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Scientists are big into molecular compounds, and there is something kind of magical about them. You can start with a couple of atoms of hydrogen, add another atom of oxygen, and bada bing: water. Two distinct elements come together to create something entirely different.

It’s exactly the same with words. Well, maybe not exactly the same, but English is such a flexible, creative language that it’s filled with compound words—and new ones are popping up all the time to suit our ever-changing world. Some useful compound words recently added to Merriam-Webster are clickbait, photobomb, binge-watch, humblebrag, and spit-take.

So what is a compound word? How do you know whether it should be a closed compound, a hyphenated compound, or an open compound? What about compound sentences? We’ll look at all of these in this post.
 

When two (or occasionally, three) words work together to express a single idea, that’s a compound word. Compound words can be open, closed, or hyphenated, and they can function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs. English is full of preexisting compound words—or you can make up your own to suit the situation.

No one at the Star Trek convention really appreciated my Klingon-librarian costume.

The lung-collapsing dead-flower stench of my aunt Penelope’s perfume was headache-inducingly strong.

What is an open compound word?

An open compound word is two separate words (without even a hyphen to link them) functioning as a single idea.

When we were in high school, we regularly ate French fries, hot dogs, and ice cream with peanut butter as an afterschool snack.

What is a hyphenated compound word?

A hyphenated compound word is a term composed of two (or more) words connected by a hyphen. Like other compound words, a hyphenated compound can be a noun, adjective, or adverb.

The gun-toting, card-carrying FBI agent hid her angst well.

What is a closed compound word?

A closed compound word is a single word constructed of two or more other words. Most closed compound words were once open or hyphenated, but continued use solidified them—made them a single unit. Today’s open or hyphenated compounds are tomorrow’s closed compounds.

The moonlight coming through my bedroom window is so bright it outshines my flashlight.

Every afternoon, she wrote another story in her notebook; my favorite is the one about the starfish who loved rainbows and strawberries.

compound words

How do you know whether a compound word is open, hyphenated, or closed?

There’s really no trick to this! You look it up in a dictionary (like Merriam-Webster). Compound words evolve over time, so what was once black-bird is now blackbird, and what was once a web site is now almost always a website.

Don’t worry if you find dictionaries contradicting each other! Not every dictionary agrees on which compounds are open, hyphenated, or closed. Some offer health care and voice mail, for example, as two words, but others hyphenate or close those same compounds. In such cases, you’re free to use the spelling you prefer, except if you’re supposed to be following a particular style guide.

For example, the Chicago Manual of Style (CMoS) says that when a compound modifier comes before a noun, it’s never wrong to hyphenate it, since it can aid readability.

The seventy-year-old professor despaired for the dull-witted students in her late-afternoon class.

But (Chicago goes on to say) when compound modifiers follow the noun, leave them unhyphenated (even if they’re hyphenated in the dictionary).

The professor, who was almost seventy years old, couldn’t understand why her students were so dull witted by late afternoon.

What is a compound noun?

Compound words can be nouns, adjectives, adverbs—and even verbs (like pole-vault or double-click). In each case, they can be open, hyphenated, or closed. Compound nouns are perhaps the most common type of compound word. Here are some examples of compound nouns (some closed, some open, some hyphenated).

Susan’s grandmother, my mother-in-law, had a skylight above the bookcase in her living room that let in rainwater.

Watch out for the sometimes-unusual plurals of hyphenated compound nouns.

The workmen fixing the two merry-go-rounds in the local park typically catcalled all passersby, but they stopped once our attorneys-at-law sent them a warning.

What is a compound name?

A compound name is essentially a compound proper noun—a multiword term (often an open compound, though not always) that names a single entity.

Like Popeye, Black Panther gets at least some of his powers from eating his greens—in his case, the heart-shaped herb. But I bet Superman liked Cheez-Its better.

What’s important here is that these proper nouns are always preexisting compounds, so if you’re turning an open compound name into part of a compound modifier (see more about compound adjectives and adverbs below), you’ll need to use an en dash rather than a hyphen.

My new World War I–era cloche didn’t really go with anything in my New York–style wardrobe, so naturally I had to go shopping.

 

 

What is a compound adjective?

A compound adjective is a single adjective made up of more than one word—and it’s often a compound noun (or even compound name) being used to modify another noun. According to CMoS, it’s never wrong to hyphenate multiword adjectives when they precede a noun, even if they’re familiar open compounds like high school.

High-school students often have more brain-draining homework than college students.

My silly-voiced sister found her calling in advertising.

When a compound name functions as an adjective, there’s no need for a hyphen.

Penny was thrilled to win Dolly Parton tickets.

The Los Angeles weather is typically hot and sunny.

As touched on above, when a compound adjective follows a noun, the hyphen is usually not necessary.

Georgia is a well-read academic.

Georgia is well read.

I found a useful list of low-calorie cocktails.

I found a useful list of cocktails, all of them low calorie.

Remember that compound adjectives made from an adverb ending in –ly plus an adjective are never hyphenated. The -ly is enough of a signal that what follows is meant to be read together with the preceding word.

Sarah’s short-tempered grandfather griped about her recital, calling it a really dull concert.

Sarah’s grandfather, always short tempered, griped about her recital, describing it as really dull.

What is a compound adverb?

A compound adverb looks like a single word but (closely examined) is actually made up of two or more words working together to function as a single adverb. They’re often rather old fashioned, and they can sound stuffy and pompous so are best used sparingly: notwithstanding, nevertheless, heretofore, albeit, and so on.

Phrasal adverbs are very similar to compound adverbs, and they’re rather more useful.

I scattered rose petals here and there.

The newly married couple walked arm in arm.

Joseph goes running every day.

What is a compound sentence?

And here’s the bonus section (because the last thing we want to do is compound anyone’s confusion about compounds)!

Compound sentences are grammatically unrelated to compound words, but that still doesn’t answer the key question: What is a compound sentence? A compound sentence is when two or more independent clauses, each with its own subject and verb plus attendant objects and phrases, are joined with a coordinating conjunction (one of the FANBOYS: for, and, nor but, or, yet, so). Here, the key thing to remember is to always include a comma after the first independent clause and before the conjunction.

I read this blog post about compound words, but they didn’t explain about compound sentences, so I had to keep on searching.

My son’s story about the strawberry-loving starfish was really cute, so I sent it to my sister, and she loved it too.

A Quick Look at Compound Words

This is a post about compound words, but let’s start with the Spice Girls:

Come a little bit closer baby, get it on, get it on
‘Cause tonight is the night when two become one

We included that because it’s what we sing when we use compound words in our writing. But what are compound words? How should they be written? And what on earth does that have to do with our love of ‘90s pop music?

The greatest musicians of their generation?
(Photo: Ezekiel/wikimedia)

Well, we can’t answer that last question. But we’ll give the others a go.

What Are Compound Words?

Compound words are made up of two or more other words. They can be written as open compounds, hyphenated compounds, or closed compounds:

  • Open compounds are written as separate words, but they are conventionally used together (e.g. full moon, mobile phone, ice cream).
  • Hyphenated compounds occur when two or more terms are joined with a hyphen (e.g. mother-in-law, well-known, T-shirt).
  • Closed compounds are written as a single term but combine two or more words that could be written separately (e.g. notebook, boyfriend, childlike).

All of these are importantly distinct from contractions, where two words are combined by dropping letters from one or both terms.

One key difference here is that contractions are considered informal, while compound words are accepted in formal writing.

Open, Hyphenated or Closed?

The question of how to write certain terms is tricky, as there’s a lot of variation. ‘Email’, for example, can also be written as ‘e-mail’, while ‘car pool’ can also be spelled ‘carpool’. It’s ultimately a matter of convention.

Our main tip on this front is to use one spelling consistently throughout the document you’re writing. But you can also look up words in a reliable dictionary (e.g. Merriam-Webster, OED) to see how they spell it.

In addition, there are a few helpful guidelines for how to write compound words in different situations, which we’ll look at next.

When to Hyphenate a Compound Word

The rules about hyphenating compound words are fairly flexible, but they can still be useful. The most common guidelines are to hyphenate:

  • When using a compound modifier before the word it modifies (e.g. a well-laid plan or a mind-numbingly boring speech).
  • When writing compound numbers between twenty-one and ninety-nine.
  • With ages and time spans in years (e.g. a seven-year itch).

It’s also worth noting that compound adjectives are not hyphenated when one term is ‘very’ or an adverb ending in ‘-ly’:

She found a perfectly formed gemstone.

She found a perfectly-formed gemstone.

Nor are they hyphenated when they come after the noun they modify:

The plan was well meaning.

The plan was well-meaning.

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As mentioned, there is some variation here (e.g. ‘old-fashioned’ is almost always hyphenated, even when it appears after the term it modifies). But the rules above can help if you’re unsure whether to hyphenate a word.

One Word or Two?

Part of the confusion surrounding closed compound words is that they often have specific meanings that differ from their constituent parts. ‘Everyday’, for example, is an adjective meaning ‘ordinary’ or ‘routine’. It should be used in a sentence like this:

My everyday clothes were in the wash, so I wore pyjamas to the pub.

This isn’t quite the same as ‘every day’, which is written as two words and means ‘each day’. It’s important not to get these terms confused if you want to be clear about what you mean:

I go to the pub every day.

I go to the pub everyday.

Similar issues arise with terms like ‘already’ and ‘altogether’, which have distinct meanings from ‘all ready’ and ‘all together’. This makes it vital to check how you’re using compound words.

With ‘alright’ and ‘all right’, meanwhile, we have a different problem. Technically, both mean ‘satisfactory’ or ‘safe’, but ‘alright’ is widely considered a little informal. It may gain acceptance one day, but for now it’s best not to use it in formal writing.

Nouns and Verbs

Another major cause of errors with compound words is whether they’re being used as nouns or verb phrases. Typically, the noun forms are written as a single closed compound:

My computer setup cost me thousands of dollars.

Here, for example, ‘setup’ is one word because it refers to a thing, not an action. The verb form of this term would be the two-word ‘set up’:

It took me hours to set up my computer.

Other terms where these rules apply include ‘workout’ (verb = ‘work out’), ‘backup’ (verb = ‘back up’) and ‘handout’ (verb = ‘hand out’). Look out for these and similar terms in your writing.

Incorrect Compounds

Finally, some terms are incorrectly written as compound words even when there is no correct version. Examples include ‘alot’ (which should always be ‘a lot’) and ‘nevermind’ (which should be ‘never mind’ unless you’re referring to the Nirvana album).

For us, Kurt Cobain’s musical legacy is outweighed by the number of spelling errors he’s inspired.

These are simply errors and should be avoided in your written work. Most spellcheckers will highlight these as incorrect, but make sure to check a dictionary if you’re unsure.

And if you’d like any extra help with compound words in your writing, our proofreaders can help. Submit a free trial document today to find out more.

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.

compound words

Compound words examples

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

compound words

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 word compound means one thing that is composed of two or more elements. When you hear the word compound, you might think of a chemical compound, compound interest, or you might just use the word as a synonym for a mixture. Compounding is also a grammatical phenomenon, and there is a lengthy list of compound words in the English language.

Compound Words Definition

Simply put, compound means one thing made of many things. The definition for compound words means just that.

Compound words: two or more words joined to create a new meaning.

Compound words are not two random words thrust together. Compound words will be two words that are frequently found together, such as late-night, nice-looking, or seafood.

Compound words are usually two base words used together. Remember, base words are standalone words that signal a particular meaning, even when stripped of affixes (example: success in successful).

That’s not to say, however, that compound words can’t use derived words. Derived words are words that are built on a root, typically with the addition of an affix (example: teach + er = teacher). Many compound words include derived words (coffee maker, sewing machine, skyscraper).

The process of compounding is different from derivation and inflection — both of which typically involve adding an affix to change a word’s grammatical category. While derivation, inflection, and compounding are all a process for creating new words, compounding uses two base words, rather than a single base word and an affix (e.g., -ing, im, or -ed).

Compounding in English Examples

Compounds help us understand words as a single unit, which in some cases helps to clarify the meaning of a word or phrase in English.

Let’s look for a vegan-friendly restaurant.

Compounding, Compounding in English examples, Vegan restaurant, StudySmarterFig. 1 — A «vegan-friendly» restaurant is different from a «vegan, friendly» restaurant.

Using a hyphen here shows the reader that the words vegan and friendly should be taken as a single unit. Otherwise, it might be read as, “Let’s look for a vegan friendly restaurant,” with vegan and friendly being two different adjectives to describe a restaurant.

When new things, ideas, or phrases come into the collective consciousness of the public, they need a name or something people can say to refer to them. Compounding words is one of the most (if not the most) common types of word formation in English because it is so easy to do.

These new words can be figurative like chairman (the head of a committee or group, not a chair-shaped man), or simply a combination of the meaning of each of the base words, like lighthouse (a house of light).

Just email me, and I’ll respond to it later.

The word email wasn’t used until the late twentieth century because email, or electronic mail, didn’t exist until then. There was a need to create a word to communicate this new idea of sending a message electronically, and e-mail —which became email, without the hyphen — was a simple option.

Types of Compound Words

There are three types of compound words: open, closed, and hyphenated.

Open Compounds

Open compound words are formed by combining an adjective with the noun it modifies to create a new noun. These compound words are usually the result of two words being so frequently used together that they eventually come to mean one specific thing.

Shopping cart

Potting soil

Real estate

Even though these words are separated with a space, they’re still considered a single unit. You can tell it’s an open compound word, rather than merely a noun modified by an adjective, because the two words are so regularly used together to mean something specific.

For example, real is not used as the modification of the word estate to express it’s real as opposed to a fake estate. Real estate is the business of buying and selling property and buildings on said property.

Closed Compounds

Closed compound words look the most like a “real word” because there is no space between the two roots.

Keyboard

Pothole

Tablecloth

Two words might form a closed compound because they are so frequently used together.

Compounding, Types of compound words, Email example, StudySmarterFig. 2 — Email is a newer word that came from two base words: electronic and mail.

In the 1990s when someone wanted to connect to the internet, they might say they were going to go on-line (cue the sounds of dial-up internet and a male voice saying, “You’ve got mail”). Today in the twenty-first century, the internet is a part of our everyday experience, and so the word has lost its hyphen and is typically shortened to online.

Hyphenated Compounds

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.

A hyphen (-) is a punctuation mark that shouldn’t be confused with a dash (). A hyphen connects two words or word parts, whereas dashes indicate a pause or range. Dashes can be short (an “en dash” which is the length of the letter n) or long (an “em dash” which is the length of the letter m).

Long-term

Close-up

Empty-handed

Many hyphenated compounds become closed compounds if they’re used frequently enough.

Hyphenating Compound Words

You might wonder, “How do I know when to hyphenate a compound word?” There are many rules regarding hyphens in general, and here are the ones that are key in hyphenating compound words.

  1. Only hyphenate when the compound comes before the noun it will modify. If it comes after, don’t include a hyphen.

The man-eating bear was only a few yards away. vs. The bear was definitely a man eater.

  1. When a compound modifier contains an adverb ending in -ly and a participle or adjective, don’t use a hyphen.

A highly contested race.

Unfortunately, there is not always a consensus about whether to hyphenate compound words or create a closed compound word. If you’re ever in doubt about whether to hyphenate a compound word, consult a dictionary or the appropriate style guide for a definitive answer.

Compound Words List

Here is a longer compound words list for reference.

Open Compound Words

  • Sun room

  • Cheer up

  • Summer break

  • Garage sale

  • Dress up

  • Fire pit

  • Jumping jack

  • Science fiction

  • Vice President

  • Swimming pool

Closed Compound Words

  • Dishware

  • Bookstore

  • Seatbelt

  • Birthday

  • Carpool

  • Limelight

  • Comeback

  • Candlelit

  • Football

  • Lawsuit

Hyphenated Compound Words

  • House-of-mirrors

  • Self-contempt

  • Father-in-law

  • Well-read

  • Full-length

  • Free-fall

  • High-rise

  • Life-size

  • Deep-fried

  • Right-handed

Compounding — Key takeaways

  • Compound words are two or more words joined to create a new meaning.
  • Compound words are usually two base words used together.
  • Compounds help us understand words as a single unit, which in some cases helps to clarify the meaning of a word or phrase.
  • There are three types of compound words: open, closed, and hyphenated.
  • There is not always a consensus about whether to hyphenate compound words or create a closed compound word.

List of Compound Words in Alphabetical Order! If you are looking for a comprehensive list of compound words, then you have come to the right place. In this article, we have compiled a list of over 1000 compound words in alphabetical order. This list includes a wide range of compound words, from common everyday words like “butterfly” and “firefly”, to more complex and technical words like “photovoltaic” and “heterogeneous”.

Whether you are a student looking to expand your vocabulary, or a writer looking for new words to add to your arsenal, this list is sure to be a valuable resource. So go ahead and download the PDF at the end of this lesson, and start exploring the fascinating world of compound words.

What is a Compound Word?

A compound word is a word that is made up of two or more individual words that are combined together to create a new word with a new meaning. The words can be joined together in different ways, such as with a hyphen (e.g. mother-in-law), without a space (e.g. headache), or with a space (e.g. ice cream).

The individual words that make up a compound word can be nouns, verbs, adjectives, or other parts of speech. When they are combined, the resulting word often has a different meaning than the individual words would have on their own.

For example, “football” is a compound word made up of “foot” and “ball,” and it refers to a specific sport that involves kicking a ball with the feet.

Types of Compound Words

We can write a compound word in three ways:

  • First, as open compounds which can be spelled as two separate words, e.g., Flow chart.
  • Second as closed compounds (joined to form a single word, e.g., sunset)
  • Third as hyphenated compounds in which two words are joined by a hyphen, e.g., long-term).

Open Compound Words:

Open compound words are composed of two or more words that are written separately and function together as a single concept. They are not joined by hyphens or spaces.

Examples of open compound words include “ice cream“, “high school“, “coffee mug“, “air conditioner“, and “swimming pool“.

Close Compound Words:

Close compound words are composed of two or more words that are written together without spaces or hyphens. They function together as a single concept, but each word retains its individual meaning.

Examples of close compound words include “sunset”, “blueberry”, “bookshelf”, “toothbrush”, and “railway”.

Hyphenated Compound Words:

Hyphenated compound words are composed of two or more words that are joined by hyphens. They function together as a single concept, but the hyphens indicate that the words have a closer relationship than open compound words.

Examples of hyphenated compound words include “well-being”, “co-worker”, “self-esteem”, “mother-in-law”, and “good-looking”.

+1000 Compound Words List in Alphabetical Order

Below is the list of Compound Words list a to z:

Compound Words That Start With A

  • Aircraft
  • Anymore
  • Anything
  • Afternoon
  • Airport
  • Ashtray
  • Arrowhead
  • Airtime
  • Aftermath
  • Airmen
  • Anywhere
  • Authorship
  • Afterglow
  • Anytime
  • Afterbirth
  • Airliner
  • Aircraft
  • Airbrush
  • Allover
  • Allspice
  • Airlift
  • Anyone
  • Airplane
  • Armpit
  • Afterburner
  • Afterlife
  • Anyway
  • Airline
  • Airfield
  • Airport
  • Afterimage
  • Anyplace
  • Alongside
  • Aboveboard
  • Around
  • Airship
  • Armchair
  • Airfield
  • Airman
  • Anybody
  • Airmail
  • Also
  • Anyhow
  • Another

Compound Words That Start With B

  • Bedbug
  • Bellhop
  • Backstage
  • Ballroom
  • Bedrock
  • Blackjack
  • Backache
  • Backfield
  • Backside
  • Bellbottom
  • Bookkeeper
  • Bugspray
  • Backstretch
  • Bankroll
  • Bookshelf
  • Bedroll
  • Blueberry
  • Backlash
  • Buttermilk
  • Blackboard
  • Blackball
  • Backstroke
  • Bookseller
  • Basketball
  • Bodyguard
  • Backhand
  • Blackout
  • Bookcase
  • Blacktop
  • Became
  • Buttercup
  • Backbite
  • Blacklist
  • Background
  • Blackberries
  • Backslap
  • Blacksmith
  • Backbreaker
  • Brainwash
  • Backdrop
  • Bookend
  • Backslide
  • Bluebell
  • Backbite
  • Butterscotch
  • Backlog
  • Bookmobile
  • Backhand
  • Brainchild
  • Below
  • Baseball
  • Become
  • Backdrop
  • Bookworm
  • Butternut
  • Backstroke
  • Backlash
  • Bookmark
  • Bluefish
  • Backbone
  • Ballpark
  • Bluegrass
  • Boardwalk
  • Backspace
  • Backtrack
  • Babysitter
  • Booklet
  • Blueprint
  • Backlog
  • Bypass
  • Butterfat
  • Bedclothes
  • Blackbird
  • Blackmail
  • Backspin
  • Backslide
  • Boldface
  • Bluebird
  • Bowtie
  • Bodywork
  • Backstop
  • Background
  • Backward
  • Butterflies
  • Backspin
  • Because
  • Backpack
  • Bellboy
  • Brainstorm
  • Bookstore
  • Butterfingers
  • Backside
  • Bedroom
  • Backfire
  • Bookbinder
  • Backfire
  • Beachcomb
  • Bankbook
  • Bootstrap

Compound Words That Start With C

  • Cheeseburger
  • Counterpoint
  • Carpool
  • Courtroom
  • Caveman
  • Cottonmouth
  • Counterpane
  • Cargo
  • Crosswalk
  • Candlestick
  • Cardboard
  • Careworn
  • Carfare
  • Crosstown
  • Carhop
  • Carefree
  • Cottonwood
  • Carload
  • Cattail
  • Cornmeal
  • Crossbow
  • Carpetbagger
  • Cabdriver
  • Crossword
  • Carsick
  • Courtyard
  • Carrack
  • Commonplace
  • Cheesecake
  • Centercut
  • Countdown
  • Counterattack
  • Comeback
  • Counterpoise
  • Cornstalk
  • Crosscut
  • Carryall
  • Cannot
  • Counteroffensive
  • Carwash
  • Crewcut
  • Caretaker
  • Comedown
  • Candid
  • Coffeemaker
  • Cornwall
  • Cartwheel
  • Courthouse
  • Counterbalance
  • Carport
  • Crossover
  • Candlelight
  • Cottontail
  • Crossbreed
  • Clockwise
  • Cancan
  • Cornball
  • Countermeasure
  • Commonwealth
  • Counterclockwise
  • Cardsharp
  • Counterpart
  • Counterintelligence

Compound Words That Start With D

  • Downunder
  • Daisywheel
  • Deadend
  • Dogwood
  • Dishwater
  • Daybook
  • Dishpan
  • Daydream
  • Daytime
  • Daybed
  • Duckpin
  • Diskdrive
  • Drawbridge
  • Doorstop
  • Downbeat
  • Daylight
  • Driveway
  • Daybreak
  • Dairymaid
  • Duckbill
  • Dishwasher
  • Dishcloth
  • Deadline

Compound Words That Start With E

  • Eggshell
  • Eyesight
  • Eardrum
  • Everything
  • Eyecatching
  • Earring
  • Earthbound
  • Eyeballs
  • Eyelid
  • Earthward
  • Eyeglasses
  • Earthworm
  • Earthquake
  • Elsewhere
  • Eyelash
  • Egghead
  • Earache
  • Eardrop
  • Eyewitness

Compound Words That Start With F

  • Firebreak
  • Fireworks
  • Firefighter
  • Fishmonger
  • Fireproof
  • Forehand
  • Fortnight
  • Fatherland
  • Foresee
  • Fireflies
  • Footlights
  • Fishlike
  • Fisherman
  • Forerunner
  • Firearm
  • Forbearer
  • Forefather
  • Fishtail
  • Forecast
  • Foothill
  • Fireboat
  • Friendship
  • Fishnet
  • Fisheye
  • Football
  • Format
  • Forefront
  • Foothold
  • Forefinger
  • Foreman
  • Forgive
  • Fishbowl
  • Fatherless
  • Firebox
  • Forestland
  • Foreleg
  • Footnote
  • Footpath
  • Footrest
  • Forehead
  • Footprints
  • Fruitcup
  • Firecracker
  • Fishhook
  • Fishpond
  • Forearm
  • Footlocker
  • Forget
  • Forbid
  • Foreclosure
  • Firebomb
  • Firewater
  • Forklift
  • Foresight
  • Firehouse
  • Forebear
  • Fireball
  • Foreclose
  • Forever

Compound Words That Start With G

  • Graveyard
  • Goodbye
  • Grandmother
  • Grandnieces
  • Granduncle
  • Grasshopper
  • Gumball
  • Grandson
  • Grandchildren
  • Grandaunt
  • Goodnight
  • Grandnephew
  • Grandstand
  • Grandchild
  • Grandfather
  • Glassmaking
  • Gearshift
  • Grandmaster
  • Granddaughter
  • Grandparent

Compound Words That Start With H

  • Headhunter
  • Highball
  • Hammerhead
  • Highway
  • Horseback
  • Housecoat
  • Headache
  • Henchman
  • Hereupon
  • Honeysuckle
  • Housework
  • Honeymoon
  • Horsehair
  • Hereabout
  • Haircut
  • Handout
  • Housetop
  • Horsepower
  • Houseboat
  • Helpmeet
  • Hometown
  • Hamburger
  • Horsefly
  • Hookup
  • Handcuff
  • Himself
  • However
  • Handball
  • Hellcat
  • Headlight
  • Headdress
  • Horseshoe
  • Hereafter
  • Hereafter
  • Hedgehop
  • Highchair
  • Hemstitch
  • Honeycomb
  • Handbook
  • Horseplay
  • Hereof
  • Hookworm
  • Handmade
  • Homemade
  • Heirloom
  • Headquarters
  • Henceforth
  • Handgun
  • Highland
  • Hereby
  • Hamstring
  • Housewife
  • Honeydew
  • Henpeck
  • Honeybee
  • Headline
  • Helpmate
  • Housekeeper
  • Herein
  • Hellhole
  • Household
  • Hereby
  • Herself
  • Herein

Compound Words That Start With I

  • Ironwork
  • Indoors
  • Inland
  • Ideal
  • Inmate
  • Inpatient
  • Inhale
  • Infold
  • Inchworm
  • Income
  • Infuse
  • Inset
  • Infusion
  • Inside
  • Inroad
  • Itself
  • Intake
  • Inkblot
  • Inkwell

Compound Words That Start With J

  • Jigsaw
  • Jawbreaker
  • Jitterbug
  • Jumpshot
  • Jackpot
  • Jellybean
  • Jobholder
  • Jackson
  • Jellyfish
  • Jerrybuild
  • Jellyfish
  • Jetport
  • Jackpot
  • Jawbone
  • Jailbait
  • Jimsonweed
  • Jailbird
  • Jetliner
  • Johnnycake
  • Jerkwater
  • Jaywalk

Compound Words That Start With K

  • Keyboard
  • Keystroke
  • Keystone
  • Keynote
  • Keyway
  • Keypad
  • Keyhole
  • Keypunch
  • Keyword
  • Keepsake

Compound Words That Start With L

  • Lifelong
  • Limestone
  • Lapwing
  • Limelight
  • Layman
  • Lifeguard
  • Landmark
  • Leapfrog
  • Landward
  • Landslide
  • Lifeline
  • Lapland
  • Lifelike
  • Lifework
  • Longhorn
  • Lifetime
  • Laughingstock
  • Lawgiver
  • Lawsuit
  • Lifesaver
  • Lawmaker
  • Layout
  • Larkspur
  • Lukewarm
  • Layoff
  • Lifeboat
  • Longhand
  • Layover
  • Lifeblood
  • Longhouse

Compound Words That Start With M

  • Mainstream
  • Moonbeam
  • Mothball
  • Motorcycle
  • Matchbox
  • Mainspring
  • Moonstone
  • Moonscape
  • Mainland
  • Moonlight
  • Motherhood
  • Moonshine
  • Meadowland
  • Moonwalk
  • Meanwhile
  • Mainline
  • Meantime
  • Moreover
  • Moonstruck

Compound Words That Start With N

  • Noisemaker
  • Newsman
  • Nightfall
  • Newscast
  • Newsboy
  • Newsbreak
  • Newscaster
  • Nevermore
  • Newsdealer
  • Newsworthy
  • Newsletter
  • Newsreel
  • Newspaper
  • Nutcracker
  • Northeast
  • Nobody
  • Nowhere
  • Newsprint
  • Newsstand
  • Newfound
  • Nursemaid
  • Noteworthy
  • Newsroom
  • Newsmen
  • Notebook
  • Nearby

Compound Words That Start With O

  • Overflow
  • Overshoes
  • Overabundance
  • Overboard
  • Overcoat
  • Overland
  • Onetime
  • Oneself
  • Compound Words That Start With P
  • Passport
  • Patchwork
  • Pickup
  • Playboy
  • Passover
  • Postcard
  • Payoff
  • Ponytail
  • Paymaster
  • Pinpoint
  • Playmate
  • Pinup
  • Playback
  • Pawnbroker
  • Pinhole
  • Payroll
  • Pathfinder
  • Popcorn
  • Pinwheel
  • Pacemaker
  • Pancake
  • Password
  • Paycheck
  • Pinstripe
  • Passover
  • Peppermint
  • Pathway
  • Pasteboard
  • Parkway
  • Playthings
  • Payload
  • Pawnshop
  • Playhouse
  • Passkey
  • Playground
  • Passbook
  • Passport
  • Passbook

Compound Words That Start With R

  • Rattletrap
  • Redcoat
  • Railway
  • Rainstorm
  • Rawhide
  • Redhead
  • Rearmost
  • Riverbanks
  • Rainwater
  • Ratline
  • Raindrop
  • Rainbow
  • Repairman
  • Racquetball
  • Railroad
  • Readywitted
  • Raincheck
  • Redcap
  • Rattlesnake
  • Rearrange
  • Raincoat
  • Rattlesnake
  • Ratsbane
  • Rawboned
  • Rearward
  • Rattletrap
  • Rainfall
  • Rainmaker
  • Rubberband
  • Reddish

Compound Words That Start With S

  • Sandlot
  • Soybean
  • Schoolbus
  • Storerooms
  • Sometimes
  • Saucepan
  • Superpower
  • Setoff
  • Subway
  • Sunroof
  • Superfine
  • Southeast
  • Supertanker
  • Schoolbook
  • Standpipe
  • Sideshow
  • Snakeskin
  • Skateboard
  • Stoplight
  • Scapegoat
  • Someplace
  • Shipload
  • Supermarket
  • Snowshoe
  • Setback
  • Schoolroom
  • Sunglasses
  • Sixfold
  • Shortbread
  • Sideburns
  • Superimpose
  • Somebody
  • Someday
  • Sharpshooter
  • Showoff
  • Someone
  • Someplace
  • Shipbottom
  • Sunflower
  • Sailboat
  • Snowball
  • Sunup
  • Something
  • Somehow
  • Standstill
  • Shadyside
  • Something
  • Soundproof
  • Superhighways
  • Schoolwork
  • Superweapon
  • Sheepskin
  • Supercharge
  • Slumlord
  • Superego
  • Sidekick
  • Standby
  • Superwoman
  • Sunday
  • Sometime
  • Shipbuilder
  • Sidecar
  • Softball
  • Suntan
  • Sunlit
  • Snowstorm
  • Somewhat
  • Sunbaked
  • Superstar
  • Sisterhood
  • Superman
  • Someway
  • Spokesperson
  • Superscript
  • Spacesuit
  • Slapstick
  • Schoolhouse
  • Southwest
  • Supermen
  • Supernatural
  • Sandbox
  • Supercool
  • Skylark
  • Starfish
  • Steamboat
  • Speedboat
  • Snowshovel
  • Streetcar
  • Supersensitive
  • Silversmith
  • Shipyard
  • Standoff
  • Sundown
  • Somewhat
  • Supercargo
  • Shoelace
  • Someday
  • Shopkeeper
  • Sweetmeat
  • Stonewall
  • Sunray
  • Sidewalk
  • Shoemaker
  • Supersonic
  • Somewhere
  • Sunbathe
  • Someone
  • Soapstone
  • Snowbank
  • Sandstone
  • Spillway
  • Seashore
  • Software
  • Spearmint
  • Sharecropper
  • Standout
  • Sweetheart
  • Shotgun
  • Shipwreck
  • Somewhere
  • Skyscraper
  • Shortcake
  • Stronghold
  • Showroom
  • Steamship
  • Sometimes
  • Superhuman
  • Sunfish
  • Snowdrift
  • Salesclerk
  • Superstrong
  • Schoolboy
  • Slowdown
  • Skintight
  • Snowbird
  • Somebody
  • Standpoint
  • Sundial
  • Spacewalk
  • Superstructure
  • Softball
  • Stagehand
  • Scarecrow
  • Superhero
  • Stockroom
  • Showboat
  • Springtime
  • Supergiant
  • Stepson
  • Showplace
  • Somehow
  • Skylight
  • Stopwatch
  • Stickup

Compound Words That Start With T

  • Talebearer
  • Taproot
  • Tabletop
  • Taillike
  • Tapeworm
  • Taxpayer
  • Taproom
  • Thunderbird
  • Toothpick
  • Tadpole
  • Tailspin
  • Timepieces
  • Tapeworm
  • Teardrop
  • Turnbuckle
  • Taxicab
  • Taskmaster
  • Tailbone
  • Timekeeper
  • Takeoff
  • Tenderfoot
  • Therefore
  • Teammate
  • Tenfold
  • Teapot
  • Takeout
  • Touchdown
  • Teacup
  • Taskmaster
  • Teamwork
  • Toothpaste
  • Throwback
  • Teardrop
  • Throwaway
  • Turnoff
  • Turndown
  • Thunderstorm
  • Together
  • Target
  • Tailspin
  • Talebearer
  • Timeshare
  • Turncoat
  • Tagalong
  • Thundershower
  • Teaspoon
  • Taillight
  • Teenager
  • Telltale
  • Tailcoat
  • Thunderbolt
  • Telltale
  • Turnkey
  • Township
  • Taleteller
  • Tattletale
  • Turntable
  • Teammate
  • Tablecloth
  • Tenderhearted
  • Teaspoon
  • Today
  • Tenderfoot
  • Tableware
  • Themselves
  • Tailgate
  • Turnaround
  • Tablespoon
  • Takeover
  • Taproot
  • Toolbox
  • Timesaving
  • Turnabout
  • Typewriter
  • Turnover
  • Taproom
  • Tenderloin
  • Takeoff
  • Textbook
  • Tailpiece
  • Timetable

Compound Words That Start With U

  • Undergird
  • Uplink
  • Underdog
  • Uptime
  • Upon
  • Upshot
  • Upstate
  • Underfur
  • Upcoming
  • Upland
  • Undercover
  • Uptake
  • Uproar
  • Upswing
  • Underachieve
  • Underage
  • Undercharge
  • Underclothes
  • Upriver
  • Upstage
  • Undercurrent
  • Underbelly
  • Updraft
  • Undercut
  • Underfoot
  • Upstream
  • Upstanding
  • Upstart
  • Underlie
  • Uppercut
  • Underdevelop
  • Upside
  • Uproot
  • Underfeed
  • Uppercase
  • Upward
  • Uptake
  • Underexpose
  • Underhand
  • Uptown
  • Undergo
  • Undergarment
  • Upthrust
  • Uptight
  • Upstart
  • Upend
  • Upgrade
  • Underground
  • Upload
  • Upturn
  • Upbeat
  • Upright
  • Underexpose
  • Upstairs
  • Underact
  • Upkeep
  • Upset
  • Upturn
  • Underfoot
  • Upperclassman
  • Underbid
  • Undergrowth
  • Underground
  • Upbringing
  • Underfinance
  • Upmarket
  • Upheaval
  • Underesimate
  • Upsurge
  • Uprising
  • Upward
  • Update
  • Uppermost
  • Undergraduate
  • Upwind
  • Underlayer
  • Upstream
  • Uphold
  • Underhanded
  • Upstate
  • Upheld
  • Underarm
  • Uplift
  • Uphill

Compound Words That Start With W

  • Washbowl
  • Wasteland
  • Wallflower
  • Warlord
  • Washout
  • Watchmaker
  • Waistband
  • Washtub
  • Waterworks
  • Weekend
  • Wanderlust
  • Warmhearted
  • Wayfarer
  • Washroom
  • Waterfall
  • Wheelbase
  • Watchdog
  • Wastewater
  • Warehouse
  • Waybill
  • Warpath
  • Watermelon
  • Watertight
  • Wipeout
  • Woodshop
  • Watchword
  • Watershead
  • Watercooler
  • Warship
  • Weeknight
  • Watchman
  • Watchband
  • Waistcoat
  • Watercolor
  • Weekday
  • Waterwheel
  • Waistline
  • Watercraft
  • Waterway
  • Whitefish
  • Wheelhouse
  • Waxwork
  • Weatherman
  • Wastepaper
  • Warmonger
  • Washboard
  • Wayside
  • Wheelchair
  • Wardroom
  • Wavelike
  • Waterfront
  • Warlike
  • Waterline
  • Without
  • Watermark
  • Walkways
  • Warfare
  • Wavelength
  • Waterlog
  • Whitecap
  • Whatever
  • Washcloth
  • Watchcase
  • Whitewash
  • Watchtower
  • Wallboard
  • Walkout
  • Waterproof
  • Waterfowl
  • Weathercock
  • Waterpower
  • Wallpaper
  • Waterspout
  • Warhead
  • Wheelbarrow
  • Walleyed
  • Wartime
  • Wastebasket
  • Weatherproof
  • Waylaid
  • Whatsoever
  • Widespread
  • Whitewall
  • Washstand
  • Waterscape
  • Warplanes
  • Waterside
  • Warmblooded
  • Wayward

Compound Words That Start With X

  • X-ray
  • Xerox
  • Xenophobia
  • Xenon gas
  • Xylophone
  • X-ray vision

Compound Words That Start With Y

  • Yellowtail
  • Yellowstone
  • Yearbook
  • Year-round
  • Yesterdays
  • Yogurt-covered

Compound Words That Start With Z

  • Zigzag
  • Zookeeper
  • Zipper-mouth
  • Zodiac sign
  • Zookeeper
  • Zucchini bread

Different Types of compound Words A to Z

Compound Words With Hyphen (Hyphenated Compound Words):

  1. Air-conditioned
  2. Back-up
  3. Child-proof
  4. Clear-cut
  5. Close-knit
  6. Close-minded
  7. Co-education
  8. Co-founder
  9. Cold-blooded
  10. Cross-reference
  11. Cry-baby
  12. Cut-off
  13. Double-check
  14. Easy-going
  15. Eye-catching
  16. Fire-proof
  17. First-hand
  18. Full-blown
  19. Full-time
  20. Get-together
  21. Good-looking
  22. Good-natured
  23. Ground-breaking
  24. Half-baked
  25. Hard-boiled
  26. Heart-warming
  27. High-pitched
  28. High-speed
  29. High-tech
  30. Hot-headed
  31. Ice-cold
  32. Life-long
  33. Life-size
  34. Light-hearted
  35. Light-weight
  36. Long-distance
  37. Long-range
  38. Long-term
  39. Low-budget
  40. Make-up
  41. Man-made
  42. Mid-air
  43. Mind-blowing
  44. Mother-in-law
  45. Multi-colored
  46. Narrow-minded
  47. Never-ending
  48. New-found
  49. Night-time
  50. Non-stop
  51. Off-road
  52. Old-fashioned
  53. Old-fashioned
  54. One-eyed
  55. One-third
  56. One-way
  57. Open-minded
  58. Part-time
  59. Part-time
  60. Post-traumatic
  61. Pro-choice
  62. Pro-life
  63. Self-assured
  64. Self-centered
  65. Self-conscious
  66. Self-contained
  67. Self-contained
  68. Self-defense
  69. Self-esteem
  70. Self-help
  71. Self-indulgent
  72. Self-made
  73. Self-motivated
  74. Self-preservation
  75. Self-regulating
  76. Self-reliant
  77. Self-righteous
  78. Self-sacrifice
  79. Self-starter
  80. Self-sufficient
  81. Self-taught
  82. Semi-circle
  83. Slow-motion
  84. Step-by-step
  85. Sugar-free
  86. Sun-dried
  87. Time-consuming
  88. Time-saving
  89. Top-notch
  90. T-shirt
  91. Two-faced
  92. Two-way
  93. Up-to-date
  94. User-friendly
  95. Weather-resistant
  96. Well-being
  97. Well-designed
  98. Well-established
  99. Well-maintained
  100. Well-rounded

Close Compound Words:

  1. Backpack
  2. Baseball
  3. Bedroom
  4. Birdhouse
  5. Blackboard
  6. Bookshelf
  7. Breakfast
  8. Butterflies
  9. Butterfly
  10. Campfire
  11. Cheeseburger
  12. Classroom
  13. Coffeehouse
  14. Crosswalk
  15. Cupcake
  16. Dragonfly
  17. Earphones
  18. Earring
  19. Earthquake
  20. Fingernail
  21. Firefly
  22. Fishbowl
  23. Flashlight
  24. Flowerpot
  25. Football
  26. Fruitcake
  27. Goldfish
  28. Grapefruit
  29. Hairbrush
  30. Handbag
  31. Headache
  32. Honeymoon
  33. Horseback
  34. Houseboat
  35. Housefly
  36. Iceberg
  37. Icebox
  38. Jellybean
  39. Jellyfish
  40. Keyboard
  41. Knapsack
  42. Ladybug
  43. Lifeguard
  44. Lifesaver
  45. Lighthouse
  46. Matchbox
  47. Milkshake
  48. Moonlight
  49. Nailpolish
  50. Newspaper
  51. Newspaper
  52. Nightstand
  53. Pancake
  54. Pineapple
  55. Playground
  56. Popcorn
  57. Rainbow
  58. Raincoat
  59. Rattlesnake
  60. Riverbank
  61. Roadblock
  62. Rubberband
  63. Sailboat
  64. Sandbox
  65. Sandcastle
  66. Scarecrow
  67. Schoolbag
  68. Scissors
  69. Seabird
  70. Seashell
  71. Skateboard
  72. Snowball
  73. Snowboard
  74. Snowflake
  75. Snowman
  76. Starburst
  77. Starfish
  78. Strawberry
  79. Sunburst
  80. Sunflower
  81. Sunglasses
  82. Sunscreen
  83. Toothbrush
  84. Toothpaste
  85. Toothpick
  86. Treefrog
  87. Treehouse
  88. Turtleneck
  89. Umbrella
  90. Wallpaper
  91. Waterfall
  92. Watermark
  93. Watermelon
  94. Wheelbarrow
  95. Wheelchair
  96. Windbreaker
  97. Windmill
  98. Windshield
  99. Workbook
  100. Workout

Open Compound Words:

  1. Air conditioning
  2. Alarm clock
  3. Apple pie
  4. Backpacking
  5. Baseball bat
  6. Bathrobe
  7. Bathroom
  8. Beach towel
  9. Birth control
  10. Birthday cake
  11. Black coffee
  12. Blood pressure
  13. Board game
  14. Book club
  15. Book store
  16. Bowling ball
  17. Breakfast cereal
  18. Bus stop
  19. Business card
  20. Butterfly garden
  21. Cake mix
  22. Camping trip
  23. Car rental
  24. Car seat
  25. Cell phone
  26. Christmas tree
  27. Coffee cup
  28. Coffee shop
  29. Computer desk
  30. Cookie jar
  31. Cooking oil
  32. Credit card
  33. Credit score
  34. Day care
  35. Day trip
  36. Dog food
  37. Donut shop
  38. Door knob
  39. Dressing room
  40. Driving range
  41. Duct tape
  42. Electric blanket
  43. Electric guitar
  44. Emergency room
  45. Eye glasses
  46. Family vacation
  47. Fire department
  48. Fire station
  49. Fishing rod
  50. Fitness center
  51. Football game
  52. Fountain pen
  53. Gasoline pump
  54. Golf course
  55. Hair salon
  56. Home run
  57. Hot dog
  58. Ice cream
  59. Income tax
  60. Jazz band
  61. Lawn mower
  62. Life jacket
  63. Mailbox
  64. Meatball
  65. Microphone
  66. Motorcycle
  67. Nightclub
  68. Parking lot
  69. Peanut butter
  70. Phone book
  71. Picnic table
  72. Pizza slice
  73. Post office
  74. Roller coaster
  75. Safety pin
  76. Salt shaker
  77. School bus
  78. Shopping cart
  79. Sleeping bag
  80. Smoke detector
  81. Snow cone
  82. Sports car
  83. Swimming pool
  84. Telephone pole
  85. Tennis racket
  86. Traffic light
  87. Train station
  88. Trash can
  89. Video game
  90. Washing machine
  91. Water bottle
  92. Water park
  93. Wedding cake
  94. Wheelchair ramp
  95. Window pane
  96. Wine bottle
  97. Wireless network
  98. Work boots
  99. Writing paper
  100. Yoga mat

Funny Compound Words:

  1. Bananarama
  2. Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo
  3. Blubber butt
  4. Booger bear
  5. Boogie-woogie
  6. Boondoggle
  7. Brouhaha
  8. Bubble wrap
  9. Bumfuzzle
  10. Chicken butt
  11. Choco-taco
  12. Cuddlebug
  13. Dillydally
  14. Dingleberry
  15. Doodlebug
  16. Fandango
  17. Fiddle-faddle
  18. Flibbertigibbet
  19. Flibbertigibbety
  20. Flim-flam
  21. Fluffernutter
  22. Froufrou
  23. Gobbledygook
  24. Gobbledygooker
  25. Gobbledygookery
  26. Gobbledygookish
  27. Gobbledygookishly
  28. Gobbledygookist
  29. Gobbledygookistic
  30. Gobbledygookistical
  31. Googly-eyes
  32. Gumboots
  33. Higgledy-piggledy
  34. Higgledy-piggledy
  35. Hocus-pocus
  36. Hoopla
  37. Hootenanny
  38. Hugger-mugger
  39. Jabberwocky
  40. Jibber-jabber
  41. Jitterbug
  42. Kerflop
  43. Kerfuffle
  44. Kerplunk
  45. Kookaburra
  46. Lollygag
  47. Malarkey
  48. Muffin-top
  49. Mumbo-jumbo
  50. Noodlehead
  51. Ooey-gooey
  52. Piddle-paddle
  53. Piffle
  54. Pitter-patter
  55. Ragamuffin
  56. Razzle-dazzle
  57. Razzmatazz
  58. Rinky-dink
  59. Scooby-doo
  60. Scuttlebutt
  61. Shilly-shally
  62. Shilly-shallying
  63. Skedaddle
  64. Skedaddling
  65. Skedoodle
  66. Skibbereen
  67. Skibbity-skibbity
  68. Skiddly-diddly
  69. Skiddoo
  70. Skippity-skip
  71. Skullduggery
  72. Smoochums
  73. Snollygoster
  74. Splish-splash
  75. Squeegee
  76. Super-duper
  77. Taradiddle
  78. Toodle-oo
  79. Tootle-pip
  80. Twiddle-dee
  81. Whatchamacallit
  82. Whimsical-wimsical
  83. Whirligig
  84. Whirlpool
  85. Whirly-twirly
  86. Wibble-wobble
  87. Wiggle-waggle
  88. Wiggly-piggly
  89. Wigwag
  90. Wishy-washy
  91. Wishy-washy
  92. Wobblebottom
  93. Wuzzles
  94. Yakety-yak
  95. Yo-yo
  96. Zigzag
  97. Zing-zing
  98. Zippity-doo-dah
  99. Zoom-zoom
  100. Zoom-zoom-zoom

Inappropriate Compound Words:

  1. Airborne
  2. Airfare
  3. Airhead
  4. Airplane
  5. Blackmail
  6. Bloodbath
  7. Bloodlust
  8. Bloodshot
  9. Bloodstain
  10. Bloodstream
  11. Bloodsucker
  12. Bookworm
  13. Brainchild
  14. Brainstorm
  15. Brainwash
  16. Brainwave
  17. Copycat
  18. Copywriter
  19. Crossbow
  20. Deathbed
  21. Earthquake
  22. Earthworm
  23. Earthy
  24. Eyeball
  25. Fishbowl
  26. Fishcake
  27. Fishhook
  28. Fishmonger
  29. Fishnet
  30. Grasshopper
  31. Grassland
  32. Grassroots
  33. Greaseball
  34. Greasepaint
  35. Greasy
  36. Hardsell
  37. Haywire
  38. Headache
  39. Headband
  40. Headcount
  41. Heartache
  42. Heartbeat
  43. Heartbreak
  44. Heartburn
  45. Heartstring
  46. Honeybee
  47. Honeycomb
  48. Honeydew
  49. Honeymoon
  50. Lightbulb
  51. Lighthouse
  52. Lightning
  53. Lightyear
  54. Liplock
  55. Lipoprotein
  56. Liposuction
  57. Lipreading
  58. Lipstick
  59. Moonbeam
  60. Moonlight
  61. Moonshine
  62. Moonwalk
  63. Numbness
  64. Nutcracker
  65. Nuthouse
  66. Nutmeg
  67. Overbite
  68. Overcoat
  69. Overdrive
  70. Overkill
  71. Overweight
  72. Roadblock
  73. Roadhouse
  74. Roadkill
  75. Roadside
  76. Shitfaced
  77. Shithead
  78. Shithole
  79. Shithouse
  80. Shitstorm
  81. Sidewalk
  82. Skinhead
  83. Smokehouse
  84. Smokescreen
  85. Smokestack
  86. Starburst
  87. Teardrop
  88. Thunderbolt
  89. Toothbrush

Best Compound Words:

  1. Breath-taking
  2. Crowd-pleaser
  3. Dream-come-true
  4. Eye-catching
  5. Game-changer
  6. Head-turning
  7. Heart-aching
  8. Heartening
  9. Heartfelt
  10. Heart-felt
  11. Heart-filling
  12. Heart-grabbing
  13. Heart-healing
  14. Heart-lifting
  15. Heart-melting
  16. Heart-pounding
  17. Heart-pumping
  18. Heart-racing
  19. Heart-rending
  20. Heart-shattering
  21. Heart-stirring
  22. Heart-stopping
  23. Heart-touching
  24. Heart-warming
  25. Heart-wrenching
  26. Jaw-dropping
  27. Life-affirming
  28. Life-altering
  29. Life-challenging
  30. Life-changing
  31. Life-empowering
  32. Life-enhancing
  33. Life-enriching
  34. Life-experience
  35. Life-fulfilling
  36. Life-giving
  37. Life-improving
  38. Life-inspiring
  39. Life-renewing
  40. Life-saving
  41. Life-sustaining
  42. Life-transforming
  43. Love-struck
  44. Mind-awakening
  45. Mind-bending
  46. Mind-blowing
  47. Mind-calming
  48. Mind-clearing
  49. Mind-easing
  50. Mind-empowering
  51. Mind-energizing
  52. Mind-engaging
  53. Mind-expanding
  54. Mind-focusing
  55. Mindful
  56. Mind-illuminating
  57. Mind-opening
  58. Mind-refreshing
  59. Mind-soothing
  60. Mind-stimulating
  61. Mouth-watering
  62. One-of-a-kind
  63. Picture-perfect
  64. Record-breaking
  65. Show-stopper
  66. Sky-high
  67. Soulful
  68. Soul-stirring
  69. Spirit-lifting
  70. Tear-jerking
  71. Thoughtful
  72. Thought-provoking
  73. Thrill-seeker
  74. Time-honored
  75. Timeless
  76. Time-saving
  77. Time-sensitive
  78. Trend-setting
  79. Unforgettable
  80. Well-crafted
  81. World-class

Nonsense Compound Words:

  1. Blah-blah-blah
  2. Bling-bling
  3. Brouhaha
  4. Cattywampus
  5. Chit-chat
  6. Dilly-dally
  7. Dilly-dallying
  8. Doo-dah
  9. Fiddle-fuddle
  10. Fiddlesticks
  11. Flapdoodle
  12. Flibbertigibbet
  13. Flim-flam
  14. Flim-flamming
  15. Gadzooks
  16. Gobbledygook
  17. Gobbledygooker
  18. Gobbledygookery
  19. Gobbledygookish
  20. Googly-eyes
  21. Higgle-dee-piggle-dee
  22. Higgledy-piggledy
  23. Hocus-pocus
  24. Hodge-podge
  25. Hoopla
  26. Hotchpotch
  27. Hurdy-gurdy
  28. Jabberwocky
  29. Jibber-jabber
  30. Jiggery-pokery
  31. Kerfuffle
  32. Kibosh
  33. Lollygag
  34. Malarkey
  35. Mish-mash
  36. Mumbo-jumbo
  37. Mumbo-jumboish
  38. Nincompoop
  39. Piffle-paffle
  40. Poppycock
  41. Razzle-dazzle
  42. Razzle-frizzle
  43. Riff-raff
  44. Rigamarole
  45. Rigmarole
  46. Scuttlebutt
  47. Shilly-shally
  48. Siggly-sagglies
  49. Skedaddle
  50. Skedoodle
  51. Skibbereen
  52. Skibbity-skibbity
  53. Skiddly-diddly
  54. Skippity-skip
  55. Skitter-scatter
  56. Skullduggery
  57. Snicker-snack
  58. Snollygoster
  59. Splish-splash
  60. Splish-splashing
  61. Squish-squash
  62. Super-duper
  63. Taradiddle
  64. Tiddlywinks
  65. Tittle-tattle
  66. Tomfoolery
  67. Wackadoodle
  68. Whatchamacallit
  69. Whiffle-ball
  70. Whirligig
  71. Whirly-twirly
  72. Wibble-wobble
  73. Wibble-wobbling
  74. Wibbly-wobbly
  75. Wiggle-waggle
  76. Wiggly-piggly
  77. Wiggly-waggling
  78. Wiggly-waggly
  79. Wim-wams
  80. Wingding
  81. Wishy-washy
  82. Yadda-yadda
  83. Yo-yo
  84. Yo-yo-yo
  85. Zig-zag
  86. Zig-zagging
  87. Zig-zag-zig
  88. Zing-zing-zing
  89. Zippy-zappy
  90. Zoinks
  91. Zoom-zoom
  92. Zonked-out

Beautiful Compound Words:

  1. Alluring
  2. Angelic
  3. Blissful
  4. Breathtaking
  5. Celestial
  6. Charming
  7. Divine
  8. Dulcet
  9. Elegance
  10. Enchanting
  11. Enthralling
  12. Ethereal
  13. Euphoria
  14. Exquisite
  15. Graceful
  16. Grandiose
  17. Halcyon
  18. Harmonious
  19. Heavenly
  20. Idyllic
  21. Luminous
  22. Magnanimous
  23. Magnificent
  24. Majestic
  25. Mellifluous
  26. Mystical
  27. Opulent
  28. Ornate
  29. Picturesque
  30. Poignant
  31. Radiant
  32. Resplendent
  33. Rhapsodic
  34. Scenic
  35. Seraphic
  36. Serendipity
  37. Serene
  38. Siren
  39. Splendid
  40. Sublime
  41. Whimsical
  42. Winsome

Unique Compound Words:

  1. Aftershave
  2. Backstroke
  3. Beachfront
  4. Brainstorm
  5. Breakthrough
  6. Cosplay
  7. Cybercafe
  8. Downsize
  9. Ebook
  10. Eco-friendly
  11. Eurozone
  12. Fanboy
  13. Flexitarian
  14. Freckleface
  15. Freegan
  16. Frindle
  17. Frisbee
  18. Geocache
  19. Glamping
  20. Glitterati
  21. Greenwash
  22. Guestimate
  23. Hootenanny
  24. Infomercial
  25. Infotainment
  26. Internaut
  27. Intramural
  28. Jargonaut
  29. Jukebox
  30. Kindle
  31. Knickknack
  32. Ladyboss
  33. Lifespan
  34. Logorrhea
  35. Mindset
  36. Mindshare
  37. Multitask
  38. Nanosecond
  39. Netiquette
  40. Newsflash
  41. Newsmaker
  42. Nomophobia
  43. Nutraceutical
  44. Ombré
  45. Omnivore
  46. Outsource
  47. Overthink
  48. Photobomb
  49. Photogenic
  50. Photogenicity
  51. Podcast
  52. Powerhouse
  53. Qigong
  54. Quickie
  55. Razzle-dazzle
  56. Rockstar
  57. Sci-fi
  58. Selfie
  59. Sellout
  60. Skyscraper
  61. Smartwatch
  62. Smokestack
  63. Snapback
  64. Snarky
  65. Snowflake
  66. Soulmate
  67. Spacewalk
  68. Staycation
  69. Streetwear
  70. Superhero
  71. Supersize
  72. Sustainable
  73. Swimwear
  74. Talkative
  75. Tastemaker
  76. Tech-savvy
  77. Teenybopper
  78. Textbook
  79. Textspeak
  80. Throwback
  81. Thunderbolt
  82. Time-lapse
  83. Tiptoe
  84. Topnotch
  85. Touchdown
  86. Trendsetter
  87. Triple-decker
  88. Trustworthy
  89. Twentysomething
  90. Typo
  91. Ultramodern
  92. Underdog
  93. Unplugged
  94. Upcycle
  95. Upsell
  96. Vintage
  97. Vlog
  98. Vuvuzela
  99. Wanderlust
  100. Webinar

Examples of Compound Words

Below are some examples of compound words:

Any

+

Place

=

Anyplace

Ash

+

Tray

=

Ashtray

Above

+

Board

=

Aboveboard

Air

+

Port

=

Airport

An

+

Other

=

Headache

Air

+

Line

=

Airline

Any

+

Way

=

Anyway

Any

+

Body

=

Anybody

Along

+

Side

=

Alongside

Air

+

Plane

=

Airplane

Any

+

Time

=

Anytime

After

+

Noon

=

Afternoon

Any

+

One

=

Anyone

Book

+

Mark

=

Bookmark

Bug

+

Spray

=

Bugspray

Butter

+

Flies

=

Wheelbase

Ball

+

Park

=

Ballpark

Bank

+

Book

=

Bankbook

Butter

+

Nut

=

Butternut

Bed

+

Room

=

Bedroom

Blue

+

Print

=

Blueprint

Bank

+

Roll

=

Bankroll

Book

+

Case

=

Bookcase

By

+

Pass

=

Bypass

Back

+

Ground

=

Background

Book

+

End

=

Bookend

Back

+

Fire

=

Backfire

Back

+

Lash

=

Backlash

Book

+

Store

=

Bookstore

Back

+

Space

=

Waterlog

Book

+

Mobile

=

Bookmobile

Ball

+

Room

=

Ballroom

Beach

+

Comb

=

Beachcomb

Back

+

Log

=

Backlog

Back

+

Pack

=

Backpack

Brain

+

Child

=

Brainchild

Bow

+

Tie

=

Bowtie

Back

+

Bite

=

Backbite

Black

+

mail

=

Blackmail

Back

+

Bone

=

Backbone

Black

+

Out

=

Blackout

Basket

+

Ball

=

Basketball

Black

+

List

=

Blacklist

Book

+

Shelf

=

Bookshelf

Be

+

Low

=

Below

Be

+

Cause

=

Because

Blue

+

Fish

=

Bluefish

Black

+

Jack

=

Blackjack

Be

+

Come

=

Become

Black

+

Board

=

Blackboard

Body

+

Work

=

Bodywork

Board

+

Walk

=

Boardwalk

Back

+

Stroke

=

Schoolhouse

Black

+

Smith

=

Blacksmith

Base

+

Ball

=

Baseball

Black

+

Berries

=

Blackberries

Baby

+

Sitter

=

Babysitter

Black

+

Ball

=

Blackball

Bell

+

Bottom

=

Bellbottom

Back

+

Ache

=

Backache

Back

+

Spin

=

Backspin

Bold

+

Face

=

Boldface

Back

+

Track

=

Backtrack

Black

+

Bird

=

Blackbird

Boot

+

Strap

=

Bootstrap

Black

+

Top

=

Blacktop

Car

+

Load

=

Carload

Clock

+

Wise

=

Clockwise

Can

+

Not

=

Cannot

Cross

+

Bow

=

Crossbow

Candle

+

Light

=

Candlelight

Car

+

Hop

=

Carhop

Coffee

+

Maker

=

Sunday

Car

+

Pool

=

Carpool

Car

+

Rack

=

Carrack

Corn

+

Meal

=

Cornmeal

Carpet

+

Bagger

=

Carpetbagger

Card

+

Board

=

Cardboard

Card

+

Stock

=

Cardstock

Cat

+

Walk

=

Catwalk

Cross

+

Walk

=

Crosswalk

Cross

+

Over

=

Crossover

Car

+

carfare

=

Carfare

Common

+

Place

=

Commonplace

Crew

+

Cut

=

Crewcut

Car

+

Port

=

Carport

Center

+

Cut

=

Centercut

Disk

+

Drive

=

Diskdrive

Dish

+

cloth

=

Dishcloth

Day

+

Light

=

Daylight

Day

+

Time

=

Daytime

Day

+

Book

=

Daybook

Down

+

Beat

=

Downbeat

Dead

+

End

=

Deadend

Day

+

Break

=

Daybreak

Down

+

Under

=

Downunder

Dish

+

Pan

=

Dishpan

Drive

+

Way

=

Driveway

Dead

+

Line

=

Deadline

Day

+

Dream

=

Daydream

Door

+

Stop

=

Doorstop

Dog

+

Wood

=

Dogwood

Dish

+

Washer

=

Dishwasher

Earth

+

Quake

=

Earthquake

Ear

+

Ache

=

Earache

Earth

+

Worm

=

Earthworm

Ear

+

Drum

=

Eardrum

Egg

+

Shell

=

Eggshell

Eye

+

Catching

=

eye-catching

Eye

+

Lid

=

Eyelid

Eye

+

Balls

=

Eyeballs

Earth

+

Ward

=

Earthward

Eye

+

Sight

=

Eyesight

Fore

+

Father

=

Forefather

Fore

+

Stall

=

Forestall

Foot

+

Prints

=

Footprints

Fore

+

Closure

=

Foreclosure

For

+

Bid

=

Forbid

Fire

+

Flies

=

Fireflies

Fore

+

Doom

=

Foredoom

Fish

+

Net

=

Fishnet

Fire

+

Break

=

Firebreak

Fore

+

Most

=

Foremost

Father

+

Land

=

Fatherland

Fish

+

pond

=

Fishpond

Foot

+

Ball

=

Football

For

+

Bearer

=

Forbearer

For

+

Give

=

Forgive

Fisher

+

Man

=

Fisherman

Fish

+

Monger

=

Fishmonger

Fore

+

Paws

=

Forepaws

Fore

+

Hand

=

Forehand

Fore

+

Head

=

Forehead

Forget

+

Get

=

Forget

For

+

Mat

=

Format

Fore

+

Close

=

Foreclose

Fire

+

Ball

=

Fireball

Fort

+

Night

=

Nevermore

Fire

+

Proof

=

Fireproof

Fire

+

House

=

Underarm

Foot

+

Hill

=

Foothill

Fish

+

Tail

=

Fishtail

Fire

+

Fighter

=

Firefighter

Fire

+

Arm

=

Firearm

Friend

+

Ship

=

Friendship

Fore

+

Castle

=

Forecastle

Fore

+

See

=

Foresee

Fore

+

Cast

=

Forecast

Fore

+

Arm

=

Forearm

Fore

+

Bear

=

Forebear

Fruit

+

Cup

=

Fruitcup

Grand

+

Son

=

Grandson

Go

+

Go

=

Cargo

Grand

+

Mother

=

Grandmother

Grand

+

Uncle

=

Granduncle

Good

+

Bye

=

Goodbye

Grand

+

Stand

=

Grandstand

Grand

+

Parent

=

Grandparent

Grand

+

Nieces

=

Grandnieces

Good

+

Night

=

Goodnight

Grand

+

Daughter

=

Granddaughter

Glass

+

Making

=

Glassmaking

Grand

+

Children

=

Grandchildren

Grand

+

Aunt

=

Grandaunt

Grand

+

Master

=

Grandmaster

Grand

+

Child

=

Grandchild

Grand

+

Father

=

Grandfather

Grand

+

Nephew

=

Grandnephew

Gear

+

Shift

=

Gearshift

Grass

+

Hopper

=

Grasshopper

Grave

+

Yard

=

Graveyard

Gum

+

Ball

=

Gumball

Horse

+

Back

=

Horseback

House

+

Hold

=

Household

Head

+

Quarters

=

Headquarters

High

+

Ball

=

Highball

Horse

+

Play

=

Horseplay

Home

+

Town

=

Hometown

Ham

+

Burger

=

Hamburger

Head

+

Ache

=

Another

Her

+

Self

=

Herself

Honey

+

Comb

=

Honeycomb

Here

+

After

=

Hereafter

Honey

+

Bee

=

Honeybee

How

+

Ever

=

However

Hammer

+

Head

=

Hammerhead

Hand

+

Made

=

Handmade

High

+

Way

=

Highway

Hook

+

Up

=

Hookup

Honey

+

Dew

=

Honeydew

House

+

Keeper

=

Housekeeper

Home

+

Made

=

Homemade

Horse

+

Radish

=

Horseradish

Here

+

In

=

Herein

Honey

+

Moon

=

Honeymoon

In

+

Side

=

Inside

It

+

Self

=

Itself

Jet

+

Port

=

Jetport

Jail

+

Bait

=

Jailbait

Jelly

+

Fish

=

Jellyfish

Jack

+

Pot

=

Jackpot

Jelly

+

Bean

=

Jellybean

Jet

+

Liner

=

Jetliner

Jump

+

Shot

=

Jumpshot

Key

+

Hole

=

Keyhole

Key

+

Word

=

Keyword

Key

+

Stone

=

Keystone

Key

+

Board

=

Keyboard

Key

+

Note

=

Keynote

Key

+

Stroke

=

Keystroke

Lime

+

Light

=

Limelight

Life

+

Time

=

Lifetime

Long

+

House

=

Longhouse

Life

+

Boat

=

Lifeboat

Long

+

House

=

Longhouse

Life

+

Long

=

Lifelong

Life

+

Like

=

Lifelike

Life

+

Line

=

Lifeline

Life

+

Blood

=

Lifeblood

Lime

+

Stone

=

Limestone

Luke

+

Warm

=

Lukewarm

Life

+

Saver

=

Lifesaver

Life

+

Work

=

Lifework

Main

+

Line

=

Mainline

Moon

+

Light

=

Moonlight

Moon

+

Struck

=

Moonstruck

Moon

+

Walk

=

Moonwalk

Mean

+

While

=

Somehow

Mother

+

Hood

=

Motherhood

Mean

+

Time

=

Uphill

Motor

+

Cycle

=

Motorcycle

Moon

+

Lit

=

Moonlit

Match

+

Box

=

Matchbox

News

+

Letter

=

Newsletter

Night

+

Fall

=

Nightfall

News

+

Man

=

Newsman

News

+

Room

=

Newsroom

Near

+

By

=

Nearby

News

+

Paper

=

Newspaper

Never

+

More

=

Fortnight

North

+

East

=

Northeast

News

+

Person

=

Newsperson

News

+

Stand

=

Newsstand

New

+

Born

=

Newborn

News

+

Reel

=

Newsreel

Nut

+

Cracker

=

Nutcracker

No

+

Body

=

Nobody

Noise

+

Maker

=

noisemaker

News

+

Worthy

=

Newsworthy

One

+

Self

=

Oneself

Over

+

Board

=

Overboard

Over

+

Shoes

=

Overshoes

Over

+

Flow

=

Overflow

Over

+

Abundance

=

Overabundance

Play

+

Back

=

Playback

Pepper

+

Mint

=

Peppermint

Pan

+

Cake

=

Pancake

Pin

+

Stripe

=

Pinstripe

Pass

+

Key

=

Passkey

Pop

+

Corn

=

Popcorn

Pick

+

Up

=

Pickup

Pass

+

Port

=

Passport

Pay

+

Check

=

Paycheck

Pace

+

Maker

=

Pacemaker

Post

+

Card

=

Postcard

Repair

+

Man

=

Repairman

Rattle

+

Snake

=

Rattlesnake

River

+

Banks

=

Riverbanks

Rain

+

Check

=

Raincheck

Rain

+

Water

=

Rainwater

Rain

+

Drop

=

Raindrop

Rubber

+

Band

=

Rubberband

Rain

+

Bow

=

Rainbow

Rattle

+

Trap

=

Rattletrap

Racquet

+

Ball

=

Racquetball

Super

+

Fine

=

Superfine

Some

+

One

=

Someone

Store

+

Rooms

=

Storerooms

Sun

+

Day

=

Coffeemaker

Some

+

How

=

Meanwhile

Sound

+

Proof

=

Soundproof

South

+

East

=

Southeast

Scare

+

Crow

=

Scarecrow

School

+

Bus

=

Schoolbus

Super

+

Charge

=

Supercharge

Sky

+

Scraper

=

Skyscraper

Soft

+

Ware

=

Software

School

+

Boy

=

Schoolboy

Sun

+

Up

=

Sunup

Sweet

+

Heart

=

Sweetheart

Sauce

+

Pan

=

Saucepan

Snow

+

Drift

=

Snowdrift

Snow

+

Shovel

=

Snowshovel

School

+

House

=

Backstroke

Sea

+

Shore

=

Seashore

Some

+

Thing

=

Something

Spokes

+

Person

=

Spokesperson

Stand

+

By

=

Standby

Skate

+

Board

=

Skateboard

Some

+

Times

=

Sometimes

Super

+

Impose

=

Superimpose

Ship

+

Bottom

=

Shipbottom

Some

+

Day

=

Someday

Shady

+

Side

=

Shadyside

Spear

+

Mint

=

Spearmint

Sun

+

Flower

=

Subway

Super

+

Sonic

=

Supersonic

Slum

+

Lord

=

Slumlord

Stop

+

Watch

=

Stopwatch

Sun

+

Roof

=

Sunroof

Super

+

Sensitive

=

supersensitive

Super

+

Hero

=

Superhero

Sub

+

Way

=

Sunflower

Sand

+

Stone

=

Sandstone

Super

+

Structure

=

Superstructure

Slow

+

Down

=

Slowdown

Sun

+

Ray

=

Sunray

Super

+

Woman

=

Superwoman

Sun

+

Fish

=

Sunfish

Sun

+

Down

=

Sundown

Silver

+

Smith

=

Silversmith

South

+

West

=

Southwest

Side

+

Show

=

Sideshow

Super

+

Weapon

=

Superweapon

Snake

+

Skin

=

Snakeskin

Super

+

Star

=

Superstar

Sun

+

Bathe

=

Sunbathe

There

+

Fore

=

Therefore

Teen

+

Ager

=

Teenager

Tape

+

Worm

=

Underdog

Taxi

+

Cab

=

Taxicab

Time

+

Pieces

=

Timepieces

Thunder

+

Bird

=

Thunderbird

Tail

+

Bone

=

Tailbone

Team

+

Work

=

Teamwork

Tea

+

Cup

=

Underact

Thunder

+

Storm

=

thunderstorm

Type

+

Writer

=

Typewriter

To

+

Gether

=

Together

To

+

Day

=

Today

Tax

+

Payer

=

Undercover

Tooth

+

Pick

=

Toothpick

Touch

+

Down

=

Touchdown

Them

+

Selves

=

Themselves

Tool

+

Box

=

Toolbox

Turn

+

Table

=

Uplift

Tooth

+

Paste

=

Toothpaste

Town

+

Ship

=

Township

Tad

+

Pole

=

Tadpole

Under

+

Current

=

Undercurrent

Under

+

Estimate

=

Underestimate

Up

+

Right

=

Upright

Up

+

Start

=

Upstart

Up

+

State

=

Upstate

Under

+

Act

=

Teacup

Up

+

Lift

=

Turntable

Up

+

Keep

=

Upkeep

Up

+

Date

=

Update

Up

+

Stage

=

Upstage

Uphold

+

Hold

=

Uphold

Up

+

End

=

Upend

Under

+

Dog

=

Tapeworm

Under

+

Bid

=

Underbid

Up

+

Time

=

Uptime

Up

+

Set

=

Upset

Up

+

Beat

=

Upbeat

Up

+

Hill

=

Meantime

Up

+

Coming

=

Upcoming

Up

+

Shot

=

Upshot

Up

+

Bringing

=

Upbringing

Under

+

Arm

=

Firehouse

Up

+

Root

=

Uproot

Upper

+

Most

=

Uppermost

Up

+

Ward

=

Upward

Up

+

Grade

=

Upgrade

Up

+

Market

=

Upmarket

Up

+

Turn

=

Upturn

Under

+

Belly

=

Underbelly

Upper

+

Cut

=

Uppercut

Up

+

Wind

=

Upwind

Up

+

Land

=

Upland

Up

+

Roar

=

Uproar

Under

+

Cover

=

Taxpayer

Up

+

Link

=

Uplink

Up

+

Tight

=

Uptight

Upper

+

Case

=

Uppercase

Up

+

Load

=

Upload

Up

+

Held

=

Upheld

Up

+

Stream

=

Upstream

Under

+

Charge

=

undercharge

Up

+

Rising

=

Uprising

Under

+

Ground

=

underground

Up

+

On

=

Upon

Wash

+

Board

=

Washboard

Wash

+

Room

=

Washroom

War

+

Fare

=

Warfare

Watch

+

Tower

=

Watchtower

Way

+

Side

=

Wayside

Water

+

Mark

=

Watermark

Water

+

Works

=

Waterworks

Week

+

Day

=

Weekday

Wash

+

Tub

=

Washtub

Water

+

Cooler

=

Watercooler

Wide

+

Spread

=

Widespread

Watch

+

Dog

=

Watchdog

Wash

+

Bowl

=

Washbowl

Water

+

Front

=

Waterfront

White

+

Cap

=

Whitecap

Way

+

Farer

=

Wayfarer

Weather

+

Proof

=

Weatherproof

Water

+

Line

=

Waterline

Wood

+

Shop

=

Woodshop

Weather

+

Man

=

Weatherman

Wheel

+

Base

=

Butterflies

Water

+

Way

=

Waterway

Water

+

Power

=

Waterpower

Water

+

Proof

=

Wavelike

Water

+

Side

=

Waterside

With

+

Out

=

Without

Water

+

Craft

=

Watercraft

White

+

Fish

=

Whitefish

Wash

+

Stand

=

Washstand

Water

+

Tight

=

Watertight

White

+

Wash

=

Whitewash

Waste

+

Water

=

Wastewater

Water

+

Wheel

=

Waterwheel

Watch

+

Band

=

Watchband

White

+

Wall

=

Whitewall

Water

+

Fall

=

Waterfall

Wave

+

Like

=

Waterproof

Wax

+

Work

=

Waxwork

Way

+

Ward

=

Wayward

What

+

Ever

=

Whatever

Way

+

Laid

=

Waylaid

Water

+

Melon

=

Watermelon

Where

+

Where

=

Elsewhere

Watch

+

Man

=

Watchman

Waste

+

Paper

=

Wastepaper

Water

+

Spout

=

Waterspout

Water

+

Scape

=

Waterscape

Way

+

Bill

=

Waybill

Watch

+

Case

=

Watchcase

Wave

+

Length

=

Wavelength

Wheel

+

Barrow

=

Wheelbarrow

Week

+

End

=

Weekend

Wash

+

Out

=

Washout

Water

+

Log

=

Backspace

Water

+

Fowl

=

Waterfowl

Water

+

Color

=

Watercolor

Waste

+

Basket

=

Wastebasket

Watch

+

Maker

=

Watchmaker

Infographics (List of Compound Words in Alphabetical Order)

compound words

compound words list

compound words compound words compound words compound words list

compound words list List of Compound Words in Alphabetical Order compound words compound words compound words list compound words list

List of Compound Words in Alphabetical Order
Compound words list pdf
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Compound Words – Video Lesson

List of Compound Words in Alphabetical Order PDF

Cover image for article

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.

Image showing definition of compound words

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.

Image showing the forms of compound 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

Image showing 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

Image showing 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.

Image showing hyphenated compound words

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:

Image showing compound word rulese

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.

ProWritingAid

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

Image of woman talking

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

hyphenation suggestion in prowritingaid

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!


Take your writing to the next level:

20 Editing Tips From Professional Writers

20 Editing Tips from Professional Writers

Whether you are writing a novel, essay, article, or email, good writing is an essential part of communicating your ideas.

This guide contains the 20 most important writing tips and techniques from a wide range of professional writers.

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

Compound Words | Types and A Huge List of 1000+ Compound Words in English

Compound Words | Types and A Huge List of 1000+ Compound Words in English

Compound Words | Types and A Huge List of 1000+ Compound Words in English

Compound Words | Types and A Huge List of 1000+ Compound Words in English

Compound Words | Types and A Huge List of 1000+ Compound Words in English

Adjectives are used to modify nouns or pronouns in a sentence. There are many different types of adjectives; each one has a slightly different purpose. Sometimes, adjectives may even be made up of more than one word. These types of adjectives are known as compound adjectives.

Compound adjectives are a type of neologism — referring to the coining and creation of new words. They are formed by combining two or more words together.

Compound adjectives: definition

What are compound adjectives? Take a look at the definition below:

Compound adjectives are adjectives made up of more than one word (usually two, but sometimes three). They are used to modify the noun or pronoun in a sentence, so they have the same function as single-word adjectives.

Compound adjectives do not have to be made up of only adjectives; other word forms can combine to form compound adjectives (such as nouns and adjectives, adverbs and past participles, etc.).

The word «single-word» is an example of a compound adjective!

Compound Adjectives Image of snowy forest StudySmarterFig. 1 — Snow could be described as «ice-cold.» This is an example of a compound adjective.

Compound adjectives: rules

Compound adjectives are used to modify nouns or pronouns. They can be placed before the noun/pronoun in a sentence. For example:

«My long-term goal is to stay happy.»

In this sentence, the compound adjective «long-term» is used to modify the noun «goal.»

Alternatively, they can also come after the noun/pronoun. For example:

«This playground is child-safe.«

In this sentence, the compound adjective «child-safe» is used to modify the noun «playground.»

Compound adjectives: using the hyphen

Compound adjectives often use hyphens to let the reader know they should be read as one unit instead of two different words. In particular, compound adjectives are usually hyphenated when they come before a noun or pronoun in a sentence. For example:

«I’m baking a gluten-free cake.»

However, compound adjectives do not always need to be hyphenated if their meaning is still clear without one. They’re usually not hyphenated when they come after a noun or pronoun. For example:

«This cake is gluten-free» VS. «This cake is gluten free.»

Both of these sentences can be understood regardless of the use of a hyphen.

Keep in mind that when using hyphens, it is often a matter of personal preference. But, in some instances, it is easier to hyphenate compound adjectives if the meaning could be misunderstood. These misunderstandings may be more common among non-native speakers of English, as they may mistake a compound adjective for two separate words, which can change the meaning of a sentence.

Take the sentence, «I saw a fish eating bear.»

Without the hyphen, it could seem as though the fish is eating a bear.

When a hyphen is used, the meaning of the sentence is made clearer:

«I saw a fish-eating bear.»

It is clear that the sentence is referring to a bear that eats fish.

Compound adjective: examples

There are different types of compound adjectives made with words from different word classes. It is important to know that just because they are called compound adjectives, this does not mean they only contain adjectives.

Compound adjectives simply act as an adjective in a sentence, but they can consist of words from other word classes. Take a look at some examples of different types of compound adjectives below:

Adjective Noun

Example Sentence
Last-minute «I’m planning a last-minute trip to New York.»
Long-distance «The long-distance flight was tiring.»
High-quality «The TV played high-quality videos.»
Short-term «Think about your short-term plan.»

Adjective Present Participle (verb form ending in «ing»)

Example Sentence
Good-looking «He’s a good-looking guy.»
Easy-going «Some would say I’m easy-going.»
Tight-fitting «I want to buy some tight-fitting jeans.»
Long-running «Les Miserables is a long-running theatre show.»

Adjective Past Participle (verb form usually ending in «ed»)

Example Sentence
Old-fashioned «The clothes she wore were quite old-fashioned.»
Open-minded «My family is open-minded.»
Quick-witted «Her quick-witted sense of humor makes people laugh.»
Short-lived «That idea was short-lived.»

Noun Adjective

Example Sentence
Family-friendly «This resort is family-friendly.»
Child-free «Enjoy a child-free trip away.»
World-famous «The Beatles were a world-famous band.»
Sugar-free «The sugar-free brownies are surprisingly good.»

Noun Present Participle

Example Sentence
Mind-numbing «After another mind-numbing conversation, I was ready to go to sleep.»
Record-breaking «The fastest car in the world went a record-breaking 763 miles an hour.»
Time-consuming «Writing essays can be time-consuming but very rewarding.»
Thought-provoking «He asked a thought-provoking question.»

Noun Past Participle

Example Sentence
Middle-aged «A middle-aged man crossed the street.»
Sun-dried «The sun-dried tomatoes are the best.»
Wind-powered «Many boats are wind-powered.»
Tongue-tied «I was tongue-tied when I met a celebrity.»

Adverb Past Participle

Example Sentence
Well-behaved «The puppy is well-behaved.»
Brightly-lit «The brightly-lit room felt uninviting.»
Highly-respected «The highly-respected university professor has been working for many years.»
Well-known «Germany is well-known for its beer and sausages.»

Number Noun

Fifteen-minute «You need to do a fifteen-minute presentation.»
Four-story «I live in a four-story building.»
Ninety-page «She had to memorize a ninety-page monologue.»
Five-star «We were staying at a five-star hotel.»

Note that compound adjectives with numbers must only include a singular noun. For example, saying «I live in a four-story building» is grammatically correct, but «I live in a four-stories building» is not. This is because «story» is singular, and «stories» is plural.

Compound Adjectives Image of an essay StudySmarterFig. 2 — You may write a «ten-page» essay, but not a «ten-pages» essay!

Three-word compound adjectives with hyphens

Although they are not as common, some compound adjectives contain three words. In this case, the conjunctions «and» or «of» are usually used between two other words. All three words must be hyphenated to show they are one unit of meaning instead of three separate words. For example:

Three-word compound adjective Example sentence
Matter-of-fact «She spoke in a matter-of-fact way about politics.»
Salt-and-pepper «His salt-and-pepper hair was attractive.»
Happy-go-lucky «He’s a happy-go-lucky person.»

It is worth mentioning that compound adjectives are not the only type of compound word. For example, another type of compound word is a compound noun.

Compound nouns function as nouns in a sentence and are made up of two or more words. A few examples are:

  • bedroom
  • raincoat
  • toothpaste

Compound nouns are often written as one word without hyphens (but not always).

Compound Adjectives — Key takeaways

  • Compound adjectives are adjectives made up of more than one word (usually two, sometimes three).
  • Compound adjectives are used to modify the noun or pronoun in a sentence.
  • Compound adjectives can comprise different word classes. Some different types of compound adjectives are:
    • adjective + noun, adjective + present participle, adjective + past participle
    • noun + adjective, noun + present participle, noun + past participle
    • adverb + past participle
    • number + noun
  • Compound adjectives often use hyphens (especially if they come before the noun), as this lets the reader know that they are a single unit of meaning and not two separate words. Hyphens are not always needed and often aren’t used when the compound adjective comes after the noun.
  • Although not as common, compound adjectives can also consist of three words. Three-word compound adjectives always use hyphens.

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:

  1. You can access backup copies of your files in case of any eventuality.
  2. The students had many carryovers in their courses.
  3. 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

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