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
A compound word is where two or more root words are merged into a new and different word. There are three different kinds of compounds: open, closed, and hyphenated compound words.
What Are Compound Words?
Compound Words are two or more words that have been grouped together to create a new word that has a different, individual meaning. There are three different kinds of compound words: closed compound words, open compound words, and hyphenated compound words.
1. Closed Compound Words
Closed compound words are formed when two fully independent, unique words are combined to create a new word. For example, you would combine “grand” and “father” to create the closed-form word “grandfather”. These are the most common types of compound words.
For example:
- Waistcoat
- sometimes
- Railroad
- bullfrog
- Breakfast
- Sunflower
- Mailbox
- grandmother
- skateboard
- everything
- schoolhouse
2. Open Compound Words
Open compound words remain separate when written but are used together to create a new idea. For example, “Cream” and “cheese” are unrelated to each other. But when you combine them and use them as one word, you will have “Cream cheese,” which is already a different noun with its own meaning.
For example:
- Tea cup
- Serving spoon
- Real estate
- Car pool
- Cotton bud
- Upper deck
- Hand towel
- Sweet tooth
- Police officer
- Vice president
3. Hyphenated Compound Words
Hyphenated compound words are formed when two separate words are joined together by a hyphen or dash. A common example is “mother-in-law.”
For example:
- Mother-in-law
- Merry-go-round
- Happy-go-lucky
- Long-term
- High-speed
- Left-handed
- Long-haired
- Sun-dried
- Breath-taking
List of Compound Words
Open Compound Words
| Apple pie | Ask around |
| Ask out | Break away |
| Break up | Bus stop |
| Candy cane | Car pool |
| Cell membrane | Christmas tree |
| Coffee grain | Coffee mug |
| Coffee shop | Common sense |
| Corn dog | Corned beef |
| Cotton ball | Cotton bud |
| Cream cheese | Credit card |
| Dance hall | Debit card |
| Fill in | Fill out |
| Fill up | Fire drill |
| Fire drill | Fire exit |
| First aid | Full moon |
| Hand towel | High school |
| Hot dog | Ice cream |
| Ice cream cake | Ice cube |
| Ice hockey | Ice skate |
| Jumping jack | Lift up |
| Living room | Make up |
| Police officer | Post office |
| Pull down | Push down |
| Radio wave | Real estate |
| Report card | Roller coaster |
| Root word | Rubber band |
| Science fiction | Serving spoon |
| Snack house | Sugar plum |
| Sweet tooth | Swimming pool |
| Table cloth | Take away |
| Take out | Tea cup |
| Turn in | Upper deck |
| Vice president | Video game |
| Web page |
Closed Compound Words
| Airbrush | Anyone |
| Anything | Armpit |
| Babysit | Backstroke |
| Baseball | Basketball |
| Bedroom | Birthday |
| Blackboard | Blueberry |
| Bookstore | Bowtie |
| Brainwash | Bushfire |
| Candlelight | Cheeseburger |
| Classmate | Crossover |
| Crossroad | Crosswalk |
| Cupcake | Everyone |
| Everything | Eyeball |
| Eyebrow | Eyelash |
| Fireman | Flashlight |
| Football | Freelance |
| Granddaughter | Grandfather |
| Grandmother | Grandson |
| Grasshopper | Hamburger |
| Highlight | Homesick |
| Horseshoe | Keyboard |
| Keyhole | Keystone |
| Lighthouse | Lipstick |
| Mailbox | Makeup |
| Moonlight | Necktie |
| Nightfall | Northeast |
| Northwest | Notebook |
| Notepad | Nutcracker |
| Overpass | Pineapple |
| Playground | Playmate |
| Popcorn | Pothole |
| Proofread | Rainbow |
| Raindrop | Rattlesnake |
| Riverbank | Sailboat |
| Sandwich | Schoolmate |
| Skateboard | Snowball |
| Southeast | Southwest |
| Springtime | Stoplight |
| Strawberry | Sunflower |
| Sunrise | Sunshine |
| Teamwork | Toothbrush |
| Toothpaste | Underdog |
| Uptown | Watermelon |
| Workplace | Worldwide |
| Wrongdoing |
Hyphenated Compound Words
| Blush-on | Breath-taking |
| Brother-in-law | Cold-blooded |
| Editor-in-chief | Far-flung |
| Father-in-law | Follow-up |
| Full-length | Get-together |
| Gift-wrap | Happy-go-lucky |
| High-rise | High-speed |
| Ice-cold | In-depth |
| King-size | Knee-length |
| Left-handed | Life-size |
| Long-haired | Long-term |
| Merry-go-round | Mother-in-law |
| Next-door | Off-site |
| One-sided | Over-the-counter |
| Part-time | Right-handed |
| Runner-up | Self-centered |
| Sergeant-at-arms | Short-tempered |
| Single-minded | Sister-in-law |
| State-of-the-art | Sugar-free |
| Sun-dried | Tip-off |
| Up-to-date | Warm-blooded |
| Well-being | Well-known |
| Well-off |
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 |
Read More.
Post Views: 1,902
Published on
April 3, 2023
by
Jack Caulfield.
A compound word (sometimes just called a compound) is a series of two or more words that collectively form a single word. There are three types of compound words, which differ in terms of how they are written:
- An open compound word is written with spaces between the words (e.g., “high school”).
- A hyphenated compound word is written with hyphens between the words (e.g., “sister-in-law”).
- A closed compound word is written with no spaces or punctuation (e.g., “cheesecake”).
| Individual words | Compound word | |
|---|---|---|
| Open compound | house + party | house party |
| Hyphenated compound | mind + blowing | mind-blowing |
| Closed compound | pea + nut | peanut |
For any words and phrases that we don’t cover, it’s best to consult a reliable dictionary like Merriam-Webster.
Table of contents
- Open compound words
- Hyphenated compound words
- Closed compound words
- List of compound words
- Pluralizing compound nouns
- Compound words vs. other types of words
- Worksheet: Compound words
- Other interesting articles
- Frequently asked questions about compound words
Open compound words
Open compound words are written with spaces between the individual words. For example, “compound word” itself is an open compound word.
Open compounds are normally fairly new terms or are used only in specialist contexts. Over time, as they become more widely used, they tend to become hyphenated or closed compounds. But this is not universal: some well-established compounds such as “high school” continue to be written with spaces.
Many open compound words function as nouns and are formed by combining a noun with another noun or with an adjective.
Some search engines are experimenting with incorporating artificial intelligence into their services.
Phrasal verbs are also normally written as open compounds. A phrasal verb is a series of two or more words (often a verb and a preposition) that functions collectively as a verb.
Should I go ahead and log in, or should I hold off for now?
Note that normally open compounds are instead written as hyphenated or closed compounds in certain contexts. A compound noun is often hyphenated or closed when it’s used attributively (functioning as an adjective before another noun) or as a verb, and a phrasal verb is hyphenated or closed when it’s used as a noun.
She’s gone to test-drive a new car.
Kenan gave me the go-ahead and forwarded my new login details.
Hyphenated compound words
Hyphenated compound words are written with hyphens connecting the words. For example, “well-being” is a hyphenated compound word.
Hyphenated compounds are typically noun phrases being used as adjectives (e.g. “long-term”) or as verbs (e.g., “strong-arm”) or verb phrases being used as nouns (e.g., “check-in”) or as adjectives (e.g., “mind-blowing”).
Compound nouns were quite commonly hyphenated in the past but mostly aren’t now (e.g., “walking-stick” and “living-room” are now usually written “walking stick” and “living room”). But some remain hyphenated, especially if they consist of three or more words (e.g., “father-in-law”).
You could see what over-the-counter medication is available, or there’s a walk-in clinic down the street.
A shoplifter had a run-in with an off-duty police officer who caught him red-handed.
Closed compound words
Closed compound words are written without hyphens or spaces. For example, “babysitter” is a closed compound word.
Closed compounds can play a wide variety of roles, functioning as nouns (e.g., “weekend”), pronouns (e.g., “herself”), prepositions (e.g., “into”), adverbs (e.g., “however”), adjectives (e.g., “barefoot”), conjunctions (e.g., “whereas”), or verbs (e.g., “snowball”).
Closed compounds tend to be well-established words. They often start out as open compounds but close over time as they become more familiar. For example, compound indefinite pronouns used to be written as open compounds (e.g., “every one,” “some thing”), but now all except “no one” are closed.
Andrea couldn’t function without his breakfast.
Few people want to babysit a newborn child.
List of compound words
The table below provides a representative selection of compound words, categorized by whether they are open, hyphenated, or closed and by what part of speech they function as.
You can observe some patterns in the table. For instance, there are many compound nouns; compound adjectives tend to be hyphenated; and some parts of speech only form compounds in certain ways.
Note that some words appear as more than one part of speech but may be written differently depending on their function. There may also be multiple ways of writing a single compound (e.g., “login” or “log-in”). Consult a dictionary if you’re unsure.
| Part of speech | Open compounds | Hyphenated compounds | Closed compounds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noun | artificial intelligence, attorney general, common sense, French fries, high school, house party, living room, roller coaster, search engine, test drive, theme park, walking stick | check-in, go-ahead, kick-off, know-it-all, man-of-war, merry-go-round, run-in, runner-up, sister-in-law, well-being | backpack, boyfriend, breakfast, bypass, checkout, cheesecake, highway, login, newborn, payout, peanut, smartphone, weekend, wherewithal |
| Pronoun | each other, no one, one another | — | anyone, everything, nobody, oneself, themselves |
| Verb | check in, figure out, go ahead, hold off, kick off, log in, pass by, used to | strong-arm, test-drive | babysit, breakfast, bypass, cannot, snowball |
| Adjective | — | empty-handed, full-fledged, lightning-fast, long-term, mind-blowing, off-duty, over-the-counter, roller-coaster, run-of-the-mill, up-to-date, walk-in | commonsense, everyday, heartbreaking, nearby, newborn, shamefaced, spellbinding |
| Adverb | after all, en route, next to, with feeling | lightning-fast, mind-blowingly, red-handed | anymore, anyway, awhile, elsewhere, hereby, however, maybe, moreover, nevertheless, nowadays, spellbindingly |
| Preposition | as far as, close by, such as, next to, with regard to | — | insofar, into, throughout, upon, within |
| Conjunction | as far as, in that | — | whenever, whereas |
| Determiner | — | — | another, whatever, whichever |
Pluralizing compound nouns
When you want to pluralize a noun that consists of multiple words, it can be difficult to know which word to pluralize. In a closed compound, it’s easy: the pluralization always comes at the end, since it’s written as one word (e.g., “backpacks,” “houseboats,” “payouts”).
In open and hyphenated compounds, it varies; the final word is sometimes pluralized (e.g., “high schools,” “know-it-alls”), but sometimes an earlier word is instead (e.g., “attorneys general,” “men-of-war”). Usually, only one word is pluralized (e.g., “men-of-wars” is wrong).
To understand which word should be pluralized, look at the compound logically and consider which word “heads” the group—in other words, which one represents the thing being named?
- Frenches fry [Frenches that are fry?]
- French fries [Fries that are French]
- sister-in-laws [a sister (in multiple laws)?]
- sisters-in-law [multiple sisters (in law)]
But, admittedly, it can be hard to apply this logic in some cases (e.g., “merry-go-rounds”). If in doubt about how to pluralize a term, check a dictionary, where the correct plural form will be listed in the entry.
Compound words vs. other types of words
Compound words are one way of combining multiple words into one unit, but there are other ways too. Read on to see how compound words differ from:
- Portmanteaus
- Contractions
- Acronyms
- Simple and complex words
Portmanteaus
A portmanteau (also called a blend) is a word created by blending two words together. A portmanteau is different from a closed compound word because at least one of the words making it up is not used in its complete form: some letters have been removed or moved around.
For example, the portmanteau “chortle” is a combination of “chuckle” and “snort.” A part of the word “snort” has been inserted in the middle of the word “chuckle,” but neither word appears in full. As a closed compound, it might be “chucklesnort” or “snortchuckle” (not real words).
The concept of the multiverse [multiple + universe] describes the collection of all the possible universes in existence.
Jazzercise [jazz + exercise] is a form of aerobic exercise based on jazz dancing.
Contractions
Contractions are shortenings of existing words where the omitted letters are usually (not always) marked by an apostrophe. Sometimes, a contraction is a single word with some letters omitted (e.g., “talkin’”), but most commonly, it’s two or more words combined (e.g., “don’t,” “it’s,” “wanna”).
Combining contractions like this differ from compound words, again, because they don’t include the full words they are formed from: some letters are replaced with apostrophes and not pronounced.
Another difference is that contractions, especially less common ones like “wouldn’t’ve,” are generally avoided in formal contexts like academic writing, whereas there’s no problem with using compound words in such contexts.
It’s hard for me to see why you don’t like the plan if you won’t explain your objections to it.
Acronyms
An acronym is another way of shortening a series of words into one unit, in this case by reducing each word to its first letter (e.g., “NATO”: “North Atlantic Treaty Organization”) or occasionally its first syllable (e.g., “Benelux”: “Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg”).
Some acronyms are pronounced as full words (e.g. “NATO” is [nay-toe]), while others, often called initialisms, are pronounced as individual letters (e.g., “BBC” is [bee-bee-see]).
Again, they differ from compound words because they don’t include the full words that are being combined. Acronyms are fine to use in academic writing, as long as you define them on first use.
Simple and complex words
Simple words are words that cannot be broken down into smaller meaningful pieces. For example, “run” is a simple word—you could break it down into “ru” and “n,” but it’s clear that these don’t have any meaning on their own.
Complex words are composed of parts that each contribute some meaning to the whole. For example, “runner” consists of “run” (the verb it’s derived from, describing the action in question) and “-er” (a suffix used to indicate a person who does the action).
These individual units of sense are called morphemes: a simple word consists of just one morpheme, while a complex word consists of a main morpheme (called the root; “run” in our example) plus at least one other morpheme.
A compound word differs from a complex word because it’s made up of complete words that could also stand alone. In “runner,” it’s clear that while “run” is a word in its own right, “-er” is not. In contrast, the compound “runner-up” consists of two independent words, “runner” and “up.”
Worksheet: Compound words
Want to test your understanding of compound words? Check out the worksheet below. Try to find and highlight all the compound words in each sentence.
- My mother-in-law remembers watching the moon landing on television in her teenage years.
- We ate ice cream after the football game at the local high school.
- A high-profile case is being considered at the courthouse.
- A cat burglar has outpaced the night watchman and stolen the crown jewels!
- After he was knocked out, it was several minutes before the prizefighter came to.
- My mother-in-law remembers watching the moon landing on television in her teenage years.
- This sentence contains all three kinds of compounds. “Mother-in-law” is a hyphenated compound noun. “Moon landing” is an open compound noun. And “teenage” (“teen” + “age”) is a closed compound adjective.
- We ate ice cream after the football game at the local high school.
- This sentence contains three open compounds, all of them nouns: “ice cream,” “football game,” and “high school.” Additionally, “football” is itself a closed compound formed with “foot” and “ball.”
- A high-profile case is being considered at the courthouse.
- This sentence contains two compound words: the hyphenated compound adjective “high-profile” and the closed compound noun “courthouse” (“court” + “house”).
- A cat burglar has outpaced the night watchman and stolen the crown jewels!
- This sentence contains three open compound nouns—”cat burglar,” “night watchman,” and “crown jewels”—and the closed compound verb “outpaced.” Moreover, “watchman” is itself a closed compound of “watch” and “man.”
- After he was knocked out, it was several minutes for the prizefighter to come to.
- This sentence contains the open compound verbs (aka phrasal verbs) “knocked out” and “come to” and the closed compound noun “prizefighter” (“prize” + “fighter”).
Other interesting articles
If you want to know more about nouns, pronouns, verbs, and other parts of speech, make sure to check out some of our other language articles with explanations and examples.
Verbs
- Verb tenses
- Phrasal verbs
- Sentence structure
- Active vs passive voice
- Subject-verb agreement
Other
- Articles
- Interjections
- Adjectives
- Determiners
- Prepositions
Frequently asked questions about compound words
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Is “today” a compound word?
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Yes, today is a compound word, but a very old one. It wasn’t originally formed from the preposition “to” and the noun “day”; rather, it originates from their Old English equivalents, “tō” and “dæġe.”
In the past, it was sometimes written as a hyphenated compound: “to-day.” But the hyphen is no longer included; it’s always “today” now (“to day” is also wrong).
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Is “because” a compound word?
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Yes, the conjunction because is a compound word, but one with a long history. It originates in Middle English from the preposition “bi” (“by”) and the noun “cause.” Over time, the open compound “bi cause” became the closed compound “because,” which we use today.
Though it’s spelled this way now, the verb “be” is not one of the words that makes up “because.”
Sources in this article
We strongly encourage students to use sources in their work. You can cite our article (APA Style) or take a deep dive into the articles below.
This Scribbr article
Caulfield, J.
(2023, April 03). Compound Words | Types, List & Definition. Scribbr.
Retrieved April 12, 2023,
from https://www.scribbr.com/language-rules/compound-words/
Sources
Aarts, B. (2011). Oxford modern English grammar. Oxford University Press.
Butterfield, J. (Ed.). (2015). Fowler’s dictionary of modern English usage (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.
Show all sources (3)
Garner, B. A. (2022). Garner’s modern English usage (5th ed.). Oxford University Press.
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The word compound means one thing that is composed of two or more elements. When you hear the word compound, you might think of a chemical compound, compound interest, or you might just use the word as a synonym for a mixture. Compounding is also a grammatical phenomenon, and there is a lengthy list of compound words in the English language.
Compound Words Definition
Simply put, compound means one thing made of many things. The definition for compound words means just that.
Compound words: two or more words joined to create a new meaning.
Compound words are not two random words thrust together. Compound words will be two words that are frequently found together, such as late-night, nice-looking, or seafood.
Compound words are usually two base words used together. Remember, base words are standalone words that signal a particular meaning, even when stripped of affixes (example: success in successful).
That’s not to say, however, that compound words can’t use derived words. Derived words are words that are built on a root, typically with the addition of an affix (example: teach + er = teacher). Many compound words include derived words (coffee maker, sewing machine, skyscraper).
The process of compounding is different from derivation and inflection — both of which typically involve adding an affix to change a word’s grammatical category. While derivation, inflection, and compounding are all a process for creating new words, compounding uses two base words, rather than a single base word and an affix (e.g., -ing, im—, or -ed).
Compounding in English Examples
Compounds help us understand words as a single unit, which in some cases helps to clarify the meaning of a word or phrase in English.
Let’s look for a vegan-friendly restaurant.
Fig. 1 — A «vegan-friendly» restaurant is different from a «vegan, friendly» restaurant.
Using a hyphen here shows the reader that the words vegan and friendly should be taken as a single unit. Otherwise, it might be read as, “Let’s look for a vegan friendly restaurant,” with vegan and friendly being two different adjectives to describe a restaurant.
When new things, ideas, or phrases come into the collective consciousness of the public, they need a name or something people can say to refer to them. Compounding words is one of the most (if not the most) common types of word formation in English because it is so easy to do.
These new words can be figurative like chairman (the head of a committee or group, not a chair-shaped man), or simply a combination of the meaning of each of the base words, like lighthouse (a house of light).
Just email me, and I’ll respond to it later.
The word email wasn’t used until the late twentieth century because email, or electronic mail, didn’t exist until then. There was a need to create a word to communicate this new idea of sending a message electronically, and e-mail —which became email, without the hyphen — was a simple option.
Types of Compound Words
There are three types of compound words: open, closed, and hyphenated.
Open Compounds
Open compound words are formed by combining an adjective with the noun it modifies to create a new noun. These compound words are usually the result of two words being so frequently used together that they eventually come to mean one specific thing.
Shopping cart
Potting soil
Real estate
Even though these words are separated with a space, they’re still considered a single unit. You can tell it’s an open compound word, rather than merely a noun modified by an adjective, because the two words are so regularly used together to mean something specific.
For example, real is not used as the modification of the word estate to express it’s real as opposed to a fake estate. Real estate is the business of buying and selling property and buildings on said property.
Closed Compounds
Closed compound words look the most like a “real word” because there is no space between the two roots.
Keyboard
Pothole
Tablecloth
Two words might form a closed compound because they are so frequently used together.
Fig. 2 — Email is a newer word that came from two base words: electronic and mail.
In the 1990s when someone wanted to connect to the internet, they might say they were going to go on-line (cue the sounds of dial-up internet and a male voice saying, “You’ve got mail”). Today in the twenty-first century, the internet is a part of our everyday experience, and so the word has lost its hyphen and is typically shortened to online.
Hyphenated Compounds
The final type of compound words are hyphenated compounds. These are words that — just like closed and open compounds — are frequently used together. The hyphen connects these words, so they function as one unit.
A hyphen (-) is a punctuation mark that shouldn’t be confused with a dash (–). A hyphen connects two words or word parts, whereas dashes indicate a pause or range. Dashes can be short (an “en dash” which is the length of the letter n) or long (an “em dash” which is the length of the letter m).
Long-term
Close-up
Empty-handed
Many hyphenated compounds become closed compounds if they’re used frequently enough.
Hyphenating Compound Words
You might wonder, “How do I know when to hyphenate a compound word?” There are many rules regarding hyphens in general, and here are the ones that are key in hyphenating compound words.
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Only hyphenate when the compound comes before the noun it will modify. If it comes after, don’t include a hyphen.
The man-eating bear was only a few yards away. vs. The bear was definitely a man eater.
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When a compound modifier contains an adverb ending in -ly and a participle or adjective, don’t use a hyphen.
A highly contested race.
Unfortunately, there is not always a consensus about whether to hyphenate compound words or create a closed compound word. If you’re ever in doubt about whether to hyphenate a compound word, consult a dictionary or the appropriate style guide for a definitive answer.
Compound Words List
Here is a longer compound words list for reference.
Open Compound Words
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Sun room
-
Cheer up
-
Summer break
-
Garage sale
-
Dress up
-
Fire pit
-
Jumping jack
-
Science fiction
-
Vice President
-
Swimming pool
Closed Compound Words
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Dishware
-
Bookstore
-
Seatbelt
-
Birthday
-
Carpool
-
Limelight
-
Comeback
-
Candlelit
-
Football
-
Lawsuit
Hyphenated Compound Words
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House-of-mirrors
-
Self-contempt
-
Father-in-law
-
Well-read
-
Full-length
-
Free-fall
-
High-rise
-
Life-size
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Deep-fried
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Right-handed
Compounding — Key takeaways
- Compound words are two or more words joined to create a new meaning.
- Compound words are usually two base words used together.
- Compounds help us understand words as a single unit, which in some cases helps to clarify the meaning of a word or phrase.
- There are three types of compound words: open, closed, and hyphenated.
- There is not always a consensus about whether to hyphenate compound words or create a closed compound word.
Not all words in English stand alone. There are several words formed by combining two or more words. These words created may have a completely new meaning as well. Such words formed by combining two or more words are known as Compound words. Go through this entire article to be well versed with every single detail such as Compound Words Definition, Meaning, Types, and Examples of Compound Words in English all explained clearly.
- Compound Words Definition
- Types of Compound Words
- Compound Words Examples
- When to Hyphenate a Compound Word?
- Exceptions to Compound Words
- What are compound words?
- What are the three types of compound words?
- Give examples for Hyphenated compound words?
- Distinguish between portmanteau and compound words?
A Compound Word is a Word formed by combining two or more root words to form a different word. Compound words can be formed in different ways. The three categories of compound words are:
- Open compound words
- Closed compound words
- Hyphenated compound words
Types of Compound Words
Open Compound Words: Open compound words are written with a small gap between the smaller units that make them. Even though they stand apart, the words are meant to be read together so as to signify meaning. Examples of open compound words include the full moon, ice cream, mobile phone, etc.
Closed Compound Words: Written as a single word without any space between the smaller units. Examples include notebook, childlike, boyfriend, etc.
Hyphenated Compound Words: Hyphenated compound words are formed when two or more words are joined by a hyphen. A hyphen is used when the words joined are combined to form an adjective placed before a noun. Examples include T-shirts, well-known, mother-in-law, etc.
Compound Words Examples
Given below is a list of words that come under the different types of compound words:
Closed Compound Words
- everything
- schoolhouse
- grasshopper
- sunflower
- basketball
- anybody
- outside
- bullfrog
- snowball
- mailbox
- grandmother
- railroad
- cannot
- skateboard
- moonlight
- sometimes
- inside
- upstream
- sweet tooth
Open Compound Words
- hot dog
- grand jury
- post office
- full moon
- peanut butter
- Boy Scouts
- no one
- ice cream
- real estate
- high school
- living room
- half sister
- cave in
Hyphenated Compound Words
- up-to-date
- mother-in-law
- one-half
- over-the-counter
- two-fold
- check-in
- merry-go-round
- father-in-law
- seventy-two
- long-term
Not just these Compound Words List you can see our vast collection of Common Words and become familiar with various kinds of words.
When to Hyphenate a Compound Word?
The basic rules regarding hyphenated compound words are simple. Following these rules will help you to identify when to use a hyphen
- When you use a compound modifier before the word it modifies. Example: a well-laid plan
- Use a hyphen when you write compound numbers between twenty-one and ninety-nine.
- Hyphens are also used in the case of ages and time spans in years. Example: seven-years
Exceptions to Compound Words
- There is no need of using a hyphen in the case of compound adjectives when the first term is either an adverb ending in “ly” or when the first term ends in “very”.
- Similarly, you don’t have to hyphenate compound adjectives when they appear after the noun they modify.
See More:
- Word Families
- Word Classes
- Formal & Informal Words
FAQs on Compound Words
1) What are compound words?
Compound words are words formed by combining two or more existing words. These words created may have a completely new meaning as well. Examples of such words include ice cream, high school, notebook, father-in-law, etc.
2) What are the three types of compound words?
Words formed by combining two or more words are known as Compound words. Compound words can be formed in three different ways. These include Open compound words, closed compound words, and hyphenated compound words.
3) Give examples for Hyphenated compound words?
Words formed by combining two or more words are known as Compound words. Hyphenated compound words are formed when two or more words are joined by a hyphen. Hyphen is used when the words joined together are combined to form an adjective placed before a noun Examples include T-shirt, well-known, mother-in-law etc.
4) Distinguish between portmanteau and compound words?
A Portmanteau word is distinct from a compound word. A portmanteau word is created by removing parts of the original words. On the other hand, the compound word is formed by simply combining the original words without altering them.
Conclusion
The addition of compound words can improve your writing skills as you are free to combine words in a more interesting and descriptive way. However, be aware of the fact that the addition of too many compound words can make your writings messy, especially the use of hyphenated compound words. Hence be sure to use compound words wisely.