What are the three types of compound words with examples?
| Compound Word | Type | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| toothbrush | Closed | A brush for cleaning teeth | Please use your toothbrush twice a day. |
| ice cream | Open | A frozen sweet food | We had ice cream after dinner. |
| mother-in-law | Hyphenated | Your spouse’s mother | My mother-in-law is visiting tomorrow. |
| sunflower | Closed | A tall plant with a large yellow flower | The sunflower follows the sun. |
| post office | Open | A place to send letters | She went to the post office at noon. |
What is a Compound Word?
A compound word is created by joining two or more words to form a single word with a new meaning. Compound words make English richer and help express ideas more clearly. They are common in daily speech and writing.
Types of Compound Words in English
Compound words come in three main types: closed, open, and hyphenated. Each type has its own spelling style and rules. Understanding their differences helps avoid grammar errors and improves your writing skills.
| Type | How It Looks | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Closed Compound Words | Words joined together with no space | notebook, classroom, playground, sunlight, birthday |
| Open Compound Words | Words written with a space between | ice cream, full moon, post office, living room, bus stop |
| Hyphenated Compound Words | Words joined by a hyphen (-) | mother-in-law, well-known, part-time, self-esteem, six-year-old |
50+ Compound Word Examples with Sentences
Here are examples of each type of compound word, grouped by type. Use these for exam revision or creative writing practice.
Closed Compound Words
- notebook – She bought a blue notebook.
- football – The boys played football in the park.
- rainbow – We saw a rainbow after the rain.
- doorbell – The doorbell rang loudly.
- tablecloth – Please cover the table with a tablecloth.
Open Compound Words
- ice cream – May I have some ice cream?
- swimming pool – They jumped into the swimming pool.
- post office – He works at the post office.
- living room – We relax in the living room.
- school bus – The school bus arrived late.
Hyphenated Compound Words
- mother-in-law – Her mother-in-law is very kind.
- well-known – He is a well-known singer.
- part-time – She found a part-time job.
- three-year-old – My cousin is a three-year-old boy.
- self-esteem – Healthy self-esteem is important.
Rules for Using Compound Words
Compound words follow certain rules. Learn and apply these tips to avoid mistakes in spelling and grammar.
- Closed compounds are written as one word: e.g., "toothbrush," not "tooth brush."
- Open compounds have spaces: e.g., "ice cream," not "icecream."
- Hyphens connect parts in hyphenated compounds: e.g., "mother-in-law," not "mother in law" or "motherinlaw."
- Some words change type over time: "website" was once "web site."
- Use a dictionary if unsure.
Common Mistakes with Compound Words
Students often confuse the spellings or add/remove spaces wrongly. For example, "class room" is incorrect; it should be "classroom." Similarly, "wellknown" should be "well-known." Always check the correct form.
Worksheets and Practice Activities
Practice is the best way to master compound words. Vedantu offers free compound words worksheets for students and parents. Try matching games, fill-in-the-blanks, and making your own compound words.
Compound Words in English Grammar
Compound words can act as nouns, adjectives, or even verbs. For example:
- Noun: "Bathroom" (Let's clean the bathroom.)
- Adjective: "Well-known" (She is a well-known author.)
- Verb: "Babysit" (I will babysit my cousin.)
Understanding these helps you use compound words in different sentence roles.
More Resources for Learning
For deeper understanding, explore these Vedantu resources:
- Compound Nouns
- Compound Sentences
- Grammar for Class 3
- Basics of Grammar
- Idioms and Phrases
- Prefix and Suffix
- Collective Nouns
- Parts of Speech
- Homonyms
- Simple Sentences
- Formation of Adjectives
To sum up, compound words make English more expressive and fun to learn. They come in three types: closed, open, and hyphenated. By knowing the rules and practicing often, you will write and speak English with more confidence and clarity at school, in exams, and beyond.
FAQs on Compound Words in English: Meaning, Types & Examples
1. What is a compound word in English?
A compound word is created by combining two or more words to form a new word with a unique meaning. Examples include toothpaste, basketball, and mother-in-law.
2. What are the types of compound words?
There are three main types of compound words: open compound words (two words separated by a space, like school bus), closed compound words (two words combined without a space or hyphen, like toothpaste), and hyphenated compound words (two words joined by a hyphen, like mother-in-law).
3. Can you give 10 examples of compound words?
Here are 10 compound word examples: sunlight, rainbow, firefly, haircut, notebook, bedroom, bluebird, baseball, honeycomb, snowflake.
4. What is the rule for using hyphens in compound words?
Hyphen use in compound words is complex and depends on context. Generally, hyphens are used to avoid ambiguity or to emphasize the connection between words. Common examples include well-known, sister-in-law, and check-in.
5. How do compound words differ from blended words?
While both compound words and blended words combine elements, compound words join whole words (e.g., sunbeam), whereas blended words combine parts of words (e.g., motel from 'motor' and 'hotel').
6. Are all compound words nouns?
No, compound words can be nouns (sunbeam), adjectives (long-lasting), verbs (underestimate), or other parts of speech. The word class depends on the combined words' function within the sentence.
7. What are 50 compound words?
Here are 50 compound word examples: doghouse, firefighter, raincoat, sunburn, teacup, bookshelf, flowerpot, playground, schoolbag, toothbrush, keyboard, laptop, website, email, download, software, hardware, headache, stomach ache, backache, sidewalk, highway, train station, airport, seashore, sunrise, sunset, moonlight, starlight, waterfall, snowdrift, windmill, honeybee, buttercup, ladybug, dragonfly, earthworm, houseplant, teapot, cupboard, armchair, bookshop, newsstand, postoffice, fireplace, staircase, wallpaper, tablecloth, doorknob, mailbox.
8. What are 10 compound words?
Ten compound words are: raincloud, sunshine, snowman, bluebell, redbird, teapot, flowerbed, sandcastle, seashell, sunhat.
9. What are the 20 examples of compound words?
Twenty compound word examples are: boyfriend, girlfriend, classmate, schoolmate, teammate, roommate, housemate, workmate, playmate, studymate, penfriend, email, website, software, hardware, headache, toothache, stomachache, eyebrow, eyelash.
10. What is a compound of a word?
A compound of a word refers to a compound word – a word formed by joining two or more words. This new word often has a meaning different from the individual words that created it.
11. Why do English compound words sometimes change spelling over time?
The spelling of compound words evolves as language changes. Initially, they may be written as two separate words, then hyphenated, and eventually merged (e.g., 'sun set' to 'sunset'). This reflects shifts in usage and grammatical conventions.
12. How do you teach compound words to students with reading difficulties?
Teaching compound words to students with reading difficulties requires breaking them down into their constituent parts. Use visual aids, phonics, and multi-sensory approaches. Start with simple, easily recognizable words and gradually increase complexity.
