by A Stranger 🤠💦 May 21, 2022
Get the Wordmug. a single distinct meaningful element of speech or writing, used with others (or sometimes alone) to form a sentence and typically shown with a space on either side when written or printed command, password, or signal.
by Wilbur soot lover November 28, 2021
Get the Wordmug. 
Type your definition here...
by DickHeadsareCool May 6, 2022
Get the Wordmug. 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 27, 2023
Get the Compound Wordsmug. Type your definition here...
by redditor_idiot February 27, 2022
Get the Wordmug. Type your definition
by Ivoivivoib December 26, 2020
Get the Wordmug.