The Formation of Words: Compound Words

Compound words are formed by combining two or more simple words to create a new word with its own meaning. Here are the types of compound words and examples for each category:

1. Compound Nouns

Compound nouns combine two nouns to form a new noun that represents a single concept or entity.

Examples:

1. Moonlight – light from the moon
2. Chessboard – board for playing chess
3. Armchair – chair with arms
4. Postman – man who delivers mail
5. Railway – track for trains
6. Fire escape – route for escaping fire
7. Windmill – mill powered by wind

2. Compound Adjectives

Compound adjectives are formed by combining a noun with an adjective or participle to describe another noun.

Examples:

1. Blood-red – red as blood
2. Sky-blue – blue as the sky
3. Snow-white – white as snow
4. Pitch-dark – dark as pitch
5. Lifelong – lasting for a lifetime
6. World-wide – covering the entire world
7. Hand-made – made by hand

3. Compound Verbs

Compound verbs are created by combining a noun, adjective, or adverb with a verb to form a new verb with a specific meaning.

Examples:

1. Waylay – to lie in wait for someone
2. Backbite – to speak spitefully about someone
3. Typewrite – to write using a typewriter
4. Foretell – to predict or prophesy
5. Undertake – to take on a task or responsibility
6. Overhear – to hear something unintentionally
7. Outdo – to surpass or exceed

In compound words, the first element modifies the meaning of the second element. When the two elements are fully merged into a single word with a distinct meaning, they are written together without a hyphen (e.g., moonlight, typewrite). If the elements are not fully merged, a hyphen is used to separate them (e.g., blood-red, hand-made).