COMPOUND NOUNS

Words can be combined to form compound nouns. These are very common, and new combinations
are invented almost daily. They normally have two parts. The first part tells us what kind of object or
person it is, or what its purpose is. The second part identifies the object or person in question.
Compound nouns often have a meaning that is different, or more specific, than the two separate
words.

First part: type or purpose Second part: what or who

police man

boy friend

water tank

dining table

You have noticed that the compound noun can be written either as a single word, as a word with a
hyphen, or as two words. There are no clear rules about this. A good rule of thumb is to write the
most common compound nouns as one word, and the others as two words.

The elements in a compound noun are very diverse parts of speech.

Compound elements Examples

noun + noun bedroom

water tank
motorcycle
printer cartridge

noun + verb rainfall

haircut
train-spotting
Compound elements Examples

noun + adverb hanger-on

passer-by

verb + noun washing machine

driving licence
swimming pool

verb + adverb lookout

take-off
drawback

adverb + noun onlooker

bystander

adjective + verb dry-cleaning

public speaking

adjective + noun greenhouse

software
redhead

adverb + verb output

overthrow
upturn
input

PRONUNCIATION
Stress is important in pronunciation, as it distinguishes between a compound noun and an adjective
with a noun. In compound nouns, the stress usually falls on the first syllable.

EXAMPLES
 a 'greenhouse = place where we grow plants (compound noun)
  a green 'house = house painted green (adjective and noun)
 a 'bluebird = type of bird (compound noun)
 a blue 'bird = any bird with blue feathers (adjective and noun)

Compound Nouns
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A compound noun contains two or more words that join together to make a single noun,
like "keyboard." A compound noun is a type of compound word that is used to designate a
person, place, or thing. Compound nouns can be formed in several ways, which is one
reason why writing these words can be tricky. Let's go ahead and clear the air surrounding
this topic.

What Is a Compound Noun?

A compound noun is formed when two words are combined to make a completely new
word. This means that the meaning of the new word must be significantly different than
either of its parts individually.
For example, a hot dog (or hotdog) - i.e., a type of sausage typically eaten on a bun - may
be hot, but it's certainly not a dog. The combination of these two words means something
entirely different than the mere combination of the adjective "hot" and the noun "dog,"
which would refer to an overheated, panting canine. Observe the difference below:
 I want to eat a hot dog when we go to the county fair.
 The hot dog was grateful to find a shady spot for a nap.
The first sentence uses "hot dog" as a compound word, but the second does not. The
meaning is quite different in each sentence, and English speakers should have no trouble
telling the difference between pets and food!

How Are Compound Nouns Formed?

Compound nouns, like all compound words, can be formed in three ways:
 Closed Form: These compound nouns simply push two words together to form a
single word, with no additional punctuation or spaces. Examples include softball,
redhead, makeup and keyboard.
 Hyphenated Form: These compound nouns connect two or more words with one or
more hyphens between them. Examples include six-pack, five-year-old, and son-in-
law.
 Open Form: These are compound nouns that function as one unique word, but are still
written as two or more separate words, with a space between each component.
Examples include post office, middle class, and attorney general.
Most compound nouns contain at least one noun. Of course, this isn't universally true, given
words like takeoff, but it's a good point for consideration. The other word or words used to
create compound nouns may be adjectives, prepositions, or verbs. The second word is often
the "main" word, with the first word modifying it or adding to its meaning.

Closed, Open or Hyphenated?

Truth be told, there are no rules governing why some compound words are hyphenated,
some are closed, and others remain open. Sort of like our friend, the irregular verb, you
simply have to study a word list or consult your dictionary.
In American English, if you're dealing with a common word, you can err on the side of
closed form. If it's not a common word, then you might want to consider using a hyphen or
open form. It's also worth noting that compound nouns that have become commonplace
sometimes lose the space or hyphen over time. For example, "on-line" is now online.
"Take-out" is now takeout.
While American English errs on the side of closed form, British/Canadian English errs on
the side of a hyphen. For example, the Shorter Oxford Dictionary uses pot-belly while the
American Heritage Dictionary uses potbelly.

Hyphens Avoid Ambiguity

Given the inconsistencies that revolve around compound nouns, it can be hard to know
when to hyphenate. While the hyphenated form is less common than the closed form
hyphenated compound nouns do have one benefit. They help avoid ambiguity.
For example, if you choose to write laughing-gas instead of "laughing gas," you're making
it clear that the gas is not laughing and it's functioning as a compound noun.
Also, you may be able to avoid a proverbial slap on the wrist knowing that some words
have more than one acceptable form. For example, we don't normally write "dry-cleaning"
or "ink-well." Rather, we write dry cleaning and inkwell. But, you shouldn't get red-lined
for using either form.

Compound Noun List

The best way to try to make some sense of this complex member of the English language is
to get a sense of how compound nouns are formed. We've listed the examples in groups that
indicate the parts of speech that make up each compound noun.
 adjective/adjective: red-orange, turquoise blue, golden yellow
Red-orange is one of this year's most popular colors.
 adjective/noun: blackboard, full moon, top hat
The teacher needed help erasing the blackboard.
 adjective/verb: dry-cleaning, public speaking, wet sanding
Be sure to pick up the dry-cleaning on your way home.
 noun/noun: toothpaste, wallpaper, fish tank
Toothpaste now comes in many flavors.
 noun/preposition: love-in, hanger on, passer-by
During the 1960s, a love-in was a form of peaceful protest.
 noun/verb: haircut, snowfall, photo shoot
Go get a haircut before the photo shoot.
 preposition/noun: underworld, bystander, afterlife
Many mythologies feature an underworld.
 preposition/verb: output, backbone, overthrow
The CEO wanted to increase her factory's output of new products.
 verb/noun: swimming pool, breakwater, washing machine
I can't wait to dive into that swimming pool.
 verb/preposition: takeout, check-in, drawback
Let's order takeout for dinner.

Plural and Possessive Rules for Compound

Nouns
To no surprise, there are no hard and fast rules concerning the plural form of compound
words, especially since some hyphens are omitted over time.
 In hyphenated words, usually the "s" goes at the end of the noun, as in daughters-in-
law or mayors-elect.
 Sometimes the "s" is at the end, as in go-betweens and higher-ups.
 In the open form, the "s" is often added to the noun, as in bills of fare, assistant
secretaries of state, notaries public and full moons.
To make a compound word possessive, you usually add apostrophe + s to the end of the
word, as in mother-in-law's car or five-year-old's birthday.
If the compound word is plural, it can get a little strange with two "s" sounds close
together, as in fathers-in-law's attire. If you can, it would be better to reword the sentence
so the plural compound word does not need to be possessive: the attire of the fathers-in-
law.

Making Language Richer

Compound nouns are just one way in which the English language has become richer over
time. While your brain is wrapping itself around the subject, take a look at the cousins to
compound nouns. Taking the time to familiarize yourself with compound
adjectives and compound verbs will help you round out your understanding of compound
words.
 Compound Word List #1

lifetime elsewhere upside grandmother

cannot baseball fireworks passport
together become became sunflower
crosswalk basketball sweetmeat superstructure
moonlight football railroad rattlesnake
anybody weatherman throwback skateboard
meantime earthquake everything herein
sometimes also backward schoolhouse
butterflies upstream nowhere bypass
fireflies because somewhere spearmint
something another somewhat airport
anyone today himself grasshopper
inside themselves playthings footprints
therefore uplift supergiant homemade
without backbone scapegoat peppermint

Compound Word List # 2

eyeballs longhouse forget afternoon
southwest northeast alongside meanwhile
keyboard whatever blacksmith diskdrive
herself nobody seashore nearby
silversmith watchmaker subway horseback
headquarter
itself sandstone limestone
s
underground glassmaking riverbanks touchdown
honeymoon bootstrap toothpick toothpaste
dishwasher household township shadyside
housekeepe
popcorn airplane pickup
r
bookcase babysitter saucepan lukewarm
bluefish hamburger honeydew raincheck
thunderstorm spokesperso widesprea
weekend
n d
commonplac
hometown moreover pacemaker
e

Compound Word List # 3

supermarket supermen supernaturalsuperpower
somebody someday somehow someone
anymore anyplace anytime anyway
backhand watchdog backlog backpack
backstage waterfall backtrack noisemaker
underage underbelly underbid undercharge
bookworm bookstore bookshelf bookend
superscript supersonic superstar supersensitive
bookkeeper bookmark bookmobile forgive
forklift format fortnight honeycomb
honeysuckle honeybee keyhole keynote
keyway keyword lifeblood lifeboat
lifeguard lifelike lifeline lifelong
forefinger forefather forehand forehead

Compound Word List # 4

onetime supercargo supercharge overabundance
backside backslap backspace backspin
underdevelo underestimat
undercut underdog
p e
superweapon
superstrong supertanker superwoman
underexpos
underfoot however eyesight
e
airfield sidekick crossover sunbathe
anywhere anyhow backache backbite
backbreaker backdrop backfire background
underachiev
textbook underact underarm
e
keypad keypunch keystone keystroke
upstairs softball uptight upstate
supercool superego superfine superhero
foreleg foreman foresee oneself

Compound Word List # 5

washroom blackbird blackboard blackberries

upend blacktop whitecap whitefish
whitewall whitewash friendship pancake
daytime upbringing upbeat upcoming
repairman firefighter standby bedroom
blackjack blacklist blackmail blackout
uphill waterline upkeep upland
firehouse teenager carpool bellbottom
ballroom brainchild pinstripe bodywork
upward upwind upturn storerooms
deadline rainbow watermelon waterway
daybreak daybook daydream daylight
update upgrade upheaval upheld
 Compound Word List # 6

upload washstand upon upperclassman

lifesaver forearm forbearer forbid
carhop carload carport carpetbagger
wastepaper upshot uplink upstage
newspaper grandchild grandparent grandchildren
fishpond fishtail hookup eyecatching
taxicab taxpayer teacup teamwork
uppercut uppercase uppermost uprising
newsreel newsstand newsworthy granddaughter
grandfather grandmaster grandaunt grandnephew
upright uproar uproot upstart
grandnieces grandson grandstand granduncle
boldface bankbook bankroll dishcloth
dishpan dishwater cardboard carefree

Compound Word List # 7

caretaker carsick carfare cargo

uptake upthrust newsroom uptime
carryall cartwheel wheelbase wheelbarrow
washcloth fishlike waterproof fishnet
newsdealer watershed newsman snowdrift
intake courtyard overflow cornmeal
underclothes overcoat undercover undercurrent
takeover talebearer taleteller tapeworm
superhuman wasteland superman superhighways
afterlife setback overland highway
mainland caveman drawbridge lifework
firebomb someplace passbook passkey
airtime firecracker sidewalk fireball
allover notebook throwaway fireproof
buttermilk footnote moonbeam Sunday

Compound Word List # 8

handmade candlelight firearm airline

crossbow sideshow software sunfish
moonstruck rattletrap weatherproof earthworm
schoolboy sweetheart butternut hereafter
playback foothill eyelid southeast
horseplay headache blueprint raindrop
weekday hammerhead foreclose foreclosure
slowdown skyscraper motherhood fatherland
forecast highball forebear mainline
slumlord snowball snakeskin soundproof
firebreak aircraft crosscut railway
earthward buttercup allspice noteworthy
playboy footlocker handgun horsepower
rainstorm bluegrass cheeseburger weeknight
headlight bedrock standoff commonwealth

Compound Word List # 9

cancan fireboat airlift Passover

crossbreed sideburns sunbaked moonshine

schoolbook hereby playhouse butterfingers

footlights handbook backslide eyelash

steamship headline spillway houseboat

longhand horsehair standpipe whatsoever

foresight soybean bookseller blueberry

cheesecake raincoat thunderbolt standpoint

bedroll cardsharp bellboy brainwash

bodyguard pinhole ponytail newsboy

careworn duckpin duckbill hookworm

courthouse afterimage highchair mothball

sixfold skintight skylight slapstick

snowbank standout handout eyeglasses

footrest stepson stockroom stonewall

Compound Word List # 10

sailboat watchword timesaving timeshare

salesclerk showoff sharecroppersheepskin

candlestick newsbreak newscaster newsprint

butterscotch turnabout turnaround turnbuckle

eyewitness starfish stagehand spacewalk

shoemaker turndown turnkey turnoff

horsefly comedown comeback cabdriver

bluebird tablespoon tabletop tableware

stoplight sunlit sandlot snowbird

bluebell wheelhouse fishhook fishbowl

stronghold tailgate taillight taillike

pinup tailspin takeoff takeout

bellhop taproot target taskmaster

steamboat dairymaid teaspoon daisywheel

pinwheel telltale tenderfoot tenfold

Compound Word List # 11

timekeeper watchword timesaving timeshare

shoelace showoff sharecropper sheepskin

newfound newsbreak newscaster newsprint

timetable turnabout turnaround turnbuckle

sharpshooter starfish stagehand spacewalk

turncoat turndown turnkey turnoff

aboveboard comedown comeback cabdriver

tablecloth tablespoon tabletop tableware

sundial sunlit sandlot snowbird

wheelchair wheelhouse fishhook fishbowl

tagalong tailgate taillight taillike

tailpiece tailspin takeoff takeout

taproom taproot target taskmaster

teammate dairymaid teaspoon daisywheel

showplace telltale tenderfoot tenfold

Compound Word List # 12

shortbread teapot timesaving timeshare

firewater airmen sharecropper sheepskin

moonscape schoolwork newscaster newsprint

hereupon weathercock turnaround turnbuckle

handcuff headdress stagehand spacewalk

housetop forever turnkey turnoff

tailcoat bedclothes comeback cabdriver

upstanding fisheye tabletop tableware

afterglow highland sandlot snowbird

sisterhood skylark fishhook fishbowl

waistline walkways taillight taillike

walleyed wallpaper takeoff takeout

wardroom warehouse target taskmaster

warlike warmblooded teaspoon daisywheel

warpath telltale tenderfoot tenfold

 Compound Word List # 13

around washbowl fisherman schoolbus

ashtray washboard beachcomb washout

blackball upmarket washtub wastebasket

sunroof sundown snowshovel sunup

upset wastewater superimpose watchband

jailbait jetliner dogwood downbeat

atchcase backlash watchman below

jetport boardwalk jackpot ballpark

watchtower timepieces watercolor watercooler

gumball goodbye nevermore coffeemaker

watercraft backstroke waterfront waterlog

moonwalk woodshop jellyfish waterfowl

uphold watermark fishmonger waterpower

shipbottom goodnight nutcracker racquetball

waterscape newsletter waterside waterspout

Compound Word List # 14

scarecrow toolbox gearshift tailbone

watertight waterworks waterwheel wavelength

thunderbird bugspray overshoes paycheck

wavelike warfare waxwork waybill

bowtie crewcut typewriter jumpshot

wayfarer waylaid wayward wayside

deadend eardrum postcard fruitcup

overboard jellybean centercut rubberband

sunray clockwise downunder earache

turntable driveway matchbox motorcycle

nightfall graveyard carrack doorstop

tadpole eggshell stopwatch limelight

ironwork cattail nursemaid sunglasses

wipeout egghead eardrop earthbound

daybed earring housework haircut

Compound Word List New

blowgun forethought upscale

duckweed forewarn upstroke

bowlegs foreknowledgeuptown

forebrain foregone washhouse

forefeet foreshadow washrag

forefoot foretold

forego foreword

foreground grassland

butterball horseman
 forecastle horseradish

foremost moonlit

forepaws catwalk

cardstock newborn

foredoom newsperson

forestall rainwater

Compound Nouns
What are compound nouns? Here, we’ll take an up-close look at compound nouns so you
can recognize them when you see them, plus we’ll provide you with some compound noun
examples that will help you use them effectively.

What is a Compound Noun

Compound nouns are words for people, animals, places, things, or ideas, made up of two
or more words. Most compound nouns are made with nouns that have been modified
by adjectives or other nouns.
In many compound nouns, the first word describes or modifies the second word, giving us
insight into what kind of thing an item is, or providing us with clues about the item’s
purpose. The second word usually identifies the item.

Compound nouns are sometimes one word, like toothpaste, haircut, or bedroom. These
are often referred to as closed or solid compound nouns.

Sometimes compound nouns are connected with a hyphen: dry-cleaning, daughter-in-law,

and well-being are some examples of hyphenated compound nouns.

Sometimes compound nouns appear as two separate words: full moon, Christmas tree,
and swimming pool are some examples of compound nouns that are formed with two
separate words. These are often referred to as open or spaced compound nouns.
Compound Noun Examples
The more you read and write, the more compound noun examples you’ll encounter. The
following sentences are just a few examples of compound nouns. Compound noun
examples have been italicized for easy identification.

Compound nouns can be made with two nouns:

Let’s just wait at this bus stop.

I love watching fireflies on warm summer nights.

While you’re at the store, please pick up some toothpaste, a six-pack of ginger ale, and
some egg rolls.

Compound nouns can be made with an adjective and a noun:

Let’s watch the full moon come up over the mountain.

Please erase the blackboard for me.

Compound nouns can be made with a verb and a noun:

Be sure to add bleach to the washing machine.

Let’s be sure to stay somewhere with a swimming pool.

Compound nouns can be made with a noun and a verb:

He always gets up before sunrise.

I really could use an updated hairstyle.

Compound nouns can be made with a verb and a preposition:

Checkout is at noon.

Please remember to schedule your dog’s annual check-up.

Compound nouns can be made with a noun and a prepositional phrase:

My mother-in-law is the kindest person I know.

Compound nouns can be made with a preposition and a noun:

Do you believe in past lives?

This city is vibrant, so it’s hard to believe it has a thriving criminal underworld.

Compound nouns can be made with a noun and an adjective:

We need a truckful of mulch for the garden.

Compound Nouns Exercises

Choose the word that makes each of these nouns into a compound noun.

1. Fund __________ (A – driver, B – seat, C – raiser)

2. News __________ (A– paper, B – story, C – travels)
3. Sun ____________ (A– day, B – glasses, C – heat)
4. Child ___________ (A – hood, B – ren, C – play)
5. Door ___________ (A– frame, B – handle, C – way)
Answer Key: 1 – C, 2 – A, 3 – B, 4 – A, 5 – C

Fill in the blanks to complete each compound noun, or with the one-word compound
noun that fits best.

6. Prevent a heart _________ by eating properly and getting enough exercise. (A –

stroke, B –attack, C – murmur)
7. Do you prefer peppermint or cinnamon flavored _____________? (A– cookies, B –
toothpaste, C – applesauce)
8. The full ___________ looked enormous as it rose over the horizon. (A – moon, B –
sun, C –sunset)
9. I’m going to the barber for a _____________. (A – trim, B – new style, C – haircut)
10. They’re digging a new swimming ____________ in the park. (A – suit, B – pool, C –
game)
11. I’d love to learn to pilot an ____________(A–boat, B – airplane, C – submarine)
12. One reason donuts are fattening is that they’re fried in cooking _____. (A – oil, B –
sugar, C –pans)
13. Sherrie is upset because she lost an ______________. (A – input, B – earring, C –
friendship)
14. We put a ____________ in the garden to chase birds away.(A – runway, B –
sunshade, C –scarecrow)
15. 15.I’ve got to pick up a package at the post ___________. (A – man, B – office, C –
book)
Answer Key: 6 – B, 7 – B, 8 – A, 9 – C, 10 – B, 11 – B, 12 – A, 13 – B, 14 – C, 15 – B

Guia practica sobre los

compound nouns y su uso
by Mariana Figueredo| Published December 27, 2018

En inglés se usan con mucha frecuencia un conjunto de palabras denominadas “compound

nouns” es decir sustantivos compuestos, los cuales como su nombre lo indica se conforman
por más de una palabra, cuya suma de palabras forman un sustantivo cuyo significado es
totalmente diferente al de las palabras por separado.

Compound nouns, aprende cuales son los tipos y sus

diferentes usos
Los sustantivos compuestos forman parte del argot diario y se utilizan con más frecuencia de
lo que imaginas, así que si estas aprendiendo este idioma debes poner atención e interés en
aprender estas palabras, quizás al principio de cueste familiarizarte con el orden de los
sustantivos por ello hay una regla general que puedes seguir para orientarte sobre el orden
de las palabras que componen un sustantivo compuesto, que sería básicamente que el
sustantivo clave habitualmente va en segundo lugar, precedido de una palabra que lo
 describe, en la gramática del español se denomina esa primera palabra como “complemento
del nombre”.

Veamos un ejemplo básico de ellos:

break + fast = breakfast

Este compound noun esta conformado por el verbo romper (break) y ayunar (fast), los cuales
aparentemente no tienen relación y mucho menos con el resultado que se obtiene al unir estas
dos palabras, aunque si bien en este caso analizas más profundamente puedes determinar
que break=romper y fase=ayuno entonces en definitiva romper el ayuno, resulta el desayuno.

Los sustantivos compuestos más utilizados están formados por dos sustantivos, o de un
adjetivo que cambia al sustantivo, no obstante hay una gran variedad que resultan al combinar
sustantivos, adverbios, preposiciones, verbos, etc. A continuación los tres tipos de sustantivos
compuestos más comunes:

1. Lo que están unidos en una sola palabra, que tambien se les llama en inglés solid or closed

compound nouns), algunos ejemplos de este tipo de sustantivos son:

Ejemplos:

bodyguard – guardaespaldas

goalkeeper – portero (en el futbol)

doorman – portero de un edificio, una discoteca, etc

backbone – espina dorsal (o también “coraje”)

headache – dolor de cabeza

cupboard – estantería (literalmente una tabla donde poner las copas)

fireman – bombero

headphones – auriculares

housekeeper – una persona que viene a limpiarte la casa

keyboard – el teclado

conference room – la sala de reuniones

 waterfall – una cascada

bathroom – cuarto de baño

bedroom – el dormitorio

sidewalk – la acera

sunburn – quemadura del sol

wallpaper – papel pintado (para cubrir las paredes)

policeman – un policía

bookshop – una librería

2. Los que tienen un guíon para separar dos palabras, en inglés se les conoce como

“hyphenated compound nouns”

Ejemplos: face-to-face, home-made, sister-in-law, good-looking, well-known…

3. Los se conforman por dos palabras separadas, este tipo de sustantivo compuesto en inglés se

llama open or spaced compound nouns)

Ejemplos: Prime Minister, front door, bus stop, pedestrian crossing, swimming pool …

4. Los se conforman con una preposición más una palabra.

Ejemplos:

underwear – la ropa interior

overtime – horas extras que se trabaja

overhead – los gastos generales de una empresa

output – rendimiento
offspring – los críos

shakeup – una situación caótica

upkeep – mantenimiento

Veamos otros tipos de sustantivos compuestos según su formación:

noun + noun alarm clock, credit card, trademark, baby-sitter

noun + adjective homesick, bad tempered, grateful, careful

noun + verb rainfall, haircut, sunrise, hairstyle

noun + adverb passer-by, hanger-on

noun + prepositional phrase face-to-face

verb + noun washing machine, runway, driving license, cross-road

verb + preposition checkout, drawback, take-off, take-away

adjective + noun blackboard, full moon, blackberry, small talk

adjective + verb highlight, dry-cleaning, public speaking

preposition + noun underground, underworld, inbox, offspring

preposition + verb outlook, input, upturn, overthrow

Por ultimo es importante destacar que el word stress, que en español llamamos a la
acentuación de la palabra al pronunciarla es vital para saber si se trata de un sustantivo
compuesto o más bien de un adjetivo con un sustantivo, asi que debes poner especial cuidado
ya que decir “greenhouse” (invernadero) no es igual que decir green house (una casa verde),
para referirte al invernadero debes acentuar la primera palabra, es decir “green” , mientras que
si al acentuar la segunda palabra estarías hablando entonces de una casa verde.

No obstante, como toda regla tiene sus excepciones, como ya hemos dicho los sustantivos
compuestos se acentúan en la primera silaba, pero no todos los sustantivos compuestos
siguen esta regla. En casos como títulos o nombres propios, se debe acentuar la primera
sílaba de la segunda palabra.