent
- Grandson
- Grandstand
- Granduncle
- Grasshopper
- Graveyard
- Gumball
- Haircut
- Hamburger
- Hammerhead
- Hamstring
- Handball
- Handbook
- Handcuff
- Handgun
- Handmade
- Handout
- Headache
- Headdress
- Headhunter
- Headlight
- Headline
- Headquarters
- Hedgehop
- Heirloom
- Hellcat
- Hellhole
- Helpmate
- Helpmeet
- Hemstitch
- Henceforth
- Henchman
- Henpeck
- Hereabout
- Hereafter
- Hereby
- Herein
- Hereof
- Hereupon
- Herself
- Highball
- Highchair
- Highland
- Highlight
- Highway
- Himself
- Homemade
- Homesick
- Hometown
- Honeybee
- Honeycomb
- Honeydew
- Honeymoon
- Honeysuckle
- Hookup
- Hookworm
- Horseback
- Horsefly
- Horsehair
- Horseplay
- Horsepower
- Horseradish
- Horseshoe
- Houseboat
- Housecoat
- Household
- Housekeeper
- Housetop
- Housewife
- Housework
- However
- Ideal
- Inchworm
- Income
- Indoors
- Inflow
- Infold
- Infuse
- Infusion
- Inhale
- Inkblot
- Inkwell
- Inland
- Inmate
- Inpatient
- Inroad
- Inset
- Inside
- Intake
- Ironwork
- Itself
- Jackpot
- Jackson
- Jailbait
- Jailbird
- Jawbone
- Jawbreaker
- Jaywalk
- Jellybean
- Jellyfish
- Jerkwater
- Jerrybuild
- Jetliner
- Jetport
- Jigsaw
- Jimsonweed
- Jitterbug
- Jobholder
- Johnnycake
- Jumpshot
- Keepsake
- Keyboard
- Keyhole
- Keynote
- Keypad
- Keypunch
- Keystone
- Keystroke
- Keyway
- Keyword
- Landmark
- Landslide
- Landward
- Lapland
- Lapwing
- Larkspur
- Laughingstock
- Lawgiver
- Lawmaker
- Lawsuit
- Layman
- Layoff
- Layout
- Layover
- Leapfrog
- Lifeblood
- Lifeboat
- Lifeguard
- Lifelike
- Lifeline
- Lifelong
- Lifesaver
- Lifetime
- Lifework
- Lighthouse
- Limelight
- Limestone
- Lipstick
- Longhand
- Longhorn
- Longhouse
- Lukewarm
- Mailbox
- Mainland
- Mainline
- Mainspring
- Mainstream
- Makeup
- Matchbox
- Meadowland
- Meantime
- Meanwhile
- Moonbeam
- Moonlight
- Moonlit
- Moonscape
- Moonshine
- Moonstone
- Moonstruck
- Moonwalk
- Moreover
- Mothball
- Motherhood
- Motorcycle
- Nearby
- Necktie
- Nevermore
- Newborn
- Newfound
- Newsboy
- Newsbreak
- Newscast
- Newscaster
- Newsdealer
- Newsletter
- Newsman
- Newsmen
- Newspaper
- Newsperson
- Newsprint
- Newsreel
- Newsroom
- Newsstand
- Newsworthy
- Nightfall
- Nobody
- Noisemaker
- Northeast
- Northwest
- Notebook
- Notepad
- Noteworthy
- Nowhere
- Nursemaid
- Nutcracker
- Oneself
- Onetime
- Overabundance
- Overboard
- Overcoat
- Overflow
- Overland
- Overpass
- Overshoes
- Pacemaker
- Pancake
- Parkway
- Passbook
- Passkey
- Passover
- Passport
- Password
- Pasteboard
- Patchwork
- Pathfinder
- Pathway
- Pawnbroker
- Pawnshop
- Paycheck
- Payload
- Paymaster
- Payoff
- Payroll
- Peppermint
- Pickup
- Pineapple
- Pinhole
- Pinpoint
- Pinstripe
- Pinup
- Pinwheel
- Playback
- Playboy
- Playground
- Playhouse
- Playmate
- Playthings
- Ponytail
- Popcorn
- Postcard
- Pothole
- Proofread
- Racquetball
- Railroad
- Railway
- Rainbow
- Raincheck
- Raincoat
- Raindrop
- Rainfall
- Rainmaker
- Rainstorm
- Rainwater
- Ratline
- Ratsbane
- Rattlesnake
- Rattletrap
- Rawboned
- Rawhide
- Readywitted
- Rearmost
- Rearrange
- Rearward
- Redcap
- Redcoat
- Reddish
- Redhead
- Repairman
- Riverbank
- Riverbanks
- Rubberband
- Sailboat
- Salesclerk
- Sandbox
- Sandlot
- Sandstone
- Sandwich
- Saucepan
- Scapegoat
- Scarecrow
- Schoolbook
- Schoolboy
- Schoolbus
- Schoolhouse
- Schoolmate
- Schoolroom
- Schoolwork
- Seashore
- Setback
- Setoff
- Shadyside
- Sharecropper
- Sharpshooter
- Sheepskin
- Shipbottom
- Shipbuilder
- Shipload
- Shipwreck
- Shipyard
- Shoelace
- Shoemaker
- Shopkeeper
- Shortbread
- Shortcake
- Shotgun
- Showboat
- Showoff
- Showplace
- Showroom
- Sideburns
- Sidecar
- Sidekick
- Sideshow
- Sidewalk
- Silversmith
- Sisterhood
- Sixfold
- Skateboard
- Skintight
- Skylark
- Skylight
- Skyscraper
- Slapstick
- Slowdown
- Slumlord
- Snakeskin
- Snowball
- Snowbank
- Snowbird
- Snowdrift
- Snowshoe
- Snowshovel
- Snowstorm
- Soapstone
- Softball
- Software
- Somebody
- Someday
- Somehow
- Someone
- Someplace
- Something
- Sometime
- Sometimes
- Someway
- Somewhat
- Somewhere
- Soundproof
- Southeast
- Southwest
- Soybean
- Spacesuit
- Spacewalk
- Spearmint
- Speedboat
- Spillway
- Spokesperson
- Springtime
- Stagehand
- Standby
- Standoff
- Standout
- Standpipe
- Standpoint
- Standstill
- Starfish
- Steamboat
- Steamship
- Stepson
- Stickup
- Stockroom
- Stonewall
- Stoplight
- Stopwatch
- Storerooms
- Strawberry
- Streetcar
- Stronghold
- Subway
- Sunbaked
- Sunbathe
- Sunday
- Sundial
- Sundown
- Sunfish
- Sunflower
- Sunglasses
- Sunlit
- Sunray
- Sunrise
- Sunroof
- Sunshine
- Suntan
- Sunup
- Supercargo
- Supercharge
- Supercool
- Superego
- Superfine
- Supergiant
- Superhero
- Superhighways
- Superhuman
- Superimpose
- Superman
- Supermarket
- Supermen
- Supernatural
- Superpower
- Superscript
- Supersensitive
- Supersonic
- Superstar
- Superstrong
- Superstructure
- Supertanker
- Superweapon
- Superwoman
- Sweetheart
- Sweetmeat
- Tablecloth
- Tablespoon
- Tabletop
- Tableware
- Tadpole
- Tagalong
- Tailbone
- Tailcoat
- Tailgate
- Taillight
- Taillike
- Tailpiece
- Tailspin
- Takeoff
- Takeout
- Takeover
- Talebearer
- Taleteller
- Tapeworm
- Taproom
- Taproot
- Target
- Taskmaster
- Tattletale
- Taxicab
- Taxpayer
- Teacup
- Teammate
- Teamwork
- Teapot
- Teardrop
- Teaspoon
- Teenager
- Telltale
- Tenderfoot
- Tenderhearted
- Tenderloin
- Tenfold
- Textbook
- Themselves
- Therefore
- Throwaway
- Throwback
- Thunderbird
- Thunderbolt
- Thundershower
- Thunderstorm
- Timekeeper
- Timepieces
- Timesaving
- Timeshare
- Timetable
- Today
- Together
- Toolbox
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Toothpick
- Touchdown
- Township
- Turnabout
- Turnaround
- Turnbuckle
- Turncoat
- Turndown
- Turnkey
- Turnoff
- Turnover
- Turntable
- Typewriter
- Underachieve
- Underact
- Underage
- Underarm
- Underbelly
- Underbid
- Undercharge
- Underclothes
- Undercover
- Undercurrent
- Undercut
- Underdevelop
- Underdog
- Underesimate
- Underestimate
- Underexpose
- Underfeed
- Underfinance
- Underfoot
- Underfur
- Undergarment
- Undergird
- Undergo
- Undergraduate
- Underground
- Undergrowth
- Underhand
- Underhanded
- Underlayer
- Underlie
- Upbeat
- Upbringing
- Upcoming
- Update
- Updraft
- Upend
- Upgrade
- Upheaval
- Upheld
- Uphill
- Uphold
- Upkeep
- Upland
- Uplift
- Uplink
- Upload
- Upmarket
- Upon
- Uppercase
- Upperclassman
- Uppercut
- Uppermost
- Upright
- Uprising
- Upriver
- Uproar
- Uproot
- Upset
- Upshot
- Upside
- Upstage
- Upstairs
- Upstanding
- Upstart
- Upstate
- Upstream
- Upsurge
- Upswing
- Uptake
- Upthrust
- Uptight
- Uptime
- Uptown
- Upturn
- Upward
- Upwind
- Waistband
- Waistcoat
- Waistline
- Walkout
- Walkways
- Wallboard
- Walleyed
- Wallflower
- Wallpaper
- Wanderlust
- Wardroom
- Warehouse
- Warfare
- Warhead
- Warlike
- Warlord
- Warmblooded
- Warmhearted
- Warmonger
- Warpath
- Warplanes
- Warship
- Wartime
- Washboard
- Washbowl
- Washcloth
- Washout
- Washroom
- Washstand
- Washtub
- Wastebasket
- Wasteland
- Wastepaper
- Wastewater
- Watchband
- Watchcase
- Watchdog
- Watchmaker
- Watchman
- Watchtower
- Watchword
- Watercolor
- Watercooler
- Watercraft
- Waterfall
- Waterfowl
- Waterfront
- Waterline
- Waterlog
- Watermark
- Watermelon
- Waterpower
- Waterproof
- Waterscape
- Watershead
- Waterside
- Waterspout
- Watertight
- Waterway
- Waterwheel
- Waterworks
- Wavelength
- Wavelike
- Waxwork
- Waybill
- Wayfarer
- Waylaid
- Wayside
- Wayward
- Weathercock
- Weatherman
- Weatherproof
- Weekday
- Weekend
- Weeknight
- Whatever
- Whatsoever
- Wheelbarrow
- Wheelbase
- Wheelchair
- Wheelhouse
- Whitecap
- Whitefish
- Whitewall
- Whitewash
- Widespread
- Wipeout
- Without
- Woodshop
- Workplace
- Worldwide
- Wrongdoing
Compound Words | Images
Download English Compound Words
Compound Word List #1
|
lifetime |
elsewhere |
upside |
grandmother |
|
cannot |
baseball |
fireworks |
passport |
|
together |
become |
became |
sunflower |
|
crosswalk |
basketball |
sweetmeat |
superstructure |
|
moonlight |
football |
railroad |
rattlesnake |
|
anybody |
weatherman |
throwback |
skateboard |
|
meantime |
earthquake |
everything |
herein |
|
sometimes |
also |
backward |
schoolhouse |
|
butterflies |
upstream |
nowhere |
bypass |
|
fireflies |
because |
somewhere |
spearmint |
|
something |
another |
somewhat |
airport |
|
anyone |
today |
himself |
grasshopper |
|
inside |
themselves |
playthings |
footprints |
|
therefore |
uplift |
supergiant |
homemade |
|
without |
backbone |
scapegoat |
peppermint |
Compound Word List # 2
|
eyeballs |
longhouse |
forget |
afternoon |
|
southwest |
northeast |
alongside |
meanwhile |
|
keyboard |
whatever |
blacksmith |
diskdrive |
|
herself |
nobody |
seashore |
nearby |
|
silversmith |
watchmaker |
subway |
horseback |
|
itself |
headquarters |
sandstone |
limestone |
|
underground |
glassmaking |
riverbanks |
touchdown |
|
honeymoon |
bootstrap |
toothpick |
toothpaste |
|
dishwasher |
household |
township |
shadyside |
|
popcorn |
airplane |
pickup |
housekeeper |
|
bookcase |
babysitter |
saucepan |
lukewarm |
|
bluefish |
hamburger |
honeydew |
raincheck |
|
thunderstorm |
spokesperson |
widespread |
weekend |
|
hometown |
commonplace |
moreover |
pacemaker |
|
Compound Word List # 3 |
|||
|
supermarket supermen |
supernatural |
superpower |
|
somebody |
someday |
somehow |
someone |
|
anymore |
anyplace |
anytime |
anyway |
|
backhand |
watchdog |
backlog |
backpack |
|
backstage |
waterfall |
backtrack |
noisemaker |
|
underage |
underbelly |
underbid |
undercharge |
|
bookworm |
bookstore |
bookshelf |
bookend |
|
superscript |
supersonic |
superstar |
supersensitive |
|
bookkeeper |
bookmark |
bookmobile |
forgive |
|
forklift |
format |
fortnight |
honeycomb |
|
honeysuckle |
honeybee |
keyhole |
keynote |
|
keyway |
keyword |
lifeblood |
lifeboat |
|
lifeguard |
lifelike |
lifeline |
lifelong |
|
forefinger |
forefather |
forehand |
forehead |
|
Compound Word List # 4 |
|||
|
onetime supercargo |
supercharge |
overabundance |
|
|
backside backslap |
backspace |
backspin |
|
|
undercut underdevelop |
underdog |
underestimate |
|
|
superstrong supertanker |
superweapon |
superwoman |
|
|
underexpose underfoot |
however |
eyesight |
|
|
airfield sidekick |
crossover |
sunbathe |
|
|
anywhere anyhow |
backache |
backbite |
|
|
backbreaker backdrop |
backfire |
background |
|
|
textbook underachieve |
underact |
underarm |
|
|
keypad keypunch |
keystone |
keystroke |
|
|
upstairs softball |
uptight |
upstate |
|
|
supercool superego |
superfine |
superhero |
|
|
foreleg foreman Compound Word List # 5 |
foresee |
oneself |
|
|
washroom |
blackbird |
blackboard |
blackberries |
|
upend |
blacktop |
whitecap |
whitefish |
|
whitewall |
whitewash |
friendship |
pancake |
|
daytime |
upbringing |
upbeat |
upcoming |
|
repairman |
firefighter |
standby |
bedroom |
|
blackjack |
blacklist |
blackmail |
blackout |
|
uphill |
waterline |
upkeep |
upland |
|
firehouse |
teenager |
carpool |
bellbottom |
|
ballroom |
brainchild |
pinstripe |
bodywork |
|
upward |
upwind |
upturn |
storerooms |
|
deadline |
rainbow |
watermelon |
waterway |
|
daybreak |
daybook |
daydream |
daylight |
|
update |
upgrade |
upheaval |
upheld |
Compound Word List # 6
|
upload |
washstand |
upon |
upperclassman |
|
lifesaver |
forearm |
forbearer |
forbid |
|
carhop |
carload |
carport |
carpetbagger |
|
wastepaper |
upshot |
uplink |
upstage |
|
newspaper |
grandchild |
grandparent |
grandchildren |
|
fishpond |
fishtail |
hookup |
eyecatching |
|
taxicab |
taxpayer |
teacup |
teamwork |
|
uppercut |
uppercase |
uppermost |
uprising |
|
newsreel |
newsstand |
newsworthy |
granddaughter |
|
grandfather |
grandmaster |
grandaunt |
grandnephew |
|
upright |
uproar |
uproot |
upstart |
|
grandnieces |
grandson |
grandstand |
granduncle |
|
boldface |
bankbook |
bankroll |
dishcloth |
|
dishpan |
dishwater |
cardboard |
carefree |
|
Compound Word List # 7 |
|||
|
caretaker carsick |
carfare |
cargo |
|
|
uptake upthrust |
newsroom |
uptime |
|
|
carryall cartwheel |
wheelbase |
wheelbarrow |
|
|
washcloth fishlike |
waterproof |
fishnet |
|
|
newsdealer watershed |
newsman |
snowdrift |
|
|
intake courtyard |
overflow |
cornmeal |
|
|
underclothes overcoat |
undercover |
undercurrent |
|
takeover talebearer |
taleteller |
tapeworm |
|
|
superhuman wasteland |
superman |
superhighways |
|
|
afterlife setback |
overland |
highway |
|
|
mainland caveman |
drawbridge |
lifework |
|
|
firebomb someplace |
passbook |
passkey |
|
|
airtime firecracker |
sidewalk |
fireball |
|
|
allover notebook |
throwaway |
fireproof |
|
|
buttermilk footnote Compound Word List # 8 |
moonbeam |
Sunday |
|
|
handmade |
candlelight |
firearm |
airline |
|
crossbow |
sideshow |
software |
sunfish |
|
moonstruck |
rattletrap |
weatherproof |
earthworm |
|
schoolboy |
sweetheart |
butternut |
hereafter |
|
playback |
foothill |
eyelid |
southeast |
|
horseplay |
headache |
blueprint |
raindrop |
|
weekday |
hammerhead |
foreclose |
foreclosure |
|
slowdown |
skyscraper |
motherhood |
fatherland |
|
forecast |
highball |
forebear |
mainline |
|
slumlord |
snowball |
snakeskin |
soundproof |
|
firebreak |
aircraft |
crosscut |
railway |
|
earthward |
buttercup |
allspice |
noteworthy |
playboy footlocker handgun horsepower rainstorm bluegrass cheeseburger weeknight headlight bedrock standoff commonwealth
Compound Word List # 9
cancan fireboat airlift Passover
crossbreed sideburns sunbaked moonshine
schoolbook hereby playhouse butterfingers
footlights handbook backslide eyelash
steamship headline spillway houseboat
longhand horsehair standpipe whatsoever
foresight soybean bookseller blueberry
cheesecake raincoat thunderbolt standpoint
bedroll cardsharp bellboy brainwash
bodyguard pinhole ponytail newsboy
careworn duckpin duckbill hookworm courthouse afterimage highchair mothball
sixfold skintight skylight slapstick
snowbank standout handout eyeglasses
footrest stepson stockroom stonewall
Compound Word List # 10
sailboat watchword timesaving timeshare
salesclerk showoff sharecropper sheepskin
candlestick newsbreak newscaster newsprint
butterscotch turnabout turnaround turnbuckle
eyewitness starfish stagehand spacewalk
shoemaker turndown turnkey turnoff
horsefly comedown comeback cabdriver
bluebird tablespoon tabletop tableware stoplight sunlit sandlot snowbird
bluebell wheelhouse fishhook fishbowl
stronghold tailgate taillight taillike
pinup tailspin takeoff takeout
bellhop taproot target taskmaster
steamboat dairymaid teaspoon daisywheel
pinwheel telltale tenderfoot tenfold
Compound Word List # 11
timekeeper watchword timesaving timeshare
shoelace showoff sharecropper sheepskin
newfound newsbreak newscaster newsprint
timetable turnabout turnaround turnbuckle
sharpshooter starfish stagehand spacewalk turncoat turndown turnkey turnoff
aboveboard comedown comeback cabdriver
tablecloth tablespoon tabletop tableware
sundial sunlit sandlot snowbird
wheelchair wheelhouse fishhook fishbowl
tagalong tailgate taillight taillike
tailpiece tailspin takeoff takeout
taproom taproot target taskmaster
teammate dairymaid teaspoon daisywheel
showplace telltale tenderfoot tenfold
Compound Word List # 12
shortbread teapot timesaving timeshare
firewater airmen sharecropper sheepskin
|
moonscape |
schoolwork |
newscaster |
newsprint |
|
hereupon |
weathercock |
turnaround |
turnbuckle |
|
handcuff |
headdress |
stagehand |
spacewalk |
|
housetop |
forever |
turnkey |
turnoff |
|
tailcoat |
bedclothes |
comeback |
cabdriver |
|
upstanding |
fisheye |
tabletop |
tableware |
|
afterglow |
highland |
sandlot |
snowbird |
|
sisterhood |
skylark |
fishhook |
fishbowl |
|
waistline |
walkways |
taillight |
taillike |
|
walleyed |
wallpaper |
takeoff |
takeout |
|
wardroom |
warehouse |
target |
taskmaster |
|
warlike |
warmblooded |
teaspoon |
daisywheel |
|
warpath |
telltale |
tenderfoot |
tenfold |
Compound Word List # 13
|
around |
washbowl |
fisherman |
schoolbus |
|
ashtray |
washboard |
beachcomb |
washout |
|
blackball |
upmarket |
washtub |
wastebasket |
|
sunroof |
sundown |
snowshovel |
sunup |
|
upset |
wastewater |
superimpose |
watchband |
|
jailbait |
jetliner |
dogwood |
downbeat |
|
atchcase |
backlash |
watchman |
below |
|
jetport |
boardwalk |
jackpot |
ballpark |
|
watchtower |
timepieces |
watercolor |
watercooler |
|
gumball |
goodbye |
nevermore |
coffeemaker |
|
watercraft |
backstroke |
waterfront |
waterlog |
|
moonwalk |
woodshop |
jellyfish |
waterfowl |
|
uphold |
watermark |
fishmonger |
waterpower |
|
shipbottom |
goodnight |
nutcracker |
racquetball |
|
waterscape |
newsletter |
waterside |
waterspout |
Compound Word List # 14
|
scarecrow |
toolbox |
gearshift |
tailbone |
|
watertight |
waterworks |
waterwheel |
wavelength |
|
thunderbird |
bugspray |
overshoes |
paycheck |
|
wavelike |
warfare |
waxwork |
waybill |
|
bowtie |
crewcut |
typewriter |
jumpshot |
|
wayfarer |
waylaid |
wayward |
wayside |
|
deadend |
eardrum |
postcard |
fruitcup |
|
overboard |
jellybean |
centercut |
rubberband |
|
sunray |
clockwise |
downunder |
earache |
|
turntable |
driveway |
matchbox |
motorcycle |
|
nightfall |
graveyard |
carrack |
doorstop |
|
tadpole |
eggshell |
stopwatch |
limelight |
ironwork cattail nursemaid sunglasses
wipeout egghead eardrop earthbound
daybed earring housework haircut
Compound Word List
blowgun forethought upscale
duckweed forewarn upstroke
bowlegs foreknowledge uptown
forebrain foregone washhouse
forefeet foreshadow washrag
forefoot foretold
forego foreword
foreground grassland
butterball horseman
|
forecastle |
horseradish |
|
foremost |
moonlit |
|
forepaws |
catwalk |
|
cardstock |
newborn |
|
foredoom |
newsperson |
|
forestall |
rainwater |
There are various classes of words in the English Language ranging from nouns to prepositions. All these have been discussed in the post, Parts of Speech. However, some words are regarded as compound words. This post gives 1000 Compound Words Examples out of the several thousands of examples of compound words in English.
There is no end to how many compound words there are in English; but with these 1000 Compound Words Examples in English, though not exhaustive, you can research further on other compound words not captured here or, probably, generate your own.
Before I list the 1000 Compounds Word Examples in English, it would be great to describe compound words. The question then comes: what is a compound word? Let us proffer an answer to this important question…
What is a Compound Word?
Compound words in English are usually formed when we join two or more words together. In other, words, a compound word is the combination of two or more free morphemes to form a new word.
Compounding: A Word Formation Process
This takes us to the concept of Compounding, which is one of the word formation processes in English. Compounding takes place when two or more free morphemes that can stand severally on their own are brought together to create a new word. It could happen that the meaning of a compound word could be related to or different from the meaning or connotation it its constituent parts when considered severally.
Types of Compound Words
There are three types of compound words and these include: closed compound words, hyphenated compound words and open compound words. See more…
Closed Compound Words
In the closed compound words, the words involved are combined together. Closed compound words, most likely, are usually monosyllabic units already established in the language for a long time. Examples include: flowerpot, keyboard, notebook, bookstore, basketball, etc.
Hyphenated Compound Words
For the hyphenated compound words, a hyphen is used to join the words involved; for example: mother-in-law, merry-go-round, off-the-cuff, etc. The use of a hyphen in this instance helps to prevent ambiguity.
Open Compound Words
In the open compound words, there is a space between the compound words that are written together such as school bus, living room, carbon dioxide, snow white, blood red, etc.
What Determines Types of Compound Words
What determines if a compound word is classified as closed, hyphenated or open could depends on whether we use it as a noun, adjective or verb.
Verbs are usually open. For example:
- You must always back up the files on your computer.
- It is not good for students to carry over their courses
- Police usually follow up on a new lead.
Adjectives and nouns are usually closed or hyphenated. For instance:
- You can access backup copies of your files in case of any eventuality.
- The students had many carryovers in their courses.
- The police had already worked on the follow-up lead.
Adjective–adjective compounds, as well as, verb–verb compounds, such as blue-green and freeze-dried, are often hyphenated. Compounds that contain articles, prepositions or conjunctions, such as rent-a-cop, mother-of-pearl and salt-and-pepper, salt-and-sugar, hard-and-fast, etc. are also often hyphenated.
Longer words usually fall under the category of open compound words such as distance learning, player piano, lawn tennis, etc.
It is important to note that usage or forms of compound words in American English and British English Usage varies and is usually contingent on the individual choice of the writer rather than on a hard-and-fast rule; therefore, it is possible to encounter closed, hyphenated, and open forms for the same compound noun, such as the trio of:
- Container ship, container-ship or containership
- Particle board, particle-board or Particleboard.
Classifications of Compound Words
The constituent words in a compound word can be classified based on their Word Classes or Parts of Speech. We can call this type of classification a Syntactic Classification. The constituent words may be from similar Part of Speech or may be of different parts of speech. Let us see some examples:
Noun-Noun
This is an instance where both constituent words in the compound words are nouns. Examples include: airport, wallpaper, textbook, doorknob, waterbed, wastebasket, football, cufflinks, housewife, lawsuit, wallpaper, basketball, sodium chloride, classroom, workstation, tapeworm, crankshaft, etc.
Noun-Verb
The noun-verb compound word has a noun as the first constituent and a verb as the second constituent. For example: browbeat, sidestep, manhandle, safeguard, water borne, value-added, rocket-propelled, sunbathe, airlift, etc.
Noun-Adjective
The noun-adjective combination has a noun as the first constituent and an adjective as the second constituent. Examples include: snow white, world population, overcoat, trustworthy, blood red, handpicked, world famous, heartbroken, heart problem, prize worthy, lead strong, worldwide, lifelong, tax-free, sky blue, self-important, spoon-fed, praiseworthy, water-repellant, air-tight, bulletproof, etc.
Adjective-Noun
This is an instance where the first constituent word in the compound word is an adjective and the other one a noun. Examples include: blackboard, smartphone, whiteboard, badmouth, blue sky, red light, four wheel, full-time, long-term, etc.
Adjective-Verb
This instance is when the first constituent is an adjective while the second word in the compound word is a verb. Examples of this instance include: whitewash, blacklist, highlight, proofread, shortlist, etc.
Verb-Verb
In this instance, both constituents of the compound words are verbs. Examples include: typewrite, test-drive, freeze-dry, etc.
Verb-Noun
This is an instance where the first constituent word in the compound word is a verb and the other one a noun. Examples include: dreadnought, typewriter, breakfast, cutthroat, pickpocket, killjoy, spoilsport, know-nothing, breakwater, carrycot, etc.
Verb-Preposition
In this instance, we have a combination of a verb and a preposition forming the compound word respectively. Examples of this instance include: Roll off, roll on, stick on, walk on, stand by, walk through, see through, lay by, cut through, lookout, Work on, take down, take away, tear up, etc. Some of these examples also pass for Phrasal Verbs. You can take a look at the over 500 Phrasal Verbs discussed here.
Preposition-Noun
In this combination of compound words, we have a preposition coming first and followed by a noun. Examples of this combination include: overview, downsize, upgrade, underworld, oversight, undergraduate under-development, etc.
Preposition Noun (Phrase) Combinations
Examples of Preposition-Noun Phrase include: Off-the-record, over-the-counter, off-the-cuff, round-the-block, off-the-deep-end, off the hook, off the wall, off-your-head, off-your-own-bat, off-your-rocker, round-the-twist, round-the-corner, etc.
Preposition-Verb
This combination comprises a preposition and a verbs in the first and second constituents respectively. Examples include: overhang, counterattack, undercut, overpay, counterbalance, overrate, underlie, outrun, outvote, overreact, oversleep, overwork, undersell, undervalue, etc.
Other Combinations
There are other possible combinations like:
- Adjective-adjective (blue-green)
- Adverb-preposition (forthwith)
- Verb-adverb (tumbledown)
- Preposition-adjective (overripe, off-white)
- Verb-adverb (takeout)
- Preposition-adverb (without)
- Compound Adverbs (moreover, however, nonetheless, furthermore, meanwhile)
- Determiner-Noun Combinations or wh-forms (anyhow, somewhere, nowhere, sometimes, anytime)
You can attempt to fit the 1000 examples of compound words provided below into their appropriate combinations. I’m sure that should not be difficult for you to do.
It is also important to note that compound words in English, save for exceptions, are usually stressed on their first words.
1000 Compound Words Examples
It is really impossible to give an exhaustive list of all the compound words in English; especially, those that fall under the open class segment as there is no end to compound words that could be therein generated. But the list below contains 1000 Compound Words Examples in English. For emphasis, there are thousands of other examples. So, the list is not limited to what is provided below. Take a look…
1000 Compound Words Examples (A-D)
- Above-board
- Afterglow
- Afterimage
- Afterlife
- Afternoon
- Airbag
- Airbase
- Airborne
- Aircraft
- Airfield
- Airlift
- Airline
- Airmen
- Airplane
- Airport
- Airtight
- Airtime
- All-over
- Allspice
- Alongside
- Anybody
- Anyhow
- Anymore
- Anyone
- Anyplace
- Anytime
- Anyway
- Arm-twist
- Ashtray
- Baby bed
- Baby boom
- Baby boomers
- Baby carriage
- Baby-faced
- Babyhood
- Babyminder
- Babysit
- Babysitter
- Backache
- Backbeat
- Backbench
- Backbenchers
- Backbend
- Backbite
- Backblast
- Backbone
- Backbreaker
- Backdrop
- Backfire
- Background
- Backhand
- Backlash
- Backlog
- Backpack
- Backside
- Backslap
- Backslide
- Backspace
- Backspin
- Backstage
- Backstroke
- Backtrack
- Backward
- Ballpark
- Ballroom
- Bandwagon
- Bankbook
- Bankroll
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Beachcomb
- Bedclothes
- Bed lamp
- Bedrock
- Bedroll
- Bedroom
- bedspread
- Bellbottom
- Bellboy
- Bellhop
- Below
- Berrylike
- Billboard
- Billhook
- Bitterroot
- Bittersweet
- Bitterweed
- Bitterwood
- Blackball
- Blackberries
- Blackbird
- Blackboard
- Blackjack
- Blacklist
- Blackmail
- Blackout
- Blackpool
- Blacksmith
- Blacktop
- Blowgun
- Bluebell
- Blueberry
- Bluebird
- Bluefish
- Bluegrass
- Blueprint
- Boardwalk
- Body bag
- Body-boarding
- Body blow
- Bodybuilder
- Body hair
- Bodywork
- Bodyguard
- Bodywork
- Boldface
- Bookcase
- Bookend
- Bookkeeper
- Bookmark
- Bookmobile
- Bookseller
- Bookshelf
- Bookstore
- Bookworm
- Bootstrap
- Bowlegs
- Bowtie
- Brainchild
- Brainwash
- Brotherhood
- Brow beat
- Bugspray
- Butterball
- Buttercup
- Butterfingers
- Butterflies
- Buttermilk
- Butternut
- Butterscotch
- Bypass
- Cabdriver
- Candlelight
- Candlestick
- Candyfloss
- Candytuft
- Cardboard
- Cardsharp
- Cardstock
- Carefree
- Caretaker
- Careworn
- Carfare
- Cargo
- Carhop
- Carload
- Carpetbagger
- Carpool
- Carport
- Carrack
- Carryall
- Carsick
- Cartwheel
- Catchword
- Cattail
- Catwalk
- Caveman
- Centercut
- Cheeseburger
- Cheesecake
- Classmates
- Classroom
- Clockwise
- cocksure
- Coffeemaker
- Comeback
- Comedown
- Commonplace
- Commonwealth
- Cornmeal
- Counterattack
- Counterproductive
- Courthouse
- Courtyard
- Crewcut
- Crossbow
- Crossbreed
- Crosscut
- Crossover
- Crosswalk
- Dairymaid
- Daisywheel
- Daybed
- Daybook
- Daybreak
- Daydream
- Daylight
- Daytime
- Deadbeat
- Dead body
- Deadbolt
- Dead drop
- Dead-end
- Deadeye
- Deadfall
- Dead heat
- Dead letter
- Deadlight
- Deadline
- Dead load
- Deadlock
- Deadlocked
- Dead mail
- Dead march
- Dead metaphor
- Dickhead
- Dick test
- Dishcloth
- Dishpan
- Dishwasher
- Dishwater
- Diskdrive
- Dog-tired
- Dogwood
- Doorstop
- Double agent
- Double-barrelled
- Double-bedded
- Double bond
- Doublecross
1000 Compound Words Examples (D-N)
- Double-date
- Double-decker
- Downbeat
- Downcast
- Downcourt
- Downtime
- Downtown
- Downtrodden
- Downunder
- Drawbridge
- Driveway
- Duckbill
- Duckpin
- Duckweed
- Earache
- Eardrop
- Eardrum
- Earring
- Earthbound
- Earthquake
- Earthward
- Earthworm
- Egghead
- Eggshell
- Elsewhere
- Everything
- Extraordinary
- Eyeballs
- Eyebath
- Eyebeam
- Eye-catching
- Eyeglasses
- Eyelash
- Eyelid
- Eyesight
- Eyewitness
- Fatherhood
- Fatherland
- Firearm
- Fireball
- Fireboat
- Firebomb
- Firebreak
- Firecracker
- Firefighter
- Fireflies
- Firehouse
- Fireproof
- Firewater
- Fishbowl
- Fisherman
- Fisheye
- Fishhook
- Fishlike
- Fishmonger
- Fishnet
- Fishpond
- Fishtail
- Football
- Foothill
- Footlights
- Footlocker
- Footnote
- Footprint
- Footprints
- Footrest
- Footwear
- Forbearer
- Forbid
- Forebode
- Forearm
- Forebear
- Forebrain
- Forecast
- Forecastle
- Foreclose
- Foreclosure
- Foredoom
- Forefather
- Forefeet
- Forefinger
- Forefoot
- Forego
- Foregone
- Foreground
- Forehand
- Forehead
- Foreknowledge
- Foreleg
- Foreman
- Foremost
- Forepaws
- Foresee
- Foreshadow
- Foresight
- Forestall
- Forethought
- Foretell
- Foretold
- Forever
- Forewarn
- Foreword
- Forget
- Forgive
- Forklift
- Format
- Fortnight
- Friendship
- Fruitcup
- Gearshift
- Glassmaking
- Goodbye
- Goodnight
- Grandaunt
- Grandchild
- Grandchildren
- Granddaughter
- Grandfather
- Grandmaster
- Grandmother
- Grandnephew
- Grandnieces
- Grandparent
- Grandson
- Grandstand
- Granduncle
- Grasshopper
- Grassland
- Graveyard
- Gumball
- Haircut
- Hamburger
- Hammerhead
- Handbook
- Handcuff
- Handgun
- Handmade
- Handout
- Headache
- Headdress
- Headlight
- Headline
- Headquarters
- Heaven-sent
- Heavenward
- Helpdesk
- Helpline
- Helpmate
- Hereafter
- Hereby
- Herein
- Hereupon
- Herself
- Highball
- Highchair
- Highland
- Highway
- Himself
- Homemade
- Hometown
- Honeybee
- Honeybees
- Honeycomb
- Honeycreeper
- Honeydew
- Honeymoon
- Honeypot
- Honeysuckle
- Hookup
- Hookworm
- Horseback
- Horsefly
- Horsehair
- Horseman
- Horseplay
- Horsepower
- Horseradish
- hotbed
- hothead
- Houseboat
- Household
- Housekeeper
- Housetop
- Housework
- However
- Intake
- Interstate
- Ironwork
- Itself
- Jackpot
- Jailbait
- Jellybean
- Jellyfish
- Jetliner
- Jetport
- Jumpshot
- Jumpstart
- Keyboard
- Keyhole
- Keynote
- Keypad
- Keypunch
- Keystone
- Keystroke
- Keyway
- Keyword
- Lacklustre
- Lifeblood
- Lifeboat
- Lifebuoy
- Lifeguard
- Lifejacket
- Lifelike
- Lifeline
- Lifelong
- Lifesaver
- Lifestyle
- Lily-livered
- Lifetime
- Lifework
- Limelight
- Limestone
- Longhand
- Longhouse
- Lukewarm
- Mainland
- Mainline
- Matchbox
- Meantime
- Meanwhile
- Moneybag
- Moneylender
- Moonbeam
- Moonflower
- Moonlight
- Moonlit
- Moonscape
- Moonshine
- Moonstruck
- Moonwalk
- Moorfields
- Moorfowl
- Moorland
- Mopboard
- Moreover
- Mothball
- Motherhood
- Motorcycle
- Nearby
1000 Compound Words Examples (N-S)
- Nevermore
- Newborn
- Newfound
- Newsboy
- Newsbreak
- Newscaster
- Newsdealer
- Newsletter
- Newsman
- Newspaper
- Newsperson
- Newsprint
- Newsreel
- Newsroom
- Newsstand
- Newsworthy
- Nightfall
- Noisemaker
- Northeast
- Notebook
- Noteworthy
- Nowhere
- Nursemaid
- Nutcracker
- Offbeat
- Off-record
- Oilbird
- Oilcan
- Oilcloth
- Oilfield
- Oilman
- Oil-rich
- Oneself
- Onetime
- Outbalance
- Outbid
- Outboard
- Outdoor
- Outflank
- Outflow
- Outlive
- Outnumber
- Overabundance
- Overboard
- Overcoat
- Overflow
- Overland
- Overshoes
- Overview
- Pacemaker
- Pancake
- Passbook
- Passkey
- Passover
- Paycheck
- Peppermint
- Pickup
- Pinhole
- Pinstripe
- Pinup
- Pinwheel
- Pipe-borne
- Play-actor
- Playback
- Playbill
- Playbook
- Playboy
- Play day
- Play dough
- Playground
- Playhouse
- Playthings
- Ponytail
- Popcorn
- Postcard
- Poverty grass
- Poverty level
- Poverty line
- Poverty trap
- Poverty-stricken
- Priesthood
- Punchbag
- Punchboard
- Punchbowl
- Racquetball
- Railroad
- Railway
- Rainbow
- Raincheck
- Raincoat
- Raindrop
- Rainstorm
- Rainwater
- Rattlesnake
- Rattletrap
- Repairman
- Riverbanks
- Rollerblade
- Rollercoaster
- Roller-skating
- Rubberband
- Sailboat
- Salesclerk
- Sand dune
- Sandlot
- Sandstone
- Saucepan
- Scapegoat
- Scarecrow
- Schoolbook
- Schoolboy
- Schoolbus
- Schoolhouse
- Schoolwork
- Seaport
- Seashore
- Setback
- Shadyside
- Sharecropper
- Sharpshooter
- Sheepskin
- Shipbottom
- Shoelace
- Shoemaker
- Shortbread
- Showoff
- Showplace
- Sideburns
- Sidekick
- Sideline
- Sideshow
- Sidestep
- Sidetrack
- Sidewalk
- Silver age
- Silver ash
- Silver beech
- Silver bell
- Silver berry
- Silver-blue
- Silver-bodied
- Silver bromide
- Silver-bush
- Silver cord
- Silver dollar
- Silver fern
- Silver fir
- Silverfish
- Silver grass
- Silver-gray
- Silver-green
- Silver-haired
- Silversmith
- Sisterhood
- Sixfold
- Skateboard
- Skintight
- Skylark
- Skylight
- Skyscraper
- Slapstick
- Slowdown
- Slumlord
- Smartphone
- Snakeskin
- Snowball
- Snowbank
- Snowbird
- Snowboard
- Snowdrift
- Snowfall
- Snowflakes
- Snowshovel
- Softball
- Software
- Somebody
- Someday
- Somehow
- Someone
- Someplace
- Something
- Sometimes
- Somewhat
- Somewhere
- Soulmate
- Soundproof
- Southeast
- Southwest
- Soybean
- Spacewalk
- Spearmint
- Spillway
- Spokesperson
- Stagehand
- Stage-manage
- Standby
- Standoff
- Standout
- Standpipe
- Standpoint
- Starfish
- Steamboat
- Steamship
- Stepson
- Stockroom
- Stonewall
- Stoplight
- Stopwatch
- Storerooms
- Stronghold
- Subway
- Sunbaked
- Sunbathe
- Sunbeams
- Sunbelt
- Sunberry
- Sunblock
- Sunburn
- Sunday
- Sundial
- Sundown
- Sunfish
- Sunflower
- Sunglasses
- Sunlit
- Sunrays
- Sunroof
- Sunup
- Supercargo
- Supercharge
1000 Compound Words Examples (S-W)
- Supercool
- Superego
- Superfine
- Supergiant
- Superhero
- Superhighways
- Superhuman
- Superimpose
- Superman
- Supermarket
- Supermen
- Supernatural
- Superpower
- Superscript
- Supersensitive
- Supersonic
- Superstar
- Superstrong
- Superstructure
- Supertanker
- Superweapon
- Superwoman
- Sweetheart
- Sweetmeat
- Swift-footed
- Swordfish
- Tablecloth
- Tablespoon
- Tabletop
- Tableware
- Tadpole
- Tagalong
- Tailbone
- Tailcoat
- Tailgate
- Taillight
- Taillike
- Tailpiece
- Tailspin
- Takeoff
- Takeout
- Takeover
- Talebearer
- Taleteller
- Tapeworm
- Taproom
- Taproot
- Taskmaster
- Taxicab
- Taxpayer
- Teacup
- Teammate
- Teamwork
- Teapot
- Teaspoon
- Teenager
- Telltale
- Tenderfoot
- Tenfold
- Textbook
- Themselves
- Therefore
- Throwaway
- Throwback
- Thunderbird
- Thunderbolt
- Thunderclap
- Thundercloud
- Thunderflash
- Thunderhead
- Thundershower
- Thunderstorm
- Thunderstruck
- Timekeeper
- Timepieces
- Timesaver
- Timesaving
- Timeshare
- Timetable
- Tonguefish
- Tongue-lash
- Toolbox
- Toothpaste
- Toothpick
- Touchdown
- Township
- Turnabout
- Turnaround
- Turnbuckle
- Turncoat
- Turndown
- Turnkey
- Turnoff
- Turntable
- Typewrite
- Typewriter
- Underachieve
- Underact
- Underage
- Underarm
- Underbelly
- Underbid
- Undercharge
- Underclothes
- Undercover
- Undercurrent
- Undercut
- Underdevelop
- Underdog
- Underestimate
- Underexpose
- Underfoot
- Underground
- Upbeat
- Upbringing
- Upcoming
- Upcourt
- Update
- Upend
- Upgrade
- Upheaval
- Upheld
- Uphill
- Uphold
- Upkeep
- Upland
- Uplift
- Uplink
- Upload
- Upmarket
- Uppercase
- Upperclassman
- Uppercut
- Uppermost
- Upright
- Uprising
- Uproar
- Uproot
- Upscale
- Upset
- Upshot
- Upside
- Upstage
- Upstairs
- Upstanding
- Upstart
- Upstate
- Upstream
- Upstroke
- Uptake
- Upthrust
- Uptight
- Uptime
- Uptown
- Upturn
- Upward
- Upwind
- Vainglory
- Viewpoint
- Vineyard
- Violin cello
- Volleyball
- Voltmeter
- Vouchsafe
- Waistline
- Walkways
- Walleyed
- Wallpaper
- Wardroom
- Warehouse
- War advocacy
- War baby
- War bride
- War chest
- War cloud
- War correspondent
- War crime
- War criminal
- War cry
- Warfare
- Warlike
- Warmonger
- Warmblooded
- Warpath
- Washboard
- Washbowl
- Washcloth
- Washhouse
- Washout
- Washrag
- Washroom
- Washstand
- Washtub
- Wastebag
- Wastebasket
- Wastebin
- Wasteland
- Wastepaper
- Wastewater
- Watchband
- Watchdog
- Watchmaker
- Watchman
- Watchtower
- Watchword
- Waterbed
- Water beetle
- Water birch
- Waterbird
- Water biscuit
- Waterboarding
- Water boatman
- Waterborne
- Waterbottle
- Water boy
- Water buck
- Water buffalo
- Water bug
- Watercolour
- Watercooler
- Watercourse
- Watercraft
- Waterfall
- Waterfowl
- Waterfront
- Waterline
- Waterlog
1000 Compound Words Examples (W-Z)
- Watermark
- Watermelon
- Waterpower
- Waterproof
- Waterscape
- Watershed
- Waterside
- Waterspout
- Watertight
- Waterway
- Waterwheel
- Waterworks
- Wavelength
- Wavelike
- Waxwork
- Waybill
- Wayfarer
- Waylaid
- Wayside
- Wayward
- Weathercock
- Weatherman
- Weatherproof
- Weekday
- Weekend
- Weeknight
- Wetland
- Whatever
- Whatsoever
- Wheelbarrow
- Wheelbase
- Wheelchair
- Wheelhouse
- Wheelhouse
- Whereabouts
- Whipcord
- Whip hand
- Whiplash
- Whiplike
- Whipsaw
- Whip snake
- Whipstitch
- Whipstock
- Whiptail
- Whip through
- Whip top
- Whiteboard
- Whitecap
- Whitefish
- Whitehall
- Whitehead
- Whitewall
- Whitewash
- Widespread
- Wipeout
- Wisplike
- Without
- Wood ant
- Woodblock
- Woodborer
- Wood-burning
- Woodcarver
- Woodcarving
- Woodchip
- Wood coal
- Woodcock
- Woodcraft
- Wood-creeper
- Woodcutter
- Wood duck
- Woodshop
- Yachtsman
- Yachtsman
- Yachtsmen
- Yachtsmen
- Yard bird
- Yard birds
- Yard land
- Yard lands
- Yard wand
- Yard wands
- Yard work
- Yard works
- Yardarms
- Yardman
- Yardmaster
- Yardmasters
- Yardstick
- Yardsticks
- Yearbook
- Yearbooks
- Yearlong
- Yellow fin
- Yellow fins
- Yellow ware
- Yellow wares
- Yellowhammer
- Yellowhammers
- Yellowlegs
- Yellowtail
- Yellowtails
- Yellowthroat
- Yellowthroats
- Yellowwood
- Yellowwoods
- Yokefellow
- Yokefellows
- Yokemate
- Yokemates
- Youngberries
- Youngberry
- Youth quake
- Zoo technical
- Zoogeographer
- Zoogeographers
- Zoogeographies
- Zoogeography
- Zookeeper
- Zoosperms
- Zootechnics
Closing Words and Related Posts
It is possible that some of these 1000 Compound Words Examples could be written differently in other instances where they appear; but remember that this also depends on the choice of the writer to select any of the three types of compound words that we have. However, there are some of these compound words that have to be written based on acceptable convention. You can check out other related posts as listed below:
9 Types of Nouns with Examples
10 Examples of Complex Sentences
100 Examples of Synonym Words
100 Examples of Compound Sentences in English
25 Examples of Complex Sentences
50 Examples of Simple Sentences
Алена Пайтылова
Эксперт по предмету «Языки (переводы)»
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Особенности составных слов в английском языке (Compound Words)
Составные слова (Compound words) представляют собой такие слова, которые очень похожи на словосочетания, но являются одной целой отдельной частью речи, обозначающей что-то конкретное. Одна из особенностей составных слов – это их образование от двух совершенно разных по значению слов. Например, brainstorm – мозговой штурм, активная умственная деятельность. Данное слово образовано от слов brain – мозг и storm – шторм, ураган. Это абсолютно разные по значению слова, которые вместе образуют новую лексическую единицу.
Виды сложных слов в английском языке
Следует различать следующие виды сложных слов в английском языке:
- Сложные непроизводные (сложные корневые) – слова, образованные сложением двух слов без их внешнего изменения. Home-made — приготовленный дома, hand-made – приготовленный (сделанный) руками, to blacklist – заносить в черный список.
- Сложнопроизводные слова – слова, образованные путем сложения двух слов с видоизменением одного из них или обоих слов. green-eyed – зеленоглазый, red-haired – рыжеволосый.
- Сложные аббревиатуры (сложносокращенные слова) — аббревиатурные слова, образованные от двух или более отдельных слов. V-Day – День победы, X-mas – Рождество, UAE – ОАЭ (Объединенные Арабские Эмираты).
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Сложные слова часто путают со словосочетаниями, которые также являются сложными образованиями, но имеют отличное морфемное и лексическое значение.
Если в русском языке можно четко разграничить и увидеть разницу между словосочетанием и сложным словом, то в английском языке данное действие реализовать достаточно трудно, а иногда невозможно. В русском языке данное явление прослеживается отчетливо за счет внешнего отличия слов, т. е. при образовании сложных слов используется только отдельная часть сова (как правило, корень). В английском же языке данное явление проследить достаточно сложно ввиду одинакового написания и произношения частей слова и самого слова, например, dark- и dark. По этой причине для правильного определения части речи в английском языке требуется специальный лингвистический анализ, а также синтаксический анализ предложения.
Образование составных слов (Compound Words)
Сложные слова в английском языке образуются путем сложения двух разных по значению слов. При этом часть речи объединяемых слов особого значения не имеет, это могут быть существительное + существительное (noun + noun), которые также называют Compound nouns, существительное + глагол, существительное + прилагательное и т. д.
«Особенности составных слов в английском языке (Compound Words)» 👇
Например:
- background (задний фон) = back (назад) + ground (земля),
- clockwise (по часовой стрелке) = clock (часы) + wise (мудрый),
- daredevil (смельчак) = dare (осмелиться) + devil (дьявол),
- somewhere (где-то) = some (сколько-нибудь) + where (где).
В английской лексике из составных слов наиболее распространены составные существительные, хотя имеются некоторые часто употребляемые слова и других частей речи.
В английском языке можно выделить следующие способы образования сложных слов:
- Компрессия предложений и словосочетаний, иными словами сложение нескольких частей предложения в одну часть. Например, do it yourself (сделай это сам) – do-it-yourself principle (принцип самостоятельности); stay slim (оставаться стройным) – stay-slim diet (диета по поддержанию стройности).
-
Основосложение – образование новых (сложных) слов, при помощи соединения основ нескольких слов или основы одного слова и целого отдельного слова. Например, light-blue – светло-синий, well-known – хорошо известный. В свою очередь можно выделить следующие подвиды основосложения:
- полноосновные сложные слова, когторые складываются из слова без их изменений. Данным способом образуется большинство сложных слов в английском языке (например, sunglasses – солнечные очки, well-known – хорошо известный);
- сложносокращенные слова или сложные аббревиатуры, когда складываются усеченные основы слов (например, USA – США, USSR – СССР).
Помимо рассмотренных выше способов образования сложных слов, существует еще один способ, который имеет отличительные характерные черты, не присущие ни одному из вышеупомянутых способов. Подобного рода сложные слова называют нейтральными образованиями. Их характерная черта – это присутствие выраженных признаков, свойственных основосложению и компрессии, но подобные слова не относятся ни к одному, ни к другому способу образования. В нейтральных образованиях также выделяют две группы:
сочетание двух отдельных слов, несвязанных друг с другом (например, pain killer – обезболивающее средство, car park – парковка);
слова с образующей частью, оканчивающейся на –ing (например, washing machine – стиральная машина, sleeping pills – снотворное).
Правила написания сложных слов
Определенных правил написания и составления сложных слов нет. По этой причине, написание сложных слов является исключительным и необходимым для запоминания. Но можно выделить основные случаи написания сложных слов в английском языке:
- слитно (to babysit, bedroom, somewhere и т. д.);
- через дефис (mother-in-law, two-year-old, long-haired и т. д.);
- раздельно (washing machine, to look forward to, football shoe и т. д.)
Ударение в сложных словах
Ударение в сложных словах сохраняется для каждого слова в отдельности и не изменяется в результате сложения слов, но при их произношении выделяется та или иная часть слов, как правило, ударение в данном случае падает на первую образующую часть. Например, políce station – полицейский участок, cár park – парковка.
Однако существуют определенные правила в расстановке ударений при образовании сложных существительных:
- Если в сложном существительном присутствует имя собственное, то ударение будет ставиться на первый слог второго слова (например, Mount Éverest – гора Эверест, New Yórk – Нью-Йорк).
- При образовании сложного существительного от фразового глагола ударение будет ставиться на первый слог первого слова (например, a cómeback — возвращение, a bréakdown — поломка).
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