One word for many words examples

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ENGLISH VOCABULARY IN USE ADVANCED

UNIT 91

One word, many meanings

A

Polysemy A great many words in English have more than one meaning. Linguists call this aspect of vocabulary polysemy. Look at these sentences and think about how you would translate the words in italics into your own language. fair It’s only fair that we should share the housework. The Frankfurt Book Fair is a very important event for most publishers. The forecast is for the weather to stay fair for the next week. I’ve got fair skin and burn easily in the sun. His marks in his final exams ranged from excellent to fair. flat The firefighters managed to save the children from the burning third-floor flat. The countryside round here is terribly flat and boring. To join the Fitness Club, you pay a flat fee of £500. The sonata is in B flat minor. She finished the exercise in five minutes flat. capital Fill in the form in capital letters. Wellington is the capital of New Zealand. You need plenty of capital to open a restaurant. Capital punishment has been abolished in many countries. mean What does ‘coagulate’ mean? I didn’t mean to hurt you. He’s far too mean to buy her flowers. The mean temperature for July is 25oC. You shouldn’t be so mean to your little sister. You probably need a different word to translate fair, flat, capital and mean in each sentence. Sometimes the meanings are clearly related – flat as in countryside has a connection with flat as in apartment in that they both include an idea of being on one level. Sometimes, however, there is no connection at all. For example, the meaning of fair as in Book Fair has no obvious connection with any of the other meanings of fair. Words like this can be called homographs (words with the same spellings but different meanings).

B

Being aware of polysemy It is useful to be aware of polysemy in English for several reasons. • You need to remember that the meaning you first learnt for a word may not be the one that it has in a new context. • You need to be aware that in English, words can sometimes be used as different parts of speech. Flat with its apartment meaning, for instance, can become an adjective, e.g. a set of flat keys. • Learning about the range of meanings that a word can have can help you to learn several meanings for the price of one. • It will also help you to understand jokes in English, as these are often based on polysemous words. Language help The context of a word with multiple meanings will usually make it absolutely clear which of the word’s possible meanings is intended. So you can understand what, for example, the noun drill probably means in (a) a dental context, (b) an army context, (c) a road-building context, or (d) a languagelearning context.

EXERCISES

91.1	Find the example sentence in A opposite in which fair, flat, capital or mean has the following meaning. 1 intend 2 exactly 3 proper, just 4 city with the seat of government 5 light in colour 6 unkind 7 fixed 8 neither very good nor very bad 9 money 10 unwilling to spend money
91.2	What part of speech is the italicised word in each of the example sentences in A? Write a synonym or explanation for each of the examples not used in 91.1.
91.3	Here are some more examples of polysemous words in English. Which word can fill all the gaps in each group of sentences? 1 He struck a ____________ and we slowly began to look around the dark cave. The teenage cooks in the competition were a ____________ for any of the adults. Their marriage has been called a ____________ made in heaven. 2 That bird has an unusually long ____________. Don’t forget to keep the receipt when you pay your hotel ____________. Parliament is currently discussing a ____________ proposing changes to copyright legislation. 3 Hannah gave us a lovely ____________ of glasses as a wedding present. Let’s now try and ____________ a date for our meeting next week. My father has very ____________ opinions about how people should behave. 4 I’ve applied for a ____________ in our company’s Paris office. The end of the race is indicated by a ____________ with a flag on it. Why not ____________ your query on an online forum? You’re bound to get a quick response. 5 I didn’t get my assignment back because the teacher hadn’t had time to ____________ it. Sales have already passed the million ____________. You’ve got a red ____________ on your cheek. It looks like lipstick. 6 You need to be a special kind of person to ____________ a successful business. Do you fancy going for a ____________ this evening? Thanks to the hot weather, our shop has had a ____________ on ice cream.
91.4	Look at the Language help box. What does drill mean in each of the four contexts suggested?
91.5	What would the given word be most likely to mean in each of the contexts suggested? Use a dictionary if necessary. 1 register: a a primary school b a post office 2 interest: a people planning a festival b a bank 3 dice: a a kitchen b people playing a board game 4 service: a people playing tennis b in a restaurant 5 case: a in a lawyer’s office b at an airport 6 cue: a people playing snooker b in the theatre
91.6	Explain these one-line jokes. They are all based on polysemy. 1 I wondered why the tennis ball was getting bigger. Then it hit me! 2 Smaller babies may be delivered by a stork but the heavier ones need a crane. 3 Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana. 4 You know prices are rising when you buy a winter jacket and even down is up.

ANSWER KEY

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

They are all examples of compound words.

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

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

What Are Compound Words?

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

The Three Types of Compound Words

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

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

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

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

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

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

1. Closed Compound Words

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

Examples of Closed Compound Words

• Cup + cake becomes cupcake

• Basket + ball becomes basketball

• Key + board becomes keyboard

• Extra + ordinary becomes extraordinary

• Birth + day becomes birthday

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

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

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

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

• I need to proofread my essay.

• I think the clerk shortchanged me.

• I have to babysit my little sister.

2. Open Compound Words

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

Examples of Open Compound Words

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

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

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

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

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

3. Hyphenated Compound Words

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

Some compound words are always hyphenated.

• Merry-go-round

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

• Self-esteem

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

Examples of Hyphenated Compound Adjectives:

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

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

• High-speed chase

• Part-time employee

• Full-time job

• Fire-resistant pajamas

• Good-looking person

• Well-respected politician

• Up-to-date records

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

• High school students
• Ice cream sundae

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

Examples of Open-Form Compound Adjectives

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

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

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

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

What About Adverb Compounds?

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

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

• Sometimes

• Thereafter

• Somewhere

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

• We made the discovery early on.

• Her opinion is highly regarded.

• They entered the dimly lit room.

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

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

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

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

Keep Clarity the Focus

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

• I bought over-the-counter medication.

• He passed the medicine over the counter.

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

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

Now look at these examples:

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

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

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

ProWritingAid Can Help

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

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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

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