Is gotten a compound word

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

The final type of compound words are hyphenated compounds. These are words that — just like closed and open compounds — are frequently used together. The hyphen connects these words, so they function as one unit.

First, what are compound words, and what are the 3 types of compound words?

Compound Definition/Compound Words Definition

A compound is a noun, an adjective or a verb made of two or more words, written as one or more words. A compound word can be closed ( for example, seafood), open for example, water ice) or hyphenated (for example, first-class).

1. Closed compound words form one single word.
2. Open compound words are spelled as two separate words.
3. Hyphenated compound words are joined by a hyphen.

English Compound Words Examples/Compound Words List

• Closed compound words: Seafood, outcome, overcome, worksheet, downpour, seabird, sunflower, skincare, proofread, etc.
• Open compound words: Water ice, big hair, high school, dining table, dining room, etc.
• Hyphenated compound words: big-hearted, big-headed, self-actualization, well-known, well-cooked, etc.

List of compound words

The following compound words lists are not comprehensive.

Compound Words: Compound Adjectives list

A compound adjective (also called compound modifier) is made up of two or more words that work jointly to modify the same noun. When compound adjectives are used before the noun they modify, they are usually hyphenated (joined together by a hyphen).

Compound adjectives whose first part is self are hyphenated as well. The words joined together by a hyphen are also known as hyphenated words.

Here is a hyphenated adjectives list:

• He is a well-off businessman.
• He belongs to a well-off family.
• His father is well off.
• She is a well-known writer.
• Stephen R. Covey is well known.
• Self-absorbed
• Self-aware = self-conscious
• Self-confident
• Self-contained
• Self-critical
• Self-educated
• Self-imposed

Compound adjectives can be created by joining multiple words; they can be in different combinations. Compound adjectives can be made up of adjectives, nouns, participles, quantifiers, and adverbs.

Here are some examples of the various combinations that we can make to come up with compound adjectives:

Compound adjectives lists:

• Adjective + Adjective: Top-right, top-left, blue-green, etc.
• Adjective + Noun: Part-time, full-time, good-time, etc.
• Noun + Adjective: Sugar-free, ice-cold, duty-free, homesick, etc.

As you can notice above we combine different parts of speech to create a new word.

Present and past participles can be joined with adjectives, nouns, and adverbs to make compound adjectives:

• Adjective + participle: Good-looking, hard-working, nice-looking, old-fashioned, open-minded, big-hearted, absent-minded, etc.
• Noun + participle: record-breaking, mouth-watering, human being, man-sized, home-made,
• Adverb + participle: Well-known, well-oiled, well rounded, badly-written, well-written, well-paid, dimly-lit, brightly-lit, early-rising, well-running,

Prepositions can also be employed to form compound adjectives:

• up-to-date laptops.
• a broken-down car.
• a beaten-up old truck.
• built-up areas.
• a cashed-up businesswoman.
• a built-in cupboard.
• a clapped out machine ( old and in bad condition)

Another way to form compound adjectives is to join a quantifier and a noun.

• A five-star hotel.
• A three-floor building.
• A three-storey building.
•  A fifteen-year-old teenager.

A compound adjective with a number never takes the ‘s’ of the plural.

• There are 3 five-star hotels in this city.
• 10 three-floor buildings.

Compound Words: Compound adjectives to describe a person or something

Compound adjectives for character ( Compound adjectives personality) are usually used to describe people’s personality or character. The adjectives list below contains a number of compound adjectives tha can describe character. The other compoud adjectives can be used to describe something or someone not someone’s personality.

Compound Adjectives Examples

Hard-working is a compound adjective example

Here is a list of compound adjectives with self along with meaning

• Self-assured

 you have confidence in your own abilities.

• Well-behaved

 behave in a quiet and polite way.

• Self-centered

interested only in yourself.

• Self-conscious

uncomfortable or nervous because you are worried about what other people think about you or your behavior.

• Self-absorbed

a self-absorbed person is a person who is concerned about or interested in himself/herself.

• Self-addressed:

If an envelpoe is self-addressed, someone has written his/her own address on it.

• Self-adhesive

It can be stuck to something without the use glue, etc.

• Self-acting

Acting of or by itself.

• Self-appointed

A self appointed president is a president who has apointed himself/herself without the greement of his/her people.

• Self-assembly (esp, furniture)

Bought in several parts that you have to put together yourself.

• Self-assertive

A self-assertive man is a man who is very confident and not afraid to express his opinion about something or someone.

• Self-colour

Having one colour all over.

• Self-confessed

Admitting that you have done something, especially something bad.

• Self-contained (= independent)

If you are a self-contained woman, you don’t depend on other people or you do not need them.

• Self-contradictory

Containing two statements or ideas that connot both be true.

• Self-correcting

That can adjust or correct itself by itself.

• Self-critical

A self-critical person criticises himself/herself.

• Self-defeating

If a plan is self-defeating, it contains elements that will cause it to fail.

• Self-drive

A self-drive car is a car that you hire and drive by yourself.

• Self-deniying

Without concern for one’s own advantage; selfless.

• Self-effacing

A self-effacing man is a modest and does not want to attract attention to himeself or his abilities.

• Self-employed

If you are self-employed, you work for yourself and are not employed by a company, a person, etc.

• Self-evident

Obvious and does not need further explanation or proof.

• Self-explanatory

Easy to understand and does not nee any more explanation.

• Self-important

A slef-important person thinks that he/she is more important than others.

Other compound adjectives describing character

• Hard-working:

always doing a lot of work.

• Good-natured

naturally friendly and does not get angry easily.

• Over-confident

 too sure about yourself and your abilities.

• Strong-willed

 very determined to do what you want to do.

• Weak-willed

not determined enough to succeed in what you want to do.

• Strong-minded

somebody who is strong-minded is not willing to change their opinions and beliefs.

• Broad-minded

happy to accept ideas and ways of life different to your own.

• Open-minded

 willing to accept opinions and ideas which are different from yours.

• Narrow-minded

 not willing to accept ideas or ways of behaving that are different from your own.

• Bad-tempered

often annoyed, angry, or impatient.

• Short-tempered

if someone is short-tempered, he or she gets angry easily for no good reason.

• Easy-going

calm and relaxed; not easily worried or upset.

• Big-headed

 you think you are more intelligent or more important than you really are.

• Thick-skinned

 if you are thick-skinned, you are not easily hurt by criticism.

• Cold-hearted

 if you are cold-hearted, you don’t feel sorry about other people’s suffering.

• Level headed

 Calm and sensible; able to make good decisions even in difficult situations.

• Laid-back: You are not usually worried about other people’s behavior or things that need to be done.

These compound adjectives describing character traits are really interesting. So, which compound adjectives describe your personality?

Do this character adjectives quiz here to test your knowledge of compound adjectives.

Compound Nouns

Definition for compound noun

What is a compound noun? How do you make a compound noun? What are compound nouns?

A compound noun refers to a noun that is composed of two or more words. These compound words work together as a single unit to name a place, a person, or a thing. Compound nouns are usually created by joining two nouns or an adjective and a noun together (adjective+noun) (noun+adjective) (adjective+adjective), etc.

Compound nouns types

There are 3 types of compound nouns, namely open compound nouns. They are written as separate words ( living room, swimming pool, secretary general, etc.), closed compound nouns. They are written as one single word (blackbird, policeman, makeup, etc.), and hyphenated compound words (mother-in-law, father-in-law, check-in, etc.)

Compound Noun Examples

Here is a compound nouns list

20 + examples of compound nouns

 There are different combinations of compound nouns, but they are usually combined this way: (noun + noun) (adjective + noun), (noun + adjective), (verb + noun), etc.

• Football (noun + noun)
• Snowman
• Sunflower
• Dragonfly
• Seafood
• Bookcase
• Toothpaste
• Backpack
• Living room
• Bedroom
• Bathroom
• Dining room
• Bathtub
• Website
• Policeman
• Policewoman
• Watercolor
• Bus stop
• Handbag
• Whiteboard ( adjective + noun)
• Blackboard
• Blackbird
• Greenhouse
• Greenpeace
• Software
• Mobile phone
• Full moon
• Full board
• Blackberry
• Check-in ( verb + preposition)
• Checkout
• Makeup
• lookout
• Drawback
• Fall-off
• Falling-out
• Fill-up
• Sunrise (noun + verb)
• Sunset
• Haircut
• Rainfall

Tip: To turn compound nouns into the plural, we usually add ‘s’, ‘es’ or ‘ies’ to the main word of the compound noun.

The main word is usually the second word, but there are exceptions.

A bookcase          bookcases

A bedroom          bedrooms

A handbag          handbags

A website          websites

But

A father-in-law          fathers-in-law

A secretary general           secretaries general

A passerby           passers-by

We believe that this post is good for learners of English who want to broaden their knowledge of compound words. It can even be used by teachers to teach compound words.

Compound words video

Noun+noun compound nouns

Noun	Noun	Compound noun
Sea	Food	Seafood
Sea	Farer	Seafarer
Home	Front	Home front
Home	Ground	Home ground
Home	Help	Home help
Home	Land	Homeland
Bus	Stop	Bus stop
Snow	Man	Snowman
Snow	Ball	Snowball

Noun+adjective compound nouns

Noun	Adjective	Compound noun
Spoon	Fu	Spoonful
Truck	Full	Truckful

Here, you’ll find very important words that describe appearance.

Other useful links:

• The definite article in English

• Short stories with morals

• Best language learning quotes

Learn English online with Englishdotcom

The words pancake, living room, and merry-go-round have something in common.

They are all examples of compound words.

The noun compound means something made up of two or more separate components. Compound can also be an adjective meaning consisting of two or more parts or components.

A compound word is one word, or one unit of meaning, that is created by joining two or more separate words together.

What Are Compound Words?

A compound word is a word made up of usually two but sometimes more words that are joined together. The two (or more) that make the compound word are independent words; they have their own distinct meanings. When those words are joined and form a compound word, that compound word has its own new meaning.

The Three Types of Compound Words

Compound words can take three possible forms: closed, open, or hyphenated. In closed form, there is no space between the joined words. In open form, there is a space between the “joined” words that still act as one unit, and in hyphenated form—you guessed it! There is a hyphen between the joined words.

These general “rules”—which are somewhat fluid and flexible—provide guidance as to what format a compound word takes.

• Closed compound words are usually nouns: They put on makeup.

• Open compound words are usually nouns or verbs: I have to make up (verb) that exam at my high school. (noun)

• Hyphenated compound words are usually adjectives or adverb-adjective combinations: I have to take a make-up (adjective) exam. I will be well-prepared. (adverb + adjective)

The key word in each of those examples is “usually.” Some compound words break the rules. We’ll see how soon.

1. Closed Compound Words

To review: closed compound words are usually made up of two separate words that are put together to form a new word. There is no space between the two words in a closed-form compound word; the compound appears as one single word.

Examples of Closed Compound Words

• Cup + cake becomes cupcake

• Basket + ball becomes basketball

• Key + board becomes keyboard

• Extra + ordinary becomes extraordinary

• Birth + day becomes birthday

You can see through these examples that the meaning of the compound word is not just a merger of the independent definitions of the individual words that join together to make that compound.

However, there is a relationship between the individual word meanings and the compounds. Compound words have been integrated into language as speakers have discovered those relationships. It makes perfect sense to call a cake that could fit into a cup a cupcake and to call a ball thrown through a basket (now a hoop) a basketball.

The rules for compound words, listed earlier in the post, include the word usually. That word means the rules are not hard and fast, and there are examples of compound words that break those rules.

For example, compound words that are verbs are usually open form, but here are rule-breaking closed-form compound verbs that remind us to hold those rules loosely:

• I need to proofread my essay.

• I think the clerk shortchanged me.

• I have to babysit my little sister.

2. Open Compound Words

In an open compound word, there is a space between the two independent words, though they are still treated as one unit with a new “compound meaning.”

Examples of Open Compound Words

• Living room: as a unit, this compound noun refers to a room in a house.

• High school: as a unit, this compound noun refers to a school that has students in grades 9-12.

• Post office: as a unit, this compound refers to a building where mail is collected, sorted, and sent.

• Give up: as a unit, this compound verb means to stop trying.

• Ask for: as a unit, this compound verb means to request something.

3. Hyphenated Compound Words

Hyphenated compound words have hyphens between each of the independent words that serve as connectors. The hyphens are a visual cue that the words form one unit.

Some compound words are always hyphenated.

• Merry-go-round

• Mother-in-law (and brother-, sister-, and father-in-law)

• Self-esteem

Did you notice that all of those examples are nouns? Remember: the rules are flexible!

Examples of Hyphenated Compound Adjectives:

When compound words are used as adjectives (officially known as compound adjectives), the hyphenation rules change depending on where the compound adjective comes in the sentences.

If the compound adjective comes before the noun it modifies (describes), you should usually add a hyphen:

• High-speed chase

• Part-time employee

• Full-time job

• Fire-resistant pajamas

• Good-looking person

• Well-respected politician

• Up-to-date records

Of course, there are exceptions. Remember, those “rules” are flexible. Some compound adjectives that precede the nouns they modify never take a hyphen. For example, ice cream and high school:

• High school students
• Ice cream sundae

There’s really no “why” to explain these exceptions; we’ve just adopted these forms and made them part of our language.

Examples of Open-Form Compound Adjectives

If the compound adjective comes after the noun it modifies, the hyphen is usually omitted.

• Make sure the files are up to date. “Up to date” modifies, but comes after, the noun “files.”

• The cat is two years old. “Two years old” modifies, but comes after, the noun “cat.”

Though post-noun modifiers don’t technically take hyphens, according to Merriam-Webster, usage trends indicate the hyphens are often included anyway, if the compounds “continue to function as unit modifiers.” So there’s that flexibility again.

What About Adverb Compounds?

It’s easy to find examples of closed, open, and hyphenated adverbs.

As for the closed-form examples, we probably don’t even register them as compound words much of the time.

• Sometimes

• Thereafter

• Somewhere

Open-form adverbs occur when the adverb is the first word in the compound and ends in —ly. You should not hyphenate after an —ly adverb.

• We made the discovery early on.

• Her opinion is highly regarded.

• They entered the dimly lit room.

What to Do If You’re Not Sure Which Form Is Right

While those flexible rules can help you, there may still be times when you feel confused about which compound form to use. Don’t stress too much.

According to Merriam Webster, the rules are more like patterns. You may see differences in different publications depending on editorial choice and style. For example, I looked on Amazon for a teapot. I saw mostly teapots, but also a few tea pots. Out of curiosity I put “tea pot” into a New York Times search bar, and found articles from the 1800s that included “tea-pot” in the title!

While interesting, those stylistic changes and choices shouldn’t be too surprising. Language is fluid and ever-evolving. Compound words themselves are proof of that evolution.

Keep Clarity the Focus

The purpose of hyphens in compound words is to ensure clarity. For example,

• I bought over-the-counter medication.

• He passed the medicine over the counter.

In the first example, I know by the hyphen that the medicine «I» bought did not require a prescription. «Over-the-counter» is one unit—one compound—describing a type of medicine.

In the second example, «over the counter» is serving another purpose and, while the words form a phrase to tell me where «he» passed the medicine, hyphens do nothing to make the purpose of the phrase clear and are therefore unnecessary.

Now look at these examples:

• He owned a little-used car.
• He owned a little used car.

In the first example, I know the man owns a car that has not been driven much. The car is described by the compound modifier «little-used.»

In the second example, it seems that the man owns a used car that is also small, or little. In this example, putting a comma after «little» would help to separate the two words, «little» and «used,» and show that they aren’t intended to work as a compound.

ProWritingAid Can Help

Though you’re a compound-word expert now, if you find yourself with lingering doubts, remember that ProWritingAid is here to help. It will let you know if you’ve added an unnecessary hyphen after an -ly adverb, or if you’ve left one out of a pre-noun compound adjective. You don’t have to write alone!

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