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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.

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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.

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Compound Words Worksheets

Compound words worksheets practice.

A compound word is made up of two words that come together to make one new word. Compound words are used to simplify, shorten and clarify writing. They offer a more precise option for writers to shorten sentences and words. Compound words are an important part of the English language because they provide a more sophisticated option for writers to express themselves. There are many compound words in the English language. Combining two words into one word clarifies a student's writing. Our compound words worksheets can be used for a variety of grade levels.

Here is a graphic preview for all of the compound words worksheets. Our compound words worksheets are free to download and easy to access in PDF format. Use these compound words worksheets in school or at home.

a. Grades K-5 Compound Words Worksheets b. Grades 6-8 Compound Words Worksheets c. Grades 9-12 Compound Words Worksheets

Here is a graphic preview for all the kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, and 5th grade Compound Words Worksheets. Click on the image to display our compound words worksheets.

Compound Words List

Creating Compound Words Worksheets Part 1

Creating Compound Words Worksheets Part 2

Circling Compound Words Worksheet

Finding Compound Words Worksheet

Writing with Compound Words Worksheet

Identifying and Writing Compound Words Worksheet

Making Compound Words Worksheet

Sentences with Compound Words Worksheets

Separating Compound Words Worksheets

Grades 6-8 Compound Words Worksheets

Here is a graphic preview for all the 6th grade, 7th grade and 8th grade Compound Words Worksheets. Click on the image to display our compound words worksheets.

Identifying Compound Words Worksheet

Writing Compound Words Worksheet

Learning Compound Words Worksheet

Creating Compound Words Worksheet

Compound Words in Context Worksheet

Making a Compound Word Worksheet

Practicing Compound Words Worksheets

Grades 9-12 Compound Words Worksheets

Here is a graphic preview for all the 9th grade, 10th grade, 11th grade, and 12th grade Compound Words Worksheets. Click on the image to display our compound words worksheets.

Finding a Compound Word Worksheet

Writing a Compound Word Worksheet

Finding and Writing Compound Words Worksheet

Compound Words

In our Compound Words lesson plan, students learn how to recognize and use compound words in their writing. Students practice identifying compound words in example texts and adding compound words to their own writing.

Included with this lesson are some adjustments or additions that you can make if you’d like, found in the “Options for Lesson” section of the Classroom Procedure page. One of the optional additions to this lesson is to use the words from the activity to create a matching game for your students, turning all of the words upside down and having them take turn finding matches.

Description

Additional information, what our compound words lesson plan includes.

Lesson Objectives and Overview: Compound Words engages students’ critical thinking and language awareness as students explore as many compound words as they can think of in an interactive activity. Students will learn the different types of compound words and will practice identifying them in the things they read. At the end of the lesson, students will be able to recognize and use compound words. This lesson is for students in 2nd 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 orange 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. For this lesson, the supplies you will need are scissors and the handouts. To prepare for this lesson ahead of time, you can find items to use for the opening of the lesson, gather the supplies, and copy the handouts.

Options for Lesson

Included with this lesson is an “Options for Lesson” section that lists a number of suggestions for activities to add to the lesson or substitutions for the ones already in the lesson. One of the suggested additions to this lesson is to use the words from the activity to create a matching game for your students, turning all of the words upside down and having them take turn finding matches. You can also have students complete the homework assignment as an in-class activity and walk the students around the school or take them outside to find objects with compound words.

Teacher Notes

The teacher notes page includes a paragraph with additional guidelines and things to think about as you begin to plan your lesson. It notes that students will likely enjoy finding and creating compound words. This page also includes lines that you can use to add your own notes as you’re preparing for this lesson.

COMPOUND WORDS LESSON PLAN CONTENT PAGES

The Compound Words lesson plan includes two pages of content. The lesson begins with two sentences that include several compound words. The lesson defines compound words as two smaller words that are combined to make new words with different meanings. We have many compound words in the English language, and it’s important to be able to recognize them. The lesson uses the word airport as an example. We create this word using two smaller words: air and port . When you join them together, they create the word airport and have a different meaning than the two smaller words on their own.

Three Kinds of Compound Words

Students will learn that there are three kinds of compound words: closed, open, and hyphenated. We write closed compound words as a single word. Examples include haircut, airport, milkman, rollerblade, waterway, and makeup. We write open compound words as separate words, but they have a new meaning when written together. Examples include high school, dining room, and school bus. Hyphenated compound words have a hyphen located between the words. Examples include well-known, merry-go-round, twenty-one, and first-rate.

The lesson then gives the example of the word treehouse . Treehouse is a compound word that we can write in multiple ways (as either treehouse or tree house ). This is an example of a compound word that can be written as either an open or a closed compound word. There are many words like this in the English language. You can become familiar with them by reading and writing. The lesson ends with some examples of sentences that contain each type of compound word.

COMPOUND WORDS LESSON PLAN WORKSHEETS

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

CREATING COMPOUND WORDS ACTIVITY WORKSHEET

For the activity worksheet, students will first cut out all of the words on the worksheet. They will then match them together to create as many open and closed compound words as they can. They will write down each word they create.

COMPOUND WORDS PRACTICE WORKSHEET

The practice worksheet asks students to circle the open and closed compound words in a given paragraph. They must also add the hyphens to any hyphenated compound words.

COMPOUND WORDS AT HOME HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT

Students will complete the homework assignment at home. They will walk through their house and find and list at least 25 objects that contain a compound word. These can be either open or closed compound words. They can look inside of their refrigerator, the drawers in their room, the kitchen cabinets, and even take a walk around their neighborhood to find the objects.

Worksheet Answer Keys

This lesson plan includes an answer key for the practice worksheet. No answer keys are provided for the activity worksheet or the homework assignment, as students’ answers will vary. 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.

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I used this lesson to help a special needs student with compound words. He loved the lesson and learned! I do a lot of private tutoring and don't want to reinvent the wheel, so to speak, by having to make us separate lesson plans for each student, so this was a wonderful tool.

compound words

My summer students really enjoyed this activity. They said they felt much better about their ability to recognize and create compound words

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Compound Words Worksheets

Welcome to yet another promise delivered in the form of compound words worksheets made ready to satisfy the requirements of grade 2, grade 3, and grade 4 students across various curricula. Compound words make your youngsters' English learning experience a hell of a lot more pleasurable. Whether it's closed compound words, open compound words or hyphenated compound words, we have it all discussed with clarity, within this printable collection. Learn and apply the compound words insight, and impress your ELA teacher right away! Fly-start preparation with our free worksheets!

Forming Compound Words with Pictures

Images are sometimes so useful that they serve any purpose that you want them to. This is very true with this printable worksheet where kids match the images and see compound words formed one after the other.

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Compound Words Chart

Get rolling with a brilliant compound word chart that gives you a first impression of what compound words are! Grab the opportunity to learn nine new compound words too!

• Download the Chart

This compound word puzzle is a compulsive read and a compulsive print too. There are 10 compound words puzzlingly packed into this worksheet for the budding champs to make the most of.

Convert Images into Compound Words

Train 2nd grade kids to keep in close company with compound words, and this PDF genuinely helps. Accompany them as they try and come up with a compound word relevant to each picture.

Cut and Paste Activity

Here comes a cut and paste fun which our kids can't get enough of. All the words are represented with pictures, and all they need to do is translate the picture rightly and put the words together.

Match and Form Compound Words

We present matching in a new dimension. Let your kids' acquaintance with compound words be solid and strong, and let them match and come up with another great set of compound words.

Sorting Compound Words

Here's a worksheet full of words having the potential to form compound words, but they're scattered all over the page. What kids do is, they form compound words, putting these words together.

Fill the Blanks with right Images

Watch your amazing young learners having a complete ball, learning their compound words with this printable pdf for grade 3. Their revelry with images continues as they complete sentences with compound words.

Underline Compound Words within a Story

Follow Gretta in this stargazing adventure of hers! Let the ambitious young compound word hunters in 4th grade dive deep and surprise you with as many compounds as they can!

Underline the Compound Words

This worksheet has your children carefully read the sentences, and underline the compound words mentioned therein. Keep your eyes wide open and check wherever there 2 words come together.

Split the Closed Compound Words

Understanding which two words have joined together to form the compound word is important. in this printable pdf, kids underline the compound word and identify the two words in it.

Choose the right Closed Compound Words

In this compound words worksheet, let the children complete each sentence with the appropriate closed compound word from the box. This helps solidify their learning big time.

Open Compound Words

Ask 3rd grade kids to check if there is a space between the two words that have come together to form the compound word. If there is, it's an open compound word, or else it isn't.

Hyphenated Compound Words

Prepare your kids to know and identify hyphenated compound words. The word "hyphenated" is self-explanatory. Here, kids complete the sentences using the right hyphenated compound words from the box.

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Compound words

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Combining words worksheets

Compound words are two or more words that have been combined to form a new word. The meaning of the new word usually closely relates to its component words. In these worksheets, students identify compound words. 

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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. 

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• Fun Compound Words Worksheets And Activities For Your KS1 Classroom

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Table of contents, compound words.

This blog explores some fantastic compound words worksheets and activities that will engage your students!

Compound words are two separate words which fit together to make one new word. For example, rain and bow come together to create rainbow. 

Compound words are taught to your  Year 1 and Year 2 students, so it’s important that this information is learnt in an effective yet still enjoyable  way!

Anchor Charts

Anchor charts are a really effective learning tool for many subjects. This is particularly true when teaching compound words!

If you are unsure what an anchor chart is, it is basically demonstrative poster. When it comes to compound words, the anchor chart would display examples of how to words can come together to form an entirely new word e.g. butter + fly = butterfly!

Having your students create their very own anchor charts is an effective activity for your students when learning compound words.

There is an example of an anchor chart worksheet to the right! Compound words worksheets like this are excellent for testing understanding!

Compound Vs Non-compound words

Give your students a jumbled up list of compound and non-compound words. Then have them decide which is which. 

This is a great way to show them the difference between the words, allowing them to recognise compound words within sentences.  The more they understand them, the more comfortable they are going to feel using them. 

A fun way of doing this is by giving each of your students a packet of words which have been cut up and having them create two piles – compound and non-compound words! The lists on the right can be cut out, jumbled up and then reorganised by your pupils.

 Compound words worksheets like these are great as you can use them for various activities or simply as guidance posters!

Building Blocks

Why not  have your students connect building blocks with different parts of compound words? 

Whilst compound words worksheets are effective, having interactive activities like this are great for more fun learning! Students will really engage with this hands-on activity.

They will have to put together the correct two parts in order to create a compound word. This activity allows your students to play around with different combinations of compound words and see which ones fit together and which ones don’t. 

This is a good way for students to use trial and error to create different compound words!

Compound Words In Pictures

This compound words activity is excellent for your visual learners! It’s important that your compound words worksheets can cater to all types of learners in your classroom.

As shown on the grid to the right, your students will have images that represent compound words, which they then have to fill in. 

This is a fun way to have your students practising recognising and writing compound words!

This is also an easier way for your pupils to recognise the compound words correctly as they can see what the word is.

Compound Words Song

Alongside compound words worksheets, songs are an excellent learning resource for younger students as it is an easy way to have them engaged! This here is a fun song with lots of compound words. This is a great example of a song you can play to your students when learning about compound words! 

There are many other fantastic educational songs on this  channel !

Drawing Compound Words

Why not have your students draw out some common compound words?

This is a fun activity, which doesn’t require compound words worksheets, that allows your students to get creative whilst learning!

Ask them to draw out the the two stems of the compound word and then the word which they create when put together.

For example they may draw some butter and then a fly. They would then draw a butterfly to finish!

Emile is an excellent online game-based learning resource for primary school students!

Fun games that engage your students will ensure progress for each of your pupils.

Emile have many different games for SPaG and Phonics which cover compound words!

Why not try Emile today?

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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 ability a compound word?

No, the word ability is not a compound word.

Is the word fast a compound word?

No. The word fast 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?

The compound word for home is "homestead."

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?

Words that end with the suffix "-work" include artwork, teamwork, ironwork, busywork.

What are compound words that begin with the word home?

Some compound words that begin with the word "home" are: Homecoming Homeowner Homestead Homesick

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.

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Word Formation - Compounding Words, Blending and Clipping

• Heather Marie Kosur
• Categories : Esl lesson plans for all grade levels
• Tags : Teaching english as a second language

Word Formation

Word formation occurs when compounding, clipping or blending existing words to create new words. Below we will cover the definition of these terms and give you several examples of each.

Compounding Words

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Compounding words are formed when two or more lexemes combine into a single new word. Compound words may be written as one word or as two words joined with a hyphen. For example:

• noun-noun compound: note + book → notebook
• adjective-noun compound: blue + berry → blueberry
• verb-noun compound: work + room → workroom
• noun-verb compound: breast + feed → breastfeed
• verb-verb compound: stir + fry → stir-fry
• adjective-verb compound: high + light → highlight
• verb-preposition compound: break + up → breakup
• preposition-verb compound: out + run → outrun
• adjective-adjective compound: bitter + sweet → bittersweet
• preposition-preposition compound: in + to → into

Compounds may be compositional, meaning that the meaning of the new word is determined by combining the meanings of the parts, or non-compositional, meaning that the meaning of the new word cannot be determined by combining the meanings of the parts. For example, a blueberry is a berry that is blue. However, a breakup is not a relationship that was severed into pieces in an upward direction. Compound nouns should not be confused with nouns modified by adjectives, verbs, and other nouns . For example, the adjective black of the noun phrase black bird is different from the adjective black of the compound noun blackbird in that black of black bird functions as a noun phrase modifier while the black of blackbird is an inseparable part of the noun: a black bird also refers to any bird that is black in color while a blackbird is a specific type of bird.

Clipping Words

Clipping is the word formation process in which a word is reduced or shortened without changing the meaning of the word. Clipping differs from back-formation in that the new word retains the meaning of the original word. For example:

• advertisement – ad
• alligator – gator
• examination – exam
• gasoline – gas
• gymnasium – gym
• influenza – flu
• laboratory – lab
• mathematics – math
• memorandum – memo
• photograph – photo
• public house – pub
• raccoon – coon
• reputation – rep
• situation comedy – sitcom
• telephone – phone

The four types of clipping are back clipping, fore-clipping, middle clipping, and complex clipping. Back clipping is removing the end of a word as in gas from gasoline . Fore-clipping is removing the beginning of a word as in gator from alligator . Middle clipping is retaining only the middle of a word as in flu from influenza . Complex clipping is removing multiple parts from multiple words as in sitcom from situation comedy .

Blending Words

Blending is the word formation process in which parts of two or more words combine to create a new word whose meaning is often a combination of the original words. Below are examples of blending words.

• advertisement + entertainment → advertainment
• biographical + picture → biopic
• breakfast + lunch → brunch
• chuckle + snort → chortle
• cybernetic + organism → cyborg
• guess + estimate → guesstimate
• hazardous + material → hazmat
• motor + hotel → motel
• prim + sissy → prissy
• simultaneous + broadcast → simulcast
• smoke + fog → smog
• Spanish + English → Spanglish
• spoon + fork → spork
• telephone + marathon → telethon
• web + seminar → webinar

Blended words are also referred to as portmanteaus.

Word Formation Sample Downloads

For more complete lists of English words formed through compounding, clipping, and blending, please download the following free printable vocabulary lists:

• Compound Noun List: English Compound Nouns
• List of English Clipped Words
• List of English Blend Words

This post is part of the series: Word Formation: Creating New Words in English

The articles in this series define and exemplify the most common word formation processes, or the creation of new words, in English including derivation, back-formation, conversion, compounding, clipping, blending, abbreviations, acronyms, eponyms, coinages, nonce words, borrowing, and calquing.

• Word Formation: Derivation and Back-Formation
• Word Formation: Conversion
• Word Formation: Compounding, Clipping, and Blending
• Word Formation: Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Eponyms
• Word Formation: Coinages, Nonce Words, Borrowing, and Calquing

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Compound Words

Subject: English

Age range: 5-7

Resource type: Worksheet/Activity

Last updated

22 February 2018

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