Name : Rabiatul Adawiyah
SRN : 080 112 0374
Class : A
Subject : Vocabulary
COMPOUND
WORD
A. Definition
A compound word is made when two or more words are joined (with or
without a hyphen) to form a new word and subsequently, a new meaning. For
example, there is one blackbird but there are many different black birds.[1]
According to “grammar.ccc.commnet.edu”:
In English,
words, particularly adjectives and nouns, are combined into compound structures
in a variety of ways. And once they are formed, they sometimes metamorphose
over time. A common pattern is that two words — fire fly, say — will be joined
by a hyphen for a time — fire-fly — and then be joined into one word — firefly.
In this respect, a language like German, in which words are happily and
immediately linked one to the other, might seem to have an advantage. There is
only one sure way to know how to spell compounds in English: use an
authoritative dictionary.
There are
three forms of compound words:
1.
The closed form, in which the
words are melded together, such as firefly, secondhand, softball, childlike,
redhead, keyboard, makeup, notebook.
2.
The hyphenated form, such as
daughter-in-law, master-at-arms, over-the-counter, six-pack, six-year-old,
mass-produced.
3.
The open form, such as post office,
real estate, middle class, full moon, half sister, attorney general.
How a word modified by an adjective — "a little
school," "the yellow butter" — is
different from a compound word — " a high school," "the peanut
butter" — is a nice and philosophical question. It clearly has
something to do with the degree to which the preceding word changes the
essential character of the noun, the degree to which the modifier and the noun
are inseparable. If you were diagramming a
sentence with a compound word, you would probably keep the
words together, on the same horizontal line.
Modifying compounds are often hyphenated to avoid
confusion. The New York Public Library's Writer's Guide points out that
an old-furniture salesman clearly deals in old furniture, but an old furniture
salesman would be an old man. We probably would not have the same ambiguity,
however, about a used car dealer. When compounded modifiers precede a noun,
they are often hyphenated: part-time teacher, fifty-yard-wide field,
fire-resistant curtains, high-speed chase. When those same modifying words come
after the noun, however, they are not hyphenated: a field fifty yards wide,
curtains that are fire resistant, etc. The second-rate opera company gave a
performance that was first rate.
Comparative and superlative forms of adjectives are
hyphenated when compounded with other modifiers: the highest-priced car, the
shorter-term loan. But this is not always the case: the most talented
youngster. Adverbs, words ending in -ly, are not hyphenated when
compounded with other modifiers: a highly rated bank, a partially refunded
ticket, publicly held securities.
Sometimes hyphenated modifiers lose their hyphens when
they become compound nouns: A clear decision-making process was evident in
their decision making. The bluish grey was slowly disappearing from the
bluish-grey sky. This is not always so, however: your high-rise apartment
building is also known as a high-rise.
When modifying a person with his or her age, the
compounded phrase is hyphenated: my six-year-old son. However, when the age
comes after the person, we don't use a hyphen. My son is six years old.
B. Examples
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afterbirth
afterburner aftermath airbrush aircraft airfield airliner airman airport airship armchair armpit arrowhead authorship backbite backdrop backfield backfire background backhand backlash backlog backside backslide backspin backstop backstretch backstroke backtrack backward backwash backwater backwoods bagpipe ballroom bandwagon bankbook bankroll barnstorm barnyard barroom bartender baseball baseboard bathroom beachcomber beachhead bedridden bedrock bedroll bedspread bedtime beeline bellhop billboard billfold blacklist blackmail blacktop blockbuster bloodsucker bobcat bobtail bookmobile boxcar brainstorm brainwash breakfast brickbat bridgehead briefcase broadcast brotherhood buckshot buckskin bucktooth bugbear bulldog bulldozer bullfrog bullheaded bullpen buttercup butterfingers butterfly buttermilk capsize carhop carport catbird catfish catnip cattail chairman championship cheapskate checkmate checkroom checkup cheesecloth chestnut chickpea chickweed chopstick citizenship clapboard claptrap clockwise clockwork clodhopper clotheshorse cobweb copycat copyreader copyright copywriter corkscrew cornerstone cornstalk cornwall cottonmouth cottontail cottonwood countdown counterattack counterbalance counterclockwise counterintelligence countermeasure counteroffensive counterpane counterpart counterpoint counterpoise counterrevolution countersign countersink countertenor counterweight courthouse courtship courtyard cowbird cowboy cowcatcher cowhide cowlick cowpoke cowpox cowpuncher cowslip crabgrass crackdown crackerjack crackpot crackup cradlesong crankcase crankshaft crapshooter crawfish crestfallen crossbar crossbeam crossbones crossbow crossbreed crosscurrent crosscut crosspiece crossroad crosstalk crosswalk crosswise crowbar crybaby cubbyhole cupboard cupcake cutback cutlass cutlet cutoff cutthroat cutup daredevil darkroom dashboard dateline daybreak daydream dayflower daylight daylights daytime deadbeat deadline deadlock deadwood deathbed deathblow deathwatch dimwit dishwasher doeskin dogcatcher dogfight dogfish dogtrot dogwood donnybrook doorknob doorman doormat doorway doughboy doughnut dovetail downcast downfall downgrade downhearted downhill downpour downright downstairs downstream downtown downtrodden downward downwind dragnet drainpipe drawback drawbridge drawstring dressmaker driftwood driveway dropout drugstore drumstick duckbill duckboard duckpin dugout dumbbell dumbwaiter dustpan earache eardrum earflap earmark earmuff earphone earring earshot earthquake earthwork earthworm earwax earwig eastward eavesdrop egghead eggnog eggplant elbowroom elderberry elsewhere enamelware endless endmost endplate evergreen evermore eyeball eyebrow eyeglass eyelash eyelet eyelid eyepiece eyesight eyesore eyestrain eyetooth eyewitness fairway fallout falsehood fancywork fanfare fanlight farewell farmhouse farmyard farseeing fatback fatherhood featherbed featherweight feedback fellowship fiberboard fiddlesticks figurehead Fillmore filmgoer fingerboard fingernail fingerprint firearm fireball firebrand firebug firecracker firedamp firefly fireman homee fireplower fireplug fireproof fireside firetrap firewood firework fishbowl fisherman fishhook fishwife flagpole flagship flagstaff flagstone flameout flapjack flashback flashlight flatboat flatcar flatfish flatfoot flatiron flatware flintlock floodgate floodlight floorwalker flophouse flyblown flyby flycatcher flyleaf flypaper flyspeck flyweight flywheel foghorn folklore foodstuff foolhardy foolproof football footboard footbridge footfall foothill foothold footlights footlocker footloose footman footnote footpath footprint footrest footstep footstool footwear footwork forbear forearm forebear forecast forecastle foreclose forefather forefinger forefoot forefront forego foregone foreground forehand foreleg forelimb forelock foreman foremast foremost forenoon foreordain forequarter forerunner foresail foresee foreshadow foreshore foreshorten foresight forestall foretaste foretell forethought forewarn foreword formfitting fortnight fountainhead fourscore foursome foursquare fourteen foxglove foxhole framework Frankfort freebooter freedman freehand freehold freeman Freemason freestanding freestone freethinker freeway freshman freshwater fretwork frogman frostbite fullback gainsay gallstone gamecock gamesome gangplank gangway gaslight gasworks gatecrasher gatekeeper gateway gearbox gearshift gemstone ghostwriter gingerbread giveaway Glendale globetrotter glowworm goalkeeper goatskin goldbrick goldenrod goldfish goldsmith gooseberry grandchild granddaughter grandfather grandma grandmother grandpa grandparent grandson grandstand grapefruit grapeshot grapevine grasshopper grassland grassroots gravestone graveyard greenback greenhorn greenhouse Greenland greenwood greyhound griddlecake gridiron grillroom grindstone groundwork grubstake guardhouse guardsman guesswork guidebook guideline guidepost gumdrop gumshoe gunboat guncotton gunfire gunlock gunman gunpowder gunshot gunsmith guttersnipe hacksaw haddock hailstone hairbreadth hairbrush haircloth haircut hairdo hairdresser hairline hairpin hairsbreadth hairsplitting hairspring halfback halfbreed halfheareted halfway hallway hammerhead hamstring handbag handball handbill handbook handcar handcart handclasp handcuff handmade handmaid handout handpick handrail handshake handsome handspring handwriting handyman hangdog hangman hangnail hangout hangover hardheaded hardhearted hardpan hardship hardtack hardtop hardware hardwood harebrained harelip Hartford hatchway haycock hayfork hayloft haymow hayseed haystack haywire hazelnut headache headband headdress headfirst headgear headland headlight headline headlock headlong headmaster headmistress headphone headquarters headrest headset headstall headstone headstrong headwaiter headwaters headway hearsay heartache heartbeat heartbreak heartburn hearthstone heartsick heartstrings heavyset heavyweight hedgehog hedgehop heirloom hellcat hellhole helpmate helpmeet hemstitch henceforth henchman henpeck hereabout hereafter hereby herein hereof hereon hereto heretofore hereunto hereupon herewith herringbone herself heyday hideaway hidebound highball highborn highboy highbred highbrow higherup highhanded highland highlander highlands highlight highroad highway highwayman hijack hillbilly hillside hilltop hindmost hindquarter hindsight hinterland hobbyhorse hobnail hoecake hogshead hogwash holdup hollyhock hollywood homebody homecoming homeland homemade homemaker homeroom homesick homespun homestead homestretch homeward homework honeybee honeycomb honeydew honeymoon hoodwink hookup hookworm hopscotch horseback horseflesh horseflies horsehair horsehide horselaugh horseman horsemanship horseplay horsepower horseradish horseshoe hotbed hotheaded hothouse hotshot hourglass houseboat housebreaking housecoat houseflies household housekeeper housewarming housewife housework hovercraft however huckleberry humankind humbug humdinger humdrum hummingbird humpback hunchback huntsman husbandman hushpuppy iceberg icebound iceboxes icebreaker iceland ideal inchworm income indoors infold infuse infusion inhale inkblot inkwell inland inmate inpatient inroad inset inside insole install instep invest invoice inward ironbound ironclad ironware ironwork ironworks itself |
jackass
jackknife jackpot Jackson jailbird jawbone jawbreaker jaywalk jellyfish jerkwater jerrybuild jigsaw jimsonweed jitterbug jobholder johnnycake keepsake keyboard keyhole keynote keystone kickback kickoff kidnap killdeer killjoy kindhearted kingfisher kinglet kingpin kinsfolk kinship kinsman knapsack kneecap kneehole knockout knothole lackluster ladybug ladyfinger lambkin lampblack landfall landholder landlocked landlord landmark landslide landward Lapland lapwing larkspur laughingstock lawgiver lawmaker lawsuit layman layoff layout layover leapfrog leasehold leatherneck leeward leeway leftovers leghorn letterhead letterpress levelheaded lifeblood lifeboat lifeguard lifelong lifetime lifework liftoff lightface lightheaded lighthearted lighthouse lightweight likewise limelight limerick limestone lineman linesman lipstick litterbug liveryman livestock lockjaw lockout locksmith locoweed lodestar lodestone loggerhead logjam logrolling loincloth Longfellow longhair longhand longshoreman lookout loophole lopsided lordship loudmouth lovebird lovelorn lovesick lowboy lowbrow lowdown lowland lukewarm lumberjack lumberyard
madhouse
maidenhair mailbox mailman mainland mainmast mainsail mainspring mainstay mainstream makeshift manhandle manhole manhood manhunt mankind manlike manpower marketplace marksman markup Maryland mastermind masterpiece masterwork masthead matchbook matchlock matchmaker maybe mayflower Maypole meadow mealtime meantime meanwhile merrymaking meshwork middlebrow middleman middlemost middleweight midshipman milestone milkmaid milkman milksop milkweed millpond millstone millstream minuteman mockingbird mockup molehill moleskin monkeyshine monkshood moonlight moonshine moonstone moonstruck moreover motherland motorboat motorcar motorcycle motorman motorship mouthpiece muckrake mudguard mudslinger muskmelon muskrat
namesake
neckline necktie needlepoint needlework neighborhood network nevermore newborn newcomer Newport newsboy newscast newsletter newspaper newspaperman newsprint newsreel newsstand nightcap nightclothes nightclub nightdress nightfall nightgown nighthawk nightmare nightshade nightshirt nightstick nighttime nitwit nobleman nobody noonday noontide noontime northward notebook noteworthy nothing now/adays nowhere nowise nursemaid nurseryman nutcracker nuthatch nutmeat nutmeg nutshell Oakland oarlock oarsman oatmeal offbeat offcolor offend offhand officeholder offset offshoot offshore offspring oilcloth oilskin oncoming oneself ongoing onionskin onlooker onrush onset onward openhanded openwork otherwise otherworldly ourselves outbid outboard outbound outbreak outbuilding outburst outcast outclass outcome outcrop outcry outdated outdistance outdo outdoor outdoors outermost outface outfield outfit outflank outfox outgo outgoing outgrow outgrowth outguess outhouse outlast outlaw outlay outline outlive outlook outlying outmoded outnumber outpatient outplay outpost output outrage outreach outrigger outright outrun outsell outset outshine outside outsider outsize outskirts outsmart outspoken outspread outstanding outstation outstay outstretch outstrip outward outwear outweigh outwit outwork overabound overabundance overabundant overact overactive overadorned overage overaggressive overall overambitious overanalyze overanxious overapprehensive overargumentative overarm overassertive overassured overattached overattentive overawe overbalance overbear overbearing overbid overblown overboard overbold overburden overburdensome overbuy overcapacity overcapitalize overcareful overcast overcasual overcautious overcharge overcloud overcoat overcome overcommon overcompensate overcompetitive overcomplacency overcomplacent overconcern overconfident overconscientious overconservative overconsiderate overcook overcool overcritical overcrowd overcurious overdecorate overdefensive overdelicate overdependent overdesirous overdetailed overdevelop overdiligent overdiversification overdiversify overdiversity overdo overdose overdraft overdramatize overdraw overdress overdrink overdrive overdue overeager overearnest overeat overeducate overelaborate overembellish overemotional overemphasis overemphasize overemphatic overenthusiastic overestimate overexcitable overexcite overexercise overexert overexpand overexpansion overexpectant overexplicit overexpose overextend overfamiliar overfamiliarity overfanciful overfastidious overfatigue overfeed overfill overflow overfond overfull overfurnish overgeneralize overgenerous overglaze overgraze overgrown overhand overhang overhastily overhastiness overhasty overhaul overhead overhear overheat overhurried overidealistic overimaginative overimpress overincline overindulge overindustrialize overinflate overinfluential overinsistence overinsistent overinsure overintellectual overintense overinterest overinvest overissue overjoy overkill overland overlap overlarge overlavish overlay overleap overlie overload overlong overlook overlord overmagnification overmagnify overmaster overmatch overmodest overmodify overmuch overnice overnight overoptimism overparticular overpass overpay overpessimistic overplay overpopulate overpower overpowerful overpraise overprecise overprice overprint overproduce overprominent overprompt overproportion overprotect overproud overqualified overrate overreach overreact overrefine override overriding overrighteous overrigid overripe overroast overrule overrun oversalt overscrupulous overseas oversee oversell oversensitive oversevere oversexed overshadow oversharp overshoe overshoot oversight oversimple oversimplify oversize overskeptical oversleep oversolicitous oversophisticated oversparing overspecialization overspecialize overspend overspread overstate overstay overstep overstimulate overstock overstretch overstrict overstuffed oversubscribe oversubtle oversubtlety oversupply oversuspicious oversystematic overtake overtax overtechnical overthecounter overthrow overtime overtire overtone overtop overtrain overturn overuse overvalue overview overviolent overwealthy overweening overweigh overweight overwhelm overwilling overwise overwork overwrought overzealous oxbow oxford pacemaker pacesetter painkiller painstaking pancake panhandle paperback paperhanger paperweight paperwork parkinglot parkway passbook Passover passport password pasteboard patchwork pathfinder pathway pawnbroker pawnshop payload paymaster payoff payroll peacemaker peacetime peanut peephole peewee penknife penman penmanship pennyroyal pennyweight peppercorn peppermint pickax pickpocket pickup pigeonhole piggyback pigheaded pigpen pigskin pigsty pigtail pillbox pillowcase pilothouse pincushion pineapple pinfeather pinhole pinkeye pinpoint pinprick pinstripe pinup pinwheel pipeline pitchfork pitchman pitfall plainclothes playbill playboy playgoer playground playmate playpen plaything playwright plowshare plywood pocketbook pocketknife pockmark pointblank polecat polestar policeman poorhouse popcorn popeyed popgun popover poppycock portend porterhouse portfolio porthole Portland potbelly potboiler potholder pothole pothook potluck potpie powerboat powerhouse praiseworthy pressman proofread puffball Pullman pullover purebred pushcart pushover pussyfoot quarterback quartermaster quarterstaff quicksand quicksilver quickstep racecourse racehorse racetrack ragtag ragtime ragweed railroad railway rainbow raincoat rainfall rainstorm rainwater ratline ratsbane rattlesnake rattletrap rawboned rawhide readywitted rearmost rearrange rearward redcap redcoat reddish redhead redraft redraw redskin redwood rhinestone ringleader ringside ringworm ripcord ripsaw riverside roadbed roadrunner roadside |
roadway
roebuck roommate rootstock rosemary rosewood roughhew roughhouse roughneck roughshod roundabout roundup rowboat rubdown rumrunner runabout runaway runlet runway sackcloth saddlebow sadiron safeguard safekeeping sagebrush sailboat sailfish saltcellar saltshaker saltwater sandalwood sandbar sandblast sandbox sandcast sandhog sandman sandpaper sandpiper sandstone sandstorm sapsucker saucepan sawbuck sawdust sawhorse sawmill scarecrow scatterbrain scholarship schoolboy schoolchild schoolgirl schoolhouse schoolmaster schoolmate schoolmistress schoolroom schoolteacher Scotchman scrapbook screenplay screwball screwdriver seaboard seacoast seafarer seafaring seafood seagoing seaman seamanship seaplane seaport searchlight seashell seashore seasickness seaside season seaward seaway seaweed seaworthy secondhand sendoff setback shakedown shakeup shamefaced sharecropper shareholder sharkskin sharpshooter sheepskin shellfish shipboard shipbuilding shipmate shipshape shipwreck shipyard shoehorn shoelace shoemaker shoetree shopkeeper shoplifter shopworn shoreline shortcake shortchange shortcoming shorthand shorthanded shortsighted shortstop shotgun showcase showdown showman showoff shuffleboard shutdown shuteye shuttlecock sickbay sickbed sideboard sideburns sidecar sidekick sideline sidelong sidereal sidesaddle sidestep sidestroke sideswipe sidetrack sidewalk sideways sightseeing signboard signpost silkworm silverfish silversmith silverware singsong skullcap skylark skylight skyline skyrocket skyscraper skyward skywriting slapdash slapstick slaughterhouse sledgehammer sleepwalking sleepyhead slingshot slipcover slipknot slipover slipshod smallpox smokehouse smokestack smoothbore snapdragon snapshot snowball snowbound snowdrift snowdrop snowfall snowplow snowshoe snowstorm soapstone softball somebody someday somehow someone someplace something sometime sometimes someway somewhat somewhere songbird soundproof soundtrack sourpuss southeast southward southwest soybean spacecraft spaceman spaceship speakeasy speedway speedwell spellbind spellbinder spellbound spendthrift spillway sportsman sportsmanship sportswear spotlight springboard Springfield springtime spyglass stagecoach staircase stairway stalemate standby standpipe standstill starboard starfish starlight stateroom stateside statesman steadfast steamboat steamroller steamship steeplechase steeplejack stepbrother stepchild stepdaughter stepfather stepladder stepmother stepparent steppingstone stepsister stepson stillbirth stockbroker stockholder stockpile stockyard stopgap stopwatch storehouse storekeeper storeroom stouthearted stovepipe stowaway straightedge straightforward strawberry streamlined streetcar streetwalker strikeout strongbox stronghold sub/machinegun sugarplum suitcase summertime sunburn Sunday sundial sundown sundry sunfish sunflower sunglasses sunlight sunlit sunrise sunset sunshine sunspot sunstroke sunup superego superhighway superhuman superman supermarket supernova surfboard swallowtail sweepstakes sweetbread sweetbrier sweetheart sweetmeat switchboard swordfish swordplay swordsman tablecloth tableland tablespoon tableware taillight tailspin takeoff talebearer tapeworm taproom taproot taskmaster tattletale teammate teardrop teaspoon telltale tenderfoot tenderhearted tenderloin tenpin textbook thanksgiving themselves thereabout thereafter thereat thereby therefor therefrom therein thereinafter thereof thereon thereto theretofore thereunto thereupon therewith thickset thighbone thistledown thoroughbred thoroughfare thoroughgoing threadbare threescore threesome throughout throughway throwback thumbnail thumbscrew thumbtack thunderbolt thunderclap thundercloud thunderhead thunderstone thunderstorm thunderstruck thundreshower tideland tidewater tightfisted tightlipped tightrope tightwad timberline timekeeper timepiece timetable timeworn tinderbox tinfoil tinsmith tintype tiptoe toadstool toastmaster toenail tollgate tomboy tombstone tomcat toothpaste toothpick topcoat topflight topknot topmost topnotch topsail topsoil tossup touchdown touchstone townsman townspeople trademark tradesman trainman trapshooting treadmill tribesman troopship troublemaker truckload trueblue truelove trustworthy tryout tugboat tumbleweed turnabout turncoat turnout turnover turnpike turnstile turntable turtledove twosome typeface typesetter typewrite typewriter under/thecounter underachieve underact underarm underbelly underbid underbred underbrush undercarriage undercharge underclad underclassman underclerk underclothed underclothes undercoat undercook undercover undercurrent undercut underdeveloped underdog underdone underdrawers underdress undereducated underemphasize underemployed underestimate underexpose underfeed underfinance underfoot underfur undergarment undergird undergo undergraduate underground undergrowth underhand underhanded underlayer underlie underline underlip underlying undermentioned undermine undermost underneath undernourished underofficial underpants underpart underpass underpay underpeopled underpinning underplay underpopulated underpowered underprice underprivileged underproduction underrate underripened underrun underscore undersea undersecretary undersell undersexed undershirt undershorts undershot underside undersigned undersized underskirt underslung underspend understaffed understand understanding understate understood understudy undersupply undersurface undertake undertaker undertaking underthings undertone undertow undertrained undervalue underwaist underwater underwear underweight underwind underworld underwrite upbeat upbraid upbringing upcoming upcountry update updraft upend upgrade uphill uphold upholster upholstery upkeep upland uplift upon uppercut uppermost upraise upright uprising uproar uproot upset upshot upstage upstairs upstanding upstart upstate upstream upsurge upswing uptake uptown upturn upward uttermost vainglory viewpoint vineyard violincello volleyball voltmeter vouchsafe waistcoat waistline walkout walkup wallboard walleye walleyed wallflower wallpaper wardrobe wardship warehouse warfare warhead warlike warlock warlord warpath Warsaw warship wartime washboard washcloth washout washroom washstand washtub wasteland watchdog watchman watchword waterfall waterfowl waterfront watermark watermelon waterpower waterproof watershed waterspout watertight waterway waterworks waveform wavelength waxwing waxworks wayside weakfish weatherboard weathercock weatherman weatherproof weekday weekend weightlifting westward wetback whaleboat whalebone whatever wheelbarrow wheelbase wheelchair wheelwright where/soever whereabouts whereas whereat whereby wherefore wherefrom wherein whereof whereon whereto whereupon wherewith which/soever whichever whipcord whipsaw whirlpool whirlwind whiskbroom whitecap whitefish whitewall whitewash wholehearted wholesale wholesome whomever widespread wildcat wildfire wildfowl wildlife windburn windfall windflower windlass windmill windowpane windowsill windpipe windshield windsock windstorm windswept windward wingspan wingspread wintergreen wintertime wiretap wisecrack wishbone witchcraft withdraw withdrawn withhold within without withstand woe/begone wolfhound womankind wonderland woodcarving woodchuck woodcraft woodcut woodcutter woodland woodpecker woodsman woodwing woodwork woolgathering work/aday workbench workbook workday workhorse workhouse workman workmanlike workmanship workout workroom workshop worktable worldwide wormwood worthwhile wrongdoer yachtsman yardarm yardstick yearbook yourself |
