Descriptonym

A noun whose name directly describes its function or purpose.

Note: Descriptonyms are usually compound nouns. Not all compounds qualify—a notebook is a descriptonym, but butterfly isn’t.

Created by: Dalton H.

Examples:
Pencil sharpener, toothbrush, and dishwasher are descriptonyms because their names clearly tell you what they do.

by Neil B. Formy April 8, 2025