When two (whole) words are combined to create a new word with a new meaning.
(This new meaning can be wildly different from what the original two words mean on their own).
Additionally, there are three different kinds of Compound Words: Open, Closed, and Hyphenated.
Closed compound words have no spaces. Open compound words have separation between the two (or three) words. Hyphenated compound words have hyphens between words.
(Closed Compound Words):
Justice- Just, Ice,
Bargain- Bar, gain,
Kidnapping- Kid, Napping,
Grandparent- Grand, Parent,
Babysit- Baby, Sit,
Pineapple- Pine, Apple,
(Open Compound Words):
(While there’s a physical space between open compound words, the meanings of the two words have been combined. This is why they are still considered Compound.)
Examples:
Cell Phone- Cell, Phone,
First Aid- First, Aid,
Common Sense- Common, Sense,
Real Estate- Real, Estate,
Life Jacket- Life, Jacket,
Rib Cage- Rib, Cage,
Hot Dog- Hot, Dog,
Cotton Candy- Cotton, Candy,
(Hyphenated Compound Words):
Well-being- Well, Being,
Word-of-mouth- Word, Mouth, Of,
Up-to-date- Up, date, to,
(This new meaning can be wildly different from what the original two words mean on their own).
Additionally, there are three different kinds of Compound Words: Open, Closed, and Hyphenated.
Closed compound words have no spaces. Open compound words have separation between the two (or three) words. Hyphenated compound words have hyphens between words.
(Closed Compound Words):
Justice- Just, Ice,
Bargain- Bar, gain,
Kidnapping- Kid, Napping,
Grandparent- Grand, Parent,
Babysit- Baby, Sit,
Pineapple- Pine, Apple,
(Open Compound Words):
(While there’s a physical space between open compound words, the meanings of the two words have been combined. This is why they are still considered Compound.)
Examples:
Cell Phone- Cell, Phone,
First Aid- First, Aid,
Common Sense- Common, Sense,
Real Estate- Real, Estate,
Life Jacket- Life, Jacket,
Rib Cage- Rib, Cage,
Hot Dog- Hot, Dog,
Cotton Candy- Cotton, Candy,
(Hyphenated Compound Words):
Well-being- Well, Being,
Word-of-mouth- Word, Mouth, Of,
Up-to-date- Up, date, to,
Most native English speakers don't give compound words much thought...because we're so overly familiar with them in every day speech. However...Compound words are a great testament to how bizarre (and often hilarious) the English language can be.
Like think about the distinct departure in meaning between say: kidnapping vs. kid napping or one nightstand vs. one night stand, Or what about how we decided to define generational age with words like "Grand" or "Great?" (I.E. Great-Great-Grandparent). We all know there's nothing grand about aging itself, and not everyone's grandparents qualify as "grand" either. "Hot dog" is another little adventure.
There is so much about the world that's wonderful and weird sitting in front of us, but we miss out because we don't pay attention to what's overly familiar.
Like think about the distinct departure in meaning between say: kidnapping vs. kid napping or one nightstand vs. one night stand, Or what about how we decided to define generational age with words like "Grand" or "Great?" (I.E. Great-Great-Grandparent). We all know there's nothing grand about aging itself, and not everyone's grandparents qualify as "grand" either. "Hot dog" is another little adventure.
There is so much about the world that's wonderful and weird sitting in front of us, but we miss out because we don't pay attention to what's overly familiar.
by Olive989 March 28, 2023
If the Englishlanguage used more compoundwords:
Declarationofindependence
Nationalhockeyleague
Popmusic
Compound words
Declarationofindependence
Nationalhockeyleague
Popmusic
Compound words
by IntergalactalEnergy August 6, 2023
A word that is spelled so badly, there is no possible way to understand what the word was supposed to be. You may not even be able to understand the word from the clues and context it is used in.
by Diriector_Doc December 21, 2017
I occasionally have difficult/embarrassing issues when I need to pee really bad, and so I always appreciate it when fellow cool dudes give me their words of whizdom (for example, to carry a blue shop-towel in my pocket instead of a regular white paper towel, since these more-robust-fiber towels doesn't rapidly disintegrate if they get wet, and so said sturdy material can more-reliably "see me through" if I hafta wipe myself when I'm not near a restroom) that can sometimes make said "calls on Line One" less traumatic or humiliating.
by QuacksO November 8, 2019
Person: hey do you know what the longest word is.
Me: I know the English one.
Person: ok what?
Me: Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis
Person: …
Me: I know the English one.
Person: ok what?
Me: Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis
Person: …
by (╥﹏╥) lord of noodles August 9, 2021
by STOP with democrate December 18, 2020
by STOP with democrate December 18, 2020