Compound Words | Definition, Examples & Types

For example, the word tennis shoes forms a new word with a new meaning. The words tennis and shoes are used together frequently to mean a pair of shoes that are used in tennis and other sports. The adjective tennis does not just describe the shoes, but it joins the word shoes to create a new word with a new meaning.

Other adjectives can be used to describe shoes, but these words do not join the noun to create a new word. New shoes describe a new pair of shoes, and blue shoes describe the shoes as blue. These words do not create a new word with a new meaning when used with the word shoes.

Here are some other examples of open compound words:

• high school
• real estate
• living room
• school bus
• ice cream

When modifying adjectives containing the suffix -ly are used, the compound word is spelled as two words with a space between the two words.

• newly married
• poorly worded

Hyphenated Compound Words

Two or more words can be joined using hyphens to create a new word with a new meaning. Typically, these words are compound adjectives, meaning that two or more adjectives are describing the same noun.

• check-up
• short-term
• one-quarter

Hyphenated compound adjectives come before the noun in the sentence. If the words follow the noun, they are not hyphenated.

• It was an over-the-counter pain reliever.
• She passed the plate over the counter.

Double-digit numbers and some nouns can also be hyphenated compound words:

• thirty-five
• fifty-six
• mother-in-law

• Do you like blackberries? (closed compound word: blackberries)
• Visit the web page for more details. (open compound word: web page)
• Please schedule a follow-up appointment. (hyphenated compound word: follow-up)

Sentences can contain more than one compound word.

• I love to eat peanut butter pancakes. (open compound word: peanut butter) +(closed compound word: pancakes)
• Your grandmother has an old-fashioned way of doing things. (closed compound word: grandmother) + (hyphenated compound word: old-fashioned)

Spelling Compound Words

Spelling compound words can be difficult, but the accurate spelling of these words matters. An incorrectly spelled compound word can change the meaning of a sentence and cause miscommunication. Dictionaries are a great resource that will ensure the correct spelling of compound words to guarantee that ideas are communicated clearly.

• tooth + brush = toothbrush
• camp + fire = campfire
• long + shot = long shot
• back + door = back door
• life + size = life-size
• clean + cut = clean-cut

Compound words can be closed, open, or hyphenated.

• Closed compound words are combined with no space between the two words, such as toothbrush or campfire.
• Open compound words remain open, and a space is used between the two words, such as long shot or back door.
• Hyphenated words are joined with a hyphen, such as life-size or clean-cut.