Word that is combination of two words

A portmanteau is a word that is formed by combining two different terms to create a new entity. Through blending the sounds and meanings of two existing words, a portmanteau creates a new expression that is a linguistic blend of the two individual terms.

For example breathalyzer is the portmanteau word formed from combining breath and analyzer, while blog is derived from the source words web and log.

The Origin of the Word Portmanteau

The term portmanteau was first used by Humpty Dumpty in Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking Glass:

“Well, ‘slithy’ means “lithe and slimy” and ‘mimsy’ is “flimsy and miserable”. You see it’s like a portmanteau—there are two meanings packed up into one word.”

Interestingly, the word portmanteau itself is also a blend of two different words: porter (to carry) and manteau (a cloak).

Portmanteau words are extremely popular in modern-day English and new word combinations are regularly popping up. Below you will find 86 examples of portmanteau.

If you like this, take a look at our list of words you shouldn’t use in an essay.

86 Examples of Portmanteau and Their Definitions

1. administrivia (administrative/trivia): Dull administration activities that must be completed.
2. affluenza (affluence/influenza): The guilt or lack of motivation experienced by people who have made or inherited large amounts of money.
3. anacronym (anachronism/acronym): An acronym that is derived from a phrase that is no longer in wide usage (for example, radar).
4. animatronic (animate/electronics): Robots that are constructed to look like animals.
5. anticipointment (anticipation/disappointment): The feeling of letdown one experiences when hype gives way to reality.
6. bionic (biology/electronic): Artificial body parts that have been enhanced by technology.
7. bodacious (bold/audacious): Insolent or unrestrained, extraordinary or impressively large.
8. Bollywood (Bombay/Hollywood): The Indian movie industry.
9. Brangelina (Brad/Angelina): Word used to describe the celebrity couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.
10. bromance (brother/romance): A close relationship between two men.
11. brunch (breakfast + lunch): A meal that is eaten after breakfast but before lunch.
12. carjack (car/hijack): To take someone’s car by force.
13. celebutant(e) (celebrity/debutant(e)): Someone who is famous for being famous but who has no apparent talent.
14. chillax (chill/relax): Calm down, rest.
15. Chinglish (Chinese/English): A variation of the English language as spoken by people of Chinese descent.
16. chocoholic (chocolate + alcoholic): Someone who eats excessive amounts of chocolate.
17. chortle (chuckle/snort): Laugh in a breathy, gleeful way.
18. Chunnel (channel/tunnel): Word used to describe the Channel Tunnel that runs between the UK and France.
19. cineplex (cinema/complex): A movie theatre with several screens.
20. Cocacolonization (Coca-Cola/colonization): The aggressive introduction or pervasive influence of American consumerism on other cultures.
21. cosplay (costume + play): Dressing up in costumes that resemble characters from popular culture.
22. craptacular (crap/spectacular): Entertainment that is so poor in quality it captivating.
23. crunk (crazy/drunk): Out of control after consuming alcohol.
24. cyborg (cybernetic/organism): A human or fictional entity whose physiological functioning is enhanced by mechanical elements.
25. docusoap (documentary/soap opera): A hybrid drama that follows the lives of real people over a given period of time.
26. dumbfound (dumb/confound): Greatly astonish or amaze.
27. ebonics (ebony/phonics): A distinct form of English that is spoken by people of African descent.
28. edutainment (education/entertainment): Games or other forms of entertainment that have an educational aspect.
29. electrocution (electricity/execution): Death by electricity.
30. emoticon (emotion/icon): The use of keyboard characters to represent a facial expression.
31. evailable (electronic/available): To be available online via an electronic method such as email.
32. faction (fact + fiction): A story, speech or novel that contains historical and real-life facts combined with invented information.
33. fanzine (fan/magazine): A magazine that is targeted at fans of a specific genre.
34. feminazi (feminist/Nazi): An extreme feminist.
35. flare (flame/glare): A sudden brief burst of bright flame or light.
36. flexitarian (vegetarian/flexible): A vegetarian who occasionally eats meat.
37. frankenfood (Frankenstein/food): Genetically modified food.
38. frenemy (friend/enemy): Someone who is supposed to be a friend but whose actions are more characteristic of a foe.
39. gaydar (gay/radar): The ability to identify whether a person is homosexual based on an observation of their appearance and/or behavior.
40. geocaching (geography + caching): A modern-day treasure hunt in which participants use a GPS to hide and seek containers.
41. ginormous (giant/enormous): Large, huge.
42. glamping (glamour/camping): Luxury camping.
43. glitz (glamour/Ritz): Extravagant yet superficial.
44. guesstimate (guess + estimate): To estimate without solid facts or figures.
45. infomercial (information/commercial): A television program that promotes a product in an informative and supposedly objective way.
46. infotainment (information + entertainment): Forms of popular media that blend information and entertainment together. Similar to edutainment (education + entertainment).
47. interrobang (interrogative/bang): A combination of a question mark and an exclamation point.
48. irregardless (irrespective/regardless).
49. internet (international/network): A global system of interconnected computer networks. You can access our proofreading service via the Internet.
50. shero (she/hero): A woman admired or idealized for her courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.
51. jackalope (jackrabbit/antelope): An antlered species of rabbit (mythical).
52. knowledgebase (knowledge/database): Intellectual capital that is stored in a central area. Similar to wisdombase (wisdom/database).
53. liger (lion/tiger): A crossbreed between a lion and a tiger.
54. malware (malicious/software): Computer programs that are designed to damage or disable computer systems.
55. mansplaining (man/explaining): Explaining something to a woman in a condescending manner.
56. manwich (man/sandwich): A sandwich made from any of the ingredients that are available in the fridge.
57. McMansion (McDonalds/mansion): A blandly generic large house.
58. meld (melt/weld): Blend/combine.
59. metrosexual (metropolitan/heterosexual): A man who appears to be inordinately concerned about personal aesthetics and/or is perceived for this quality as being homosexual.
60. mockumentary (mock/documentary): A genre of film and television in which fictitious events are presented in documentary-style manner.
61. modem (modulation/demodulation): An electronic device that makes possible the transmission of data to or from a computer via telephone or other communication lines.
62. motel (motor/hotel): Overnight accommodation designed for motorists.
63. motorcade (motor/cavalcade): A procession of motor vehicles.
64. murse (man/purse): A man’s purse.
65. netizen (internet + citizen): An individual who is heavily involved with online activities.
66. Nintendinitis (Nintendo/tendonitis): A condition caused by playing too many video games.
67. Oxbridge (Oxford/Cambridge): An inclusive term that is used to describe both Oxford and Cambridge universities.
68. pregnesia: (pregnancy/amnesia): The loss of your short-term memory as a result of pregnancy.
69. ridonkulous (ridiculous/donkey): The epitome of ridiculous.
70. rockabilly (rock’n’roll/hill-billy): A type of popular music, originating in the southeastern US in the 1950s, combining elements of rock and roll and country music.
71. skort (skirt/shorts): A pair of shorts that resemble a skirt.
72. screenager (screen/teenager): The typical adolescent who indulges excessively in screen entertainment.
73. scuzz (scum/fuzz): Something that is regarded as disgusting.
74. shemale (she/male/female): A man disguised as a women.
75. shopaholic (shop/alcoholic): An individual who is addicted to shopping and buying products.
76. smog (smoke + fog): A form of air pollution that has the qualities of both smoke and fog.
77. Spanglish (Spanish/English): A hybrid language that combines English and Spanish.
78. spork (spoon/fork): A hybrid form of cutlery.
79. stagflation (stagnation/inflation): Persistent high inflation and unemployment accompanied by stagnant demand.
80. telethon (television/marathon): A very long television program.
81. televangelist (television/evangelist): An evangelist who regularly appears on television.
82. three-peat (three/repeat): A third consecutive victory.
83. tomacco (tomato/tobacco): A hybrid created by grafting a tomato plant onto the roots of a tobacco plant.
84. turducken (turkey/duck/chicken): A dish consisting of a de-boned chicken stuffed into a de-boned duck, which itself is stuffed into a de-boned turkey.
85. vidiot (video/idiot): A habitual, undiscriminating watcher of television or videotapes.
86. workaholic (work/alcoholic): An individual who works excessive hours.

Can you think of any examples of portmanteau? Leave a comment and share them with our readers.

It’s possible to combine two words into one when you want to convey a specific meaning relating to both. You can turn something like “list” and “article” into “listicle.” This article will explore the best terms you can use to combine two words into one.

The best terms for combining two words into one are “blend word,” “blending,” and “portmanteau word.” These are the best ways to refer to a word that’s been made out of two completely different words. It’s a great way to show that both words impact the new word’s meaning.

1. Blend Word

“Blend word” is a great phrase to use when words are combined into one. It’s an informal construct, allowing you to create new words based on the fundamental sounds and letters that come from two completely different words.

For example, a “blend word” would be “brunch.” It takes “breakfast” and “lunch” and combines the two words into one. This is an efficient way of using both words more recognisably.

“Blending” is the official term for combining words in this way.

It works best informally because you need to overlook specific grammatical rules to accept certain blend words. For example, “frenemy” means “friend” and “enemy.” It’s not an official word, but it’s widely regarded and understood because of how common the blend is.

The definition of “blend word,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “a word formed by combining two other words.”

• I think they called it “chillaxation.” It’s a blend word combining “chill” and “relaxation.” I think it has a ring to it.
• What is it with all these blend words becoming more popular? I’m not sure I can keep up with the youth of today and their lingo.
• I thought of a few new blend words that could work quite well in these contexts. Let me know which ones you like the best.

2. Blending

“Blending” is the term used when combining two words into a shorter form. You can use it to refer to the action of grouping two words as “blending” is the verb gerund form.

“Blend word” is the noun form, and “blending” is the verb. They both mean the same thing. They allow you to group words to create smaller, informal words and phrases that help you get your point across more efficiently.

• Blending words is super easy. You can say something like “sitcom” or “cosplay.” They take little bits and create big words.
• I love blending words to create new ideas. It’s always exciting to come up with words that nobody has thought of before.
• Blending words is a lot of fun when you know what you’re doing. You should try it sometime to see if it works for you.

3. Portmanteau Word

“Portmanteau word” is a great way to refer to two combined words. It has a French origin relating to a suitcase that opens in two equal parts.

“Portmanteau” is French for “carry case” or “suitcase.” It refers to a suitcase that can be opened into two equal parts. It evolved to mean that two words could combine to create a new word and hold a new meaning that takes equal parts from the original word.

It’s a very common way to refer to a blended word. You could combine something like “jeans” and “leggings” into the popular portmanteau word “jeggings.” It takes an equal meaning from both original words to create a new one.

Nowadays, “portmanteau” is much more common to refer to combined words rather than a suitcase. Most native speakers know it as the phrase used when words like “brunch” or “jeggings” are created.

The definition of “portmanteau word,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “a word formed by combining two other words.”

• What portmanteau words do you know? I’ve heard “biopic” lately, and I’ve been pronouncing it wrong for the longest time!
• I think you should come up with a portmanteau word for that. It’s too wordy, and people will remember it easier if it is shortened.
• This portmanteau word comes from “drama” and “comedy.” A “dramedy” is a great form of theatre that you must watch!

4. Coining

“Coining” is a great phrase to use when new words are developed. It doesn’t refer to combining two words, but it allows you to “coin” a new word if you’ve made one yourself.

For example, if you combine “breakfast” and “lunch” into “brunch,” you could “coin” that word. However, it only applies when you are the first person to do it. Since “brunch” is already accepted as a portmanteau word, you can’t “coin” it yourself.

That doesn’t mean you can’t try to find other words that you can “coin.” There’s no limit to what words you can combine.

• I’m coining a new word from these two. It’s stupid to have to say them individually after all this time.
• You should try coining your own blend of the words. I think it’ll be really interesting to come up with something new.
• He’s managed to coin that word on his own. I was quite surprised that he was able to be that creative with it.

5. Compounding

“Compounding” refers to combining two words into one. However, it works very differently from the other words in this article. You need to know the difference before using “compounding” correctly.

“Compounding” takes two full words and combines them without removing any letters. For example, “back” and “drop” can compound to become “backdrop.”

You cannot call it “compounding” when combining two words into a more informal word (i.e. “chill” and “relax” becoming “chillax” is not compounding).

“Compounding” is the official grammatical term used when two words combine to become a compound noun or adjective. You might also find a hyphen comes between the words (mainly when using adjectives).

• Compounding words only work when you need them to be in the same breath. Something like “football” or “cupcake” works here.
• You should try compounding those words. They’re used together enough times that people expect them to be written like that.
• I’m not sure what compounding those words is going to do for the sentence. You should try something else.