Compound Words

Define Compound word

Identify compound words 

Give examples of compound words

A compound word is where two or more root words are merged into a new and different word. There are three different kinds of compound: open, closed, and hyphenated compound words. 

Compound word Examples

Football

Firefighter

Notebook

Superhero

Railroad

1.Closed Compound Words

Closed compound words are the most recognizable of the three different types. These words are created when other smaller words come together to form one new larger word.

For example:

• Waistcoat

• Railroad

• Postbox

• Sunflower

• Breakfast

2. Open Compound Words

Open compound words are slightly different because they still appear as two words separated by a space. However, we still consider them a compound word because when they are used together they take on a new and different meaning.

For example:

• Living room

• Full moon

• Real estate

• Ice cream

• Hot dog

3. Hyphenated Compound Words separated words using a hyphen

• Long-term

• Mother-in-law

• Good-hearted

• Merry-go-round

• Check-in