Compound words are two words joined together to make a new one with its own meaning, like “sunflower” or “playground.” In this post, we’ll look at many different compound words to help you grow your vocabulary. Knowing these words can make your speaking and writing clearer and more fun. They’re also great for helping you guess the meaning of new words you meet. Let’s explore these interesting compound words and see how they combine to form new ideas!
What Is A Compound Word?
A compound word is formed when two or more words are combined to create a new word with its own meaning. These words can be written as one word (e.g., “notebook”), hyphenated (e.g., “mother-in-law”), or as separate words (e.g., “ice cream”). The meaning of a compound word is often different from the meanings of its individual parts. Compound words are common in English and can be nouns, adjectives, or verbs. They expand the language, allowing for more precise and varied expressions. Examples include “sunflower,” “bluebird,” and “check-in.”
List of Compound Words
- Airplane – Aircraft
- Backbone – Spine
- Cupcake – Dessert
- Doorstep – Threshold
- Eyebrow – Facial
- Firefighter – Rescuer
- Grasshopper – Insect
- Houseplant – Foliage
- Iceberg – Glacier
- Jellyfish – Marine
- Keyhole – Opening
- Lighthouse – Beacon
- Moonlight – Illumination
- Notebook – Journal
- Overnight – Nocturnal
- Pancake – Breakfast
- Quickstep – Dance
- Rainbow – Spectrum
- Skateboard – Sport
- Toothbrush – Hygiene
- Underground – Subterranean
- Vacuum – Emptiness
- Wallpaper – Covering
- X-ray – Imaging
- Yellowstone – Park
- Zigzag – Pattern
- Sunflower – Bloom
- Waterfall – Cascade
- Toothpaste – Dentifrice
- Starfish – Echinoderm
- Sandbox – Play
- Raincoat – Waterproof
- Postman – Courier
- Nightlight – Lamp
- Milkshake – Beverage
- Lipstick – Cosmetic
- Kitchenware – Utensils
- Jigsaw – Puzzle
- Icecream – Treat
- Headlight – Lamp
- Grandmother – Elder
- Football – Sport
- Eyelid – Cover
- Dustbin – Receptacle
- Crosswalk – Crossing
- Breakfast – Meal
- Bookshelf – Furniture
- Armchair – Seat
- Wristwatch – Timepiece
- Teaspoon – Utensil
- Snowflake – Crystal
- Seashore – Coast
- Roadway – Highway
- Pillowcase – Cover
- Newborn – Infant
- Moonbeam – Light
- Lovebird – Parrot
- Lifeguard – Protector
- Keyboard – Instrument
- Jailbird – Prisoner
- Inkwell – Container
- Homesick – Nostalgic
- Gearbox – Mechanism
- Footprint – Trace
- Eggshell – Fragment
- Driveway – Road
- Cupboard – Cabinet
- Briefcase – Case
- Blueprint – Plan
- Archway – Passage
- Windsurf – Sport
- Videophone – Device
- Uplink – Connection
- Thunderstorm – Weather
- Sweatshirt – Clothing
- Staircase – Structure
- Quarterback – Athlete
- Pinwheel – Toy
- Ovenbird – Bird
- Nightfall – Dusk
- Motorboat – Vehicle
- Landfill – Dump
- Keyboard – Instrument
- Junkyard – Depot
- Ironclad – Armored
- Horseplay – Rowdiness
- Goalkeeper – Defender
- Floodlight – Illuminator
- Earthquake – Tremor
- Dragline – Equipment
- Cornfield – Agriculture
- Blueprint – Diagram
- Blackbird – Avian
- Asphalt – Pavement
- Wardrobe – Closet
- Volleyball – Sport
- Underwriter – Insurer
- Trainee – Learner
- Stopwatch – Timer
- Springtime – Season
- Sidewalk – Pathway
- Shipyard – Dock
- Schoolwork – Assignments
- Rooftop – Summit
- Riverbank – Margin
- Quicksand – Trap
- Pothole – Cavity
- Overcoat – Garment
- Nutshell – Summary
- Matchbox – Container
- Lunchroom – Cafeteria
- Kneecap – Patella
- Jackpot – Prize
- Icebreaker – Vessel
- Honeymoon – Vacation
- Greenhouse – Nursery
- Footstool – Support
- Eyeglass – Spectacle
- Dumbbell – Weight
- Crowbar – Lever
- Butterfly – Insect
- Bookcase – Shelf
- Antifreeze – Coolant
- Wheelchair – Mobility
- Vineyard – Plantation
- Umbrella – Canopy
- Trashcan – Receptacle
- Swordfish – Marine
- Steamboat – Vessel
- Spacecraft – Vessel
- Snowstorm – Blizzard
- Skylight – Window
- Seascape – View
- Ringtone – Signal
- Quartermaster – Officer
- Playground – Park
- Outfield – Zone
- Northwest – Direction
- Moonstone – Gem
- Lightbulb – Lamp
- Keyboard – Instrument
- Jawbone – Skeleton
- Insight – Understanding
- Headphone – Audio
- Grassland – Prairie
- Footnote – Annotation
- Eyepiece – Lens
- Dishwasher – Appliance
- Cheesecake – Dessert
- Basketball – Sport
Compound Words List A To Z
- Afternoon – Midday, Daylight, Evening
- Bookend – Support, Holder, Stopper
- Crossroad – Intersection, Junction, Crossway
- Daydream – Fantasize, Muse, Imagine
- Eyeliner – Cosmetic, Makeup, Enhancer
- Footbridge – Passage, Overpass, Walkway
- Goldfish – Pet, Aquatic, Ornamental
- Headband – Accessory, Band, Headgear
- Inkpot – Container, Reservoir, Jar
- Jumpstart – Boost, Start, Energize
- Knockout – Victory, Defeat, Stunning
- Landowner – Proprietor, Holder, Landlord
- Meatball – Food, Cuisine, Dish
- Nightgown – Sleepwear, Nightdress, Garment
- Overflow – Excess, Spillover, Surplus
- Playhouse – Theater, Structure, Playroom
- Quicksilver – Mercury, Metal, Fluid
- Railroad – Transport, Track, Railway
- Snowboard – Sport, Board, Winter
- Teapot – Brewer, Vessel, Container
- Uptown – Residential, Urban, District
- Vinegar – Condiment, Acid, Preservative
- Washroom – Bathroom, Toilet, Restroom
- Xenolith – Rock, Fragment, Inclusion
- Yardstick – Measure, Rule, Benchmark
- Ziplock – Sealable, Closure, Bag
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