homework is it a compound word

Addition (Basic)

Addition (Multi-Digit)

Algebra & Pre-Algebra

Comparing Numbers

Daily Math Review

Division (Basic)

Division (Long Division)

Hundreds Charts

Measurement

Multiplication (Basic)

Multiplication (Multi-Digit)

Order of Operations

Place Value

Probability

Skip Counting

Subtraction

Telling Time

Word Problems (Daily)

More Math Worksheets

Reading Comprehension

Reading Comprehension Gr. 1

Reading Comprehension Gr. 2

Reading Comprehension Gr. 3

Reading Comprehension Gr. 4

Reading Comprehension Gr. 5

Reading Comprehension Gr. 6

Reading & Writing

Reading Worksheets

Cause & Effect

Fact & Opinion

Fix the Sentences

Graphic Organizers

Synonyms & Antonyms

Writing Prompts

Writing Story Pictures

Writing Worksheets

More ELA Worksheets

Consonant Sounds

Vowel Sounds

Consonant Blends

Consonant Digraphs

Word Families

More Phonics Worksheets

Early Literacy

Build Sentences

Sight Word Units

Sight Words (Individual)

More Early Literacy

Punctuation

Subjects and Predicates

More Grammar Worksheets

Spelling Lists

Spelling Grade 1

Spelling Grade 2

Spelling Grade 3

Spelling Grade 4

Spelling Grade 5

Spelling Grade 6

More Spelling Worksheets

Chapter Books

Charlotte's Web

Magic Tree House #1

Boxcar Children

More Literacy Units

Animal (Vertebrate) Groups

Butterfly Life Cycle

Electricity

Matter (Solid, Liquid, Gas)

Simple Machines

Space - Solar System

More Science Worksheets

Social Studies

Maps (Geography)

Maps (Map Skills)

More Social Studies

Mother's Day

Father's Day

More Holiday Worksheets

Puzzles & Brain Teasers

Brain Teasers

Logic:  Addition Squares

Mystery Graph Pictures

Number Detective

Lost in the USA

More Thinking Puzzles

Teacher Helpers

Teaching Tools

Award Certificates

More Teacher Helpers

Pre-K and Kindergarten

Alphabet (ABCs)

Numbers and Counting

Shapes (Basic)

More Kindergarten

Worksheet Generator

Word Search Generator

Multiple Choice Generator

Fill-in-the-Blanks Generator

More Generator Tools

Full Website Index

Compound Words

When two small words are joined together, the new word is called a compound word. Use the printable worksheets and activities below to help you teach students about this phonics skill.

Logged in members can use the Super Teacher Worksheets filing cabinet to save their favorite worksheets.

Quickly access your most used files AND your custom generated worksheets!

Please login to your account or become a member and join our community today to utilize this helpful feature.

Intermediate

Here's a full list of all reading and writing worksheet sections of this site.

Compound Words Worksheet Images

PDF with answer key:

PDF no answer key:

Is homework a compound word

Yes homework is a compound word because it includes 2 words. Home, and work.

Add your answer:

Is upward a compound word?

Upwards is a compound word.

Is the word upstairs a compound word?

Upstairs is a compound word, so it is one word.

What is a non compound word?

A non compound word is , a word with one word not two . For a example a compound word is snowflake. An non compound is hot cheetos.

Is the word fast a compound word?

No. The word fast is not a compound word.

Is the word ability a compound word?

No, the word ability is not a compound word.

What is a compound word using the word work at the end?

Is homework a action verb.

No, homework is not a verb. The word homework is a noun, an uncountable, common, compound, abstract noun, a word for a thing.

What are memory tricks for spelling homework?

Well homework is a compound word, you just have to remember that it is the word home and the word work combined. home + work = homework

What is the compound word for home?

homework hometown homemade

What type of noun is the word homework?

The noun 'homework' is a common, compound, abstract, uncountable noun; a word for a form of study or preparation; a word for a concept.

What is a compound word that uses the word home?

homework homebody homeland hometown homeboy homeowner

What compound words end with the word work?

housework, homework, schoolwork, roadwork, ...

Why is homework called homework?

Homework is a compound word made up of the two words home and work. Homework is called this simply because it is supposed to be done at home.

Is homework a noun or a verb?

Homework is a noun. Ex:I am doing my homework.Go do your homework.You have homework tonight.It is a noun because it is a thing YEY.

What words end with the suffix work?

When work is added to the end of a word, it is not a suffix. It forms a compound word. Examples would be homework, housework, overwork.

What are compound words that begin with the word home?

homebody homecoming homegrown homeland homemade home run hometown homework

Is cannot a correct pronoun?

The word 'cannot' is not a pronoun; cannot is a compound word comprised of the verb 'can' and the adverb 'not'. The word cannot functions as a verb or auxiliary verb in a sentence. Examples:He can not go until he finishes his homework. Or, He cannot go until he finishes his homework.

Top Categories

Over 6,200 homeschool resources and growing!

Free Compound Words Worksheets and Printable Games

Published: September 14, 2021

Contributor: Carrie

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase via my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. See my disclosure for more info.

Introducing compound words doesn’t have to be boring. I remember doing lots fun compound word activities when I was in school. Help your students combine words they have already learned with these free compound words worksheets and printable games. Be sure top scroll to the end and grab our Free Compound Words Cut and Paste Activity Pack instant download. 

What is a compound word?

When you describe what a compound word is to your students it may blow their minds. It is hard enough to learn smaller words but now – they have to put two words together.

That is exactly what a compound word is. Two words are fused together to form a new word meaning. The meaning is entirely new as the word homework . Home then work means schoolwork done in your house, and you totally get why those two words were put together.

A compound word can be a combination of noun + noun , adjective + noun, or a combo of nouns, verbs, prepositions, and adverbs .

What are the types of compound words?

There are three different types of compound words. So, to add to the complexity, not all compound words are put together the same way.

The 3 different types of compound words are closed compound words, open compound words, and hyphenated compound words.

Closed Compound Words – These two words do not have a space between them like these common compound words; classroom, homeschool, and sunlight. Closed compound words are the most common and the ones you can use to start introducing the concept to your kids.

Open Compound Words – Then, when there are two words right next to each other but they still make up a new meaning you have open compound words. The words seem separate with a space, yet when put next to each other they create one unique meaning. Examples of these open compounds are full moon, ice cream, coffee mug, and real estate.

Hyphenated Compound Words – Two words joined together by a hyphen are also called compound words – hyphenated compound words. Usually, the hyphenated compound word is an adjective word that precedes the noun it modifies (or describes). However, this isn’t ALWAYS the case.

Some examples of compound words with hyphens are long-term relationships, check-in times, mother-in-law, and twenty-three points.

Sometimes students need a little help recognizing the two words that build a compound word.

These free compound words worksheets and free compound words printable games are a fun way to learn all about them! Check out the free resources below to introduce and teach compound words in your homeschool. Here is a free downloadable compound words list if you need it.

Scroll through our big list of printable compound word worksheets, games, and activities and grab the ones that will be helpful to you. 

Compound Words Printable Worksheets

Free Compound Word Worksheets – Help your children practice compound words with this collection of compound words worksheets for skills practice. This free resource also has a list of compound words for your students to view.

Apple Theme Compound Words Worksheets – These adorable compound words and compound adjective words worksheets are exactly what your children need to improve their skills. English worksheets like these are perfect for your little ones to start getting familiar with compounds.

Compound Words Assessment Worksheet – Gauge where your children are with compound word knowledge. This 20-question assessment will help you determine your child’s level of comprehension for compound words.

Various Grade Compound Word Worksheets – Check out this awesome resource of compound word worksheets. There are free worksheets for K – 4th grade, and specific worksheets for 1st grade, 2nd grade kids, 3rd grade, and 4th grade.

Matching Compound Words Worksheet – This worksheet activity is for 1st to 3rd graders. It is a simple and fun matching activity worksheet for kids to create simple compound words.

Compound Words Printable Games

File Folder Compound Words Game – Grab this fun game to teach your students new compound words. It may be time to go from small words to bigger ones by learning different types of compound words with this folder game.

Compound Words Card Games – These compound words matching games and other games are perfect for knowing how to break apart the two words that make up a compound word. This free resource will be a hit with your kids.

Card Game with Compound Words – Putting word parts together with this card game will be fun for your young learners. Match the word and clip art image to the correct pictures kids can form a list of compound words.

Compound Words Snowball Fight – Check out the text link and new window for a quick fun game for introducing your students to compound words. You can also use the cards to play the classic “memory” game.

Printable Compound Words Game for Kids – Use this game so two small words can form a new word to get a brand new meaning. Individual words and images won’t be alone for long with this fun compound words pack game.

Compound Words Printable Activities

Compound Word Folder Activity – This is a subscription freebie compound words game. You could also use these printables to create a Compound Word Folder, a lift-the-flap book of sorts, as shown in the picture below.

Compound Word Puzzles – Getting an understanding of compound words can be puzzling. (See what I did there?) Anyway, check out this super fun activity to help your students practice compound words.

Part 2 of the Compound Word Puzzles Above – Help your students master the concept of compound words with Part 2 of the compound word puzzles above from Playdough to Plato. Your young readers can help perfect their skills with extra practice.

Compound Words Stamping with Kinetic Sand Activity – This is an absolutely fun activity to help your students build their word bank as they grab this free printable pdf to help. Kids can actually stamp compound words in the sand.

Graphic Organizer for Compound Words – This free compound word foldable organizer is the perfect activity for extra compound word exercises. Kids will have space to make their very own compound words to build vocabulary and learn about root words.

Language Arts Cut & Paste Activity (Including Compound Words) – Grab even more compound word practice alongside even more language arts skills with our FREE Language Arts Cut & Paste activity. This awesome hands-on activity also has practice for homonyms, homonyms, homophones, rhyming words, synonyms, and antonyms. 

Free Compound Words Cut and Paste Activity Pack

Instant Download from WriteBonnieRose: Your young learners can get some fine motor skills practice with this FREE Compound Word Cut & Paste unit. They can have fun finding the right cards and pictures they can put together to make 24 compound words. Then they can cut each one out and paste it in the correct place on the worksheets.

Download: Free Compound Words Cut and Paste Activity Pack

Carrie Fernandez is the founder of Homeschool Giveaways and owner of  Daily Skill Building . She has been homeschooling for over 18 years, has two girls and works side by side at home with her awesome husband. She has been saved by grace, fails daily, but continues to strive toward the prize of the high calling of being a daughter of the Most High God.

Related resources

All 37 Dear Canada Books in Order

Printable List of Dr. Seuss Books in Order of Publication

Common Words that Rhyme With You (Printable Games)

150 + Words That End With O for Fun Word Games

5 Letter Words That Start With B (FREE Word Search)

Most Popular

Types of diction most popular in writing, whose vs who’s.

13 days ago

Breathe vs Breath – The Difference Between the Two Words

5 hours ago

It’s vs Its

Might vs may, what are compound words.

Compound words are language elemts, formed by combining two or more words to create a new meaning . In English, compound words can be found everywhere, from everyday conversations to complex academic texts. They come in different types, including closed compounds, hyphenated compounds, and open compounds. In this guide, we will explain the topic of compound words, their formation, and their role in effective communication.

Types of Compound Words: Open, Closed, or Hyphenated

Compound words are formed when two or more words are combined to create a new one with a different meaning. These come in three main types: closed, hyphenated, and open.

Closed Compound Words

These words are written as a single word without any spaces or hyphens. They often evolve from open compound words as they become more commonly used. For example, “ notebook ” (from “note” and “book”) and “ sunflower ” (from “sun” and “flower”) are closed compound words.

Other common examples:

• Firefighter

Hyphenated Compound Words

These words are connected by a hyphen, which helps to clarify their meaning and avoid confusion. Examples include “ mother-in-law ” (a mother related by marriage) and “ well-being ” (a state of health and happiness).

• Sister-in-law
• Editor-in-chief
• Father-in-law
• Merry-go-round

Open Compound Words

These words are written as separate words, but together they form a single concept. For example, “ ice cream ” (a frozen dessert) and “ high school ” (a secondary school for older students) are open compound words.

• Post office
• Real estate
• Science fiction
• Living room
• Coffee table
• High school
• Credit card
• Tennis court

Meaning and Usage in Context

The meaning of a compound word often relates to the meanings of the individual words, but it can also have its own unique sense and definition. For instance, a “goldfish” is a type of fish that is often gold in color. The context, or how the word is used, can also influence the formation of compound words. For example, “apple” and “pie” can combine to form “apple pie,” a dessert made with apples, but only in the context of food.

Exercises on Compound Words

After learning the basics, let’s try a few exercises to better remember the concept.

Exercise 1: Creating Compound Words

Combine the words in each pair to form a compound word. Write your answer in the space provided.

• tooth + paste = ____________
• class + room = ____________
• grand + mother = ____________
• foot + ball = ____________
• bed + room = ____________

Exercise 2: Classifying Compound Words

For each compound word, decide whether it should be written as a closed compound, a hyphenated compound, or an open compound.

• high/school = ____________
• mother/in/law = ____________
• tooth/brush = ____________
• well/being = ____________
• ice/cream = ____________
• check/in = ____________
• week/end = ____________
• long/term = ____________
• full/moon = ____________
• self/esteem = ____________
• high school
• mother in law
• self esteem

So, compound words are integral to the richness and versatility of language. They allow us to express complex ideas succinctly and add depth to our communication. As we continue use compound words, it’s important to appreciate the role they play in shaping our language. So, let’s pay attention to these linguistic building blocks and embrace the creativity they bring to our communication.

What are compound words?

Compound words are formed by combining two or more words to create a new word with a unique meaning. These words can be written as one word (closed compounds), with a hyphen (hyphenated compounds), or as separate words (open compounds). Examples include “notebook,” “mother-in-law,” and “ice cream.”

How are compound words formed?

Compound words are formed by joining two or more words together. The process involves taking words that can stand alone and combining them to create a new word with a different meaning. The way the words are combined can vary, resulting in closed, hyphenated, or open compound words.

How do compound words change meaning or form in different contexts?

Compound words can change meaning or form depending on the context in which they are used. For example, “check-in” as a noun is hyphenated, but as a verb, it is written as two separate words (“check in”). The meaning of such a word can also vary based on context, such as “school bus” (a bus for transporting students) versus “bus stop” (a place where a bus stops to pick up passengers).

Follow us on Reddit for more insights and updates.

Comments (0)

Welcome to A*Help comments!

We’re all about debate and discussion at A*Help.

We value the diverse opinions of users, so you may find points of view that you don’t agree with. And that’s cool. However, there are certain things we’re not OK with: attempts to manipulate our data in any way, for example, or the posting of discriminative, offensive, hateful, or disparaging material.

Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

More from Grammar Guides

Remember Me

What is your profession ? Student Teacher Writer Other

Forgotten Password?

Username or Email

A Comprehensive Guide to Forming Compounds

The Compound

A compound is a word or word group that consists of two or more parts that work together as a unit to express a specific concept. Examples are double-check , cost-effective , around-the-clock , hand-to-hand , forward-thinking , eyeliner , and iced tea . They might also be formed from prefixes or suffixes , as in ex-president , supermicro , presorted , shirtless , or unforgivable .

Basically, compounds are written in one of three ways: solid ( teapot ), hyphenated ( player-manager ), or open (which ranges from phrases such as off and on or little by little to combinations like washing machine —have a field day finding more). Because of the variety in formation, the choice among the styles for a given compound represents one of the most vexing of all style issues writers—and lexicographers—encounter.

For some terms, it is often acceptable to choose freely among open, hyphenated, and solid alternatives, even though the term has been used in English for an extended period (for instance, lifestyle , life–style , or life style ). Although the styling that ultimately takes hold for a compound may be determined by nothing more than editorial and writerly preference, there are patterns of new compounds as they become established in the English language. Compound nouns, for instance, are usually written as one word; compound verbs are generally written as two; compound adjectives are often written with a hyphen. But note that we added "usually," "generally," and "often"—we're hedging. (Be advised that we'll be using noncommittal terms throughout, and, essentially, that's the point of the following articles: there aren't fast rules to forming compounds, but there are patterns.)

The Unit Modifier

Compound adjectives are combinations of words that work together to modify a noun—technically, they work as unit modifiers . As unit modifiers, they are distinguished from other strings of adjectives that may also precede a noun. For instance, in the constructions "a low, level tract of land" or "that long, lonesome highway," the two adjectives each modify the noun separately. We are talking about a tract of land that is both low and level and about a highway that is both long and lonesome. These are regarded as coordinate modifiers .

In the examples "a low monthly fee" and "a wrinkled red shirt," the first adjective modifies the noun plus the second adjective. In other words, we mean that the monthly fee is low and the red shirt is wrinkled. These are noncoordinate modifiers . In the example "low-level radiation," we do not mean radiation that is low and level or level radiation that is low; we mean radiation that is at a low level. Both words are working as a unit to modify the noun—thus, they are unit modifiers .

Unit modifiers are mostly hyphenated. Hyphens not only make it easier for readers to grasp the relationship of the words but also aid in avoiding confusion. For example, the hyphen in "a call for a more-specialized curriculum" removes any ambiguity as to which the word more modifies, and the hyphen in re-sign distinguishes it from resign . Other examples are co-ed and coed , shell-like and shelllike , over-react and overreact , co-worker and coworker , which have either consecutive vowels, doubled consonants, or simply an odd combination of letters and which the inclusion of a hyphen aids in their readability.

The Particle + Noun Compound

Preposition/adverb ( particles ) + noun compounds are styled solid, especially when they are short and the first syllable is accented followed by a syllable with falling stress (as in afterthought , crossbones , download , offhand , upstairs , outfield , onstage , overseas , underhand ). There are also hyphenated particle compounds, like in-house , off-the-cuff , off-line (or offline ), and on-line (or online ).

The styling of Internet ( internet ?)–related compounds ( e-mail / email , website / web site ) remains in flux, with the same compound styled different ways in different publications. We continue to be eagle-eyed lexicographers in our Western Massachusetts-based aerie.

Prefixed, Suffixed, and Combining Form Compounds

Compounds—new, permanent, and temporary—are formed by adding word elements to existing words or by combining word elements. In English, there are three basic word elements: the prefix (such as anti- , non- , pre- , post- , re- , super- ), the suffix (as -er , -ism , -ist , -less , -ful , -ness ), and the combining form ( mini- , macro- , pseudo- , -graphy , -logy ). Prefixes and suffixes are usually attached to existing words; combining forms are usually combined to form new words ( photomicrograph ).

For the most part, compounds formed from a prefix and a word are usually written solid ( superhero ). However, if the prefix ends with a vowel and the word it is attached to begins with a vowel, the compound is usually hyphenated ( de-escalate , co-organizer , pre-engineered ). But there are exceptions: reelection , cooperate , for example. In addition, usage calls for hyphenation between a prefix and a capitalized word or number (post-Colonial, pre-19th century).

A prefixed compound that would be identical with another word, if written solid, is usually hyphenated to prevent misreading ( re-creation , co-op , multi-ply ). Prefixed compounds that might otherwise be solid are often hyphenated in order to clarify their formation, meaning, or pronunciation ( non-news , de-iced , tri-city ). Also, such compounds formed from combining forms like Anglo- , Judeo- , or Sino- are hyphenated when the second element is an independent word and solid when it is a combining form ( Judeo-Christian , Sino-Japanese , Anglophile ).

Some prefixes, and initial combining forms, have related independent adjectives or adverbs that may be used where the prefix might be expected. A temporary compound with quasi(-) or pseudo(-) , therefore, might be written open as modifier + noun or hyphenated as combining form + noun. Thus, the writer must decide which style to follow ( quasi intellectual or quasi-intellectual ; pseudo liberal or pseudo-liberal ).

Compounds formed by adding a suffix to a word are usually written solid ( yellowish , characterless ), except those having a base word that has a suffix beginning with the same letter or is a proper name ( jewel-like , American-ness ). Then, there are unique formations such as president-elect and heir apparent . Additionally, when a word is used as a modifier of a proper name, it is usually attached by a hyphen ("a Los Angeles-based company," "a Pulitzer Prize-winning author").

Permanent and Temporary Compounds

Most two-word permanent and temporary compounds (unit modifiers) are hyphenated when placed before a noun ("one-way street," "a risk-free investment," "East-West trade agreements," "blue-gray/bluish-gray paint") but are often open when following a noun ("The author is well known").

Permanent compounds are those that are so commonly used that they have become—need we say—permanent parts of the language. Temporary compounds are created to meet a writer's need at a particular moment, and they are often formed of an adverb (such as well , more , less , still ) followed by a participle, and hyphenated when placed before a noun ("a still-growing company," "a more-specialized operating system," "a now-vulnerable opponent"). Temporary compounds, often formed from an adverb ending in the suffix -ly followed by a participle, may sometimes be hyphenated but may also be open because adverb + adjective + noun is a normal word order ("an internationally-known artist," "a beautifully illustrated book").

Temporary adjectival compounds may also be formed by using a compound noun. If the compound noun is an open compound , it is usually hyphenated so that the relationship of the words to form an adjective is immediately apparent to the reader ("a tax-law case," "a minor-league pitcher," "problem-solving abilities"). If readily recognizable, the units may occur without a hyphen ("a high school diploma" or "a high-school diploma"; "an income tax refund" or "an income-tax refund"). Also, if the words that make up a compound adjective follow the noun they modify, they fall in normal word order and are, therefore, no longer considered unit modifiers that require hyphenation ("The decisions were made on the spur of the moment"; "They were ill prepared for the journey"; "The comments were made off the record"; "I prefer the paint that is blue gray").

Open or Close the Compound?

When a noun + noun compound is short, and established in the English language and pronounced with equal stress on both nouns, the styling is likely to be open ( bean sprouts , fuel cell , fire drill ). Many short noun + noun compounds, however, that begin as temporary open ones and have the first word accented tend to become solid ( database , football , paycheck , hairbrush ); this is also the case for some adjectives ( shortcut , drywall —but then there's red tape and red-hot ). There are also compounds formed from a verb followed by a noun that is its object, and they tend to be styled as solid ( carryall , pickpocket ). Vice versa, there are noun compounds consisting of a verb form preceded by a noun that is its object ( fish fry , eye-opener , roadblock ), and adjective + noun compounds that are written open ( genetic code , minor league ).

Writers also use a hyphen to make the "unit" relationships of nouns immediately apparent ( English-speakers , Spanish-speaking students , fund-raiser , gene-splicing ), but compounds in which a noun is the object of a following verb-derived word tend to be written open ( problem solver , air conditioning ).

Finally, when the nouns in a noun + noun compound describe a double title or function, the compound is hyphenated ( city-state , secretary-treasurer , hunter-gatherer , bar-restaurant ). And compounds formed from a noun or adjective followed by man , woman , person , or people , as well as denoting an occupation, are regularly solid ( congresswoman , salespeople ). We're pretty sure about those guidelines.

The Verb + Adverb Compound

These compounds may be hyphenated or solid. The compounds with two-letter particles (such as by , to , in , up , on ) are most frequently hyphenated since the hyphen aids in quick comprehension ( lean-to , trade-in , add-on , start-up ). Compounds with three-letter particles ( off , out , through ) are hyphenated or solid with about equal frequency ( spin-off , payoff , time-out , follow-through , giveaway ).

And then there are the verb + -er + particle compounds and verb + -ing + particle compounds. Except for established words like passerby , these compounds are hyphenated ( hanger-on , runner-up , listener-in , falling-out , goings-on , talking-to ). There are also the two-word established forms consisting of a verb followed by an adverb or a preposition, which is styled open: set to , strike out . Then we have words composed of a particle followed by a verb that are usually styled solid ( upgrade , bypass ).

The Compound Noun Turned Verb

The verb form of a compound noun (whether open or hyphenated) most often is spelled with a hyphen ( field-test , water-ski , rubber-stamp ), whereas a verb derived from a solid noun is written solid ( mastermind , brainstorm , sideline ). That one's simple enough. Phew.

To Hyphenate or not to Hyphenate?

That is the question, especially when it comes down to adverb and adjective compounds. And the stickler's answer is to hyphenate when the modifier is before the word it modifies and to write the compound in open form when it follows it (since there is little or no risk of ambiguity). For example, a journalist might publish a word-for-word quotation or a person might be quoted word for word by the journalist, or a writer might be told that what is said is off the record, and any off-the-record information is to remain confidential. However, usage evidence shows that this formula is not closely followed: a team could play back-to-back games or play two games back-to-back; a boss and employee might have a face-to-face discussion or talk face-to-face; a candidate's position might be middle-of-the-road; a child could be accident-prone like his or her accident-prone parent. The point is: many permanent and temporary compounds keep their hyphens after the noun in a sentence if they continue to function as unit modifiers.

But compound adjectives composed of foreign words are not hyphenated when placed before a noun unless they are always hyphenated ("per diem expenses," "the a cappella chorus," but "a ci-devant professor"). Also, chemical names used as modifiers before a noun are not hyphenated ("a citric acid solution"). And a compound noun having three or more words may be either hyphenated or open, depending on preference and usage evidence: editor in chief , base on balls , give-and-take , good-for-nothing , know-it-all , justice of the peace , jack-of-all-trades , pick-me-up , stick-to-itiveness .

The Hyphen as Apostrophe

Hyphens are sometimes used to produce inflected forms of verbs that are made of individually pronounced letters or to add an -er ending to an abbreviation—although apostrophes are more commonly used for the purpose ( x-ed vs. x'd , you decide).

From the time the American League first allowed designated hitters in 1973, another 41 years passed before the first DH was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Frank Thomas will finally get some company this weekend when Edgar Martinez and Harold Baines join him in Cooperstown, New York. Three Hall of Famers in 46 years is a powerful testament to the challenge of DH-ing. — J. P. Hoornstra, The Orange County Register , 17 July 2019 His continued growth as a player will be key to NU's secondary growing into one of the league's best, and Jackson has the right kind of coach, former NFL-er Travis Fisher, to push him toward it. — Sam McKewon, The Omaha (Nebraska) World-Herald , 2 Aug. 2019

The Hyphen in Chemical Compounds

A hyphen separates prefixes composed of single letters, numerals, or letter-numeral combinations from the rest of a chemical term. In addition, italicized prefixes are followed by a hyphen. The hyphen is also used to separate units of certain chemically complex terms:

α-amino-β-( p -hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid 2-methyl-3-ethylpentane 6 H -1,2,5-thiadiazine

In amino acid sequences, hyphens are used to separate the abbreviations ("Ala-Lys-Pro-Thr-Tyr-Phe-Gly-Arg-Glu-Gly").

It should be noted, however, that most chemical names used as modifiers are not hyphenated ("the amino acid sequence," "sodium hypochlorite bleach").

Hyphenated Numbers

Numbers that form the first part of a compound modifier that express measurement are followed by a hyphen ("a 28-mile trip," "a 10-pound weight," "a nine-pound baby"), or that are used in a ratio ("a fifty-fifty chance," "60-40 chance"). An adjective that is composed of a number followed by a noun in the possessive is not hyphenated ("two weeks' notice," "a four blocks' walk"). Also, when the modifier follows a noun, it is usually not hyphenated ("The teacher required an essay that was five pages"; "Children who are twelve years old and under can order from the menu"; "The fence is 12 feet high").

Hyphens are used in fractions (e.g., two-thirds ), and they join the parts of whole numbers ( twenty-one ). The hyphen is also found in serial numbers, and social security or engine numbers. If you're measuring something, you might also use the hyphen ( foot-pound , kilowatt-hour , column-inch , light-year ), or if you are talking about periods of time ("pre-2000" or "post-2000," or "post-20th/twentieth century").

Reduplicative Compounds

Compounds that are formed by reduplication , and so consist of two similar-sounding elements (such as hush-hush , razzle-dazzle , or hugger-mugger ), are usually hyphenated if each of the elements is made up of more than one syllable, but the solid styling for such words is also common ( crisscross , knickknack , singsong ). For very short words (such as no-no , so-so ), words in which both elements may have primary stress ( tip-top ), and for injections ( tsk-tsk ), the hyphenated styling is more common.

Word of the Day

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Games & Quizzes

Usage Notes

Prepositions, ending a sentence with, hypercorrections: are you making these 6 common mistakes, can ‘criteria’ ever be singular, singular nonbinary ‘they’: is it ‘they are’ or ‘they is’, is singular 'they' a better choice, grammar & usage, a list of most commonly confused words, more commonly misspelled words, 10 words you see but don't hear, commonly misspelled words, how to use em dashes (—), en dashes (–) , and hyphens (-), 9 other words for beautiful, rare and amusing insults, volume 2, etymologies for every day of the week, the words of the week - apr. 19, 10 words from taylor swift songs (merriam's version).

• English Language Arts
• Graphic Organizers
• Social Studies
• Teacher Printables
• Foreign Language

Home > English Language Arts Worksheets > Compound Words

Compound words are words that are formed when two smaller forms of them come together. They allow you to add some pizzazz to your language. The following collection of activity sheets will introduce your students to types of words. Students will practice identifying and constructing words by finding them in the given sentences, building them from a given collection of words within a word bank, choosing whether a word pair is compound or not, and more. Answer keys have been provided for instructors. If these do not fit within your curriculum, these sheets may be used as extra credit assignments. Fun Contest Idea: Have your students list as many different words as they can, and give a prize to the students with the longest list.

Get Free Worksheets In Your Inbox!

Print compound words worksheets, click the buttons to print each worksheet and associated answer key., this and that.

Put each set of smaller words together to make a compound form. This is a great way to introduce this skill.

Word Banker

Put the words in the box together to form one in longer form. Write the new terms on the lines. Make as many as you can. Remember they can go on the front or back.

Big Words - Small Parts

Match up the small words below to form new terms. Write them on the line. You will create something entirely new.

Where Is It?

Circle every silly and crazy compound form found in each sentence. Some sentences may appear to have more than one.

Draw a picture of each word. Write them on the line above each of the drawing areas.

Is It a _______?

Read each pair of words below. Can they be put together? Color in YES or NO. If they can come together, write the term that is formed on the line.

The words below are all mixed up. Can you take them apart and put them back together again so that they make proper new term?

There is nothing wrong with being made of small parts! Put them together to be better than their original form.

Parts of Sentences

Where is that bad boy in the sentence? This is another identification activity that can really help you get better at this skill.

Make a Sentence

Write a sentence with the words that you are given and make them pop, PLEASE! You will also review skills that we have already covered.

Pound Words

Match the word parts below to form new ones. Please make them as interesting as possible. Write your them on the lines.

Complex Thoughts

Underline the word(s) that we have been discussing and practice this skill some more.

Penguins Rule!

Is penguinhula a word? If not, it should be. Don't you think? This worksheet is great to help you review everything that we have learned in this section.

How Many Do You Know?

This is a brainstorming activity and this will help your ability to create new words flourish.

Fill in the blank in each sentence with a new word that makes sense. Some of the terms that you come up with can be a little off the mark too.

Compound Words: Open, Closed, And Hyphenated Forms

Do you want to upgrade your writing style or add variations to it? What better way to do it than by using compound words. Compounds words are two or more words that give a new look to the information that needs to be delivered.

A compound word is a term that is formed from two or even more smaller words. These words combine to form a completely new term. An example would be "airplane" which is a blend of the words air and plane. The new word that is formed will have usually have a similar or related meaning to the singular words, but under some circumstance they will mean something completely different. An example of this is the term: backlog. This word means to have a series of unfinished work which differs a good deal from the original terms. A common misconception of these types of words is that they need combined in way so that they look like a single word. That is only one form of compound word and is referred to as the closed format. They can take on two other forms. The open format is when a space exists between the words that are present. The occurs when an adjective is used with a noun to form a new noun (example: living room). The hyphenated form comes into play when a compound adjective is located just before the noun it modifies (example: long-term).

The new word formed is not even technically wrong; this is why the English language is so flexible and gives a person a chance to play with the order of things. It is a way to add more words to the literature according to the demand of the writer. You can clear your concept about compounds by reading the elaborated examples below.

Examples of Compound Words

Example 1: Anyhow

This is a compound word made up of the terms, "Any" and "How." They independently have different meanings, and none of them is closely associated with the compound's meaning.

Example 2: Backpack

The compound word is for a bag that is carried on the back. However, instead of explaining the use of this bag every time while writing, people use the word backpack to simplify.

Example 3: long run

Here, "Long" and "Run" are not joined together like in other examples. However, it is a compound word because it is said together and gives one meaning. It is an example of an open form.

There are three types of compound words: open, closed, and hyphenated. These are explained in detail below.

These types of compound words are not joined but are said together. The two words written together form a new word with its meaning different or connected to the meanings of the roots.

High school

High means the topmost vertical range, and a school is where you get educated. So, a high school becomes a school with the highest level of education that a school can offer.

The hotness measures heat, and a dog is an animal. However, when written together, a hot dog becomes a food item.

Ice is the solid state of water, and cream is a thick slurry. When combined, it becomes a category of a food item.

Closed Form

Compound words that do not have any space between their combination are known as closed compound words. These are new words that did not exist before but, due to overuse, are now acceptable.

Play comes from playing, an activity. At the same time, a ground is a place. A new word for a place to play is created when these terms are joined.

A foot is a body organ, and a print is an impression. When we combine it, it becomes a print of the foot.

Skating is a sport, and a board is a panel or a slate. Combining these gives us a name for the skating equipment.

Hyphenated Form

Such compound words in which hyphens are placed between two or three different words to emphasize the connection or give an entirely different meaning from the roots.

The word is used to tell that a person has nothing or was unsuccessful in procuring something.

Deep-fried means to fry food in a pan filled with oil such that the meat or vegetables are wholly drowned.

Compound words – what they are and why they matter

These fun words bring your content to life! 

Author Christina Levandowski

Published February 20, 2024

Published Feb 20, 2024

• Key takeaways
• Compound words have different meanings from each separate word — For example: Hot dog doesn’t have the same meaning as “hot” or “dog.” 
• Blended words are different from compound words — Blended words, or portmanteaus, are not the same as compound words. Instead, they take parts of two words and blend them together into a new, separate word. “Internet” is an example of a portmanteau, while “grandparent” is a compound word. 
• There are three types of compound words —  These types are known as open-compound, closed-compound, and hyphenated-compound words. We’ll cover each below.

Table of contents

What is a compound word?

The three types of compound words.

Compound words bring your work to life — whether you’re working on an essay or you’re writing an email to a friend. They’re such a common part of our daily communication patterns, that you likely use them daily without even thinking about it! 

The best part? Compound words are incredibly easy to learn. Below, we’re defining what compound words are, the three types of compound words, and offering examples of each — helping you to familiarise yourself with them ahead of your next task or homework assignment.

The definition of a compound word is a word that’s made of two or more root words put together in their whole, individual forms. This is different from a blended word, which incorporates parts of two words into a new, unique word. 

Compound words are simple to assemble. So simple, in fact, that there are thousands that are commonly used in the English language! To use and create compound words, people take the whole form of individual words and put them together to give them new meanings. 

One of the main differences between a compound word and regular words is that compound words convey a joined idea using just its compound partners. They’re usually used if it would be more effective to convey the idea using them, as opposed to using full sentences.

Understanding the three different types of compound words  (and how separate words join together to make a new word) will add clarity to your communications, both written or verbal. Because of this, it’s an important skill to consider as you prepare for the next grades — whether it’s primary or secondary school. 

Closed compound words

If you’re looking for new compound words to try after you master open compound words, consider closed compound words. These are words that incorporate two separate words without a space between them. Examples of closed compound words include “blackberry” and “homeschool.” 

A general rule of thumb: These words are typically multi-syllable words due to their length. So, keep an eye out for spacing differences and syllable counts as you go work to identify which compound noun or word that you’re working with. 

We’ve included a list of compound words (closed style) below for you to practice with: 

• Grandparent
• Grasshopper

Open compound words

An open compound word is a compound word or noun that has a space between two words. Think of the gap as being “wide open,” or in open form, reminding you about what the definition of an open compound word is.

Here are a few examples of open compound words and nouns: 

• Turkey burger 
• Chicken salad 
• Graphic organiser 
• Ramen noodles 
• Devilled eggs 
• Mashed potatoes 

Hyphenated compound words

A hyphenated compound word is exactly as it sounds — a compound word that is formed with hyphens between the words. A common example of this would be “merry-go-round,” or similar. 

Just like other compound words, these tend to be longer words that feature multiple syllables. 

Here are a few examples of compound words that use hyphens — known as hyphenated compound words. 

• Far-fetched
• Know-it-all
• Editor-in-chief
• Free-for-all
• Father-in-law (+ variations)
• Dog-friendly
• State-of-the-art
• One-of-a-kind

A compound word is a word that is created by two separate words. These types of words can be divided by written presentation, and have three main groups: closed, open, and hyphenated compound words. 

Compound words impact the correctness of your grammar and content overall. After reading this guide, we encourage you to experiment with the different types of words in your personal and academic writing; gaining confidence and using them throughout your flow and process. 

Explore compound words with DoodleEnglish

DoodleEnglish  is an app that’s filled with thousands of fun, interactive exercises covering grammar, punctuation, spelling and more!

Designed by teachers, it creates each child a unique work programme tailored to their needs, boosting their confidence and skills in English.  Try it for free  today!

FAQs about compound words

Compound words are formed when two or more single words fuse together into a separate word that has a separate meaning from the words of origin. Verbs can be used in compound form as well (known as compound verbs). Examples of this include verbs like “set aside,” “double-click,” and others. 

An open compound word is a compound word that has spaces between both words of origin. An example of this would be “ice cream.” A closed compound word doesn’t have these spaces, and is instead both words of origin put together in a single word. An example of this would be “blackberry..” 

Three compound words are commonly known as triple compounds. They can be commonly found in the English language. Examples of three-compound words include “over-the-counter,” “left-to-right,” and “one-year-old;” and so on. 

Generally speaking, hyphens are used if two or more words are working together as an adjective to describe a noun. If the sentence in question starts with a noun, you typically won’t find a hyphenated modifier following it. Hyphens cannot be used as dashes, as each form of punctuation has a different purpose. 

Try DoodleEnglish for free!

Related posts

What are speech marks?

From novels to news reports, speech marks are used everywhere

Spelling activities for KS2

There are lots of fun ways you can liven up spelling practice!

What is SPaG? A guide

SPaG is a really important concept in English, but what does it mean?

What we offer

Quick links

All rights reserved. 

Are you a parent, teacher or student?

Get started for free!

Maths information pack

We ask for your contact info so we can send our info pack directly to your inbox for your convenience, exam prep information pack, case studies information pack.

Book a chat with our team

I’m new to Doodle

My school is already using Doodle

Information pack

We ask for your contact info so that our education consultants can get in touch with you and let you know a bit more about doodle., student login, which programme would you like to use.

DoodleMaths

DoodleTables

DoodleEnglish

DoodleSpell

If you’d like to use Doodle’s browser version, please visit this page on a desktop.

To log in to Doodle on this device, you can do so through our apps. You can find out how to download them here:

Reading & Math for K-5

• Kindergarten
• Learning numbers
• Comparing numbers
• Place Value
• Roman numerals
• Subtraction
• Multiplication
• Order of operations
• Drills & practice
• Measurement
• Factoring & prime factors
• Proportions
• Shape & geometry
• Data & graphing
• Word problems
• Children's stories
• Leveled Stories
• Context clues
• Cause & effect
• Compare & contrast
• Fact vs. fiction
• Fact vs. opinion
• Main idea & details
• Story elements
• Conclusions & inferences
• Sounds & phonics
• Words & vocabulary
• Reading comprehension
• Early writing
• Numbers & counting
• Simple math
• Social skills
• Other activities
• Dolch sight words
• Fry sight words
• Multiple meaning words
• Prefixes & suffixes
• Vocabulary cards
• Other parts of speech
• Punctuation
• Capitalization
• Narrative writing
• Opinion writing
• Informative writing
• Cursive alphabet
• Cursive letters
• Cursive letter joins
• Cursive words
• Cursive sentences
• Cursive passages
• Grammar & Writing

Breadcrumbs

• Compound words

Download & Print Only $4.99

Compound Words Worksheets

Free compound words worksheets for kindergarten.

Compound words are formed when two words are joined together to create a new word with a new meaning. These worksheets ask students to form common compound words in different ways and to dissect compound words into their root words.   

Sample Kindergarten Compound Words Worksheet

What is K5?

K5 Learning offers free worksheets , flashcards  and inexpensive  workbooks  for kids in kindergarten to grade 5. Become a member  to access additional content and skip ads.

Our members helped us give away millions of worksheets last year.

We provide free educational materials to parents and teachers in over 100 countries. If you can, please consider purchasing a membership ($24/year) to support our efforts.

Members skip ads and access exclusive features.

Learn about member benefits

This content is available to members only.

Join K5 to save time, skip ads and access more content. Learn More

• Forgot Password?

• school Campus Bookshelves
• menu_book Bookshelves
• perm_media Learning Objects
• login Login
• how_to_reg Request Instructor Account
• hub Instructor Commons
• Download Page (PDF)
• Download Full Book (PDF)
• Periodic Table
• Physics Constants
• Scientific Calculator
• Reference & Cite
• Tools expand_more
• Readability

selected template will load here

This action is not available.

5: Compound Words

• Last updated
• Save as PDF
• Page ID 708
• 5.1: Overview of Compound Words
• 5.2: Compounds like Blackbird and Catbird
• 5.3: Compounds like Hilltop and Fireplace
• 5.4: Compounds like Backyard and Popcorn
• 5.5: Compounds like Dogcatcher and Steamboat

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

Check out our FREE  sight word worksheets   – we have over 150 in our database!

Sight Words, Reading, Writing, Spelling & Worksheets

Everything you need to know about sight words. We also provide articles and worksheets for parents and teachers to provide assistance with spelling, writing and reading.

Compound Words

18 Comments

What are Compound Words?

Compound words are made by joining two or more words; the combination creates a new word. They can be formed using two nouns, e.g. basketball, two non-nouns, e.g. blowup, or a noun and non-noun, e.g. sunrise. It is important to note that the words do not always keep their original meaning, e.g. breakfast. Our list of compound words contains 500 words.

There are three types of compound words:

• Closed compound words , e.g., football, peanut,
• Open compound words , e.g., cell phone, high school, and
• Hyphenated compound words , e.g., in-depth, runner-up.

List of Compound Words

Closed words.

These words have no spaces. Our list contains hundreds of words, so we organized them in alphabetical order. Click on a letter below to obtain a list of those compound words.

TOP OF PAGE

Open compound words have a space between the words. The following are open compound words:

Hyphenated Words

The list below excludes spelled out fractions and compound numbers from 21 to 91. Please note you hyphenate all spelled out fractions, e.g., two-thirds, one-half, and compound numbers from 21 to 91, e.g., thirty-nine, ninety-one. The following are hyphenated compound words:

Source: Fry, E.B., Ph.D. & Kress, J.E., Ed.D. (2006). The Reading Teacher’s Book of Lists 5th Edition . San Francisco, CA: Jossey Bass.

Merriam-Webster Children’s Dictionary, 3rd Edition 2008.

Reader Interactions

December 17, 2012 at 11:22 am

Great article!

April 28, 2013 at 7:38 am

Thanks for the excellent article.

July 23, 2013 at 3:53 am

Are manila paper and class pass a compound noun? I need your help to answer this?thnxs

July 24, 2013 at 4:17 pm

Best guess – manila paper is a compound word and class pass is not.

September 17, 2013 at 7:04 am

AWESOME INFO! Thanks for the examples.

October 3, 2013 at 6:36 am

Thanks a lot for all this information! God bless.

November 26, 2013 at 1:10 pm

Thanks for taking the time to write this article!

May 30, 2014 at 10:38 am

Thanks for providing this info!

July 28, 2014 at 10:20 am

thanks it really helps me a lot 😀

September 10, 2014 at 9:02 pm

Thanks This helped a lot

September 25, 2014 at 6:20 am

I am very grateful to obtain this info! Thanks for providing this information.

March 24, 2015 at 3:26 pm

This is an excellent site for compound examples.

August 6, 2015 at 7:26 am

great examples it helps me a lot in my homework

December 1, 2015 at 1:17 pm

Awesome site!

May 9, 2016 at 1:17 pm

Great info I’m a Sub this came in handy!!

August 25, 2016 at 12:19 pm

thanks for helping

May 7, 2018 at 4:36 pm

Awesome Site Thanks Alot

July 29, 2018 at 8:37 am

thank you so much! It’s a big help

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Compound Words | Spelling Patterns

With our Compound Words | Spelling Patterns lesson plan, students learn about compound words, including how they’re formed and when they’re used. Students learn to identify and spell compound words and practice doing so as a part of this lesson.

This lesson includes a very detailed, step-by-step lesson plan and outlines what parts of the lesson can be taught on which day. You can find these suggestions in the “Options for Lesson” section on the first Classroom Procedure page.

Description

Additional information, what our compound words | spelling patterns lesson plan includes.

Lesson Objectives and Overview: Compound Words | Spelling Patterns teaches students the basics of compound words, including how we form and use them. At the end of the lesson, students will be able to correctly identify and spell compound words, be able to synthesize knowledge from the word sort in order to correctly spell transfer (bonus) words, and will understand how compound words are created. This lesson is for students in 3rd grade and 4th grade.

Classroom Procedure

Every lesson plan provides you with a classroom procedure page that outlines a step-by-step guide to follow. You do not have to follow the guide exactly. The guide helps you organize the lesson and details when to hand out worksheets. It also lists information in the green box that you might find useful. You will find the lesson objectives, state standards, and number of class sessions the lesson should take to complete in this area. In addition, it describes the supplies you will need as well as what and how you need to prepare beforehand.

The supplies you will need for this lesson are spelling notebooks, dictionaries, handouts, scissors, paper, pencils, art supplies, times, envelopes, and baggies. To prepare for this lesson ahead of time, you can make copies of the handouts and anchor chart supplies, choose words and transfer words for testing, preview the videos, print additional resources, and gather the supplies.

Options for Lesson

The suggestions for this lesson provide a guide for which parts of the lesson you can administer on which of the four days scheduled for the lesson. For example, for day one, it suggests having students learn the general concept of a main idea and practice identifying the main idea and supporting details as a group.

Teacher Notes

The teacher notes page includes a paragraph with additional guidelines and things to think about as you begin to plan your lesson. This page also includes lines that you can use to add your own notes as you’re preparing for this lesson.

COMPOUND WORDS | SPELLING PATTERNS LESSON PLAN CONTENT PAGES

The Compound Words | Spelling Patterns lesson plan does not include any content pages. Rather, it provides a very detailed lesson plan, found on the two Classroom Procedure pages and the Spelling Sort page.

COMPOUND WORDS | SPELLING PATTERNS LESSON PLAN WORKSHEETS

The Compound Words | Spelling Patterns lesson plan includes four worksheets: an activity worksheet, a practice worksheet, a homework assignment, and a quiz. You can refer to the guide on the classroom procedure page to determine when to hand out each worksheet.

CREATING WORDS ACTIVITY WORKSHEET

For the activity worksheet, students will add either the first or second word, listed in the provided chart, to create compound words. Students can use the words in their sort along with other words they know. They can check the words that they create with a dictionary to make sure they are accurate. They will also list the rule for this week’s sort at the bottom of the worksheet.

WORD DIRECTIONS PRACTICE WORKSHEET

The practice worksheet asks students to build a word directions with their fellows classmates. Students will play in groups of two or more to cut out the word cards, shuffle them, and give three to each player. The oldest player goes first and puts down one of the three cards face up. The next player will use one of the three cards to create a compound word by adding that word to the front or back of the first card played. If they can’t create a word, they will take a new card from the pile. If they still can’t make a word, play will pass to the next player. Students aim to get rid of all of the cards in their hand.

COMPOUND WORDS | SPELLING PATTERNS HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT

For the homework assignment, students will cut out their spelling words and sort them correctly into the columns on the worksheet. They will also write the spelling rules for this week’s sort at the bottom of the worksheet.

For the quiz, students will use the spelling grid on the quiz page. They’ll write four headings at the top. The teacher will dictate ten spelling words and two bonus words. Once they write the words down, students will write down the sort rules.

Worksheet Answer Keys

This lesson plan includes answer keys for the activity worksheet and the homework assignment. If you choose to administer the lesson pages to your students via PDF, you will need to save a new file that omits these pages. Otherwise, you can simply print out the applicable pages and keep these as reference for yourself when grading assignments.

Thank you for submitting a review!

Your input is very much appreciated. Share it with your friends so they can enjoy it too!

Fantastic Science lesson

Fantastic!! This was such a life saver. Everything you need for subject activities, lesson plan, quizzes. Great illustrations on science applications. My class loved the planned lab activities.

Related products

Careers: Robotics Technician

Careers: Game Designer

Careers: Archaeologist

Make your life easier with our lesson plans, stay up-to-date with new lessons.

• Lesson Plans
• For Teachers

© 2024 Learn Bright. All rights reserved. Terms and Conditions. Privacy Policy.

• Sign Up for Free

• School Guide
• English Grammar Free Course
• English Grammar Tutorial
• Parts of Speech
• Figure of Speech
• Tenses Chart
• Essay Writing
• Email Writing
• NCERT English Solutions
• English Difference Between
• SSC CGL English Syllabus
• SBI PO English Syllabus
• SBI Clerk English Syllabus
• IBPS PO English Syllabus
• IBPS CLERK English Syllabus
• Holi Essay 2024 for Students in English: Short Essay on Holi
• 25+ Unusual English Words with Their Meaning and Uses
• How to Write a Request Letter for Salary: Check Samples
• List of 5 Letter Words Starting With E
• 200+ Action Words in English: Know How to Use
• 100+ Famous Farewell Quotes to Say Goodbye
• 6 Best Ways to Start Email At Work
• 11 Bits of WhatsApp Slang You Need to Master Today
• List of 50+ American Slang Words in 2024
• 80+ Thank You Message for Work Anniversary Wishes
• 50+ Words That Start With R: Check their Meaning
• 100+ Thinking of You Messages You Should Know
• 150+ Congratulations Messages Ideas for Any Achievement
• Root Words in English: Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
• How to Write Job Acceptance Letter: Samples and Templates
• 50+Tricky English Words With Their Meaning You Should Know
• 10 Interesting Facts About the English Language
• What to Write in Sympathy Messages: Check Examples and Templates
• 1000 Most Common Words in the English Language

Compound Words: Definition, Types & Uses

Language is a dynamic and ever-changing thing, shaped by the imagination and intelligence of its speakers. The usage of compound words is one of the most intriguing aspects of language formation. These linguistic wonders are created by combining two or more words to produce a new, often subtle meaning. While compound words are a part of everyday conversation, deciding whether to use spaces, hyphens, or neither can be complicated.

In this blog, we will delve into the details of compound words, looking at their structure, importance, and function in improving our communication.

Table of Content

What is a Compound Word?

Types of compound words, open compound words, closed compound words, hyphenated compound words, compound word formation, list of commonly-used compound words in english, things to keep in mind when forming compound words.

Compound words are composed of two or more words that work together. They can be almost any part of speech , including nouns , verbs , adjectives , adverbs , and even prepositions like inside, outside, within, and without.

Compound words have separate meanings that differ from the meanings of the individual words they are composed of. For example, the compound word grandparent is formed by combining the distinct words grand and parent. While grandparents and parents are similar, they are not identical—and not all grandparents are grand!

Compound words are frequently mistaken for blended words, also known as portmanteaus, but the two are fundamentally different. Each word in a compound term remains the same. However, with portmanteaus, or mixed words, just portions of each word are utilized. For example, the term internet is a portmanteau of the words interconnected and network. If it were a compound term, it would be something like an interconnected network, with both words intact and uncut.

There are three types of compound words in grammar, determined by how the words are separated.

• Open compound words: spaces between the words
• Closed compound words: no spaces between the words
• Hyphenated compound words: hyphens between the words

The various kinds of compound words simply impact the spellings of the words, not how they are used or pronounced. Still, understanding these variances is crucial because you must use proper spelling while writing. Let’s take a look at each group individually and go over a special compound word list for each.

Open compound words contain spaces between the words, making them difficult to identify. Regardless of how they seem, open compound words always behave as single words. They always appear together in the same order, and each has its own distinct significance.

Open compound words are usually nouns, which are used in the same way as conventional nouns. If you want to pluralize an open compound term, you normally simply pluralize the last word in the group, not the entire group.

Incorrect: Mia got sick from eating ten hots dogs.

Correct: Mia got sick from eating ten hot dogs.

Phrasal verbs are open compound words that function as verbs. Phrasal verbs have their own set of rules, but in general, just one of the words in the group gets conjugated while the others remain unchanged.

Incorrect : He found outed too late.

Incorrect : He find outed too late.

Correct : He found out too late.

However, be aware that open compound words may require a hyphen if they are employed in a different part of speech. For example, when used as a noun, the compound phrase test drive is open; when used as a verb, it is hyphenated as test-drive.

Test drives are important. I always test-drive a new car before purchasing.

Examples of Open Compound Words

• common sense
• cotton candy
• dining room
• heart attack

Closed compound words are easier to remember and use than open compound words. There are no spaces between the words, so closed compound words both look and act like individual words.

Closed compound words occur in almost every part of speech. Closed compound words include adverbs like occasionally and anyday, as well as the prepositions inside, outside, within, and without. Even the word cannot, which is a contraction of the phrase “can not,” is a closed compound word.

Examples of Closed Compound Words

• anybody, everybody, nobody, somebody
• anyone, everyone, someone (but not no one), anything, everything, nothing, something
• anywhere, everywhere, nowhere, somewhere
• baseball, basketball, football, etc.

Last are hyphenated compound words, which have hyphens between them. These can be difficult to spell if you’re not sure if there’s a hyphen or a space, so start with a compound word list and work your way up to learning each individual spelling. Otherwise, you can quickly seek out the right spelling using a spell checker.

When hyphenated compound words are nouns, make sure to pluralize the appropriate portion. Unlike open compound terms, you do not necessarily pluralize the group’s final word. For example, with the hyphenated compound term mother-in-law, you pluralize mother rather than law.

Incorrect: Some spouses don’t like their mother-in-laws, but I get along with mine.

Correct: Some spouses don’t like their mothers-in-law, but I get along with mine.

However, each hyphenated compound word is different, and sometimes the s comes at the end. For example, the plural of merry-go-round is merry-go-rounds.

The merry-go-rounds are my favorite part of any amusement park.

As an adjective, a hyphenated compound word acts the same as a hyphen with compound modifiers.

The twenty-year-old students tried a long-distance relationship.

Examples of Hyphenated Compound Words

• editor-in-chief
• empty-handed
• far-fetched
• father-in-law, mother-in-law, sister-in-law,etc.
• free-for-all
• know-it-all

As we have just covered, compound words are created by joining two words, particularly two components of speech. We’ll examine a few instances of compound words by combining different aspects of speech.

Noun + Noun

Here is a list of compound words formed by combining two nouns.

• Police woman

Noun + Verb

Here is a list of compound words formed by combining a noun and a verb.

Verb + Noun

Here is a list of compound words formed by combining a verb and a noun.

• Post office

Verb + Preposition

Here is a list of compound words formed by combining a verb and a preposition.

Preposition + Verb

Here is a list of compound words formed by combining a preposition and a verb.

• Underestimate

Noun + Adjective

Here is a list of compound words formed by combining a noun and an adjective.

• Heartbroken

Adjective + Noun

Here is a list of compound words formed by combining an adjective and a noun.

• Last minute

Gerund + Noun

Here is a list of compound words formed by combining a gerund and a noun.

• Washing machine
• Dining room
• Swimming pool
• Driving licence
• Breaking point
• Melting point
• Living room
• Working day

Noun + Gerund

Here is a list of compound words formed by combining a noun and a gerund.

• Sightseeing
• Mind-blowing
• Nerve-wrecking
• Nail-biting
• Brainstorming
• Mindmapping
• Air conditioning
• Time-consuming
• Bird watching

Preposition + Noun

Here is a list of compound words formed by combining a preposition and a noun.

• Undergraduate

Following is a list of some of the most often used compound terms in the English language.

Have you ever attempted to combine two or more terms with entirely distinct meanings? If you do, you’ll discover that certain intriguing pairings function, have meanings distinct from their separate ones, and add a great deal of energy and vibrancy to your language. You should be aware of something right now. To create a new term, you cannot simply mix any two words together. Make sure to create and employ complex terms correctly. When creating and utilising compound terms, keep the following few things in mind.

• One can categorise compound terms as either transient or permanent. Words that are already part of the language are considered permanent compounds, while words created specifically to meet the needs of the writer or speaker are known as temporary compounds. Words like “red-headed,” “left-handed,” “bright-eyed,” and so on are examples of permanent compound words that are already part of the English language, whereas words like “grandmother,” “blackboard,” “first aid,” and so on are examples of words that can be produced to fit the needs of language users.
• Here’s something to keep in mind to help you a little. Compound adjectives are expressed as hyphenated compound words, compound verbs as open compound words, and compound nouns as closed compound words in most circumstances. But this isn’t always the case and it’s not a rule.
• In terms of hyphenated compound words, they are only considered hyphenated when they come before the noun they modify.

Also Read: How to Write a Research Hypothesis- Step-By-Step Guide With Examples List of 30 Common Literary Devices to Know: Definitions & Examples List of 100+ Hardest English Words to Pronounce and Spell List of 500+ Beautiful Cool English Words You Must Know List of 400+ Positive Words That Start With A, B… And All The Way Through Z for Zingy

In conclusion, compound words are a testament to the dynamic nature of language, embodying the creativity and adaptability of human expression. From closed compounds to open compounds and hyphenated compounds, the structural diversity of these linguistic marvels enables speakers to convey complex ideas with efficiency and precision. Compound words play a crucial role in shaping our communication, offering a rich tapestry of meanings that go beyond the boundaries of individual words.

Compound Words- FAQs

What is a compound of a word.

Compound words are separate words (or phrases that function as independent words) composed of two or more words that work together. They can be almost any part of speech, including nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and even prepositions like inside, outside, within, and without.

What is the rule for compound words?

An open compound term contains gaps between the words (for example, “high school”). A hyphenated compound word contains hyphens between the words (for example, “sister-in-law”). A closed compound word is written without spaces or punctuation (for example, “cheesecake”).

Is Butterfly a compound word?

Yes, “butterfly” is a compound word consisting of the words “butter” and “fly.” It’s a closed compound word since the two words work together without a space to convey the noun’s appropriate meaning.

Please Login to comment...

Similar reads.

• English Blogs
• SSC/Banking

Improve your Coding Skills with Practice

What kind of Experience do you want to share?