Use compound word in a sentence

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!

---

Take your writing to the next level:

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.

Definition Of Compound Word:

Forming Compound Words : A compound is a unit consisting of two or more base words. Compound words are, for the most part, nouns, adjectives and verbs.

There are different types of compound words in English.

Some Important Compound Words Using (NOUN + VERB)

Noun And Verb List

Noun	Verb	Compound Word
snow	drop	snow drop
air	dash	air dash
tongue	slip	tongue slip
book	mark	book mark
time	line	timeline
monthly	pay	monthlypay
sun	set	sunset
show	show	showshow
lay	break	laybreak
tooth	ache	toothache
tie	knot	tieknot
root	cause	rootcause
head	line	headline
ear	mark	earmark
brow	beat	browbeat
type	write	typewrite
back	bite	backbite
way	lay	waylay
bus	stop	busstop
cloud	burst	cloud burst
bee	sting	bee sting
hand	shake	hand shake
house	arrest	house arrest
earth	quake	earth quake
head	ache	head ache
moon	lit	moonlit
blood	shed	blood shed
telephone	call	telephone call

Some Important Compound Words Using (NOUN + GERUND)

Noun And Gerund List

Noun	Gerund	Compound Word
cat	walking	cat walking
air	blowing	air blowing
white	washing	white washing
time	consuming	time consuming
account	checking	account checking
time	serving	time serving
ear	piercing	ear piercing
heart	rending	heart rending
English	training	English training
book	binding	book-binding
day	dreaming	day dreaming
bread	baking	bread baking
heart	bleading	heart bleading
account	checking	account checking
test	driving	test driving
mind	reading	mind reading
snow	skidding	snow skidding
mountain	trekking	mountain trekking
cross	heading	cross heading
slow	cycling	slow cycling
thought	provoking	thought provoking
bird	provoking	bird watching
eve	teasing	eve teasing
freedom	loving	freedom loving
house	cleaning	house cleaning

Some Important Compound Words Using (GERUND + NOUN)

Gerund And Noun List

Gerund	Noun	Compound Word
sleeping	room	sleepingroom
sitting	bench	sittingbench
resting	room	restingroom
waiting	hall	waitinghall
cooking	gas	cookinggas
learning	material	learningmaterial
driving	school	drivingschool
fishing	net	fishingnet
starring	hero	starring hero
glittering	jewels	glittering jewels
visiting	card	visiting card
waiting	list	waiting list
helping	hand	helping hand
peeping	Tom	peeping Tom
blotting	paper	blotting paper
living	room	living room
cleaning	lady	cleaning lady
spinning	wheel	spinning wheel
steering	wheel	steering wheel
swimming	pool	swimming pool
washing	machine	washing machine
drinking	water	drinking water
sleeping	pill	sleeping pill
working	day	working day
writing	desk	writingdesk
drawing	room	drawingroom
tooking	glass	tookingglass
stepping	stone	steppingstone
blotting	paper	blottingpaper
writing	desk	writingdesk
passing	cloud	passingcloud
spelling	book	spellingbook

Some Important Compound Words Using (NOUN + NOUN)

Noun And Noun List

Noun	Noun	Compound Word
tax	payer	taxpayer
head	teacher	headteacher
money	market	moneymarket
time	table	timetable
picture	book	picturebook
field	glasses	fieldglasses
engine	driver	enginedriver
crime	novel	crimenovel
black	board	blackboard
cell	phone	cellphone
blue	whale	bluewhale
rail	road	railroad
servant	maid	servantmaid
cricket	ball	cricketball
garden	flowers	gardenflowers
family	business	familybusiness
post	card	postcard
air	ticket	airticket
hand	bag	handbag
sun	light	sunlight

Some Important Compound Words Using (NOUN + ADJECTIVE)

Noun And Adjective List

Noun	Adjective	Compound Word
force	full	forcefull
care	full	carefull
bad	tempered	badtempered
beauty	full	beautyfull
down	ward	downward
grate	full	gratefull
harm	less	harmless
black	gold	blackgold
silk	soft	silksoft
milk	white	milkwhite
dead	slow	deadslow
mercy	less	mercyless
picture	perfect	pictureperfect
snow	white	snowwhite
home	sick	homesick
honey	sweet	honeysweet
age	less	ageless
accident	prone	accidentprone
round	about	roundabout
red	hot	redhot

Some Important Compound Words Using (PREPOSITION + NOUN)

Preposition And Noun List

Preposition	Noun	Compound Word
over	bridge	overbridge
in	box	inbox
off	day	offday
by	line	by line
under	class	underclass
out	law	outlaw
fore	thought	forethought
fore	sight	foresight
over	coat	overcoat
off	spring	offspring
after	noon	afternoon
by	path	bypath
in	mate	inmate
down	fall	downfall
in	side	inside
middle	man	middleman
down	hill	downhill
up	land	upland
top	hat	tophat

Other Compound Words

good (adj) + for (prep) + anything (n)	good for nothing
fall (adj) + from (prep) + grace (n)	fall from grace
dance (adj) + upon (prep) + nothing (n)	dance upon nothing
experience (v) + of (prep) + meeting (n)	experience of meeting
food (n) + for (prep) + thought (n)	food for thought
short (adj) + range (verb)	shortrange
lang (adj) + awaited (v)	longawaited
well (adj) + kept (v)	well kept
free (adj) + born(v)	freeborn
under (adj) + fed (v)	underfed
free (adj) + fall(v)	freefall
tell (v) + tale(n)	telltale

Compound Word Using in Sentences:

Even a straight walking stick has a crooked end

As the family lost the sole bread winner, they were shocked

The water table in Amazan river basin has gone down

The time table for the examination will be announced next week

The new boss overhauled the existing pattern of work

I over heard some abusive remarks but ignored them

You can overcome any challenge in life if you have hope

The earth quake shook the whole of Asia

My school is at a stone’s throw from my home

I hate blood shed even for a holy sacrifice

Food ball lovers often end up in violence

There are many flower plants in my kitchen garden

Tape recorders have become obsolete after the advent of DVD players

Black boards still dominate class room teachin in India

Gandhi’s birth place has become a holy spot now.

A woman is a gateway of souls

Eye sight is God’s gift to us

Drive slowly since your car has air brake

Eve teasing is an offence

Don’t be a devil behind the steering wheel

Education is every one’s brith right in England

Child marriage is an offence

Child-windowhood is a cruel thing

Now a days educated women do not have inferiority complex

Learning is a life-long journey

Education can elevate a low-born child to the highest office in the world

The air-crew was disturbed by a strange signal in the radar

A bird flew overhead

The air-rids did not deter the Japanese from doing their routine work

As the engine driver received all clear signal, he started the train

If wather conditions are conducive, Paris will get more rains

Real estate business is picking up even in small towns

Party leadership decided to ask the controversial minister to resign

Do not with hold your inner desire to give others what they deserve

Some hard-headed people involve in anti-social activities

The chain reaction caused by the atom bomb was horrible

A school boy believes that the world goes round him

English speaking people feel at home using computer

New fangled ideas of the youngesters on fashion irritate old people

The landslides threatened the trekkers

Today, we are going to talk about building. But don’t worry. You won’t need to get out a hammer and nails because we are going to be building words. And what are we using to build words? Other words!

In English, we often create cool new words by mashing two or more words together. For example, we can take the word peanut and combine it with the word butter to make peanut butter. Delicious! Or we can take the word monkey and fasten it to the word wrench to make monkey wrench. Handy! Or we can add together right and angle to make a right angle. Algebraic!

Making new words is a lot of fun, so let’s keep going and learn about all the different ways we combine words together as we explore the grammatical concept of compounding.

What is compounding?

In grammar, compounding, also called composition, is when two or more words are combined together to form a new word. For example, the word underground is a combination of the words under and ground. In English, compounding is used to form words belonging to four common parts of speech: nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.

Most of the time, compounding creates a word or phrase that means something different than the meanings of the words used as “ingredients.” For example, the word bluebird refers to specific species of songbirds whereas the separate words blue bird refer to any bird with blue feathers. As another example, the adjective old school refers to supporting traditional methods or values and doesn’t refer to ancient scholarly buildings.

The different types of compounds

Typically, compounds are usually divided into three different types. Often, the way the compounds are labeled will depend on which dictionary or grammar resource that you use. It is also possible for a compound to be considered more than one type. Generally, if a specific compound doesn’t appear in a dictionary at all, the typical pattern is that it will be hyphenated.

Closed compounds (Single words)

Closed compounds are compounds that consist of two words combined together without a space in between. Some examples of closed compounds include blackboard, sweatshirt, backstroke, undercut, horseshoe, desktop, and smartphone.

Open compounds (Multiple words)

Open compounds consist of two words with a space in between them. Examples of open compounds include air conditioner, guardian angel, French toast, spray paint, and cream cheese.

Hyphenated compounds

The last type of compound is formed by connecting two or more words together using hyphens. Newer compounds and/or compounds that don’t appear in dictionaries are often written as this form of compound. Examples of hyphenated compounds include fat-free, dark-skinned, merry-go-round, two-faced, tractor-trailer, and stay-at-home.

Learn all about how to use hyphens here!

Compounds in different parts of speech

Examples of compounds can be found in four of the most commonly used parts of speech: nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.

We will briefly look at each of these different types. If you want to explore each one in more detail, we have provided an extensive guide to three of the types of compound in the links below:

• Compound nouns
• Compound verbs
• Compound adjective

Examples of compound nouns

Closed: basketball, headphones, rowboat, rainforest, toothpaste, frostbite
Open: tennis shoe, fabric softener, gym shorts, banana split, peanut butter
Hyphenated: jack-in-the-box, city-state, sister-in-law, will-o’-the-wisp

Examples of compound verbs

Closed: blackmail, blindside, overshoot, brainwash, underperform
Open: turn back, check in, mull over, play up, double down
Hyphenated: gift-wrap, baby-sit, double-check, criss-cross, cherry-pick

Examples of compound adjectives

Closed: seasick, waterproof, overpowered, downtrodden, homemade
Hyphenated: red-faced, white-collar, sun-dried, cold-blooded, last-minute

Open compound adjectives are less common and often take the form of an open compound noun being used as an adjective. For example:

• high school student, jump rope competition, hot dog bun

Often, an -ly adverb is combined with a past participle to form an adjective phrase. Depending on the grammar resource, these formations may be considered to be open compound adjectives. For example:

• overly simplified explanation, brightly lit room, barely audible sound, easily missed detail

Examples of compound adverbs

Closed: therefore, hereafter, sometimes, whenever, overnight
Open: upside down, inside out, early on, almost always, over and over
Hyphenated: topsy-turvy, in-house, self-consciously

Examples of compounding in sentences

There are lots and lots of compound words out there. We use compound words to refer to many common things, so you are likely to come across and use a ton of compound words in your everyday speech. Let’s look at just a few examples of how we typically use compound words in our sentences.

• I asked for another serving of egg rolls.
• The bowl was filled with blueberries and sunflower seeds.
• She held a block party at her beach house.
• Because he had a headache, he called a timeout during the football game.
• The major general shored up the gaps in the front line with more infantrymen.
• She double-clicked the mouse while mashing buttons on the keyboard to try to fix her desktop computer.
• My stepsister owns a workshop that makes wristwatches, timepieces, and grandfather clocks.

Choose the best word with Grammar Coach™

We’ve got an adjective for you: polished! And that’s what your writing will be when you edit it with Thesaurus.com’s Grammar Coach™. This writing tool uses machine learning technology uniquely designed to catch grammar as well as spelling errors. Its Synonym Swap will find the best nouns, adjectives, and more to help say what you really mean, guiding you toward clearer, stronger, writing. The Thesaurus.com Grammar Coach™ platform makes writing papers, essays, emails, and a whole lot more a whole lot easier.

What is a Compound Word?

Before you went to bed last night, did you brush your teeth?

If so, what did you use to brush your teeth?

Most likely you used a toothbrush.

The word toothbrush is made up of two words: TOOTH and BRUSH. It’s a compound word.

Compound words are all around you. Maybe you take a bath in a bathtub, put your dishes in a dishwasher, or carry your books in a backpack. All of these are compound words too.

A compound word is a word made when you join two or more words to form a new word.

For example:

The words BIRTH and DAY are joined to make the word BIRTHDAY.

The words HEAD and ACHE are joined to make the word HEADACHE.

There are three forms of compound words:

Closed form compound words include words such as toothbrush, backpack, and birthday, where the two words are stuck together to make a new word.

Hyphenated form compound words includes words such as part-time, merry-go-round, and mother-in-law, where the words are joined together with a hyphen.

Open form compound words include words such as hot dog, ice cream, and North America, where an adjective is combined with a noun to create a word with new meaning, but the individual words still have a space between them.

Forming Compound Words

When you form a compound word, you’re combining two words to make a new word. This means that each part of the compound word has to be an actual word.

Take a look at the word SANDWICH which is made up of SAND + WICH. Sand is a word, but wich is not, so sandwich is not a compound word.

When the two words in a compound word are combined, they also get a new meaning.

So you wouldn’t combine the words TURKEY and SANDWICH to create the word TURKEYSANDWICH because it would have the same meaning when combine.

You could, however, combine the words HOT and DOG to create the word HOTDOG, which becomes a type of food, not an actual dog that is hot.

You could combine the words South and America to make South America, which is a specific continent, not just the southern part of America.

You could also combine the words MOTHER, IN, and LAW to create the word MOTHER-IN-LAW, which is the name of your spouse’s mother, not just a mother connected with the law.

How can you tell which form a compound word should use?

It can be kind of tricky and there’s no way to always tell for sure, but here are a few guidelines to follow:

For example:

He added one-half cup of flour or the bright-eyed baby smiled.

For example:

I want to catch fireflies or we should go to the zoo sometime.

For example:

We like to eat chocolate chip cookies or they go to high school.

When in doubt, look in the dictionary to see how the word is correctly written. If it’s not included in the dictionary as a closed form or hyphenated form compound word, then you should write it using open form.

Using Compound Words

Now let’s practice using compound words.

Read each of the descriptions and see if you can guess which compound word should be used.

Want to know the answers?

Now let’s look at compound words used in sentences. See if you can correctly pick out the compound words in each sentence.

How do you think you did?

Common Compound Words

The best way to recognize compound words when you see them and know how to write them is to learn as many compound words as possible. Here’s a list of common compound words.

Open Form Compound Words

Living room, baseball field, real estate, walking stick, safety glasses, North America, United States, African American, theme park, vacuum cleaner, root beer, rocking horse, role play, rock band, school year, web site, elementary school, junk food, Fourth of July, jungle gym, past tense, post office, police officer, cell phone, dump truck, light bulb, life jacket

Hyphenated Compound Words

Sister-in-law, on-time, custom-built, well-known, up-to-date, build-up, eight-year-old, Y-shaped, x-ray, sit-in, tie-in, twenty-one, two-sided, three-sided, one-third, light-year, know-it-all, make-believe, boogie-woogie, pitter-patter, walkie-talkie, jack-in-the-box, bull’s-eye, high-level, well-made

Closed Form Compound Words

Backyard, football, softball, daydream, handshake, toothpaste, worldwide, necklace, playground, campground, firefly, horseback, waterfall, teaspoon, tablespoon, seafood, sidewalk, skyscraper, racetrack, earthquake, firecracker, shipwreck, tombstone, sunrise, windmill, shoelace, keyboard, password, flashlight, bathroom, suntan, pineapple, ponytail, peanut, notebook, outside, homework

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